The Sun

It has been estimated that as early as Neolithic times (beginning around 9500 BC) the Sun has been an object of veneration. Early Egyptian religions took elements of Neolithic ideas about the Sun and incorporated them into their own belief systems. 

From Amaterasu in Japan to Tonatiuh of the Aztecs, civilisations have recognised that the Sun is a powerful entity and learning about it gives many benefits. Many scholars reckon that the Bible is a way of remembering the seasonal cycles of the year; the Sun is 'born' on December 22nd after the winter solstice, and Jesus' one year ministry reflects the passing of the sun through the zodiac.

Obviously, the Sun provides light and warmth to our planet, and all plant life, and hence all animal life, is dependent on it.

In addition to the physical and religious aspects of the Sun, there are spiritual aspects; the Sun 'oversees' our spiritual growth in the solar system, and is the source of specific energies that we can bring into our body and use for self-development and healing.

One culture that continues to revere the Sun to this day is the Huna tradition of Hawaii. Huna sees the Sun as the 'face' of the divine, while at the same time recognising that we are from the earth (Mother Earth). The balance between heaven and earth is in our hearts, and Huna works extensively with the heart as well as 'the heart of the Sun'.

Huna includes the idea 'as above, so below' meaning that what we can see in the universe is represented within us as well, an idea that is common with Taoism. By working with specific pathways in our body we are able to effect affect/recreate the world around us.

What has become known throughout the contemporary world as "huna" is more accurately referred to as the practice of the ancient philosophy of Pono, a system working to create  harmony, balance and essential 'rightness' that results from human level connection to Spirit. It is a philosophy of personal greatness, prosperity and constant renewal of abundance. Pono, the word itself, means 'right', and describes that exquisite sense of rightness that comes from being at one with everything. It is based on the ancient Hawaiian understanding of spirit greatness and self power, in the unconditional love and compassion for, and the spirit connections between, all things.

While some might say Huna is a religion, it can be described much more accurately as an ancient psycho-spiritual tradition of knowledge and power that is about practice and daily life, not belief. Practical, spiritual and pleasurable, Huna has something to offer everyone.