The summer solstice, a time of warmth, celebration, and ripe abundance, invites us to pause and honour the sun at her peak, enjoy the earth’s generous bounty, and lean into the big, beautiful magic of the natural world.
As the Northern Hemisphere experiences the longest day of the year, a celestial pause unfolds, inviting us to do the same. Celebrating the summer solstice can be as simple as finding a way to be still and connect with the energy of this seasonal touchpoint.
The words Midsummer, Litha and Summer Solstice are often used interchangeably at this time of year – but there is a subtle difference between each of these meaningful seasonal markers.
What is the summer solstice?
The summer solstice is the precise moment when the Earth’s tilt towards the sun reaches its maximum, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The term “solstice” originates from the Latin words “sol” (sun) and “sistere” (to stand still), as the sun appears to pause at its highest point in the sky before gradually shifting back. This celestial event usually occurs between June 20th and 22nd
What is Midsummer?
Midsummer, also known as Midsommar, is a cultural celebration connected with summer solstice. It is a beautiful tradition in Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden and Finland, where it is a national holiday. The date of Midsummer varies, but it is typically celebrated on a weekend between June 19th and 25th.
Rooted in ancient pagan traditions, Midsummer is a time to embrace the warmth and abundance of summer. Celebrations are marked by various customs, including raising and dancing around a maypole woven with flowers and greenery. Feasting, singing, bonfires, and traditional folk dances are also common features of Midsummer celebrations across Scandinavia.
Beyond its festive nature, Midsummer holds symbolic meaning related to fertility, renewal, and the magical properties of nature. In the past, it was believed that plants acquired healing powers during this time, and young women would perform rituals like collecting flowers to dream of their future love.
What is Litha?
Litha is a word rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon word for midsummer, Litha marks a joyous occasion in the Wheel of the Year, a cycle of seasonal celebrations observed by modern Pagan and Wiccan communities.
This summer festival invites us to bask in the sun’s embrace, celebrating the longest day and shortest night of the year. It’s a time to honour the earth’s abundant gifts and connect with the life-affirming energy that radiates throughout nature.
Celebrating Summer Solstice ~ Simple Rituals To Try
However and whenever we choose to celebrate this seasonal marker, what is clear is that many ancient cultures held rituals and celebrations during the solstice to honour the sun, promote fertility, and ensure a good harvest. The solstice represents the triumph of light over darkness and is woven with themes of renewal, growth, and abundance. This makes it a meaningful time for celebration and reflection.
The beauty of simple rituals lies in their accessibility and ease. In the midst of our busy, demanding lives, the last thing we need is the pressure of crafting picture-perfect celebrations.
Simple rituals offer solace and grounding without the need for elaborate preparations or Pinterest-worthy aesthetics.
Here are a few simple suggestions for creating our own moments of midsummer magic…
Light a flame: A candle at dusk, a firebowl in the garden, it doesn’t matter how tiny, the simple ritual of lighting a flame on the solstice is enough to create a moment of stillness in your day.
Gather flowers: This could mean cutting a few pretty stems from your garden, it could also mean grabbing a bunch of seasonal blooms from the supermarket while you tackle the food shop or foraging a handful of cowslip from your local hedgerows. Drop them in a vase and view them as a floral reminder of the solstice.
Take a walk: Wander through the woods, along a beach, or in a park, immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Breathe deeply and feel the buzzing energy of summer beneath your feet.
Greet the sunrise or sunset: If you are an early riser witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the sun as it rises. Night owls – grab a comfy spot to watch the lengthening evening sunset. Take a moment to quietly reflect on how this year is unfolding for you.
Grant yourself a good old rest: Take yourself to a couch or bed and settle in for a delicious daytime rest. Whether that looks like a nap, reading a few chapters of a book or maybe listening to a meditation (Insight App have some brilliant free meditations which connect with the solstice) taking some time to just be still is a super simple way to mark the day.
These simple rituals are just suggestions, a gentle nudge to inspire your own unique celebration, whatever form that takes.
Midsummer is a time to embrace the warmth and light, to connect with nature’s rhythms, and to celebrate the abundance of this life. May yours be be filled with warmth and all the simple joys of summer.
This is the solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight,
the year’s threshold and unlocking, where the past lets go of and becomes the future; the place of caught breath, the door of a vanished house left ajar
Margaret Atwood