Welcome to Summer Solstice 2012 (here in the Northern Hemispehere), the day of the year when the sun is exceptionally generous with life-giving energy and illumination. As we experience this plenary brilliance, much is brought into the full light of day, brought to consciousness and fullness. The Summer Solstice is also a turning point; upon reaching its bright peak, the sun begins its descent toward the darker time of year.
Curiosity about what might come to full consciousness for us today led me to add up the numbers of the date to discover which tarot card corresponds to it:
6 + 20 + 2012 = 2038
2 + 0 + 3 + 8 = 13
13 = Death
Trump XIII — Death — connotes cutting things away so that new growth may sprout, intense experiences of death and rebirth, elimination and transformation. On this Solstice, that which requires cutting away or elimination in our lives is placed in the spotlight. XIII can also indicate liberation from outworn forms, composting, and recycling. Within us and around us are old items and ways of being that don’t work anymore. These, too, are highlighted for our purusal by today’s solar peak. Death also suggests that we can become fully aware of the dead, our ancestors and the patterns we’ve inherited from them that need to be sliced away. Some of us may come to terms with death and thereby find a sense of freedom.
Trump XIII invites us to contemplate and act on questions such as:
-
What do I need to clear away so that new growth can sprout forth unimpeded?
-
What needs to be eliminated so that real transformation can occur?
-
What aspects of myself or my life are necessary for me to offer as holy compost?
To be with these questions on the longest day of the year is an act of healing that engenders more vitality in ourselves and in our world. A blessed Summer Solstice to all of you!
** Images are from the Jean Dodal Tarot de Marseille, restored by the late Jean-Claude Flornoy: http://www.tarot-history.com/index.html or http://letarot.com/index.html
My bestest friend in the whole world died on the Summer Solstice. I always thought it would be the perfect time to transition….
Blessings to your friend’s soul, Nancy.
It might be interesting to work out the card for that particular year’s Summer Solstice and notice what the card whispers to you about your friend’s transition.
Hugs,
James
Today we are attending the military burial of my father-in-law. The sun is shining brightly. Blessed be.
May you, Craig, and the family experience the generous warmth of Life, even in the midst of death, Joanna.
I’m fascinated that this combination of the longest day of light with the concepts of XIII is resonating with so many people.
Loving blessings,
James
Today I have cast Sacred Space in the energy provided by the New Moon of yesterday (within 24 hours) and of the Summer Solstice energy of today. The waxing of Luna and the waning of the year 2012 combined for me a place to leave behind bad habits in exchange for the work of digging deep within my psyche this Autumn/Winter to locate the ideas that I feel I need to embrace and express. I will honor the waxing and waning of Luna as 2012 comes to an end by honoring my inner journey during Her waning phase and placing the lessons I encounter on the page during Her waxing phase. May each of you have a wonderful and Blessed Summer Solstice 2012. Blessings always, Wanda
What a beautiful way to honour this time, Wanda. I love your journalling practice suggestion!
Very Nice. I never thought about deducing cards of the day like this. Very nice.
There are so many applications, so many templates we can apply to the tarot. I LOVE that!
As always, James, when you point out a direction, it brings me back to my studies of Tarot and, of course, LIFE. Thank you!
Always happy to be a tour guide of the soul, Suzi! To what part of your tarot studies does this point you?
The trump 13 does seem to resonate peculiarly well for this Solstice. I almost get the thought that there is hidden work going on behind ourselves, that will bear fruit, but some things must end/ change/ transform for this fruit to be bourne. I’m intrigued, puzzled and pleased; all at once!
Maybe that final (for this year) increase of light will end/ transform something? I just see light guiding us all far, far further than we anticipated. But we need to listen to get the direction true – not that anyone following your blog needs telling that, already being people who ‘listen’!
Solstice Blessings Everyone!
Sue (at http://www.reikipeth.net )
Lovely to hear from you, Sue. What is most intriguing to you this Solstice-tide? What is most puzzling? most pleasing?
The intrigue, is how far you can ‘see’. My puzzlement is what is it I’m seeing. And I’m pleased with both, how far & what! It feels like the right track. Whatever that it turns out to be.
Pingback: Summer solstice dance | Holistic me
Pingback: Honoring the Summer Solstice « clearskies, bluewater
Well, how about this: I feel like Death because of the heat wave we are having in Ontario, and can hardly wait to transition to the cold front which is supposed to arrive Friday.
Does that work for you? Too literal?