Written by Morgan Leet
Litha, Midsummer, Feast of St. John the Baptist. The summer solstice has many names, all an ode to the deep history the holiday carries with it, marking the onset of summer as the longest day of the year. Every year it passes by, but how often do you really think about what it is, the history and meaning of that day, and the change it brings with it. Spiritually, it is a time of rebirth as we move into some of the most joyful months of the year. You can use it as a new beginning. Ancient Greek calendars mark this day at the start of the New Year, and Ancient Egyptians even created the Great Pyramids precisely so the sun would sit in between two during the solstice. The significance of this day can be seen across cultures, religions, and locations.
In the Northern Hemisphere the solstice falls on Monday June 21st, so here’s a bit about the meaning behind and how you can celebrate.
What is the Summer Solstice?
Scientifically, the summer solstice is when the North Pole is tilted towards the sun to the maximum degree. The sun reaches the highest point in the sky, which is why it results in the longest day of the year for the top half of the planet. The further north you travel, the longer the sun will stay in the sky. In places like Iceland they have bright sun shining throughout the night, with solstice celebrations and festivals held the entire time.
Festivals like these were held throughout history, all celebrating the extra sunshine in an incredibly vibrant way. Famously in Stonehenge the people would gather to witness the solstice at the standing stones, as the sun rises over the Heel Stone perfectly. The day took on this deep cultural importance as far back as 11,00 years ago, as ancient cultures registered the change in the sun’s patterns. At that time, the belief was that at the height of the solstice, the world stands still for a moment.
Throughout all of the beautiful and lively celebrations, joyful rituals, and ancient practices, that notion of the world standing still for that moment is the most intriguing to me. The world pauses, it stops spinning as a gift to us to take that moment without the constraint of time. So the question becomes, what will you do with your moment of stillness?
How To Celebrate
There is no doubt that the summer solstice is about celebration. It’s the time when harvests would thrive, the sun is out, and people are filled with that purely magical giddiness.
Light a Fire
Many cultures, notably Native Americans and Indeginous groups, welcomed summer with fire and dance celebrations. Fire represents the sun burning bright and the rebirth of the changing season. Norway would similarly celebrate by honoring their Sun Goddess, Sunna, with an all-night long bonfire. Today, it’s the perfect opportunity to gather around with friends, tell stories, be outside and ring in the new season.
Be in Nature
The summer solstice is all about honoring the Earth, its magic and what it gives us. If you connect with the earth you’ll appreciate the day and it’s meaning that much more. Try to go for a hike with friends, take a swim in the ocean or lake, or just walk outside in your yard with bare feet to ground yourself. Sometimes without realizing it we go long periods of time without connecting to nature, and this can be the reminder to get back outside.
Photo by Tatiana Twinslol
Create New Goals
It wasn’t just the Ancient Greeks who treated this day as the New Year, many cultures planned their calendar around it. When you think about it, it actually makes a lot of sense to align the holiday that is associated with new beginnings at the start of a new season. With signs of rebirth all around us in the changing nature, the timing of the sun, and the warming of the weather, it’s the ideal opportunity to reset some goals. Make a list of intentions for the year, what you want to leave behind and what you want to bring forward.
Photo by Joshua Abner
Meditate
The celebrations should also be balanced with a peacefulness and inner stillness. Constantly our days are filled with schedules, activities and tasks, but on this day you’ll have that extra time in the day to look inward. Try to just sit in that time, to breathe and let your body re-energize. The sun is often associated with positive energy, so soak up it’s rays and bring that energy with you for the rest of the year.