Inspiration

That giant flaming orb in the sky is one of the first things you may have noticed or asked about as a kid. You were probably told then that the sun is responsible for all the light, warmth, and food in the world. The sun carries out a plethora of functions to keep life on earth comfortable.

It’s also responsible for all the seasonal changes the earth goes through. And over the years, apart from these functions though, the sun has also been imparted spiritual meaning. The spiritual meaning of the sun is as manifold as its role in nurturing life.

What Does the Sun Symbolize?

The sun represents supreme cosmic power. It’s responsible for providing the most essential ingredient of life that allows all living things to grow and prosper — warmth. Humans discovered the true importance of the sun thousands of years ago and have connected it to their beliefs, gods, and mythology.

To some cultures, the sun is like a doting father. Always warm, life-giving energy that you need for your survival, and the higher power in your life that watches over you. It also symbolizes power, courage, growth, loyalty, peace, and passion for moving the cycle of life along.

What Is the Spiritual Name of The Sun?

Solar deities have existed in spades across the world. Some cultures personify the sun to make it a more approachable character for prayers. In the Ancient Greek Pantheon, “Helios” was the name of the Sun God. The Ancient Vedic name for the sun is “Surya”, which means “everyone’s guide.” Everyone has looked up to the sun in different ways.

Spiritual Meaning of The Sun

#1. Life

Life on earth would be impossible without the sun. It’s the ever-present energy source in the solar system that not only allows life to exist but also helps it prosper and evolve.

The sun is responsible for photosynthesis, a process plants undergo to create food by utilizing energy from the sun. This helps create oxygen without which no one could breathe. The sun also directly provides nutrients like Vitamin D3 to your body.

#2. Power

The sun burns at over 10,000 ℉. It goes without saying that there’s no power in the entire solar system that’s greater than the sun. This is one of the reasons why the sun has often been used to symbolize power.

#3. Strength

Some people say strength is action without emotion, others say it’s longevity. The sun has been around for millions of years, and it only grows in size, getting stronger with time.

#4. Energy

What is the sun if not a monstrously huge and dense concentration of energy? It’s a ball of fire bright enough to melt entire planets within close range. The sun doesn’t just symbolize energy, it is energy itself.

It’s the neverending energy supply that can be harnessed by plants, animals, and humans whenever and however required. That is why, to some people, the sun also represents power.

#5. Force

The existence of God is open to debate, but the single greatest force you can see every day is unquestionably and inevitably the sun. The sun provides life support, but can also be humanity’s worst nightmare if not shown enough respect, as we’re seeing today with global warming.

The sun can cause natural disasters, droughts, and widespread destruction with extreme heat. In that sense, it’s a force to be reckoned with.

#6. Clarity

Why is the sun associated with clarity? What dispels the confusion created by fogs and clouds? The sun brings to light every obstacle in our way, near or far, that you need to overcome to reach your goals. Because it makes everything more perceptible, the sun has long been a symbol of clarity for humans.

#7. Self

Sunshine plays a role in the production of certain hormones that cause humans to feel happy. It’s as vital for the mental health of humans and animals as it is for physical health. Going more than a month without seeing any sunshine can drive a person insane, even if they’re still eating well and receiving adequate nutrition.

Is The Sun A Symbol of God?

When Moses was in the desert searching for God, sunlight shone upon him before God spoke.

According to Hindu Mythology, the Sun God or Surya descended from the heavens to bestow Princess Kunti with a child that would go on to be unmatched in combat.

The Aztecs believed the sun was a symbol of Huitzilopochtli, a god, and performed extensive human sacrifice to appease it.

Humans across the world and throughout time have connected the sun with God, and it’s not surprising why. Some religions are based almost entirely on worshipping the sun. You can consider the sun a symbol of God.

What Are the Spiritual Benefits of The Sun?

The sun can have significant healing benefits if harnessed right. It is said that you should show yourself to the sun at least once during the day so that you can recharge yourself.

For example, you can start your mornings with mindful walking outside and soaking in the sun’s rays. Practicing yoga and meditation in the morning can also help rejuvenate you.

