Summer Solstice ( Midsummer,Litha)
This year Summer Solstice is on Sunday 21st June at 9.24am in the UK. The Sun reaches its highest point and the earth in the Northern hemisphere is most pointed towards the Sun. The word ‘Solstice” means standing still. After this brief point, the days will gradualy have a little less daylight until the Winter Solstice. From that point, daylight will gradually increase until Summer Solstice 2027.
Summer Solstice is also known as Midsummer, such as in the Shakespeare play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Litha by many modern day Pagan and Wicca practioners.
As well as enjoying a day with lots of daylight, the Solstice is powerful because it is just a fleeting point. We can value and treasure it because it isnt a daily occurence- its purely down to nature and we have no control of it happening. It’s so easy to take life for granted, “I’ll do it one day” “Next year I will…” but we have no guarantees.
At this point of stillness we can pause to celebrate today - not tomorrow or next weekend but feel alive and present in this very moment.
The Solstice is a great time for journalling.
Here are some prompts. You may like to do these outside, remembering to shade from the Sun as necessary.
How has the time from the Winter Solstice in December up until today been?
What in my life am I grateful for today?
Who do I enjoy spending time with?
What would I like to experience before the Winter Solstice.
What steps can I take to work towards this?
There are many ways you can celebrate the Solstice.
Every year thousands of people gather at sites such as Stonehenge, Avebury and Durdle Door to celebrate this day.
You do not need to travel to celebrate this day unless you wish to. You may prefer to celebrate at home.
Ideas for Celebrating the Solstice
1: Setting your alarm and getting up early to watch the sunrise from your window or outside your home.
2.Joining with friends to have lunch or drinks in the evening.
3. Lighting a barbecue to symbolise the fire of the sun.
4. Lighting a candle and reflecting on the element of fire.
5. Making a seasonal altar with summer flowers, images of loved ones and candles.
6.Making a summer bucket list of things you want to do over the summer. These could be free things like going for a walk and reading your book outside. They could be beaches you would like to visit.
7. Make a summer playlist of songs that make you feel happy.
8. Create a fresh summer fruit platter and enjoy looking at the colours
Open all the windows and let spring blow away and invite summer in.
10. Write about what your favourite summer sights, sounds, textures, smells and tastes are. Plan how you can experience them this season.
Wishing you a very Happy Summer Solstice, blessings,
Claire