What’s Summer Solstice?

June 21st marks the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere. It’s the longest day of the year. And, it represents:

• a full reawakening from a dark, cold winter;
• a celebration of the sun, fertility, growth, and abundance; and
• a gearing up of activity, whether working in the garden and fields, engaging in sports, or playing at the beach.

In other words, winter was the time for going inward, personal reflection, and spiritual work.

Spring was about waking up and getting ready for summer.

Summer is the time to bring your new revised and revived self into the world to express and manifest that inner transformation you worked on over the winter.

This is also a good time to take a moment from your busy schedule and hectic life to notice the world outside around you.

Summer Is All About Nature In Action

Nature plays a big role in summer too. So, take a walk in nature. In addition to the lush beauty, notice the smells and sounds. Give your undivided attention to just one plant, one bird, or one small animal, and get to know it. Observe it closely. Notice its unique characteristics. Watch what it does. Notice how it moves or sways in the breeze. Learn about how it lives and grows. Find something that you admire about it. Consider how you might cultivate that in yourself.

Summer Solstice Signs

Notice the signs of the summer solstice. I’ve recently been surrounded by chipmunks. It’s common to see them during the change of seasons. Take a hint from the little chipmunk and think about what changes you’d like to undertake.

The chipmunks are rustling everywhere. They’re busy building and enlarging their burrows, raising their young, and restocking their food reserves. What about you?

These little guys are a perfect symbol for spring and summer. And, they have a variety of spiritual qualities.

• They’re known to indicate good fortune and/or something delightful coming our way.
• Their playful darting in the brush suggests that we too should take time for fun and play and maintain a good work-life balance.
• We should pay attention and explore our surroundings and take note of what has changed. Chipmunks’ sensitive hearing reminds us to listen carefully for the meaning of what is said and is less specific to the words that are spoken.

So….. Take a moment to acknowledge your appreciation and gratitude for the sunlight.

In the coming days and from this day forward each day will become increasingly shorter and eventually fade to winter again. Surprising thought given increasingly rising temperatures over the summer months. It lets you see how intertwined and interdependent the seasons really are.

Embrace the moment!

For More On Using the Seasons To Implement Change and Transformation:

• See my Mind Body Spirit Blog, and in particular:
  • Summer Solstice Rituals Are For Non-Pagans Too;
  • Search the blog with seasonal terms, such as Winter Solstice, and Spring Equinox to receive more information blogs;

or Contact me

Updated June 6, 2023