Today is the summer solstice. In Seattle it will occur at exactly 10:16 am. Tonight it will be completely dark for only about 6 hours and then we start the long crawl toward the winter solstice. After months of clouds and rain, it feels like summer has reached it's peak without even starting. But right now, this early summer morning is bright and clear. Our neighborhood will be buzzing with power tools long after we've called it a day in this house.
Many cultures celebrate festivals at the summer solstice. In ancient mythology, the sun is never a goddess. The sun is a strong dude.
Ra
Sungod SuryaThe Hindu god Surya controls the heat, light and seasons of the entire universe. Looking relaxed, he drives his sun chariot across the skies pulled by seven horses.
AcintyaOn Bali, there is a trend toward monotheism, and the radiating sun god Acintya is believed to be the one true god and the origin of the universe.
Kachina TawaThe kachina is a spirit in Pueblo native American culture. It can represent anything in the natural world or cosmos. Kachina Tawa is the spirit of the sun.
HeliosHelios was a handsome Greek god who drove the chariot of the sun across the sky. His solar steeds were named: Pyrois, Aeos, Aethon and Phlegon.
ApolloApollo is a god of light and the sun, truth and prophecy, medicine, healing, plague, music, poetry, arts and more. Religious diversity is a positive thing for many people. We follow our own faith, but also respect the traditions of others. The themes that run though centuries of mythology are universal and our Christian traditions took motifs from the legends of sun mythology.
"The result of the Church's encounter with the sun-cults of antiquity was nothing less than the dethronement of Helios."
Dr. Hugo Rahner, Greek Myths and Christian Mystery
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