Another common practice is sun gazing. However, sun gazing can be dangerous because looking directly into the sun for too long can cause permanent eye damage. But there are some that believe sun gazing can have several spiritual benefits such as:

#1. Being able to connect with a higher self or higher power.

#2. Recharging your mental and physical battery.

#3. Improving and stabilizing your mood.

#4. Attracting positive energy and love from the world.

Every zodiac sign has a spirit animal associated with it. For an Aquarius, otters are their spirit animal. It is believed that spirit animals are teachers or messengers that share a personal relationship with you.

If you’re an Aquarius you have a lot to learn from your spirit animal. It is believed that the otter is the right animal to guide an Aquarius down their path in life. Here is everything you need to know about the Aquarius spirit animal and its significance and meaning.

Aquarius Introduction and Personality Traits

Image source: Pinterest

Aquarius is the 11th-star sign in the zodiac and is ruled by the planet Uranus. As people, they’re known to be exceptionally curious, free-spirited, intelligent, and virtuous.

Aquarians are some of the most interesting and unpredictable people you’ll ever meet. They’re driven by a strong sense of compassion and prioritize meaning in the things they do.

1. Family & Friendships

They’re very forgiving at heart but not naive. If you’ve ever crossed an Aquarian, they’ll never forget what you did.

They set high standards for their character, so it’s easy for them to forgive a misstep but they’ll always remember it because they have strong emotional preservation drives. Aquarians tend to be highly loyal to their friends and family. They value these connections over almost everything.

2. Love & Relationships

Aquarians make some of the most unpredictable and shocking partners. They may approach love with a sense of humor on the surface, but deep within, they’re trying to find meaning in it.

They can be quite creative in how they express love and leave a strong impression, but they’re often reserved and uncertain. This makes it harder for them to commit or learn to show trust.

Aquarians aren’t blunt about their feelings, so you may not often hear them tell you that they love you. However, they know how to make you feel special and can go to great lengths to do so if they really love you.

3. Intelligence & Skills

Aquarians are also excellent multi-taskers. Their minds tend to work at high intensity throughout the day, constantly exploring new ideas and theories. They’re also very good with words, so it’s easy for them to persuade people of anything. And if they find you intelligent, they love a good mentally stimulating discussion.

Here are some of the positive and negative traits of the Aquarius sign:

Positive:

• Open-minded

• Humanitarian

• Creative

• Intellectual

• Free-spirited

Negative:

• Unpredictable

• Impulsive

• Stubborn

• Inconsistent

• Extremist

What Does Aquarius Stand For?

Image source: Pinterest

Aquarius is symbolized by the water bearer because they bring essential nutrients to the earth. They have boundless unbridled compassion for humankind and exuberance for life, with freethinking to match it.

The elemental sign of Aquarius is air because, like air, the Aquarians’ complex cerebral faculties and their propensity to get lost in thought make them flow in all directions. They know how to analyze problems from multiple perspectives to find reasonable and compassionate solutions. They value fairness, freedom, and empathy.

The Aquarius Spirit Animal: Otter

So why is Aquarius associated with the otter? To figure that out, let’s delve into what otters are fundamentally like and the unique relationship they share with Mother Nature.

Origins Of the Otter

Aquarius is symbolized by the mark of the water-bearer, which is a holy and godlike symbol. And otters share a strong connection to water.

Otters are land mammals that hunt, eat, swim, play, and hide in the water. They can’t seem to be away from water. Water is an otter’s go-to for all forms of sustenance and enjoyment.

By the time they turn 2 months old, mother otters will push their babies into the water even against their own will. And by the time they reach 4 months of age, they can learn to dive well enough to hunt their own food.

Symbolism Of the Otter: Joy and Helpfulness

Otters become self-sufficient while they’re still babes. A baby otter can survive and live independently, and yet, otters are always found in groups. They socialize, help each other out, play together, and look after their own needs to the best of their ability.

Otters are rarely aggressive towards humans or other animals, except for fish. They’re not territorial and are often seen sharing their catches with other otters, sometimes even other predators. An otter, like any animal, can get aggressive but only when threatened.

Otters naturally embody virtues like peace, kindness, independence, and detachment from material over spiritual fulfillment. Therefore, otters have been deemed by many cultures as the spirit animal of the 11th zodiac, Aquarius.

