Happy approaching Solstice, Midsummer or Midwinter, wherever you live in the world

In the northern world, in the folk customs of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, the Baltic solar Goddess, Saule, Queen of the Heavens and Earth, dressed and crowned with gold, drives her shining chariot across the skies. On the feast of St Lucia, once the Northern Goddess of Light, on December 13, Saule dances with her daughters, the planets. She returns in triumph on  the Mid-Winter Solstice and her celebrations continue until January 6.

On the Midwinter Solstice in the Northern world, the Old Crone of Winter or sometimes the three midwives birth the new Sun King or Queen and invite us to walk into the darkness with them  as the Shortest day fades and the Longest Night begins, in trust the light will return.

In the southern world, the Australian Aboriginal creator woman Waramurunggundji of the Gunwinguu people of the Northen Territory of Australia  emerged from the sea and gave birth to the first people. In the ever-present Dreamtime,  she carries her digging stick and a bag of food  and medicinal plants and flowers. She goes on to dig the water holes. Then leaving her children to enjoy the fruits of her work, she enters a sacred stone so remaining present in her creation; as the sun shines brightly at Midsummer we are reminded her creations are constantly renewed and we should help to preserve them. Reach out for your own power or maybe reclaim it after a long absence at this dual sunshine festival of Michael, Archangel of the Sun who blesses both Midwinter and Midsummer, his special festivals. Focus now on what you want more than anything and make that leap of faith. Do not be held back by what if it goes wrong? Make those dreams anew and come true by faith, hard work and persistence.

• On Solstice Eve wherever you live, take three white candles, two small and a larger one, set between the other two, in secure heatproof holders with a lip you can carry.

• Light first the smaller left-hand candle for your own hemisphere’s Midwinter or Midsummer, whether you are trudging through the freezing rain or turning on the air conditioning along with the Christmas lights.

• Ignite the second right hand flame for the mirror Solstice being celebrated across the world at the same time as your own.

• Now light the third larger central candle by holding the other two flames simultaneously in its flame.

• Then hold each of the outer candles one in each hand, facing the central candle, saying,  We are one world, warmed by the same sun, all children of the great Sun Mother.  Let us send blessings to all who are sorrowing, who  are suffering grievous loss through war, floods or poverty, asking that there may be peace, reconciliation, relief for all and light in a darkness that will never extinguish the everlasting brightness of love.

• Blow out the two outer candles, sending blessings to wherever it is most needed and let the middle one burn through. 

Celebrate the midwinter with evergreen circlets, or fallen boughs, silver and gold ribbons, tiny-wrapped presents to be opened on the Solstice.

Light white and scarlet candles for the return of the light and purple for what must be left behind.

In the Southern hemisphere, make the day meaningful  by a small act to make yourself  and someone else happy. Deck your Solstice day with brightly-coloured flowers, oak or redwood fallen  boughs, golden fern pollen that is said to reveal buried treasure wherever it falls, scarlet, orange and yellow ribbons, gold coloured coins and any gold jewellery, that can be empowered at the festival with your wishes that the sun will shine in your life .As darkness falls or just before dawn, light a red, gold or orange candle and blow into the flame secret wishes.

Make your Solstice water, the most potent Sun water of the year, leaving water in a gold coloured dish surrounded by golden or yellow -coloured flowers from dusk on the Solstice Eve until Noon on the Longest Day.

Happy Solstice and may the sun of love, happiness and health shine on you.