The San Juan Solstice: Connection with Nature

I decide to go on a retreat organised by Xavier Callejo Amat (creator of Consciencia Arbórea meaning tree awareness) along with Aura in Vilartimó, a house nestling in the Catalan foothills of the Pyrenees (Spain).

On the afternoon of the 23rd June, everybody arrives (17 people in total) at the house, which lies between fields and woods. It is high summer and the heat is relentless. There is time for a quick dip in the river.

After the introductions, we have dinner and get ready for the ritual. Tonight is different, and we make an effort by wearing an item of clothing with significance for us. It will be a special moment.

We are going to celebrate the solstice and we are going to worship the spirits of nature. On this very night, the solstice, a powerful, energetic portal opens. These are the moments of change and it is the ideal time to address Nature.

Today, we are going to worship two elements: fire and water.

We arrange ourselves into a circle around the pile of wood and we ask permission from the elements in ‘los Debas’ to bless us.

Everybody makes two lists on paper: one is a list of things we want to leave behind and the other is a list of requests. It is a moment of personal reflection. We are given some advice: ‘You can ask for big things but don’t be silly about it.’

Before lighting the fire, we invoke our ancestors and all the beings of nature that dwell here.

Those in charge of the fire, light the main bonfire: there is a moment of silence and of magic. The fire, our old friend, never fails to surprise us. It captivates us.

A few minutes later, we prepare to burn the list of what we wish to leave behind. We do this carefully, one by one. It is a magical moment, surrendering yourself to flame so that it will help you to accomplish all that you need in your life. The lists are burnt.

Now is the time to ask. We burn our lists of what we desire in our lives. We gaze on as our words are destroyed and delivered to the universe. There is another spellbinding moment of reflection.

Once we have offered these desires to the universe, we get ready to purify ourselves by leaping over the flames.

We purify our bodies, getting rid of what we no longer want and allowing what we need to infuse us. Magic.

Once the fire has died down, it is time to pay tribute to water. We line up, each person holding a candle. In silencee, we make a small pilgrimage to the nearby river. It is a beautiful moment as we walk underneath the stars, our candles mirroring their brightness.

We arrive at the river and we sit on a large rock next to a pool and a gorgeous waterfall.

We call to the spirits of the water and we pay our respects. Succumbing to the spell of the gurgling water, we fall into silence. It is as if it is speaking to us, and – in fact – it is.

We make an offering of flowers and we sing to honour these spirits of the water and to the ‘women of the water’; women who, according to legend, are present in these waters at this time of year.

All that remains to do is go into the water and allow this magical water to fill us with its power. The sensations of calm and wellbeing are incredible, to feel alive on this special day.

The following morning, purified by the ritual, it is time to connect with the trees.

Trees are arboreal beings, ancient beings that lived on this planet long beforehumans did. Every tree has a conscious and the oldest are the Master Trees, beings connected 100% with all their active power; and if we go to them humbly and respectfully, they will bless us with their help.

We work on our inner child and, above all, our talent by doing some exercises. These are the two qualities inside each of us and are what makes us unique. With help from the Master Tree we make a connection to the tree and its wisdom.

The retreat ends with an Empowering ceremony, the gift and its interior strength joined with the Master holm oak tree of Vilartimó. This is the master which embraces us and gives us the strength to continue our paths.

Thank you, Spirits of Nature!