What Powers Does the Otter Bestow on You?

If your totem animal is the Otter, that means you need to take inspiration and suggestions from the way these creatures live. They represent the deepest characteristics of Aquarians, so no one can understand otters like you if you’re an Aquarian.

Otters show you that your greatest strengths are your kindness and your ability to adapt. You’re fierce and independent but also loyal to your loved ones, and they add to your strength.

There’s nothing conventional about the otter. They look like rodents but are semi-aquatic carnivores. They have no gills but spend as much of their time in the water. They’re independent but live in groups.

The message is, everyone loves otters. Be more like the otter that you are. Never forget the idealisms that have worked for you your whole life and learn to accept your uniqueness.

You may have often heard the saying “love your neighbor as you would yourself.” The phrasing of this saying is what makes it so special, and did you know it’s over two thousand years old. So what does “love your neighbor as yourself” mean? This article will dive into the depth of this proverb, its origins, interpretations, and how you can find meaning in it.

Who Is Our Neighbor?

Let’s first look into the most important question — who is your neighbor? Is it the person living next door to you? Does it include everyone from your neighborhood? Everyone from your district or county? Or is the term inclusive of everyone you know?

The answer is simple, your neighbor is every person that is near to you. You can take the word “near” to mean whatever you want in that context.

It can mean people whom you hold close to your heart, people living close to you, people you’ve known for a long time, or even people sitting next to you on the bus or next to you in the office. They can be “near” to you in any sense of the word, be it physical proximity, relationship, or association.

Remember this definition of the word “neighbor.”

Where Does the Saying Come From?

The story goes that, thousands of years ago, on the Sinai Mountain in Egypt, the Prophet Moses received a message from God. Moses was one of the most important prophets in Judaism and Christianity. He was on a mission to deliver the Jewish people from slavery and to the promised land of freedom where only God’s Law prevails.

The message he received was etched by God into a stone tablet. It contained the 10 commandments of God that are observed strictly by followers even today. The first and most important commandment was “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and all thy mind.” The second one was “Thou shalt, love thy neighbor as thyself.”

The Gospel of Matthew records Matthew asking Jesus what was God’s greatest commandment and Jesus responded with the same two.

What Does “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” Mean?

Everyone wants what’s best for them. That especially includes being loved, cared for, treated with respect and dignity, and having your back watched. Loving your neighbor as you would yourself means to love people the way you want to be loved by them.

You may have your own terms for how you want to be loved. But it is important that you make an effort to understand how others want to be loved and respect their terms as you would want yours respected.

Loving your neighbor as you would yourself is a saying with many layers. The basic premise is that everyone’s well-being should matter to you as much as yours. You can draw endless interpretations for what you need to do in practice to ensure that.

Ways to Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

• Let Them Know You Care About Them

Letting people know you care about them makes them feel safer in life and much more confident. There are many ways of expressing to someone that you care about them. Here are some ideas for you to start with:

#1. Ask your parents about their health.

#2. Listen to your loved ones including parents, partner, or children, and even someone you may not know so well, when they talk about what’s bothering them and show empathy.

#3. Assist with chores around the house.

#4. Take up the initiative to solve simple problems for people you know.

#5. Help your neighbor with their move if they’re coming in or going out.

• Pray For Them

If you believe in the power of prayer and know how to achieve success with it, you can pray for all the people you know and care to help them get out of a bind. It’s a loving, compassionate, and warm way to care about people. One such prayer about loving your neighbor is given below that you can look into. They say God is always listening, so you have no reason to never try a prayer.

• Be There for Favors

There are often people in our lives who care about us and whom we care about, but they don’t ask for favors often. If you’re busy or have enough problems of your own to deal with, it’s okay to not always be there for someone of your own volition. But if they ever ask for favors, it’s your opportunity to show that you care. Don’t miss these opportunities. They help you form stronger bonds with people.

Prayer To Love Your Neighbor

Lord, you have said
that to truly love you
then I must also
love my neighbor,
which can be difficult
when we disagree
or lifestyles clash.
Yet in overcoming
those difficulties
it is possible to see
the miracle that you
love someone like me.
Teach us to love, Lord,
as you have loved us
that this world might be
a better neighborhood
in which to live and share.