when night equals day

Today we celebrate the summer solstice. In Latin it means sol– or “the sun” and sistere “to make stand.” A time when night and day are in perfect balance.  The still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year's threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath. Margaret Atwood

Here, all is green and growing, potential coming into being, the miracle of manifestation painted large on the canvas of awareness. Gary Zukav. It is a time of reflection, release, restoration, and renewal. Sarah Ban Breathnach  A time of warmth, fertility and harvest.

A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.  St. Francis of Assisi

Our shadows at noon are small pools at our feet. We celebrate light and honor the wisdom of the shadows. In connecting with the natural world in a way that honors the sacred immanence in all things, we establish a resonance with the seasons. Dacha Avelin

It is a time to connect with nature and to celebrate the harvest of life. Let every dawn be to you as the beginning of life, and every setting sun be to you as its close. Jon Ruskin

Solstice

This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year's threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath. Margaret Atwood

The winter solstice, or longest night is celebrated in HK on Dec 22. It is a time when the pendulum of night reverses and days become longer.   A time where yin/cold exceeds yang/ hot. So we gather together to enjoy the harmony of family over a warming meal such as hot pot finishing with tong yuen or glutinous rice balls resembling the moon.  In both the east and west the winter solstice is a time of transition, of letting go and turning the page. David Bowie says You can't stand still on one point for your entire life.  As the seasons turn, we too turn towards the light, to longer sun filled days with optimism and opportunity.

Turn turn turn

To everything there is a season.

Last Sunday an acquaintance tragically died through misadventure. This tenuous thread called life is but a blink of time during which we live, love, learn and leave.  Like the seasons, we too shall pass. Yet to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. – Thomas Campbell

This weekend we celebrate the passing of spring and the beginning of summer. Nature reminds us that for everything there is a purpose.  King Solomon wrote these words 3000 years ago, Pete Seeger set them to lyrics and the Byrds sang it.  (listen here Turn  )

To everything
There is a season
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may…
 
Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. ~Ruth Ann Schabacker
In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years. -  Abraham Lincoln