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All about the history, traditions & rituals of the summer solstice
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The summer solstice (sometimes called midsummer or Litha) is the longest day of the year. It’s celebrated all around the world as a universal symbol of light, life, growth, and the prospect of a bountiful harvest in the future. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do on the holiday, from bonfires and feasts to fun arts and crafts. Keep reading, and we'll show you how to celebrate this joyful day, whether you want to recreate the midsummer rituals of the past or create new, modernized summer solstice activities of your own!
Summer Solstice Rituals at a Glance
- Watch the sunrise and sunset on the day of the solstice.
- Meditate, do yoga, or spend time in nature to connect with the earth.
- Try arts and crafts, such as making flower crowns, suncatchers, or a human sundial.
- Decorate a summer solstice altar with fruits, flowers, crystals, and candles.
- Host a summer solstice feast or bonfire with your loved ones.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Summer Solstice Rituals & Activities
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Observe sunrise and sunset on the summer solstice. Look up the exact time for sunrise and sunset in your area, then pick a place to sit and observe. A backyard works fine, though some prefer a more open vista. Try visiting a field or public park to get an unobscured view of the sun! Then, give thanks for the solstice light as you watch it begin and end. [1] X Research source
- Try connecting yourself to the solstice’s light by reflecting on the light inside your own heart. Acknowledge the beauty and magic of the light inside you and in the world around you.
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2Take a walk through the morning dew. Did you know that some cultures believe morning dew has magical properties? [2] X Research source The day of the summer solstice (or the day after), try taking a walk at dawn. If you can, take your shoes off for a bit so you can feel the dew on your feet and enjoy the sensation of it.
- Another traditional May Day (and solstice) ritual involves collecting dew and washing your face with it. To do this, leave a bowl outside overnight and collect it at dawn; that way, you can use the dew inside to wash your face.
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Go sunbathing to relax and draw energy from the solstice sunshine. Since the summer solstice is the longest day of the year, another simple way you can appreciate the extra light is to sunbathe for 20 to 30 minutes. Head out to a favorite spot in your yard, or find a nearby park or beach to visit. Close your eyes, feel the sun on your skin, and visualize pulling the energy from that sunlight into your body. [3] X Research source
- Bring a foldable lounge chair or yoga mat so you have something to sit on.
- Make sure you apply sunscreen before going outside to avoid sunburn!
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4Meditate or do yoga outdoors to find inner peace and balance. Try the sun salutation and the tree pose or simply sit quietly for a while. Meditation and yoga are intended to exercise both your body and your soul, balancing both in harmony through thought and physical movement. Begin this routine on the morning of the summer solstice and aim to make it a daily habit from this moment on. [4] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source
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5Play in the water at a local river, lake, or beach. Greet the first day of summer and spend some time enjoying the scenery! Float in the water, swim around the area, or look for interesting fish and other aquatic creatures. Use your senses to explore the nature surrounding you, and take note of sights, smells, sounds, and touches as you spend a day relaxing in the water. [5] X Research source
- The summer solstice is also the perfect time to connect with nature in any way you want, whether you:
- Take a hike
- Enjoy a picnic at a park
- Stay out late stargazing
- Exercise outside
- Pick seasonal flowers
- The summer solstice is also the perfect time to connect with nature in any way you want, whether you:
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Make a flower crown—a traditional symbol in European celebrations. Collect flowers from your garden or get some from a garden shop, selecting flowers with thin stems and fragrant blossoms for the best effect. Ideal flowers include lavender, rosemary, spray roses, daisies, peonies, eucalyptus, tiny chrysanthemums, and baby's breath. To make the flower crown :
- Measure a piece of grapevine wire to fit your head and secure the ends with floral tape , forming the base of the crown. [6] X Research source
- Attach a light layer of greenery around the base of the crown with floral tape. Ivy, eucalyptus, or myrtle are all great options for this step.
- Tape together small flower bunches with one big statement flower (roses, daisies, and peonies are all large and colorful) and a couple of filler flowers (like lavender and baby's breath). [7] X Research source
- Put together roughly 8 small bunches of flowers, then attach them around the length of the crown with floral tape.
