The summer solstice. The longest day of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere it's often called midsummer or the first day of summer. During this day we have the longest period of light and the shortest period of night. Solstice, after all is Latin for the sun has stopped or stood still. Our entrance into summer is forecasted to be a bit gloomy, that doesn't make our solstice any less special.
Let's take a moment to welcome the new season. To sit quietly if you can and watch the rise or set of the sun. Many rituals over the years have been born out of the celebration of sunlight and summer: bonfires are a common practice to welcome the season, herb gathering for medicinal purposes often happen on the solstice, intention setting, prayer trees, and nature walks are all ways to quiet your mind and set your thoughts to be more in tune with the seasons.
This past year in order to work on quieting my mind, I've found my own solace in nature - from meditative gardening to barefoot walks around the yard it's easy to appreciate and find enjoyment in the world God gave us and the changing of the days and the shifting of the sun.
To help inspire us all to get outside more this summer or if you're stuck indoors on the solstice, a few different ways you can celebrate and still find harmony with the changing of seasons:
- observe the sunrise or sunset from a window with all your artificial lights off. Open up that window if possible to hear some of the dawn or dusk chorus of birds.
- watch the Stonehenge livestream of dawn at the magical monument in England
- create your own summer to-do list of fun and playful activities for the months ahead
- get crafty with a little sun catcher DIY
- get your hands or feet on some dirt. Plant a fairy garden, pot up a sunflower, start to grow a tomato - even if it's just on a balcony, patio or porch.
- use a bird audio app to identify the birds that live around your home
- cook a nourishing, vegetable forward meal for lunch and dinner with seasonal and local produce