Summer Solstice 2017

Greetings!
   I know it's been a while.  Still working on EtymologyRules; the book is being revised and edited, and my goal is to print before the end of summer.  Summer!  How fitting.  One of my summer goals is to print and begin selling EtymologyRules: Back to the Basics.  I also seek to write more etymology and astrology articles and get back to teaching etymology.  Going forward, I will be doing individual readings on a limited basis; I prefer to do these readings in person, so if you are ever in DC, let me know!

   Tomorrow is the first day of the summer solstice.  The word solstice literally means "place at which the sun stands" (see Latin solstititum, sol: Sun and sistere: to stand) as the sun appears to stand in the same place for three days.  The sun is at the highest point in the sky for three days, before it begins its descent (which is when the days begin to get shorter).  This is the day of the year in which we receive the Most SunLight!  How awesome is that!?  I hope your plan is to soak it up and bask in the glory of the Sun, or Sol, or Ra, the great life giver.  
 
    The solstice ushers in Cancer!  Cancer is known as the crab today, but in ancient times, it was the Scarab.  The scarab beetle represents renewal and regeneration (similar attributes of Scorpio).  In Ancient Egypt, Ra, the sun "god" was thought to roll the sun across the earth to the horizon, through the underworld during the time of setting, and back to the surface the next day, as a sign of renewal.  The scarab or dung beetle rolls dung into balls to lay eggs and/or store food; when the eggs hatch, the beetles are surrounded by food.  The Egyptian deity Khepri, represented the scarab beetle, and his name literally means "transform" or "regenerate".  The scarab doesn't fold the the challenges in life; he recreates his physical exterior, and the Egyptians recognized that he can show us how to take hold of our own lives rather than let life "happen" to us.  The summer solstice is the time to muster all of our strength to transform our lives.  The universe blesses us with this time, for at its height, the Sun emanates the strongest rays; we would be wise to use them transform.  
    

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Cancer, being the Moon in Western astrology, shows us that great transformation begins from within.  Cancer, the mother of the Zodiac, is the ultimate transformer- she goes from being a maiden, to a mother, and finally, a matron.  Throughout all these stages, she transforms; her experiences bring her knowledge and power, which we call magic (from Proto-Indo-European root magh meaning power or ability).  She makes a way out despite the odds because her ultimate goal is guiding and promoting life.  She is not the life giver (Sun), but she is the life sustainer.  And the solstice is the time to ramp ourselves up to make a way; we can do anything that comes to our mind.  The universe speaks to our commandments.  Mothers command that their children be nurtured, nourished, and safe, and open themselves up to anything that brings benefit and joy to their children's lives.  Think of your ideas and thoughts as children.  Take care of them, and tend to their needs.  Dig deep within, and determine what commands you must dictate to the universe to transform your life.

So it's the time to soak up the Sun's power to continue to be cultivate magical Moorish minds; here are  some summer solstice rituals:
- sitting in the Sun
- spiritual bathing
- candle burning and meditation
- spending time with family 
- spending time at home
- spending time in nature

Summer Solstice 2017

This year, the Moon will be in Taurus during the solstice.  How favorable!! A Taurus Moon is exalted in Taurus (3 degrees, so the height of the energy has transpired).  Emotions are calm and we are able to patiently look within at ourselves, which ultimately allows us to be patient with others.  Venus also in Taurus brings us peace and tranquility in our unions as well.  Taurus energy represents solid self-esteem, and when we know our self-worth and have personal stability, we can better build with mates.  

Mercury is moving into Cancer and will conjunct the Sun exactly earlier in the day.  Mars is also in Cancer at 10 degrees, acting more like Scorpio.  Wherever Mars and Mercury are in your chart, they will cause emotional thinking and potentially overemotional reactions.  Meditations, water bathing, and journal writing are key.  And afterwards, quality time with your mate or a partner would be most beneficial.  From a business perspective, it'd be a good time to plan with a business partner or create some type of business partnership. 

Mars and Jupiter square, and so we can be overly passionate, too sensitive, indecisive, and ultimately, block our ability to expand and grow.  Take time to weigh your options, but ultimately, your intuition is your best guide at this time, especially with the trine of Neptune and Mars.  
 The message here is think and consult the spirit before acting.  Otherwise, you will likely experience many mis-steps and mistakes.  



Overall, tomorrow, and the next three days are good days to charge up and store energy to transform and manifest our dreams.  Happy Solstice Moors.  

Islam,
  SB  

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