If there was ever a time to believe in the power of dreams and magic, it would be on the cusp of summer solstice (literally translated from Latin as “stopping sun”). The longest day of the year is a time when the light lifts our spirits and its healing warmth appears endless.
The summer solstice is a time of celebration, of honoring the light and our inner connection to the sun and the Earth. At this mystical time, the sun appears to stand still in the sky. It is a time of magical and spiritual powers.
This solar high point is a time of fertility and growth. Light is spiritual in nature. The summer solstice is, therefore, a highly spiritual time. Summer is a celebration of the Earth’s rich bounties. It is a time of balance. We celebrate light’s triumph over darkness with the light being at its fullest, yet on the edge of drawing back to the darkness.
Every culture has its traditions and celebrations to honor this time of energy and spirituality. Each year, people gather worldwide to witness a mystical night and the sunrise on this magical morn. In England, thousands gather at Stonehenge, a place symbolizing power and endurance, and celebrate with dancing, singing and general revelry. Stonehenge, which was built from 3000 B.C. to 2000 B.C., remains a magical mystery. Some have suggested it functioned as an ancient burial site or a place of healing. With its giant monolithic stones in a circular pattern, it aligns with high point of the solstice. Whatever its origin, it is most obviously a sacred landscape and a fertile ground for following the natural cycles of life.
According to folklore, to be born on the magical cusp of the summer solstice (from June 19-24) is to be born into light, with special gifts and a complex soul. People born on this cusp are thought to be balanced, inspired, thoughtful, profound and an inspiration to others.
Dawn of June 20, 2013, saw the birth of my first grandchild, Copeland. The timing of his birth was fortuitous. The preceding winter had been a dark night of the soul. Due to poor life choices on my part, I found myself in a place where my relationship with my daughters was strained. I seemed unable to walk the right path, even with considerable guidance. In addition, a cancer scare had shrouded me in darkness even more. It was clear it would take a miracle to pull me out of the dark hole I had made my home.
Copeland was that miracle. The knowledge that a new life was growing inside my vulnerable youngest child lifted the dark blinders from my eyes. Inside this well of blackness, a glimmer of light was breaking through. It would take self-examination and consistency, including building trust with my girls, but the path was suddenly very clear. I could not and would not let anything deter me from being the love my family could depend on.
The months leading up to Copeland’s birth were fruitful times of repairing the disconnect. As the days lengthened, so did the emotional bonds. Some doubt and fear remained; the journey from that soul’s dark night was not always an easy one. Light, however, gradually replaced the dark as it moved toward the longest day – the birthday of my first grandson.
Three years later, as the summer solstice again draws near, the significance of Copeland’s birth is evident within me and my family. Our time together is nurturing and joyful. The healing continues, and Copeland is living his “cuspian” traits. He embodies balance, bringing opposites together into harmony. In addition, Copeland is generous, sharing sweetly with his younger cousin. His is both joyful and intense. He is both left-brained and right. He is, without a doubt, a healing energy.
My precious grandson Copeland is, as his magical birthdate suggests, the giver of light, love and life.
Sharon Cole lives in Delmar and is a licensed speech-language pathologist and proud grandmother. Her goal is to enhance children’s lives through love, laughter and language. She can be reached at [email protected] or www.facebook.com/britishnannyslp.
