photo by Matthias Murphy (flickr)
It’s officially summer! And with the change of seasons comes reflection on our Earth, our time and on ourselves.
Anciently, the Sun is the generator of time. We know time through our Earth’s orbit around the sun… Therefore, the sun was called the giver of life because by creating time, it measures and allocates the lifespan of every living thing on Earth.
The summer solstice was also a vitally important time in the lives of the ancient North Africans. The solstice typically coincided with the annual flooding of the Nile, an event which literally brought life to Egypt.
One of the most extraordinary Egyptian solstice temples is Abu Simbel, in Nubia. There the temple of Ra, the Ntr (truth) of the Sun, is aligned so that at dawn on the summer solstice the light illuminates the entire length of the temple, brightening the statues of Ra, Amun, and Ramses II (the pharaoh responsible for building the temple). 
The statue of Ptah, the Egyptian god of night, is the only part of the building not illuminated by the solstice dawn.
Let’s take the symbolic example of the sun on the longest day of the year to reflect on living our brightest most illuminated selves. What would it look like if you were shining your brightest? What would it feel like? This summer is a great time to create rituals for your body temple to illuminate as never before!
The 5th Principle of Akoma Day is Unified Body; joint physical activity and health. Here are five ways to use the Unified Body concept to deepen your earthly connection, recommit to enhancing your level of holistic wellness, and get your juices flowing this summer!
1. Physical Inventory
List the physical characteristics of yourself and/or mate that you admire most. How can you enjoy or enhance them? This will give you a renewed view of yourself and mate and give you a spark to play up and goals to achieve.
2. Activity Inventory
List your separate weekly activities against your joint weekly activities. Are you cleaning together… eating together…? Develop strategies to join a couple of your separate physical efforts. This ritual can help you grow together rather than apart.
3. Work out… together
Pick an activity to do together for inspiration and accountability in your relationship. Try walking, dancing, ari ankh ka (yoga) or an exercise program. It will give you a new goal to achieve TOGETHER… and physical activity leads to better blood flow and inturn, a better mood!
4. Try a juice fast
Summer is a great time to enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables. Why not try a 3-day juice fast to cleanse and lighten the body?
5. Schedule Massages
Massage has many physical benefits including relieving pain, increasing alertness, and boosting immunity. Why not schedule a couples’ massage or give massages to each other on your next date night? You’ll enjoy serving each other and contributing to your partner’s radiant glow.
Nya Akoma (Take Heart)!