Solstices and Sankrantis: Living In Harmony with the Seasons and Cycles of Time

 

For everything there is a season. A time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Learning to live in harmony with the natural seasons and in alignment with the most appropriate astrological timing helps us to flow more purposefully with grace and ease in our lives.

Solstices and Sankrantis: Living In Harmony with the Seasons and Cycles of Time

The summer solstice, also known as Midsummer Night, signals the beginning of astronomical summer in the northern latitudes.  During the summer solstice, the Earth is tilted toward the Sun so that the vertical solar rays strike the Tropic of Cancer. At this moment, according to the geocentric (earth-centered) view, the Sun reaches its northernmost point at +23.5 declination, meaning that it is 23 and 1/2 degrees north of the celestial equator.

Solstices, equinoxes, and the passage of the Sun into a new sidereal sign every month are known as sankrantis in Vedic astrology. The term sankranti in Sanskrit means “course, passage, or entry into.” According to classical Muhurta (elective astrology), we should avoid sankrantis for any new undertaking, like beginning a job or new program of study, making a significant purchase, setting out on a journey, establishing a business venture, or getting engaged or married, and so on.

Therefore, it is best not to initiate these kinds of worldly endeavors during the solstice and for three days afterward. This is because the Sun symbolizes the soul of the world and the vitality of everything in life. If we want a new venture to have positive, valuable, and lasting results, the Sun needs to be strong when we set it in motion.

Often what we set into motion on sankrantis will not have the expected outcome. At the same time, these days are priceless for inner reflection.

Vedic Astrology’s Understanding of the Solstices: Entering Into Shiva Time!

According to Vedic astrology, the first waxing half of the solar year from winter to summer solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as uttarayana. This is the Vishnu half of the year that represents the expansive cycle of conscious energy projecting upward and outward into the material realm.

Uttarayana is the most auspicious half of the year in which to act and establish new enterprises. For those in the northern hemisphere, this part of the yearly cycle will end after the solstice on June 21, and will begin again at the winter solstice on December 21, 2023.

Dakshinayana is the second half of the solar year extending from summer to winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. This is the time of the year when Lord Vishnu takes his rest and Lord Shiva steps in. During this part of the year, the Sun’s power will gradually wane as it moves southward in its declination cycle.

In dakshinayana, we may reap what was sown during uttarayana. That is to say, dakshinayana is generally the time for winding down and finishing what was set into motion in the first half of the year. (And of course, all of this is reversed in the southern hemisphere). As the natural flow slowly moves back to Source during dakshinayana, this is the hemicycle in which to focus more deeply on health, healing, and spiritual practices and rituals (known as vratas in the Vedic tradition, which are pious observances).

Intentions for the New Moon-Solstice Time: Focus on Reflection, Rebirth, and Renewal

The Gemini New Moon and the summer solstice represent a turning point when we should pause, enjoy, and appreciate what we have created in the past six months. In the process, it will be important to evaluate our progress, make any necessary changes, and set our intentions for the remaining half of the year.

These very special days are a time for reflection, rebirth, and renewal. Rejuvenate yourself by bathing in and drinking in the light of the early morning Sun, or by meditating on the rising and the setting Sun, or spending time under the stars at night.

As we soak up the solar luster around the solstice and into the months of July and early August, some of us are apt to experience more vitality and buoyancy than usual. Once we move into mid-August, the waning Sun will slowly start to lead us back to darker and shorter days.