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7Create a solstice suncatcher. Suncatchers are a traditional symbol of the summer solstice, and the whole family can make them—adults, kids, and everyone in between. [8] X Research source By making a glass gem suncatcher , you can capture the beauty of the sun's light and enjoy rainbows dancing off the walls of your home. To make one:
- Squeeze clear school glue into a circular plastic lid (any reused butter, yogurt, or sour cream lid will work).
- Place colored flat glass gems into the glue, arranging them in any pattern or design you want. Then, add another layer of glue over the top of the gems to solidify your design.
- Let the glue dry for 4 to 5 days. Once dry, remove your new suncatcher from the plastic lid and hot-glue a length of ribbon to the suncatcher so that you can hang it up and enjoy it.
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8Decorate with DIY sun-inspired arts and crafts. Have fun and be a little creative on the summer solstice! Pick an art project to try out (or several), gather the supplies you’ll need, and do your best to make gorgeous, sun-themed crafts. When you’re done, you can also decorate your house to commemorate the solstice—or use your crafts for a solstice party later. For example, you could: [9] X Research source
- Make friendship bracelets
- Tie-dye shirts
- Paint with watercolors
- Make tissue paper flowers
- Press flowers , or make a bouquet
- Make dreamcatchers
- Craft a beaded wind chime
- Color the driveway or sidewalk with chalk drawings
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Make an altar of light for the solstice. Set up a small table wherever you want in your home and gather a selection of sun and summer-themed decorations (e.g., candles, flowers, seasonal fruits, and crystals) in shades of orange, yellow, gold, and white. Design your altar of light any way you want; you have creative freedom as long as it reflects the colors and ideals of midsummer. [10] X Research source
- Incorporate crystals associated with the sun, like citrine, pyrite, and carnelian.
- Seasonal fruits that would work well with the altar include peaches, tangerines, and tomatoes.
- Sunflowers, marigolds, and yellow or orange roses would match the altar perfectly.
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10Design a summer solstice prayer tree. Trees are believed to be sacred in many cultures worldwide and are a symbol of life, death, and rebirth. They’re also the basis for a summer solstice ritual! Use a branch from a tree or the whole tree. Jot down wishes and goals for the year ahead and hang or tie them to the tree with ribbons, and let them soak in the solstice sun. [11] X Research source
- If you’re using a tree branch, you can forage for a fallen branch or use one from a tree in your yard (if you have one).
- When the branch is decorated with your wishes and ribbons, place it in your garden or any outdoor area where the sun will hit it.
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11Gather symbolic midsummer herbs that bring healing and success. In Celtic tradition, herbs like St. John's wort, vervain, yarrow, fern, and mugwort are all sacred and associated with the summer solstice. Other meaningful herbs include lavender, rose, heather, frankincense, and fennel. [12] X Research source Pick herbs from around your garden (or visit a plant nursery and purchase them) for use in a summer solstice ritual.
- One way to use the herbs is to simply make sweet-smelling incense from them.
- Another widespread use for solstice herbs is to create a charm from them. Place your gathered herbs in a small burlap bag and tie it with elastic string , so you can wear the herbs as a protective amulet.
- You could also dry out the herbs and brew tea from them. Just make sure the herbs you’re using are safe to put in tea!
- Alternatively, store the bag of herbs in a purse or backpack you carry often. In midsummer tradition, it’ll serve as a fragrant good-luck charm!
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Plant a garden (or plant new flowers in an existing garden). Summer solstice traditionally signifies a bountiful future harvest—so carry on that celebration of growth and harvest by starting a garden . Prepare your soil to receive plants by tilling and mixing in compost or fertilizer. Select plants from your local garden shop, or ask your friends or neighbors for cuttings from their gardens. [13] X Research source Then:
- Dig holes large enough for each plant, and be sure to leave enough space for the plants to grow.
- Gently place the plants in the holes and fill the space with dirt or fertilizer.
- Water the newly planted flowers and enjoy your garden.
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13Watch the sun align with Stonehenge. Stonehenge is a famous prehistoric structure in England and one of the most well-known landmarks in the world. Some archaeologists believe that the stones of Stonehenge were placed specifically with the solstices in mind—and on the summer solstice, sunlight shines directly into the heart of the monument, making it a popular solstice attraction. [14] X Research source
- Understandably, you may not be able to visit Stonehenge in person if you don’t live in southern England. You can watch a livestream of sunrise and sunset from the English Heritage YouTube channel .
