Paying homage to Mother Earth as summer starts

A group meets in Palm Harbor to celebrate the solstice, the longest day of the year. Backed by American-Indian music and drum beats, they give thanks to the Earth.

By KYLA K. WILSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 22, 2000

PALM HARBOR -- The Rev. Cynthia Kanter Eckert sits with her eyes closed, listening to a slow American-Indian song playing on a boom box. As the music builds, she stands, begins to beat a drum she holds and sings along.

Eight other people form a circle with Eckert, all of them softly beating percussion instruments and singing.

They gathered outside Oak Trail Books in Palm Harbor on Tuesday evening to celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. They came, they said, to honor and thank the Earth for its harvest.

Inside the circle on a white cloth lay candles, bread, a bowl of grapes, a statue of Buddha, pictures of Mary and other symbols representing different religions. To the north of the circle, white flowers that represent the Earth had been planted. To the east lay yellow flowers that represent enlightenment, to the south red flowers representing fire, and to the west blue flowers representing water.

Lesley Klein, the owner of Oak Trail Books, organized the ceremony.

"The Earth religions all have an idea to honor the Earth and all its elements -- the sky, moon, the plants," Klein said. "The cycle of the solstice is like a full moon of the sun. It's a time to celebrate an eclectic cycle."

Oak Trail Books is a New Age store that sells books, incense, jewelry and other metaphysical items.

"Our mission is to provide the tools and resources and teaching that people need for spiritual growth, to help people become spiritually independent. There are many paths that lead to the same place," Klein said. "We explore all areas to connect with the core self. There is not a right or wrong way."

Eckert, 51, of Palm Harbor, an ordained minister of alternative spirituality, was the facilitator of the ceremony.

"We have come here today for a celebration of light and warmth. In many cultures it was a day of human sacrifice. We're glad we have grown beyond that. We are using it as a day to honor Mother Earth and to clean it from damage that we have done to it," Eckert said. "The Earth has a same conscience as a human does. It cleanses itself through weather phenomenons."

After listening to CDs of American-Indian songs and a recorded lecture, Eckert explained the history on the summer solstice, and participants shared what summer means to them. "Summer brings me back to taking off my shoes for the first time and getting them connected to the Earth," Forrest Samnik, 45, of Palm Harbor, said.

"Summer is a time when things are just simpler," said Stephanie Huffman, 44, of south Tampa. "We really are closer at heart. Earth shows us all the wonderful things she has to offer."

The group then took turns reading poems about summer. After listening to another Earth song and meditating for five minutes, they ate bread, grapes and cheese and drank wine in honor of the Earth.

It was the first time Samnik had ever been to a summer solstice celebration.

"A lot of it was new, and kind of strange, but I feel it was powerful," Samnik said.

Stephanie Rain Spirite Bratter, 43, of Palm Harbor performed a healing chant at the ceremony. She said it was the first time she had performed in public.

"It was wonderful -- I can't believe I am so blessed," Bratter said.

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