Happy be-lated Summer Solstice!
In the Northern Hemisphere, we just had our longest day of the year (last week)! Whether this annual day is something you celebrate, pay attention to, or ignore, I thought I would like to share some interesting points.
As I am sure you know or can imagine, this day has ancient roots with astronomical, cultural and religious meanings.
Astronomically, the summer solstice occurs when one of Earth's poles has its maximum tilt toward the Sun, resulting in a day with the longest period of daylight. This happens twice a year… once in the Northern Hemisphere (usually around June 20 or 21) and once in the
Southern Hemisphere (usually December 21 or 22).
Culturally, many ancient civilizations have monuments and rituals associated with the summer solstice. Here are some examples:
Stonehenge, England: Built around 2500 BCE, Stonehenge is aligned with the summer solstice sunrise. Thousands of people gather at Stonehenge to witness the sunrise aligning with the Heel Stone, celebrating with music, dancing, and drumming.
Northern European Cultures: Many of these countries celebrate the solstice known as Midsummer with festivals, dancing, and bonfires. These celebrations are particularly significant in Scandinavian countries.
Indigenous Cultures: Various indigenous cultures around the world have solstice celebrations that may involve dancing, fasting, and prayer to honor the natural cycles of life and to seek spiritual renewal.
Ancient Egypt: The summer solstice coincided with the rising of the Nile River, which was crucial for agriculture. The solstice was linked to the goddess Isis and the star Sirius.
Mali, Africa: The Dogon people of Mali celebrate the solstice with rituals that involve astronomical observations and cultural performances.
Japanese Cultures: In Japan, the summer solstice is observed with various Shinto rituals, involving purification and offerings to deities.
Mesoamerican Cultures: The solstice played a role in the agricultural and ceremonial calendar of the Maya and Aztec civilizations.
Pagan and Neo-Pagan Traditions: In pagan traditions, the summer solstice is known as Litha, a festival celebrating the power of the sun. It involves bonfires, dancing, flower crowns, lighting candles and bonfires, performing sun salutations, nature walks and holding feasts with seasonal foods. Litha with rituals honor the life sustaining power of the sun.
Yoga and Meditation Traditions: International Day of Yoga coincides with the summer solstice. This day sees large gatherings for collective yoga sessions, especially in India and among yoga practitioners worldwide.
The above is a very short list of the different ways in which people around the world, through their cultures, traditions and self-expression, celebrate universal days, such as Summer Solstice. Do you have rituals, celebrations or traditions that you enjoy? If yes, are they something you do just for yourself or do you share them with friends and family?
The witch in me loves the act of rituals! Rituals ground me and remind me to breathe deeply into my present moment. Here is one of my favourite simple and fun rituals that I like doing to celebrate the summer solstice:
SUMMER SOLSTICE RITUAL
This ritual can be done alone or with friends and family.
Supplies:
6 small pieces of paper for each person participating
Pencil or pen for each person participating
Candle with burn safe pot or container or fire pit or fire burning fireplace
Ritual:
Light your candle, fire pit or fireplace
Divide the stack of 6 pieces of paper into 2 piles of 3
Take 3 pieces of paper and write one thing on each piece that you are proud of yourself for. Things that you have started or accomplished so far this year.
Be as detailed as you can
As you are writing these celebrations/compliments about yourself allow yourself to accept this self-compliment and notice how that makes you feel.
Be generous with yourself – because you are truly wonderful!
When finished, fold the 3 pieces of paper and tuck them to the side.
There is no need to share what you wrote unless you wish to.
Take the remaining 3 pieces of paper and write one thing on each that you hope to ‘harvest’ or accomplish by the end of this year.
Again, be as detailed as you can – don’t write out the ‘How’ just the ‘What’ and ‘Why’
Again, notice how you are feeling as you are writing these intentions
When finished, fold these 3 pieces of paper.
Again, only share these intentions if you choose to – there is no need to do so if you do not wish to.
When you’re ready release the first 3 pieces of paper one at a time into the fire – while really allowing yourself to feel grateful for yourself – your strength, insight, contributions, etc, etc ♥
Take as long as you need to burn these first 3 pieces of paper while genuinely appreciating yourself
When ready, you can now burn the remaining 3 pieces of paper.
Again, burn them one at a time while remembering the how is not the focus… try to only focus on the ‘What and ‘Why’ of these intentions as each piece of paper burns
Take as much time as you need with this process.
Upon completion…
If you are alone, spend time looking into the candle or fire and continue feeling grateful for all you have experienced so far… this year, this decade, this lifetime ♥
If you are with others, share food and drinks and enjoy the company of these people and the excitement of the experiences yet to come.
If there are ashes to dispose of, please do so safely.
Whether rituals are meaningful to you or not, the entire month of June is a great month to celebrate all the abundance of the height of summer… abundant light, abundant foliage, abundant opportunities to learn from the earth and her cycles! Take cues and inspiration from the nature around you! June is the month that often seems to overflow with expectations and promises of the harvest to come.
I truly wish for your summer to bless you with magic, memories and love!
Much love,
Opmerkingen