Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Posted on June 19, 2020

Tomorrow, the 20th of June is the summer solstice. (It’s also called the estival summer, or more famously, midsummer.) It’s the first official day of the summer and it’s also the longest amount of daylight that we in the Northern hemisphere will get. The sun is at the highest point in the sky. Spend tomorrow celebrating the sun. As a summer child, it’s basically my favourite day of the year.

A brief bit of background:

Several European countries have a history of jumping over bonfires on the solstice, as well as wearing traditional costumes and floral wreaths. In some branches of paganism, the summer solstice is called ‘Litha’

Celebrating:

+ Get up early and watch the sunrise this year.

+ Engage in either sunrise or sunset yoga. If you watch the sunset, spend some time reflecting on what has reached its peak in your life. What have you accomplished that you feel really proud of?

+ Spend some time journaling. What is burning inside of you that makes you feel strong and passionate? What has it helped you accomplish recently? What are some peak moments you experienced this year? What have you accomplished recently that you feel really proud of? What has come to completion in your life? What are you realizing no longer serves you that you must let go of? How will letting go of these things allow you to change and grow?

+ Take a sun bath. Find a spot to lie on your back in the sun. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths to ground yourself.

+ Eat outside. I recommend this most days but an al fresco meal on the summer solstice is particularly apt.

+ Gather flowers. If you live somewhere more rural, you’ll have access to hedgerows and wildflowers. Harvest some for your home. Bonus points in you make a flower crown.

+ If you have a garden or allotment, spend time in it.

+ St John’s Wart is supposed to be at it’s most potent during the summer solstice, so it’s a good day to harvest some if you practice any element of plant medicine or herbology.

+ Have a bonfire in the evening. It’s a fairly easy thing to do socially distant as long as you have access to some outdoor space. I recommend telling stories and toasting marshmallows too.

+ Go for an evening walk.

+ Brew some sun tea.

+ Strawberries are at their freshest right now. As they are my favourite fruit, I recommend maximising their brief seasonality.

+ Garnish food with edible flowers.

+ Cook outside on a barbecue or grill, if possible. Have lots of fresh salads.

+ Practice gratitude for the good, the ‘light’ in your life and work. What is abundant and flourishing in your life at this moment?

Will you be celebrating or marking the day in any way?