This June 20th represents the Summer Solstice. Believed to be one of the oldest of celebrated days of the year, there is archeological evidence that this day was celebrated as long ago as the Neolithic – which was 7000-1700 BCE! Yes, a long time ago. Summer Solstice a special day when the Northern Hemisphere has its longest day. Conversely, the Southern Hemisphere has their shortest day of the year.From ancient man to the current year, mankind has a long history with celebrating the Summer Solstice.For the Wiccan it is Lithia, a time of plenty and celebration. For the Pagan, Asatru, Neo-Pagan and more,observance helps them feel that direct connect to the ancestors. Other religions that mark the Equinox as a holy day are Buddhist, Hindu, and many First Nations peoples. The marking of the Solstice was an important time for our ancestors. So much so that great constructions were made to ensure that the solstices and equinoxes were remembered precisely. Tracking these dates allowed for better luck growing crops and was essential to mark the …

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Have you ever felt like you’re taking two steps backward only to move forward? That’s the strange energy of Saturn retrograde, a time when we are asked to rethink the foundations of our lives and refine our approach for long-term success. Astrologers see Saturn as the wise architect in all of us. (See previous article: Saturn, The Wise Architect of Our Lives) This planet rules responsibility, commitment, and the structures we build – from careers to relationships. It is not in a hurry: it takes 28.5 years to move through the zodiac and spends about two and a half years in a sign. But once a year, there is a four-month period when Saturn seems to slow down even more and pull back in the sky. Not literally, of course: the retrograde motion is an optical illusion caused by the Earth’s orbit, but it has huge astrological significance on both an individual and collective level. When it slows down, appears to stop, and begins to move backward (or, in astrological terms, stations retrograde, abbreviated SR), then …

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