Honor Thy Father

Today is more than just a day about paternity; it’s our opportunity to see the divine balance between male and female. Father’s Day and Summer Solstice are very close to each other in June, which leads me to see a connection. Midsummer (Solstice) is about the equality between male and female, black and white—opposites. It takes tears to learn what real happiness is, it takes harsh truth and self love to get to know one’s self. There is balance in all things if we look for it and celebrate it!

I think that we focus on the maternal as a source for nurturing, and forget that it comes in many different guises, forms and sexes. If we look at the early civilizations where multiple gods were honored, it was a way to see that different strengths come together to create that energy we call “divine.” Hillary Clinton once said “It takes a village to raise a child” (she may not have been the first to say that), and that applies to the balance of father and mother, grandpa and grandma, uncle and aunt, brothers and sisters. You see the pattern…

So to honor the male, the father, you don’t need be a child of or related to someone. It can be anyone who respects and feels grateful for the male energy in your world. So reach out to great dads you know, no matter if you’re related to them or not. Send them a greeting text or e-mail. Give them a call, let them know that you see and appreciate the energy they add to the world.

And just because your father, grandfather, or favorite uncle has already crossed over, I’m sure they would still love to be acknowledged. I set a plate on my altar in front of my dad’s picture. I put watermelon, or a piece of banana cream pie on the plate, set a Lucky Strike cigarette next to it, and his favorite book. These are some of the things that gave him pleasure, or were a part of his life. I sometimes write him a letter and read it out loud, then burn it and send it up to him. I place some of his “treasures” around to look at throughout the day. I remember him and our times together that day especially. The same is true for both of my grandfathers.

And for those of you who have sons, honor them for the great fathers they may someday become. Honor them to teach them that it’s honorable to be a man. Find things that they have already accomplished that you respect and admire in them. Share stories with them about the men in your life that helped care for you and shaped your life. Children that grow up with respect learn to respect others.

Let us celebrate the divine male; let us bask in the growth, the strength, the balance that is the nature of creation! Blessings to you!