Summer Solstice Spiritual Practices: Meet the Midsummer

No matter where you're from or what your traditions are, summer is a time to rejoice. After long months of darkness, you find yourself immersed in light. When you've spent the winter curled up indoors, you can now enjoy this season's fresh air and beauty. You can also take some time to align with the energy of the season by trying out some summer solstice spiritual practices that resonate with you.

What Is the Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice usually occurs around June 21^st every year and indicates the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe. The longest day (and the shortest night) of the year has fascinated people around the world since ancient times. It is believed to be among the earliest astronomical observations.

Our Ancestral Connection to the Summer Solstice

Knowing the yearly cycle of the seasons wasn’t just a trivial bit of knowledge for our ancestors. Understanding the ebb and flow of the seasons was crucial to the survival of ancient people. Both the summer and winter solstices were key dates on the calendar as they are directly intertwined with human behavior, activity, and resources.

Many cultures around the world honor this time with festivals and celebrations. Much of the planning and preparing for the year’s bounty is done at this point, and it is now time for celebration and gratitude. For centuries, people acknowledged the importance of following the equinoxes and solstices, often going so far as to build monuments, like Stonehenge, to honor this time. Other creations, like the great Pyramids of Egypt, are also mysteriously aligned with this event. And they also correlate expertly with the Winter Solstice, as well.

Summer solstice is also sometimes referred to as Midsummer in some traditions. Stemming from the Pagan holiday of Litha, Midsummer is considered to be the height of the sun’s power. On this day, people welcome summer and offering hopes for a successful harvest year. People have been dancing, singing, lighting fires, and wearing flowers in their hair for thousands of years to celebrate the longer days and shorter nights. Today, Midsummer festivities are most popular in Scandinavian countries, where the long days are a time of renewal after the months of darkness. Many cultures also consider Midsummer the best time of year to find love. Long ago, singles would place seven flowers under their pillows on Midsummer's Eve, hoping to dream of their soulmate. 

Spiritual Meaning of the Solstices and Equinoxes

In addition to having astrological, practical, and religious interpretations, we also feel a strong spiritual connection to the summer solstice, fueled by an embrace of the captivating energy of the Sun. The cycle of the Sun represents the cycle of our lives and the movement of energy as it flows inward and outward. We experience times of growth, times to pause, times to let go, and times of great learning.

The spring equinox is the beginning of that cycle and represents new beginnings, while the summer solstice continues the rhythm of flow. Solstice is in sync with the start of summertime and the sign of Cancer. It is also a reminder to go within for answers, respecting our mind, body, and soul - and to prepare for further growth and expansion.

Summer, if you allow it, can be a season of patience while the ‘seeds’ we have planted in springtime settle and sprout. It is a time for deep faith and trust that we have attracted what we are seeking and we may now step away and enjoy the bounty of the season.

Spiritually, summer is a time of fertility, warmth, and harvest. You feel a strong connection to your body in summer, as you can get outside and receive nourishment from the sun. The Earth provides abundantly at this time, with readily available fruits, vegetables, and flowers. 

The hot summer sun is teaching us to believe in the transition time, which we do by continuing our journey from darkness into light. Summer is a reminder of hope that the light within can connect and inspire us with others as well as reaching further depths in our connection to our highest self. We are all spiritual beings. We can warm the hearts of another, just like the sunshine warms our bodies and soul.

This introspective time may lead to uncertainties along the way, but that is all part of the process. Be open to deeply allowing this process to take you to new places and experiences inside and out as you continue to nurture your soul. Be aware, if you start to overthink this process, it will not help you or your journey. Instead, feel your way through this, listen to your body and honor your instincts.

 

Why Is It Important To Celebrate the Summer Solstice?

Taking time to celebrate the summer solstice can help you settle into this new time of year with intention. After a long and dark winter, it's time to meditate on where you've been and set your sights on where you want to go.

Just as the Earth needs the sun to ensure abundance, you need the sun to re-center yourself at the mid-point of the year to remain fruitful. Try these simple summer solstice rituals to stay grounded and reap the benefits of this distinct time of year.

 

Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice Spiritually

Here are a couple ways to do just that…

Take Stock of Your Year So Far

The year is halfway over. This is an important time to think about what you wanted to accomplish this year and how far you've come. If you've rocked those goals, great! Keep the momentum going with a little summer solstice celebration.

If you haven't been so diligent, now's a great time to re-evaluate your priorities and make some changes so you can check those goals off your list in the second half of the year. Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you take stock of the year so far:

• What new relationships have I formed?
• Am I still on track to achieve my beginning-of-the-year goals?
• What are my wins, and how can I celebrate them?
• Am I holding onto anything that I need to let go of?
• Are there any goals that aren't serving me anymore?
• What mistakes have I made, and how can I learn from them? 

