June 2024
Welcome June!
For the past nine years during the month of June, I always facilitate a fire walk at my home. The fire walk is an opportunity to step into the transformative properties of fire, align with the ancestors, be witnessed in community, and celebrate the sun during solstice time. It is also a time when I connect with one of the cardinal directions: South.
When we think of the directions, we may immediately think of points on a compass or how annoying it is when Siri tells us to drive Northwest. Those are legitimate points of reference for the directions for sure, but the directions also hold healing medicine and wisdom that we can tap into.
Varying cultures and traditions honor the directions within their cosmology; each direction has a specific meaning, prayer, and ritual. I was not brought up in a directional household, but over years of spiritual development I came to develop my own orientation and relationship with the directions.
During the month of June, I will encourage you to develop or deepen into the direction of the South. Whatever South means for YOU. You may find that what you come to know about the South will overlap with other traditions, and that is great, but I invite you to create your own directional wheel in a way that is personal and relatable.
~ Jen
“But in the desert, in the pure clean atmosphere, in the
silence – there you can find yourself.”
- Father Dioscuros
questions for reflection
Do you have any way of relating to the four directions? Think back in your life when you would reference the directions. Have they been present for you or is this a new concept to you?
If you already have a directional practice in place, reflect on how you came to relate to each direction. Was there a predetermined system that you followed or did you discover your own? Consider how this directional system feels to you. Could it use some tweeking?
Using stream of consciousness writing, write everything that comes to mind when you meditate with the direction of the South.
~ june VIDEO MESSAGE ~
Season Ritual PDF
Seasonal rituals will be released in Pdf format during the months of September, December, March, and June.
Reflect on this past seasons ritual; are you still in process with the ritual? Did you notice any shifts as a result of completing the ritual? Take a moment here to reflect on your time with this ritual.
“Any ritual is an opportunity for transformation.”
~ Starhawk
monthly ritual
Each month you will be given a ritual in Pdf format. These rituals arise from a combination of experience, divination, guidance, and natural cycles. Create the time & space to bring regular ritual into your life using these pdf’s as guideposts.
The June ritual is the Quarterly Ritual for this month.
(See Quarterly Ritual)
You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your
direction overnight.
~ Jim Rohn
RITUAL INVITATION
The ritual this month is to go outside and figure out which direction is South. Sit or stand facing South.
Drop into a meditative state by using your breath and connecting to the Earth. Feel your body and ask your trusted forces to place a ring of protection around you. Ask that the direction of the South be present with you. Lean into the energy of this direction and notice how it feels. Ask it to share one aspect of its wisdom with you.
Now, notice what the direction means to you. Have you traveled south? Were you born in the Southern hemisphere or in a southern region? Does the South represent your childhood or perhaps your adulthood? Take your time here to reflect on your associations with South and listen to what it has to share.
In the end, offer gratitude to this directional ally and take some time to journal.
JUNE meditation
What animal ally do you associate with the South? Close your eyes and notice what animal steps forward to represent the energy of the South in animal form.
RESOURCE ARTICLE
This beautiful PDF provided by the city of Winnipeg, Canada details medicine gardens and the four directions teachings. With sensitivity to cultural appropriation, take in the information and find inspiration not imitation.
