The winter solstice, December 21, marks the rebirth of the Sun in its yearly journey over the Earth. The Sun (Surya) at a yogic level represents our immortal inner Self (Atman) as the Supreme Divine Light in yogic symbolism. The Sun at the winter solstice is its child form if a new birth, which is Agni, the flame of the sacred fire of higher consciousness. That small Divine Flame grows and expands during the increasing length of the days to the Summer Solstice and its highest light.
Agni as the Divine Child
Agni at the winter solstice indicates the birth of the Divine Child of Light. He is equated with Skanda, the second son of Shiva and Parvati, who has the nature of fire and removes all the forces of darkness. Agni symbolizes our inner flame or Consciousness (Chidagni), the Jivatman, our reincarnating being we can contact on this date, and our aspirations for our current rebirth.
Yogini Shambhavi with Shakti and Shiva Energy and Earth Saving Energies at Yogini Temple
The time of the winter solstice as that of the sacred fire is celebrated with many sacred fire rituals throughout the world, particularly in indigenous cultures. Agni is the messenger to the Devas and directs our communication with them. He is also the Deity of the Earth, which has its central Fire at its core. He brings transformation and rebirth to the Earth.
Vamadeva with Vishnu Energies
This inner movement from the small flame to the vast Sun symbolizes our karmic journey from darkness to light, from the shadowy material world to the boundless light of universal consciousness. Sacred fires can be enkindled at any time, but are especially powerful during this inner renewal time of the year.
Honoring Your Sacred Fire
There are many ways to honor your own sacred fire. This can be as simple as burning a special fire outdoors at night. Traditional cultures have their special sacred community fires. In the Vedic tradition there are many sacred fires, yajnas and havans, some performed in elaborate ways. Such fires are built with special wood and given special offerings like ghee along with special mantras.
You can simply light an oil or ghee lamp, or candles. But remember to honor the sacred fire on this powerful transformation time of the year. Energize the sacred flame with your higher intentions, what you aim to achieve for the year ahead, not just outer gains but in terms of inner realization, insight, creativity and illumination.
We should make inner fire offerings into our flame of consciousness within us. We can visualize the Agni in the root chakra and draw it up to the spine through the chakras to become the Sun at the top of the head. We can use the mantra OM on inhalation to draw the Agni up to the top of the head. Then we can use the mantra HREEM on exhalation taking it down to rest in the spiritual heart.
SECRET DEVATA ENERGIES WITHIN THE EARTH
May your inner Agni awaken in this season of renewal! May your flame of higher aspiration rise up to new heights!
May you connect to all the Agnis within you of body, prana, senses, mind, intelligence and consciousness.
May you connect to all the Agnis of nature as fire, lightening, sun, moon, stars, and the secret lights hidden in the plants, minerals, and every aspect of the universe!
This is the movement of Tapas or Yoga Sadhana.
NAMES OF AGNI
JATAVEDAS: KNOWER OF ALL BIRTHS. VAISHVANARA: UNIVERSAL PERSON.
FORMS OF AGNI: JATHARAGNI, DIGESTIVE FIRE: PRANAGNI, FIRE OF PRANA: YOGAGNI, FIRE OF YOGA AND KUNDALINI: CHIDAGNI: FIRE OF CONSCIOUSNESS, BRAHMAGNI: FIRE OF BRAHMAN, KALAGNI; FIRE OF TIME AND ETERNITY
OM CHID AGNAYE SWAHA! OM REVERENCE TO THE FIRE OF CONSCIOUSNESS
