The Summer Solstice falls on the day when the sun is highest in the sky. It’s the longest day & shortest night. The sun’s potency is said to be at highest & as such it a s time of powerful healing.
International Yoga Day also falls on this day this year. It has been celebrated for 10 years after the UN proclaimed 21st June as International Day. The theme for this year is harmony.
The number 108 is often associated with Summer Solstice. 108 is known as a sacred number & has been revered thousands of years in many spiritual traditions. It is considered to be the most auspicious of numbers.
In yoga the number 108 refers to spiritual completion; there are 108 mala beads for mantra recitation; sun salutations are often completed in 9 rounds of 12 poses or 108 in total; pranayama can be practiced no more than 108 rounds.
108 is said to represent oneness, wholeness, unity.
In nature, the Fibonacci sequence is related to the golden ration, representing 108 ways of representing the wholeness of existence. It governs the dimensions of everything from the Great Pyramid of Giza to the Nautilus seashell & is called nature’s code or nature’s universal rule.
108 is also significant within our solar system: the distance between the moon & earth is 108 x diameter of the moon, whilst the distance between the earth & the sun is 108 x the diameter of the sun.
In numerology 1 represents new beginnings & higher truth; 0 represents nothingness & completeness & amplifies the energies of the other 2 numbers; 8 represents eternity. Adding them all up gives us the number 9 which is regarded as being a highly spiritual number.
It’s said that there are 108 nadi’s converging at the heart chakra. In Ayurveda it’s believed there are 108 Marmas.
According to Buddhism there are 108 defilements., 108 earthly temptations, prayer beads have 108 mala beads. The Buddha has 108 names & 108 lamps devoted to him. Most Buddhist temples have 108 steps & 108 columns. Angkor Wat is a great example built around 108 huge stones.
Tibetians have 108 sacred books & believe there are 108 sins & 108 delusions of the mind. Tibetian legends are made of 108 Masters & 108 initiates.
In Astrology there are 12 zodiacs & 9 planets: 12 x 9 = 108.
The Sarsen Circle Stonehenge is 108 feet in diameter.
In both Buddhism & Hinduism it is believed that there are 108 different feelings: 36 associated with the past, 36 with the present & 36 with the future.
So, how are you celebrating the Summer Solstice?
I am offering a FREE Summer Solstice Yoga Practice on Wednesday 21st June at 6pm on Zoom & I invite you to join us. To sign up click here:
https://mailchi.mp/2eff5b848158/summer-solstice-free-practice
Alex is a yoga teacher, mindfulness coach & menopause mentor & you can find out more: Website: alexbannard.com
For free resources check out: Facebook group: Mindfulness & Yoga for Self-Care: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulnessYoga4Relationships
YouTube channel:
https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCQlKZJ7MeyYc6lqkv6seISw
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