Wheel of the Year
Summer Solstice
Sunflowers always face the sun
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice is celebrated on 21st June. In the Southern Hemisphere, this is the Winter Solstice.
This is when the Earth’s poles are angled either towards or away from the sun at its maximum tilt, causing the longest day and shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere and the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere.
The solstice is a time of the greatest solar energy when the sun is at its maximum point in the sky. In Traditional Chinese Medicine the season of summer is represented by fire, which connects to the energy of the heart. This is a time to celebrate the outward, active energy that creates life, creativity, and growth.
Yin Yang
(water and fire)
People and cultures around the world still celebrate the summer solstice:
UK – Stonehenge
One of the most famous places where people gather to watch the solstice sunrise is Stonehenge, England.
The most famous circle of standing stones was constructed in Neolithic times (about 2500 BCE) to align with the solstices.
On the summer solstice, the sun rises just to the right of the Heel Stone.
Excavations show that there was a second Heel Stone and that the sun would have risen between these two stones.
Sweden
The Swedish (and all Scandinavian people) love to celebrate Midsommar Festival.
It was originally celebrated as a festival of fertility and of light overcoming darkness. Swedish people gather to eat and drink with friends and family, dance around a maypole, and decorate their houses with greenery.
Spain
The fire festival of the Night of San Juan is celebrated on midsummer eve of 23rd June.
People light bonfires on midsummer eve and believe that fire jumping would purify the body and soul. Fire jumping is also believed to bring good luck.
El Salvador
The Mayans of El Salvador gather at the ancient Mayan site of Tazumal. Ceremonies are performed to balance the energy of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and to ask for a good harvest.
Photo courtesy of rediff.com
New York – USA
“Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga” was started in 2003 and yogis gather to practice yoga in the middle of Times Square. This was created to help people become more mindful and centered in a busy, noisy city.
Regardless of our culture and/or religion, celebrating the summer solstice may be a way for us to connect to the earth and practice gratitude and thankfulness for all we have.
Some ideas and traditions we might like to include are:
- Get up early and watch the sunrise.
- Enjoy being outdoors in the sun (Vitamin D is extremely beneficial for body, mind, and mood).
- Meditate outdoors.
- Build a bonfire.
- Arrange flowers, crystals e.g. citrine and carnelian, and seasonal fruits on a table.
- Plant a garden.
- Eat dishes that reflect the colour of the sun e.g. tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, corn, bananas, peaches, apricots, and mangoes.
citrine
apricots
sunbathe
Wishing you much joy and lightness at this special time of the year.
Lee-Anne x 
