Summer Solstice is near us! It’s the day with the longest daylight hours in the Northern Hemisphere and where we officially mark the passing of 6 months.
I love to make a ritual out of the summer solstice, some quiet time simply just to reflect on the weeks that just passed. For others, the day is to be celebrated and can involve a combination of physical, mental, and spiritual preparations to make the most of this special time. Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for the summer solstice:
#1 Learn about the significance
The history of the summer solstice and how it first came about dates back centuries to ancient times. These days, it is celebrated in different ways in different cultures and countries. For example, in Sweden, it is celebrated much like Christmas is and in Chinese cultures, people celebrate their harvests (achievements).
Familiarize yourself with the cultural and historical significance of the summer solstice in the different countries and your own culture. Explore different traditions and rituals associated with this ancient and very spiritual event. Understanding the background can deepen your connection with the energy of the day.
#2 Connect with nature
It’s Summer and it’s the longest amount of daylight hours in the entire year. Yup, time to spend it outdoors! Take walks in parks, forests, go sit in a garden, have a late-evening picnic, take hikes! Solstice is traditionally an outdoors event, so fostering your own connection with Mother Nature will help to bring you closer to the energy of the season.
#3 Connect with loved ones
Organize a gathering or a BBQ with loved ones just to celebrate the solstice together! Your family and friendship groups may have your own little rituals for the season or you could create one! It’s a great time to encourage meaningful conversations and bond with each other.
#4 Journal and set some intentions
It’s a great time to take stock of how your life went the past 6 months. I like to grab my fav beverage, make myself cosy and just spend time reflecting on my life a little. If you need a little help with your reflections, do check out the journal prompts I have here for the summer. At the same time, I’d also set some intentions for how I want my life to be like in the next 6 months, focusing on what I intend to cultivate or manifest and other areas I wish to grow in; the kind of person I’d like to be by 31st December of that year.
#5 Practice mindfulness and gratitude
As part of my journaling practice in #4 but also as a separate practice, I like to use the summer time to be grateful for my “harvests” or my achievements the past 6 months – taking the time to thank all the people, situations and processes that got me to where I am. I also make the effort to cultivate or refine my mindfulness practice in the summer, through mindful movement, mindful eating and so much more. You can check out my other post for how to incorporate even more mindfulness activities into your summer.
#6 Align with and embody the sun’s energy
The summer solstice is the peak of the sun’s energy and in celebration of its power and light, it’s helpful to bring in some of its energy into our days. This could be just embodying the spirt of the sun – confident, joyous, fun, or incorporating practices like the sun salutation psoe in yoga, or simply just sitting and meditating in its presence. I love to be out in the sun on this day, so I will spend the morning or late afternoon just being outside, being in the sun’s presence.
#7 Creating a ritual or ceremony
You could have a personal or group ritual to mark the summer solstice. This could be just praying at an altar with symbolic items, performing a special meditation or just engaging in an activity that holds significance for you. The ritual can be as simple or elaborate as you desire.
The summer solstice is a time of celebration and connection. Follow your intuition and create rituals or practices that are meaningful to you. Embrace the energy of the season and enjoy the abundance and joy it brings!