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14Play outdoor games with the whole family. Use this as a chance to help your loved ones connect with nature! Set up an obstacle course , create a scavenger hunt , or kick off some yard games like tag or hide and seek. [15] X Research source The summer solstice is a time of renewal, and that means you can embrace childlike wonder, let loose, and play like a kid all over again!
- Use common household items to set up a fun obstacle course. Set up a sprinkler in the yard, and use pool noodles , chalk , hula hoops , and kids’ jump ropes to design your challenges.
- For a scavenger hunt, hide numbered clues around the area that'll lead players to fun summer prizes like water shooters and glow sticks .
- You can host a party outdoors. Keep the weather in mind; if it's hot, put lawn umbrellas to keep everybody cool.
- Include lawn games like T-ball or cornhole. They’re low cost and good for keeping kids and adults engaged.
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Build a human sundial. Sundials tell time using the shadows cast by the sun throughout the day—which means you can easily make one yourself on the solstice! All you need are some stones, a permanent marker, and an open, sunny area outside. To build your sundial, start at midday on the solstice (assuming it’s sunny out) and do the following: [16] X Research source
- Place a stone on the ground and stand over it (or on it, if it’s big enough), making sure you’re standing straight. You’re the gnomon (the dial that casts shadows on a sundial).
- Have someone place another stone at the top of your shadow (where your shadow’s head is) and write “12” on it. This is now 12 o’clock (noon) on your sundial.
- From there, set a timer every hour and repeat this, marking each shadow with a new stone (1 o’clock, 2 o’clock, and so on). Keep doing it until the sun sets.
- The next morning, complete your sundial by doing this each hour from sunrise until midday. You should have a semi-circle pattern of marked stones—a complete human sundial!
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16Pick summer berries at a local farm. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries can all be harvested during the summer—and since they’re ripened by the sunshine, picking them is a fitting solstice activity. Find a farm that allows visitors to pick and take home berries—or, if you know a good spot for it, you could forage for berries instead.
- If you forage for berries, make sure you know exactly what you’re picking and where to find it. Some wild berries aren’t safe to eat, so it’s important to be able to recognize the right (and wrong) fruits.
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17Host a solstice feast for friends and family with seasonal foods. Go to local farms or markets and choose the freshest ingredients for your feast. Make dishes using items the color of the sun, like lemons, squash, papayas, corn, oranges, bananas, carrots, peppers, peaches, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, mangoes, grapefruit, and sweet potatoes.
- Serve a dish of grilled and seasoned summer veggies.
- Whip up a peach cobbler for the ultimate summer dessert.
- Make some lemon iced tea to enjoy a cool, refreshing beverage.
Ina Garten, Television Personality & CookLook to the current season for inspiration. "In the summer you want fresh, light and sort of quick things; in winter you want things that are comforting, so your body really tells you you want to go towards potatoes, apples, fennel, things that are warm and comforting."
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Hold a bonfire gathering. Solstice bonfire rituals include food, dancing, music, and storytelling. Bonfires were a vital part of ancient summer solstice celebrations, historically used to ward off evil spirits. Now, you can reinvent the bonfire as a great reason to hold a summer solstice party with friends. Invite your guests to sit in a circle around the fire, tell stories, sing songs, and recite poetry as part of the festivities. [17] X Research source
- For another healing summer solstice ritual, write down something you want to let go of on a piece of paper. Choose a memory, a regret, or a source of anxiety. Take a deep breath and throw the paper into the fire, letting your troubles burn away. [18] X Research source
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19Keep a firelight vigil. Light a candle or fire before sundown and keep it lit until the sun rises. Some Pagans did this to ritually tend the sun's flame through the shortest night until the Wheel of the Year (the seasonal ritual cycle) turns toward the dark half of the year again at dawn. Firelight vigils are both a celebration of the peak of light and a way of honoring the gifts of the coming darkness as the days grow shorter.
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20Go to a local solstice celebration. Each region of the world celebrates midsummer differently. Run a quick online search to see if there are any summer solstice festivals, parades, or other gatherings in your area. You'll find that many cultures around the world observe the summer solstice, from the Swedish Midsummer festival with its magic and maypoles to Alaska's Midnight Sun Festival and Mexico's famous Chichén Itzá celebration. [19] X Research source
- If you can't attend a local celebration, you can view a livestream of the summer solstice from Stonehenge in the UK—a site many experts believe was designed to showcase each solstice.
