10 ways to celebrate the summer solstice
Happy Summer Solstice my friends!
In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice falls on June 21st this year which at the time of publishing is tomorrow! It is also known as Midsummer or Litha– the second spoke on the light side of the modern wheel of the year. The Wheel of the Year is based on a variety of ancient traditions that honors the cycles of seasons and the importance of the harvest for our ancestors.
Personally, I have fallen in love with celebrating the seasonal markers of the year. It has helped me become more in tune with the shift of seasons and the internal shift I feel within myself every couple of months. It has helped me honor and respect that not every day and every season is a season of growth or abundance while also being confident that times of death, letting go and turning inward are also only temporary.
The Summer Solstice is the time of year when we celebrate the lighter side of life. IT is the energetic peak of the year when there is more sunlight than darkness. It marks the longest day of the year and the shortest night of the year. After June 21st, daylight begins to shrink again until we land back at the Winter Solstice– the longest night and shortest day. Everything comes back around.
Energetically it is a time of creative and adventurous energies. There is an abundance of life and energy that is meant to be celebrated. It is a time to embrace solar energy which is often synonymous with warmth, growth, expansion, extroversion, activity, strength, and vibrancy. It is a true expression of upward and outward energy.
This time of year many people are feeling energized, playful, and joyous. The longer days give us an extra boost and opportunity to express creativity and find inspiration. There is so much joy and potential in the air.
This is also the time when Mother Earth is beginning to bloom, often associated with one of the first harvests of the year. It is a time of abundance in the natural world and often we feel in our prime, just like the earth around us. The Solstice is an invitation to journey outside, enjoy fresh air, soak in the sun, and express gratitude for all we have.
Traditionally it is a time to drink, dance around, and soak in the summer sunshine. It is known as a fire festival. Fire symbolizes the sun, sensuality, life, and fertility. In Celtic traditions, they would dance and feast all day and they believed that dancing and singing and laughter would banish evil spirits that might blight the coming harvest.
It’s a time to CELEBRATE all you have and all that is coming your way. So how do you celebrate?
Well, here are 10 ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice:
A bonfire
Traditionally, bonfires and fires were a great way to celebrate the solstice. Grab your friends, dance around the fire, and place some music.
A bonus ritual I love to do is writing down what I am letting go of as I move into the next season or what is no longer serving me. After writing it down, I throw the paper into the fire and watch it burn. Envisioning whatever it is float away and energetically leaves my being. I usually then take a few moments to write down some intentions for the summer– what I want to embody, what I want to do, how I want to feel
2. Shadow work/reflection
While the focus the summer solstice is definitely outward, that doesn’t mean you cannot turn inward. Turning inward this time of year and working on your shadow self or the behind-the-scenes can be really beneficial so you can enjoy your summer without burnout or falling into old patterns. Take some time to slow down, and review what is working for you lately, and what’s not. Remember that even though it’s a season of abundance, that doesn’t mean you cannot say no and prioritize your energy this summer. Check out below for some journal prompts that might help you reflect:)
3. Prioritize rest
Abundance and rest can go hand in hand. Outward energy can only last as long as you replenish. Take some time to rest this summer. You can still take advantage of all your want to (and maybe more than you imagined) as long as you still take care of your body, say no when you mean no and don’t forget to rest. The Solstice is a time of renewal, rebirth, and self-love. It’s a time to honor your body and recognize that it is beautiful and worthy of your respect.
On top of that, June is one of my favorite sleeping months– yup, you read that right! The days are warm and the nights are cool in the Berkshires and after spending some time in the sunshine, I have some of the best sleep.
4. Cleansing bath or jumping in the lake!
Take a bath to let go of the worries of last season. This can look like a luxurious warm bath with Epsom salts or a jump in the lake to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. Heck, it can even look like an intentional splash of water on your face! I did all three yesterday. Water is so incredibly energetically cleansing. Mindfully use water to reset yourself– mind, body, and soul this solstice.
5. Gather herbs
Whether you grow an herb garden, go foraging, or pop into the local apothecary– take some time to honor and use the herbs of the solstice season. Herbs that are traditionally associated with the Summer Solstice are St. John’s wort, vervain, yarrow, fern, and mugwort. A great resource for all things herbal and herbs is Herbal Academy– I’ve taken a few of their courses!
6. Bathe in the sun
This might be pretty self explanatory but still powerful. Spend some time soaking in the beautiful, beneficial rays of sunshine. Take some time on the solstice to step outside nad feel the warmth of the sun on your skin– where ever you live!. Send gratitude to the sun for all it brings to us– all the abundance, energy, health and growth it offers.
7. Spend time in nature
Forest bathing, grounding your feet in the bare earth or even sneaking out for a mid day walk on your lunch break– it all counts!! Spend as much time in nature as you can this solstice– every little bit counts. NAture is so restorative and rejuvenating– the science i there to support it and you can feel it every time you step into it. Honor the natural world around you and give back to yourself by spending a few moments soaking in the natural world around you.
8. Garden
In the northeast, June is when the garden starts to get kicking. Our garden is really starting to flourish and it has been an absolute pleasure to watch it grow. While I know not everyone has access to land to garden on, you can put those skills to use tending to a house plant, a whole garden or a few pots of herbs in your kitchen. It doesn’t have to be huge or all-consuming, get your hands in some dirt and enjoy the process of watching something grow!
9. Leave fairy offerings
This is a super fun one for kids or kids at heart. Traditionally, the solstice is a time of fairies– when they like to come out and play as they love sunshine and shiny things. Fairies also love sweets, such as cakes, cookies, brownies, doughnuts, and sweetbreads. Just like you leave out milk and cookies for Santa, leave an offering for the fairies outside. I tend to feel like fairies hang out in mossy areas with ferns and an abundance of lush greenness. I envision them enjoying areas of the forest that look like a Taylor Swift video– but hey, that’s just me!
10. Throw a party
Ultimately, the solstice is a time for celebrating and expressing gratitude for the abundance you have. Have some friends over, gather, celebrate, and have fun. Think good food, good friends, and good times.
Normally, I host a seasonal celebration for my community but this year I am feeling called to turn inwards and honor some rest in my life. The summer season has already offered up so much abundance for myself and my boyfriend, Chris. I am being called to a bonfire at home with some journaling to reflect on what’s next.
Whatever you do to celebrate the Summer Solstice, let it feel authentic and good to you! Happy Summer Solstice Friends