Looking inward and finding answers to these questions can help you to set the stage for the rest of your year. If you need any help guiding your mid-year reflection process, our Psychic Advisors  can help.

Set Summer Intentions

Summer solstice is a great time to set your intentions. Set powerful “I am” statements focusing on the themes of self-care, deep trust, and patience. This is all about allowing the energy to ‘let go’ of what is holding you back and ‘allow in’ what you desire. Here’s a foundation you can build on…

“I am surrendering and letting go of the past, while I allow in what supports me now and moves me forward.”

Using this example, craft your own Intention Statement to help set your summer intentions and remind yourself of them all summer long.

Connect With Nature

Nature draws you outdoors at this time of year, and there are so many ways you can disconnect with your tech and reconnect with your natural surroundings.

Take a hike in the woods to really appreciate the majesty of creation. Enjoy the abundance of flowers at this time of year and appreciate simple beauty. Ponder on the renewal of life as you recommit to yourself and your goals.

Get Close to the Water

Water is a reviving element, and when the sun gives you extra light at this time of year, what better way to rejuvenate than by taking a dip in a natural body of water. Whether you can be enveloped in the salty sea spray of the ocean or immersed in the refreshingly cool waters of a lake, the water will cleanse your body and spirit.

If you can't make it to a natural body of water, try running a bath, adding a few drops of essential oil or bath salts, and lighting a candle. Use this ritual to set a new mantra for yourself for the coming half year.  

Light a Fire

While you are beyond the season for cozying up to the fireplace, lighting a fire outside can help you connect to nature and remind you of the fire and energy of the sun. Gather around a campfire, fire pit, or bonfire for a social and spiritual experience.

Fire can also be a cleansing element, so take this time to think about letting go of anything you've been holding onto unnecessarily for the past few months. 

Enjoy Nature's Bounty

Summer solstice is a time to enjoy the fruits of nature. Whether you have a green thumb or not, you can partake of some of nature's best gifts. Try planting your own seeds to experience the magic of life renewing itself.

If you can't grow your own food, go to a local farmers market to enjoy fresh produce at its peak. Taking care of yourself this way is another summer solstice ritual to help you re-center and find balance in your life. 

Honor the Four Directions

This ceremony tunes into sacred messages and honors the wisdom of nature and cyclical rhythms as we ask for support in our lives. Anytime of the day is fine, but sunrise is ideal. Before you start, breath deeply to ground and calm yourself. Be mindfully open to deep spiritual wisdom and enhanced intuition. Open your awareness to new heights and expand your reality of what may lie ahead for you. Set the intention, “Anything is Possible”.

Make this ceremony as minimal or multi-layered as you choose. If you’d like support items to add to this experience, grab a basket to collect your special items: candles, crystals, essential oils, pendulum, spiritual jewelry, or incense. Choose whatever makes you feel more whole and complete at this time.

You will be having four mindful moments, pausing and facing each direction - East, South, West and North. At each direction point, pause and reflect, bringing your awareness to your chosen direction while closing your eyes and meditating on the energy it emanates. A compass can help with precise alignment, but main goal is intent and mindfulness. Allow the information to flood into you like a waterfall. Continue this process in all four directions, one at a time. Afterward, record your ‘aha moments’ and insights in a journal.

Each direction has its own spirit and message.

• East lines up with spring, for new beginnings. Ponder what you began working on over the last three months and what new ideas and opportunities are developing for you.

• South is the direction of summer, calling upon rest as you focus inward toward your spiritual purpose. Keep zeroing in on what is speaking to you the strongest. And trust your inner wisdom.

• West is the direction of fall, where the sun sets sooner and we are asked to trust the messages we are receiving, release, and detox. Tune into your highest wisdom to determine what is best to keep versus release.

• North represents winter, wisdom, and protection. Ask your guides what downloads and messages you need to keep moving forward, and reflect on your heritage and past lives for additional wisdom.

 

Look Forward to the Next Phase

An important part of celebrating summer solstice is looking back and reflecting, but equally insightful is looking forward and setting intentions. If there's something you need to change, now's the time to decide how things will be different. If amazing things are happening in your life, think about how to keep them flowing in a positive direction.

Celebrate the solstice in any way that warms your heart. The solstice journey is honoring this day of pure light and energetically setting in motion time to strengthen our awakening and broadening our consciousness all summer long. Reach out to one of our amazing advisors to support you with this or other topics of interest.

Blessed Be!