5 Rituals To Celebrate the Summer Solstice
The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, is the longest and lightest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. While there is some annual variability, it most often occurs on June 21st, which is also the first day of Cancer season.
Summer solstice has been a day of celebration for many cultures across the world. Many ancient cultures believed that magic took place on the night of the summer solstice, with fairies showing themselves to humans, while evil spirits were dispelled from their lives.
It was a common celebration in ancient Greece, Egypt, and Roman times. It dates back to pre-Christian pagan customs. It was believed to keep demons away and bring good luck to lovers.
Adding a few special practices or rituals can be a great way to tune in to the unique energy of the season and honor the warmth, light, and abundance that the day brings.
Here are a few easy ways to transform this year’s solstice into a special summer celebration.
Have a ritual bath
Run a lukewarm bath (especially if it’s a hot night), light a circle of candles around it in honor of the peak solar energy, sprinkle in some flower petals from in-season blooms around you, and add a few drops of your brightest essential oils (think: jasmine, geranium, rose, lavender, bergamot, or clary sage).
Light a bonfire
Making bonfires to celebrate the summer solstice is a long-established pagan tradition. If you have an opportunity bring together friends and family for a huge fire, and celebrate the longest night of the year. Fire is a powerful manifesting element, and on a night with such big solar power, this is a wonderful way to work with it.
Feast outside
Eating outside, whether that means heading out for a picnic, having a BBQ, or simply moving your table outdoors, is a great way to celebrate the brightest night of the year. Choose a menu based on local, seasonal fruits and vegetables, which in the Northern Hemisphere might include strawberries, peaches, plums, cherries, green beans, dandelion, corn, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, and melons.
Design a flower crown
Making a flower crown is a traditional way to celebrate the summer solstice. Use either of the DIY flower crown tutorials below with real fresh flowers, or make a paper flower crown craft with a giant sunflower on the front with your children to celebrate the solstice. Remember, when sunflowers are as tall as you, it’s a sure sign of summer!
Practice yoga or meditation
Interestingly, the summer solstice has been named International Day of Yoga by the United Nations General Assembly. That makes the perfect day to practice yoga! Start with Sun salutations. It is a way to honor the sun on the solstice.
Practicing meditation and yoga is a great way to release old energy, welcome the light, and create inner and outer abundance as a part of your summer solstice celebration. You can even attend the summer solstice in Time Square, where participants practice yoga from sunup to sundown.
No matter which solstice practices, rituals, or traditions you choose to incorporate, may your longest day be filled with laughter, joy, celebration, family, friends, and nature!
With love, Jasmina