Finding Strength Through Giving Honor To The Sun

As a Witch, I’ve always found a connection to witchcraft through connection to the moon. However, in these days of isolation, I am learning that the sun deities have comfort and strength to offer.  You would think it’s second-nature to reach out to the sun when bleakness rules the world. And you would think Brighid’s aspect as a goddess of the dawn would lead me toward the sun for spellwork, devotion, etc. I have even reached out to Hekate as a World Soul through a sunrise meditation. Even so, it hadn’t occurred to me that I might find strength by honoring the sun until this morning.

Sun: Stepping Into The Light Can Be Hard

In these days of social distancing, my family and I have done what we can to raise our spirits as well those of the people who listen to our podcast. Even so, the weeks of worry over those we know who have contracted COVID-19 or the feelings of sadness over the many lives lost to this illness wears on a person. And it can be a challenge to hold onto one’s spiritual or witchcraft practice during such a time.

As I’ve written (and said on the podcast) — it’s okay if you are not “feeling it” right now. Motivation may be low. Or perhaps, you need to use this time as an extended “Hermit” time. It’s okay if you want to dwell in the cave until you feel safe or ready to emerge. Hopefully, you are not one of those people who loses their head when offered a chance to loosen restrictions and step into the light. Be smart, not reckless.

But if you are a person who has found high energy to accomplish tasks or begin new projects, while maintaining distance and honoring necessary restrictions, then more power to you. That is awesome, but not all of us have been in that mind/heart space. Yet.

Sun: Honoring The Repetition

Perhaps, if you are like me, then you are trying to find ways out of your “Winter cave”. The comforting energy of the dark has grown tired, perhaps even stale. Something new and fresh is required to get going. And it’s not like there aren’t options. There are things I can be doing outside, as I have a large fenced yard with no worries of contact with people other than the two with whom I live. You would think that would be motivation enough, maybe jumpstart my spiritual practice a bit. And I’ve even done some of those things and it has helped to a degree. But there is still a malaise of emotional and physical exhaustion the last couple of months have created within me.

And then this morning it hit me. What if I give honor to the sun? Take the time to get dressed and go outside, meditate for five or ten minutes, focusing my attention on thankfulness for the light and warmth the sun provides. As a Witch and Pagan, I can do this by aligning with the sun as a planetary body or through a deity with whom I’ve become acquainted in the last few years — Sunna, the Norse solar goddess.

So, I spent some time chanting in meditation. Saying Sunna’s name, offering a prayer of thanks for her light and warmth. And then it occurred to me I’ve attended rituals to Apollo in the past, so I spent some time honoring him as well. And then I remembered how when I have done yoga, the Sun Salutation holds so much more meaning than what western practice has revealed. So, I performed a basic series while honoring the sun (Surya). Tomorrow I will repeat these practices with a gift of water in a ritual that reminds me that every day, even in its sameness, can be new.

Sun: Embrace The Energy Of The Solar Cycle

As mentioned, as a witch I do tend to put a lot more emphasis on the moon, its cycle, and the deities associated with the moon such as Hekate, Artemis, and Mani (the Norse lunar deity). And this in spite of the fact my primary practice is Green Witchcraft, growing things, herbalism, etc. I suppose it comes down to familiar stereotypes.

However, there is a lot of witchcraft to be practiced with the sun as well. Moody Moons offers a wonderful 2015 article listing a variety of ways to work with solar energy. And the article served as a reminder that the sun has a cycle with a liminal time-space that can be accessed — sunrise, noon, and sunset. You can use the sun for workings such as general good feelings, family, wealth, health, love, and abundance (among other things). But for today, let’s focus on the ritual I performed this morning.

A Solitary Ritual To Honor The Sun

Items needed:

1. A blanket or chair to sit on outside.
2. A glass or small pitcher of water.

Timing:

Perform this ritual at sunrise, noon, or sunset.

Direction:

If you would like to bring the fire element into this ritual as a correspondence turn to the south, otherwise face in whatever direction the sun is present in the sky.

Instructions:

• Stand with arms raised to offer greetings. Do not look directly at the sun. Keep your eyes down or closed. Wear sunglasses if needed.
• Perform a basic Sun Salutation (Surya Namasakar) if desired, focusing your thoughts on gratitude to the sun. You can repeat this however many times feels right to you.
• Sit on a blanket or chair.
• Chant the name of the solar deity with whom you connect. You can also choose to meditate on the sun, its energy, and its attributes. Offer gratitude for the light and warmth of the sun.
• When you have completed the chanting/meditation, take the glass or pitcher of water and stand. Speak words of gratitude to the sun or solar deity of choice as you pour the water offering on the ground.
• Offer thanks and farewell with arms raised to the sun.

**If you have fair or sensitive skin, remember to wear sunblock if you will be in the sun longer than 5 or 10 minutes. Wear loose comfortable clothing.**