Summer Solstice: Why Is the Longest Day of the Year So Special?
Summer Solstice: The Longest Day of the Year
The summer solstice (or midsummer) is the “longest day” of the year; or the one with the greatest time gap between sunrise and sunset. With the Earth’s axis tilting most closely to the sun. This occurs each year on June 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, and December 21 or 22 in the Southern Hemisphere; with these dates switching for the shortest day of the year, or winter solstice.
In 2022, the summer solstice falls on Tuesday, June 21. Under the astronomical definition, this is the day summer starts; although meteorologists consider summer being between June 1 and 31 August.
Midsummer marks a peak of six months of the days getting longer since the winter solstice. After this pinnacle, nighttime gets back in the driver’s seat and the days shorten once more. The solstices are beautiful natural, rhythmical reminders of life’s ups and downs; that everything changes and is impermanent.
The traditional significance of the summer solstice
People around the world have noticed the movements of the sun across our skies for millennia. We marked the change in seasons at the summer and winter solstices; and the spring and autumn equinoxes in between them. Midsummer has historically been a time for farmers to harvest or sow certain crops; with many in full ripeness or bloom around this time.
Different civilizations celebrated the year’s longest day in their own unique ways. In Pre-Christian times, European pagans recognized this day with bonfires. Lighting them was thought to support the sun in ripening crops for the rest of the growing season; to banish evil spirits; and even to lead women to their future husbands! Magic was also considered to be strongest at this time of year.
The layout of huge stones at the UK’s mystical Stonehenge site (built around 3,000 BC) lines up with the sun on the solstices. It’s where British Druids celebrated midsummer for thousands of years, with large gatherings at Stonehenge every year to mark these solar events.
In Chinese tradition, the summer solstice is associated with the wheat harvest and incoming “yin” or feminine energy. Most importantly, a celebration of the Earth’s nurturing femininity.
Modern magic and celebrating midsummer
Modern rituals and celebrations can help us stay present to and grateful for the transitions in our lives and the natural world. Certainly the summer solstice is a powerful day to honor – being a peak of natural abundance, light and perhaps magic on Earth.
June 21 can be filled with an appreciation for the transient beauty of life; and harvesting gratitude for what we have grown and nurtured in our lives. It’s also a great mid-point to take stock; to tap into what we intuitively want more (or less) of; and set intentions for the rest of the year.
If you’re feeling magical, here are 5 summer solstice practices to try:
1. Watch the sunrise or sunset
Choose either depending on whether you’re a night owl or morning person. Firstly, send your attention to your heart chakra in the center of your chest. Secondly, keep your awareness there, noticing the beauty of this start or end to the longest day of the year. Finally, feel gratitude for whatever comes to mind. Receiving natural light daily from the sun is also thought to be beneficial for our circadian rhythm. You can try any of the other practices during sunrise or sunset to combine them.
2. Light a traditional pagan bonfire, fire pit, or candle
Firstly, take sensible precautions to make your surroundings non-flammable! You can sit with the fire and meditate by watching the flames for 5-20 minutes. Then, think of everything you’re grateful for, and everything you look forward to calling in during the rest of the year. You can also think or say out loud what you’re grateful to the Earth for providing you with; for example: air, water, food, shelter, nature, friends, family, pets etc.
3. Create a mandala circle with objects from nature
Either on the floor or a large round tray, make a beautiful circular pattern out of your favorite or gathered natural objects. Firstly, silence any tech distractions, and take a few slow, relaxing breaths. Make it a mindfulness practice to carefully gather and place the flowers, stones, shells etc. you use. Starting from the middle, use your intuition and creativity to make your unique mandala without overthinking it. Mandalas tend to be round and roughly symmetrical, but there are no hard rules. You can dedicate your mandala to someone or something meaningful to you – your family, ancestors, the earth, friends, love, or a wish you have. Also reflect on the temporary nature of the mandala, and the objects you collected.
4. Gather some friends to celebrate together
Organize a summer solstice party! Firstly, sit in a circle – perhaps around your candle, fire or mandala. Then take turns to think or say you will be grateful for in one year’s time – as if it had already happened. For example, if you’d like a new job, say “I’m grateful for my amazing job at X”. Get as specific as possible. If you want to, you can also sing or dance into the night – celebrating all that has been and that will come.
5. Journal
If you’re feeling more introverted, journaling can be a great way to both clear a busy mind, and get clear on what you want. Open a fresh page with a notebook, a favorite pen, and sit in a cozy or beautiful spot. Going month by month, make a list of the major events that happened in 2022 so far. Note how they made you feel, and the key people involved who made a difference. Finally, write a wish list of everything you would deeply like to feel, achieve, be or have by the end of the year. This check-in can be repeated each summer and winter solstice, every quarter or annually. It makes a great record to look back on, particularly if you don’t journal more regularly. If you find journaling challenging, perhaps set a minimum time (e.g. five minutes) or number of pages to complete.
You can layer some or all of these practices on the summer solstice, perhaps doing what feels good for you. Remember, light, natural and magical energy are strong on this day, so make use of it! If you have any practices or rituals you enjoy – please share them in the comments below.
