Saule

Definitions
saule [sun]
saulīte [sun (diminutive)]
When something is said in diminutive, it means that it alive, and therefore special, requiring careful handling.
Saule [sun (personified)]
Personification of saule, or saule as god itself. Our ability to perceive it physically (light and warmth), often makes it a tangible and more realistic spiritual device than the believed, imagined, Dievs [god].
Gaisma [light (personified)]
The life aspect of Dievs [god], or god itself.
The multidimensional nature of saule

In Latvian folklore, saule is the entity that holds all its parts together. Its description is complete and rich. It is described in the same manner, when explaining metaphysical phenomenon (pasaule [earth], aizsaule [behind-sun. Means afterlife], spiritual phenomenon (gaisma [light] as life essence], emotional phenomenon (warmth, and personified saule), mythological phenomenon (Saule, Saules meitas and Dieva dēli), and its everyday practical physical essence. Context determines which saule is discussed; but you can interpret any/all dimensions as you see fit.

Saule as light = life

In describing a being, the essence of life is at the core. It is a bright shining light. This definition of saule, is also called saulīte. (We will discuss other aspects of saule later).

Finding your saulīte
Es saderēju ar sauli. [I fit together with the sun]
This is the adult challenge. We lose site of our sauli as we naturally build defensive walls around us during difficult times. In our heroic efforts building these walls around our most precious self – our dvēsele and feelings – we always forget to make a door for us to get in ourselves. Many lose sight of what this saulīte is altogether. We instinctively know that there is something inside us vitally important, and spend enormous effort protecting it, but totally forgetting to just visit it. (As an analogy, have you ever been invited to dinner, where you are sat down, and the host(ess) is frantically getting you drinks, food and fussing over every little detail of presentation. There you are all alone through the whole dinner saying to yourself, I wish s/he would just talk with me...Our saulīte often feels the same way.)  
Turi Tavu saulīti klēpītī [hold your sun (diminutive) in you lap]
This reminds us to do everything from the light that shines brightly inside us. Its location physically seems to be around you lap, where you would hold a song book, or put your hands together in spiritual practice. Folklore is filled with ideas of how to find it, what it feels like, and why it is important. It’s a matter of personal preference which little verse(s) would work best for you.
What your saulīte feels like

When saulīte is found, you are content. There are no emotions, so you have no needs or fears. You feel integrity as yourself as a part of the whole, in your intimate surroundings and beyond. There is an as-a-matter-of-factness and charm in your disposition. As is evident in the demeanor of participants in Latvia’s many massed choirs. It is a place of loving kindness, sincerity, and clarity.

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