How to Celebrate Summer Solstice
This Wednesday, June 21st, marks the start of Cancer season AND the Summer Solstice, otherwise known as Litha 🌞 Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, a time where we honor the sun and all the abundance she brings. Simultaneously, we’re also acknowledging the balance of nature and the planet, since the days will now begin to grow shorter starting on June 22nd, marking our slowwww journey towards winter. As a S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) girlie, I always find the summer solstice to be such an important moment for me. I LOVE summer so much, the beachwitch in me is truly in her element this time of year on the shore. But I have to take that with the knowing that the season will not last forever, and that’s ok ❤️. There’s an energy of acceptance here that feels healing to me. The planet, like all things (including our own bodies) is cyclical in nature, and celebrating the Summer Solstice helps us tap into and acknowledge that part of our experience, as well as our gorgeous connection to nature.
Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate and honor this day!
Check out the sunrise or sunset. I don’t know about y’all but there’s something so magical and potent about that mystical moment where the sun first rises, or it’s last little moments on the horizon as it sets. Plus it gives us a moment to pause. To breathe. And to reflect on where we’re at and where we want to go in this world.
Fire rituals. Fire has long been associated with the summer solstice, symbolizing transformation, purification, and the light of knowledge. Have a bonfire gathering in your backyard or at the beach, or you can even just light a candle to honor the day. Bonus points if you write down a list of everything you want to create over the next 6 months, then burn it and watch the smoke rise up to the sky.
Get outside. Nature walks and outdoor activities are the vibe this week, especially with the extended daylight hours. Get out for a hike, rent a kayak, or even just sitting under a tree can be so healing on this day, and can help you reconnect to the cycles and seasons of nature.
Make something. Whether it’s a meal using seasonal/local ingredients, flower crowns, or any kind of art you feel drawn to, there’s something inherently creative about the summer solstice to me. Use the energy from the sun to put your work out into the world!
Meditation. The summer solstice offers an opportunity for self-reflection and inner growth. Set aside a little time for yoga, a guided meditation (which btw, you could get two astrology-based meditations every month just by joining the New Moon Coven), or breathing exercises to help you connect with your inner self and release any negative energy you don’t want to carry forward through the rest of the year.
The summer solstice invites us to celebrate the gorgeous energy of the sun and revel in the magic of life that surrounds us and flows through us. Whether you choose to witness the sunrise, dance around a bonfire, or simply take a walk through nature, remember to embrace the spirit of the season. By celebrating the summer solstice, we honor the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world, infusing our lives with joy, vitality, and gratitude.