A Fire Ring around the Solstice (EN - IT)

Italian below/Italiano in fondo) New Moon phases are considered new beginnings. This coming one (June 21  6:41am UTC) brings us an Annular Eclipse. The name “annular” comes from the Latin word for ring, “annulus.” It happens when the Moon covers only the Sun's center, leaving the Sun's outer edges visible to form a “ring of fire”.

Since the beginning of history, in most traditions and cultures worldwide the ring is a symbol of power, representing the infinity and the cycles of Life and Nature.

In the ancient times, rings were made following particular rules, according to the movement and supposed influence of the Planets on the Elements of Nature, by using specific metals and sometimes stones, and carving specific symbols on them. Blacksmiths, who a long time ago played also the role of goldsmiths being the first craftsmen and artisans working the metals, were credited with supernatural attributes. They were considered “masters of fire” and so of transmutation. Their ability to forge metal was also seen as the possibility of turning anything worthless into a precious resource. They were called to forge rings to be worn by sovereigns, and by people playing a spiritual role in their community or in some way devoted to spiritual research in the field of occultism. Rings were instruments used by people of power to connect with the unknown forces ruling Nature and turn them in their favour. Rings became also symbols of commitment to eternity and eternal love (like wedding rings), so a ring is a symbol of commitment to a sacred relationship.

As a researcher in the field of symbols, archetypes, Spiritual traditions and Astrology, I find very interesting that this year the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, coincides with an Annular Eclipse. An eclipse is always an invitation to turn our attention towards inner work instead of accomplishments and celebrations.

Looking at the planets in this very specific moment, “inner work” is not about setting goals focused on material achievements. Inner work, in this moment, is about giving ourselves the time to plunge and dive into the depths of our being and focus on the knowledge of our “self”. It is not about quick results, it is about proceeding step by step, taking all the time we need to go deeper and understand what inner forces move us, where the obstacles and sabotages come from, and how to turn limitations into resources.

It is the time of “letting things happen”, not to “making things happen”. It is the time to create the inner space for a deep transformation.

It is an invitation to attune to our spiritual call, or to find ways to discover how to listen to the voice of our spirit, distinguishing what belongs to our true essence and what belongs to our ego. It is the time to keep working on how to train our ego, to make it a servant of our purpose and consciousness, instead of letting it rule.

It is the perfect time to commit to our true self, instead of keeping ourselves distracted with external goals. It is the perfect time to discover and connect deeply with our true Nature, and commit with the Divine Source, independently from the name we give to it. It is the time to invest our attention on our “self”, to discover its treasures.

This Summer will gift us great opportunities to bring to light from within something hidden and precious, and to forge something of incomparable value giving a new shape to our life.

Let the Work begin.