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Nine Ideas for Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Nine Ideas for Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice is just around the corner for those living in the Northern Hemisphere. To be precise, it’s Sunday, June 20 at 8:31 PM Pacific Time.

As you likely know, Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, and the shortest night. It offers a powerful opportunity to connect with friends, the outdoors, and your vision for the future.

Facts About Summer Solstice
If it’s been awhile since you were in science class, here are some facts about Summer Solstice to get you in the mood to participate in its magnitude:

- It’s the first day of Summer.

- In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s Winter Solstice, or, the first day of Winter.

- At the precise moment of the Summer Solstice, the Sun reaches its northernmost position, as seen from the Earth. Its zenith does not move north or south; instead, it stands still at the Tropic of Cancer. It then reverses its direction and starts moving south again.

- June Solstice is the day when the earth is farthest from the sun.

- The earliest sunrise happens a few days before, and the latest sunset takes place a few days after, the Summer Solstice.

- It is the only day of the year when all locations inside the Arctic Circle experience a continuous period of daylight for 24 hours.

Chinese traditions characterize the Summer Solstice with yin, or feminine, energy. Ancient Egyptians considered it the beginning of the New Year and had festivals celebrating the goddess Isis, whom they believed controlled the life-sustaining waters of the Nile. Many cultures throughout the world consider it an ideal opportunity to connect with nature and community in meaningful ways. Here are some ideas we like for celebrating this powerful day.

1. Take a hike.
Get up early or go in the evening and take advantage of the extra daylight.

2. Take a bath.
Use plenty of sea salt and Essential Oils. Add some flower petals and rosemary sprigs. The sea salt is detoxifying and the oils and plants will help you connect with the magic of nature.

3. Plan(t) your garden.
As a day traditionally equated with fertility, Summer Solstice is a potent time to prepare the crops that will be harvested in Fall, such as corn, tomatoes, squash, brussels sprouts, eggplant, and carrots.

4. Have a fire (safely!*).
Since Summer Solstice is the apex of light, it’s a great time to take stock of what, in your own life, has reached its maturation point. Write down the things you are ready to release to make room for new dreams. Toss the paper into the fire, giving thanks for the endless cycle of creation that is life. *Practice caution and safety when having a fire and always make certain it is properly extinguished when finished.

5. Play.
Invite friends over to stay up all night and dance, share food, and play music.

6. Rest on the earth.
Awhile back we published a post called “What’s the Deal With Forest Bathing and Earthing?” Summer Solstice is the perfect time to experience the benefits of this practice— in the sun, of course.

6. Bottle Summer.
If you prefer a creative Solstice project, harvest ripe fruits and turn them into jams. When you do this on the Solstice, you are literally preserving the vitality of the day to be eaten all year long. You could even save a special jar of sweet, bright jam to be opened on the Winter Solstice and enjoy the stored energy of the sun on the darkest day of the year.

8. Purify your crystals and gemstones.
Love crystals? Give them a Solstice sunbath. Intend that they, as part of the earth, will release any darkness they may have accumulated and become filled with light. Soon they will be charged up and ready to fill your home with their good vibes. 

9. At home beauty rituals.
Give yourself and your loved one a Facial Mask. Apply Body Polish and wash off in an outdoor shower, then dry in the sun. You’ll feel amazing.

image credit: Pedro Lastra

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