FREE Summer Solstice Chant

Chant 108 rounds of the Gayatri Mantra to celebrate the Summer solstice.

This FREE EVENT is a coming together in community as an end of year celebration.

We will chant the Gayatri Mantra 108 times together and then share refreshments and snacks.

Sunday 20 December 4.30 - 5.30pm.

About the Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri mantra is extremely old, as we first see it in the Rg Veda, which scholars date to around 1700BCE but which may have pre-existed that date in oral traditions.

The word gayatri actually refers to the metre of its composition. Other "Gayatri" mantras also exist but all subsequent Gayatri mantras are named for the deity that they celebrate. Only this original one is called simply "The Gayatri" although it could also be called "The Savitur Gayatri".

On the surface Savitur is the sun, but is often interpreted as the one omnipresent Consciousness.

So it is an ideal chant for the summer solstice, at the height of the sun's power in our part of the world, we chant and dedicate ourselves to that divine Consciousness manifesting the entire universe from its luminous power, seeking to know that Consciousness in ourselves.

Literal translation (Christopher Wallis)

Om. Earth. Atmosphere. Heaven.

May we focus our awareness on the alluring radiance of the rising (or setting) sun, the Vivifier; may it inspire our thoughts and meditations.

Creative translation (Donna Farhi)

Everything on earth, in between and above is arising from one effulgent source.

If my thoughts, words and deeds reflected this complete understanding of unity I would be the peace I am seeking in this moment. (Donna Farhi rendition)

We have a blog post with a recording of the chant

over here

Don't worry if you don't know it - you will by the end of 108 rounds, and a chant sheet will be provided.