5 Little Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice

Honor the longest day of the year with one of these simple Summer Solstice ideas.

The Summer Solstice (also known as Midsummer and Litha) is like the sun’s version of a full moon: it’s the peak of its annual cycle. Solar energy is at a fever pitch, and we have a lot of magic to work with, especially related to brightness, expansion, and success.

What’s more, because a crescendo is not just the highest peak but also the transition toward decline, Summer Solstice gives us the opportunity to release anything that no longer serves us or that has been holding us back.

Here are some ideas for how to celebrate this extra-magical day.

1. Watch the Summer Solstice sunrise.

Granted, it’s early. Midsummer is literally the longest day of the year, so the sunrise literally doesn’t get any earlier. But getting out of bed early and making a trek to a nice sunrise-viewing location (if you don’t have one in your backyard) will be a deeply satisfying way to experience and honor the sun’s most glorious day. Furthermore, you’ll find that it will spark your sense of wonder and provide a powerful infusion of magical mojo that will last throughout the year.

2. Have a drink to the sun.

Possibly in tandem with the above recommendation, enjoy a Midsummer cup of ginger or cinnamon tea with the sun. Make a cup for yourself and one for the sun, and offer a toast of admiration and thanksgiving, possibly working in a request that he provide you with a potent dose of his radiant power and confidence.

3. Set a Summer Solstice intention.

When phrasing your Summer Solstice intention, consider opening up to the full brightness of the moment while also allowing yourself to let go of any old stuff that no longer serves. To do this, consider incorporating the phrases “surrender to,” “open up to,” or “allow.”

4. Free your spirit.

At Litha, the time is right to honestly assess the beliefs and habits that have been weighing you down or holding you back. For example, have you been keeping yourself small out of the belief that it will make others more comfortable, or out of the fear that being yourself will scare people off? Or telling yourself negative stories about yourself that limit your truly fabulous nature? Or maybe you’ve been pursuing a goal or attempting to perpetuate a status quo that just isn’t nourishing your soul. As you observe the awesome power of the sun this Solstice, shine light into the dark places and choose to free your spirit of any oppressive old paradigms. Then, put on some music and dance.

5. Have a dunk in a moving body of water.

Summer Solstice is a time of both solar and lunar energies, as it’s the time when the sun moves into the lunar, watery sign of Cancer. So even if you just stand ankle-deep in a stream, place yourself in a fresh, moving body of water and let it cleanse, invigorate, and rejuvenate your soul.

Celebrating the ancient holiday of Summer Solstice/Midsummer/Litha will nourish and invigorate you on every level you are. Brightest blessings on this magical day.

…Did you celebrate the Summer Solstice with one of these ideas? Or do you have a favorite tradition you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.