Summer is in full swing, and with it comes many opportunities: summer vacations, cookouts, walks in the park and strolls along the beach. As you set out to partake in the summer fun and leisure of your choosing, pause for a moment to consider one of the stars of the summer season: the Sun. With a diameter that is about 109 times that of Earth, and a total mass that is about 330,000 times that of Earth, and takes up 99.86% of the total mass of the Solar System, the Sun is a true wonder. Though more than 90 million miles away, the Sun’s rays touch our skin and warm our bodies. All of life on Earth is dependent on the sun, including us; it is one of the primary catalysts for Life itself.

From ancient times to the present, various cultures have viewed the Sun as a Deity, an all-encompassing force and intelligence that both gives life, and takes it. Native American tribes, African tribes, Pagans, Buddhists, Ancient Egyptians and the Aztec to name a few, have all displayed a conscious awareness of our sacred connection to the Sun. For centuries there have been countless ceremonies, rituals and practices that nourish this sacred connection.

Yet even though our connection to the Sun is ever-present, and very few can be completely oblivious to the fact that the Sun exists and that we are dependent on it for our survival, in this day and age it is very common for individuals to be desensitized to this awesome power and our relationship to it. More often than not, it is the light from our phones, televisions and computer monitors that captivates us, not the light in the sky. We work hard to have the necessary access to electricity so that we are always connected to our phones, computers and GPS because these are all things that we depend heavily upon. Yet we don’t have to pay for sunlight, and it shines upon us regardless of our race, gender, income or status. The Sun, which has gone mostly unchanged for billions of years, is so consistent that it easily escapes our attention.

When we lose too much focus on our connection to the forces of nature like the Sun, the wonder and enchantment that comes from being alive on Earth is dimmed. And when we remain too disengaged from our relationship to the life-giving forces that are always influencing us, we can miss the message of our own divinity, beauty, power and sacredness. Fortunately, we have the remedy: by bringing our attention to Nature, and finding ways to engage with it, our sense of self and our life becomes elevated.

I invite each of you to enrich your summertime through carving out time to connect with Sun. Take a moment to feel the rays on your face, watch the sun rise or set and notice the brilliant colors that flood the landscape. Learn something about the Sun and the role it plays in the Solar System and planet Earth. In whatever way you choose to connect, do so with the awareness of truly being connected. Know that the Sun is connected to you, and you to it, and this connection is sacred because you are sacred. With all of this in your mind, heart and spirit, feel a sense of gratitude begin to stir inside of you and give thanks. Enjoy your time in the light.