10 Magical Summer Solstice Rituals & Ideas

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Summer Solstice is a magical time for renewal and growth. It's a time to celebrate life, nature, and all that comes with the abundance of summer. It is a time to practice gratitude and appreciation. This season is a wonderful  opportunity to reflect on the year that has passed and appreciate all the beautiful people in our lives who have blessed us this year. And don't forget about looking forward to our future! This is also an ideal time to plan your next big move or simply take some time for yourself. To celebrate this special time and to help navigate you through this season of growth and abundance, we’ve created a list of 10 magical summer solstice rituals and ideas to honor the journey before us.

 

Both the Winter and the Summer Solstices are expressions of love. They show us the opposition of light and dark, expansion and contraction, that characterize our experiences in the Earth school so that we can recognize our options as we move through our lives. -Gary Zukav

WHAT IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, when we have more hours of sunlight than any other time during the year. It does not occur on the same day each year because it is not based on a specific calendar date but when the sun reaches its northernmost point from the equator. It is usually on June 20, 21 or 22.

 

10 MAGICAL SUMMER SOLSTICE RITUALS

1. Decorate a tree with ribbons and flowers

Decorating a tree with ribbons and flowers is a very easy way to welcome summer and make your home feel like a magical oasis. Decorate with whatever you have on hand, such as ribbons from wrapping gifts or flowers in the garden for an organic look that celebrates all of life's beauty around us! This ancient tradition symbolizes the sun's rays and its ability to transform life on earth. 

 

2. Put on your favorite summer dress and walk barefoot in the grass

Wearing your favorite summer dress and walking barefoot will help you to feel pretty and grounded in this season. This will bring you a sense of affection for the earth and help connect with your feminine energy.  Any green space will do. While walking through the grass, take time for yourself and just breathe deeply while taking it all-in: the crisp air on your skin, the green leaves swaying gently, the gorgeous blooming flowers. Feel how alive everything is around you!

Whether or not you're able to spend time outside, consider soaking up the natural sunlight from the windows in your home during these long summer days.

3. Host an outdoor dinner party with friends and family 

Hosting a dinner party on the night of summer solstice is a fantastic way to bring people together and create some magical memories. There are many different ways you can host your own dinner party with friends, but one thing that's for sure- it should be outside! What better time than on this special day?

While we all may not have access or space in our home backyard area to host a dinner party, there are plenty of places we can go to have an outdoor party that will feel like home. Try renting a house for the weekend. There are also plenty of restaurants with patios and open-air spaces where you could enjoy your dinner while celebrating this special occasion! Set the tables and chairs outside to allow view of sunset as you all dine together. And don't forget: candles!

 

4. Make a summer solstice wish

The summer solstice is a time of year when we can feel the greatest energy and potential that this world has to offer. This is your moment, use it wisely! Make a wish for what you want in life right now - big or small. Write it out on a piece of paper and place the wish in your journal. Then spend some quality "wishing" moments with yourself by diving deep inside during a meditation session.

 

5. Make a mandala with flowers and rocks

A mandala is a sacred geometric drawing often used for meditation, and as such it can be an excellent way to find balance this summer solstice. Starting with the center of your design (the focal point), create four petals around that area by tying colorful flowers together in groups; then place some rocks evenly on top like you're building up each layer one at time until completed!

6. Celebrate around a summer bonfire

Sitting around a summer bonfire is a ritual that is deeply rooted in tradition for many cultures.  It’s a time to gather with loved ones, reflect on the past year and toast new beginnings ahead. It is also an opportunity to experience the wonderment of an evening sky as it changes from day to night. Enjoy the warmth of the fire, the conversations with loved ones, the sound of the crackling wood and watch as embers from bonfires fly into space to form stars.

 

7. Make a flower crown

If you need an excuse to wear a flower crown, the summer solstice is the perfect occasion. The flower crown is one of the most popular summer solstice traditions. It's easy and beautiful! Find your favorite flowers, wrap them in ribbons or fabric to make a wreath. You can also add an extra layer by weaving smaller stems through other layers so that they come out from behind as well - this gives more volume while still being super light weight. This is a great way to connect with nature and the divine feminine in the summer.

 

8.  Watch the sunrise on the longest day of the year

How often do you get to watch the sunrise? The summer solstice is the perfect time to experience its beauty! This is a time to practice gratitude and appreciation. Want to make the most of this spectacular solstice? Get up 45 minutes before sunrise to catch the first rays peek through the horizon.

 

9. Visit your local Farmer's Market

Go to a farmers market and get a taste of the summer harvest. Pick up some fresh produce, flowers and artisanal baked goods to share with loved ones or enjoy them yourself! Discover a new love of cooking by trying different recipes you can make for your family throughout summer time using all those beautiful ingredients that are in season (such as strawberry shortcake!).

Or just go on an adventure while shopping: try getting lost down winding paths between rows upon rows of colorful fruits & vegetables, smell the sweet fragrances coming from artisanal shops or walk into the perfect, little cheese shop that you didn't know existed.

 

10. Take a spiritual bath (in nature or in your tub)

Swimming in a lake on the summer solstice is a way to connect with the water element and be surrounded by nature. We are made up mostly water so why not enjoy its healing power? The energy on the summer solstice is very potent and can be felt in the water.

If you don't live near a body of water, it is still possible for you to take advantage of the powerful energy of the summer solstice. Fill your bathtub with fresh water, light a candle and anoint yourself in oils to bring you into balance.  

 

Final Thoughts

The summer solstice is a perfect time to reflect on yourself and your life, enjoy the present moment and be grateful for all the abundance surrounding you. It is a time to cherish the people who made this year better than ever, and it is a moment when we set our intent for what comes next in our lives. It is a time of renewal, growth & abundance!

 

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