Summer Solstice… Reflection & Ritual

The Summer Solstice is the sun’s equivalent of a Full Moon 🌕 As the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, marking the longest day and the shortest night of the year, we are invited to pause, reflect and celebrate this powerful celestial moment ☀️ 

Rich in symbolism and spiritual meaning, Summer Solstice (also known as Litha), is another point on our planet’s yearly journey around the sun for us to pause and realign with nature’s dependable rhythms. Taking advantage of this pause, provides an opportunity to reflect on our own brightness and determine how we want to continue to share it with the world around us.

💫 The Spiritual Significance of the Solstice

The word “solstice” comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning “point at which the sun seems to stand still.” On this day, the Sun appears to pause in the sky before slowly beginning its descent.

In astrology, the Summer Solstice coincides with the Sun’s move into the sign of Cancer ♋ … an emotional, intuitive, and nurturing sign that invites us to turn inward even as the world around us is bursting with light and vitality. This paradox is the heart of the solstice: a time to both shine outwardly with service outward and soften inwardly with self-acceptance.

📿 Mindful Reflection

The fiery and abundance of light during the Summer Solstice calls us to be courageous as we bravely allow all areas of our life to be illuminated. Just as the sun seems to pause in the sky during this time, we too, are asked to pause and allow our accomplishments, dreams and desires to be lit up with understanding and new perspectives.

Here are some reflection and/or journal prompts for us to consider pondering during this magical time:

🪞 What is fully blossomed in my life right now?
🪞 Where am I being called to grow next?
🪞 What has come to fruition for me since the Winter Solstice or Spring Equinox?
🪞 Where do I feel most vibrant and alive right now?
🪞 Is there something I need to release in order to move into my next phase of growth?
🪞 What am I most grateful for in this season of light?
🪞 What or how can I celebrate more?

Just as the Earth holds space for both bloom and decay, so too can we hold space for both celebration and contemplation. As you sit with these questions, allow whatever arises to do so without judgment 💜 

Here are some fun activities for you to do while reflecting on the perseverance, wisdom and wonder that is you:

🍵 Toast the Sunrise

~ Sit somewhere where you can see the sunrise and pour two cups of your favourite beverage… one for the sun and a cup for yourself.

~ When the sun rises above the horizon on this longest day of the year, hold the cup to the sun and say something like:

Thank you for blessing the world with your beauty and light.

~ Then, take a sip and enjoy the rest of your beverage while soaking in the magic of the most powerful sunrise of the year.

~ When you feel done, pour the beverage from the sun’s cup on the earth as a gratitude offering.

👡 Bless Your Shoes

~ Our feet (with and without shoes) move us from here to there and kiss Mother Earth constantly.

~ Our feet are sacred and wonderful things… propelling us toward success, while rooting us in the prosperous energy of the ground beneath.

~ Take advantage of your feet and their magical ability feet by blessing your shoes on the sun’s most magical day by placing your favourite (or all) your shoes outside on the earth in bright sunlight and decorate them with daisies and say:

The earth is sacred, and so is the sun.

Bless us with success, luck, and lots of fun!

~ Let them soak in the light for at least 30 minutes. (This is a fun Summer Solstice idea to do with your kids or other family members!)

🙏 Do Sun Salutations

~ There couldn’t be a better time than the Summer Solstice to salute the sun.

~ Take your yoga mat outside, face the sun, and do a few rounds of sun your favourite salutations… inhaling the sun’s life-giving rays and exhaling what your releasing.

~ Imagine that you are inviting the sun’s healing and vitalizing power into every cell in your amazing body.

🪄 Make up Your Own Activity or Ritual

~ Create your own activity, ritual or neighbourhood tradition to celebrate and honor this magic day of the year!

🌞 Final Thoughts

The Summer Solstice is a sacred threshold… an invitation to be present with your power, to bask in your fullness, and to recommit to your path.

Just like the sun, YOU are a source of light. Use this time to soak in the sun’s healing, expansive, and vitalizing energy to consciously bring positive energy and growth to any and all areas of your life. So let yourself shine unapologetically as you open yourself to the mystery of all that the remaining months of the year still have for you to experience 💖

May your solstice be filled with self-acceptance, intention, and radiant celebration of all that you have already done!!

Much Love,