The Solar Mysteries
encountering the spiritual sun
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The sun was reborn at the winter solstice, and just a few weeks later, at the spring equinox, it gained primacy. We are now in the time of the solar mysteries.
Throughout the winter months, our inner being slows down, absorbed in the energies of Earth and the mysteries of our sister, the Moon. Like Persephone in the underworld, our soul moves in shadow, peering into the fertile darkness and seeking a glimpse beyond the veil that parts us from the deep sea of the unconscious. In winter, we have time to drift and dream. Without the sensory delights of nature in bloom, we naturally turn inward. We think, we wait. We encounter the strangeness of dreams and the wanderings of the imagination.
In the winter season, there is a strong urge to reflect. Our inner world ebbs and flows, and we can be taciturn, drifting from one mood to another. At other times, we are stoic, stern, and immovable in our thoughts and feelings as stone. The chill of winter can freeze the surface of our emotional flow, though the deeper waters continue to churn the mud at the bottom where the sleeping lotus lies.
Such are the lunar mysteries as they manifest within us. But now, all of that has been swept away by the turning seasons.
It is spring, and the Sun is strengthening, pouring its energies into the Earth and the human soul. We are invited into a new experience. The solar mysteries are now calling us forward.
The solar mysteries encompass the pouring out of new life, energy, and activity from the Divine to the Earth. They are filled with possibilities, active, and creative. The solar mysteries tell how we are joined to the Divine, and we are thus invited to make, do, build, organize, and oversee what manifests in the physical world.
We can imagine the solar mysteries implanting the seed of divinity through the Spirit into our human nature. It is not a coincidence that the Annunciation is celebrated so near the spring equinox. We are purified and lifted, given power to overcome our lower self, and rise like a seed in the earth towards the Sun’s transforming power, bringing us to maturity and abundance. Again, it is no coincidence that Easter, the fulfillment of the potential of the Annunciation, is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.
This is a great mystery indeed.
As we move through spring and summer, the solar will eclipse the lunar. Not destroy it, but in the dance of the seasons, the lunar mysteries will step back, allowing the solar mysteries to shine brightly and fully impact the year and our souls.
The scope and depth of the solar mysteries are indeed vast. Today, we shall only touch on them. The tableau of spring we witness in nature is an apt picture of what happens on other planes of existence. The earth is barren, cold, and desolate in winter, as is the soul when we are far from our divine sun. In nature, this distance occurs regularly; in human souls, it also occurs but not with the predictability of natural cycles. But surely, we have all felt a winter in our souls when we move away from the Divine Source.
In spring, nature undergoes a profound transformation at the sun's return. The dormant potential for creation, life force, and fulfillment of that potential is activated.
In spring and summer, we encounter our spiritual sun, the Light of Christ, born at Christmas and perfected at Easter. We receive the solar mysteries within ourselves on higher planes, the etheric, astral, and our “I “ consciousness. The Divine Spirit activates our potential towards our full flowering, drawing us upward and outward.
During these months of solar mysteries, we are called to examine how the perfect blossom of loveliness we have the potential to produce forms and grows. At the heart of the solar mysteries is the Divine Life within us.
"The sun is the source of all life on Earth, and it is through the sun that we can understand the spiritual forces that permeate the universe. The sun is not merely a physical body; it is a spiritual being that influences the development of life on our planet." ~ Rudolph Steiner
The meditation below encourages you to connect with the spiritual essence of the sun and to integrate its qualities into your life, fostering personal transformation and a deeper understanding of its place in the cosmos.
Sun Meditation
Preparation: Find a quiet and comfortable space to sit or lie down without distractions. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and relax your body.
Visualization: Close your eyes and visualize a warm, radiant light surrounding you. Imagine this light as the sun's light, filling the space with warmth and energy. Picture it entering your body, illuminating every cell and aspect of your being.
Affirmation: As you visualize the light, you can affirm silently or aloud: "I am a child of God, filled with His light and love. I open my heart to the warmth and guidance of Divine presence, just as the sun brings light to the world. May I reflect this light in my life and share Divine love with others.”
Contemplation: Reflect on the qualities of the sun—its warmth, life-giving energy, and illuminating light. Consider how these qualities relate to your own life and spiritual journey. Think about how you can embody these qualities in daily interactions.
Connection to the Cosmos: Expand your awareness to the cosmos. Visualize the sun as part of a greater cosmic order, connecting you to all beneficent living beings and the universe's goodness. Feel the interconnectedness of all life and the spiritual forces that flow through everything.
Closing: Gradually bring your awareness back to your physical surroundings. Take a few deep breaths, and when you feel ready, open your eyes. Take a moment to reflect on the experience and how you can carry the insights gained into your daily life.
So much more could be said about the connection of Spirit, Sun, and Moon on the earth and the Soul. But higher mysteries are best taken in slowly, pondered and explored unhurriedly, allowing us to receive insight and understanding over time. The whole spring and summer lie before us, inviting us to connect with the Sun and bask in its illumination that warms our inner being.
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