We are officially in summer as of June 21.  During the first day of summer, we experienced the longest day and the shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere of our planet.   For centuries, many civilizations have celebrated the summer solstice honoring the sun, which is the most fundamental source of light and warmth on Earth.

The native traditions understand and apply the wisdom of every season into their lives.  We can do the same by embracing the strong energy of summer and living in harmony with its powerful manifestation. 

We can integrate the wisdom of summer understanding the following energetic opportunities: 

1. Time of "Rapid Growth"
The manifestation of life began showing its unique presence during spring.  Anything that didn't fully grow, is forced to open up and mature during the time where the sun rules our days.  Our children, adolescents and young adults can especially feel this rapid growth.  This is the time when we can manifest our desires in an instant, as long as we don't doubt or question the divine wisdom guiding our personal growth. 

2. Time of "Direct Exploration"
The energy of spring gives us the time to carefully search what benefits us, what makes us feel good.  Summer is the time to intensely explore and seek our visions and ask the creator to guide us in the right direction.  This is a time of complete trust in what is being unfolded before us.  The wisdom of summer encourages our exploration and supports our new path by gifting us with adaptability, energy, maturity, playfulness and humor.    

3. Time to "Shed The Past"
In some native traditions, the spirit of the "serpent" symbolizes the direction of south, were summer is born.  As the serpent sheds her skin to allow a new one to grow, this is your time to let go of the past and to live in the present.  Staying in the present, you can detach from the painful memories of the past.  The serpent also teaches you to walk softly on the earth, by becoming conscious of your surroundings and honoring all the manifestations of life on earth.

4. Time to Explore The "Fire Within"
The color associated with the direction of south where summer manifests is "red" and the elemental is "fire".  A red fire can be translated into "passion".  During this season, the passion within is felt in everyone and is manifested in sexual energy, fertility and in the ritual of mating.  This passion can also be translated in discovering the driving force in your life.  Take this time to unfold your passion, to find your mission, to express your powerful fire.

5. Time of "Self-Acceptance"
The energy of summer can inspire you to accept yourself as you are, to become self-assured.  This is the time when everything seems reachable and achievable.  The energy of summer is conducive to explore new relationships and the world surrounding you.  Take the influence of summer to become mature, to grow, to put your knowledge in action and harvest the fruits of your wisdom, as you overcome self-doubts or imposed limitations to reach what is possible.

6. Time for "The Heart"
The time of summer, is the time of the heart, the time for emotions.  This is an auspicious time to heal your heart by letting go of fear, jealousy, manipulation, hate, envy and anger.  Use the energy of summer to remember how to love and to release what is not love.  This is the time to open your heart to self-love, to the essence of giving and receiving love.  Remember, "When the power of love overcomes the love for power, there will be peace on earth"!

The seasons, the directions, nature in itself, are our greatest teachers and centers of inspiration.  We are experiencing great times of definite change.  One of the changes is the restructure of the self, is the return to the "basic" forms of life.  It is the time to reconnect with the wisdom of our outer and inner world and become the "beings", not the doers of this new level of consciousness. 

Mariscela Alvarez is a Certified Holistic Hypnotherapist, Shamanic Healing and Reiki Practitioner. She does private sessions in Auburn and remote sessions through phone or the web. She offers lectures, workshops and classes, weight management and depression programs, relaxation and self-help CDs in English and Spanish. You can contact Mariscela at (530) 863-0003. Visit her at www.fyspirit.com and claim your special “gift”.