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Read books to learn more about the summer solstice. If you have kids and want to teach them about the solstice (or want to educate yourself), try looking for helpful books (or films). Learn more about what the summer solstice is, traditions associated with it, or the science behind the solstice—or just find something fun associated with the solstice. For example:
- The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstice , by Wendy Pfeffer
- The Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Journey of the Sun from May Day to Harvest , by John Matthews
- Under Alaska’s Midnight Sun , by Deb Vanasse
- The Midsummer Mouse: Midsummer Tales of Tiptoes Lightly and the Summer Queen , by Reg Down
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
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22Reflect and renew your yearly goals. The summer solstice heralds the beginning of summer, representing the time of fulfillment; it’s a great time to take stock and assess how your goals are progressing. From earlier New Year's resolutions to the big goals in your life, ask yourself how you're doing in achieving these things for yourself—then reaffirm each goal and set new intentions to fulfill them. [20] X Research source
- Are you still aligned with your goals, or have you strayed from them? Take this opportunity to reinvigorate them and make any necessary changes to achieve your aims in life.
- Be honest with your self-evaluation. Set aside goals that aren't taking you in the direction you want to go now. We all grow and change over time, and you don't need to hang onto goals that no longer fit the person you've become.
- Try journaling and reflecting on your goals there. Journaling can be a fantastic tool for self-reflection and personal growth!
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23Make a positive change in your life. Summer is the ideal time to refresh your spirit with a new goal. Think of the summer solstice as a new beginning, and let the promise of warmer days ahead inspire you to develop yourself and set yourself free. Make a list of things you dream of doing, select a few to focus on and commit to enacting those changes in the coming days. [21] X Research source
- Refresh your home by creating a new layout. Rearrange the furniture and add new accents, like pillows, art, lamps, etc. Get rid of clutter , but keep things that bring you joy.
- Read just your nutrition intake using summer's fresh fruits and vegetables as your base. Resolve to eat healthier , with more greens, locally grown foods, and organic foods in your diet.
- Find an exercise that you really click. Choose something that you enjoy doing rather than something you suffer through. Think about yoga , swimming , running , or riding a bicycle .
- Establish a new daily ritual or routine that helps you in some way—whether it enables you to take better care of yourself, get more sleep, or spend more time with loved ones.
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Bring light to other people’s lives. While you’re celebrating all that sunshine on the summer solstice, why not make a point to embody it yourself? Be the metaphorical sunshine that brightens up someone else’s day and brings them joy, whether it’s a family member, partner, friend, total stranger—or all of the above. For example, you could: [22] X Trustworthy Source Greater Good Magazine Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living Go to source
- Show compassion for the people around you. Speak to them with kindness, encourage them when they need the support, and find ways to help them out.
- Practice gratitude ! Tell people why you’re grateful for them and how much you appreciate their presence in your life.
- Forgive people for making mistakes. It’s okay to get upset, but clinging to anger can weigh you down emotionally. Try forgiving people, especially when their actions were unintentional.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I know when it's summer without looking on the internet?Community AnswerMost calendars say "First Day of Summer" below the date. This is synonymous with the summer solstice.
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QuestionWhat do I wear at the solstice party?Community AnswerDress however you want to.
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QuestionDo we have to do all of them on this day?Community AnswerOf course not! Pick a few things you think you would enjoy the most. Maybe try one thing from each method to give yourself a balance of activities.
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References
- ↑ https://www.cantonpl.org/blogs/post/celebrate-the-summer-solstice/
- ↑ https://noetic.org/blog/summer-solstice/
- ↑ https://www.theseasonalsoul.com/5-summer-solstice-rituals/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/how-to-meditate-for-beginners/
- ↑ https://www.cantonpl.org/blogs/post/celebrate-the-summer-solstice/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/CvVWO8Fm0eA?t=51
- ↑ https://youtu.be/CvVWO8Fm0eA?t=107
- ↑ https://www.waterford.org/resources/summer-solstice-activities-for-children/
- ↑ https://themuseinthemirror.com/2015/06/18/the-magic-of-the-summer-solstice-sacred-celebrations-for-midsummer/
- ↑ https://www.collegeofpsychicstudies.co.uk/enlighten/how-to-create-a-litha-altar-at-summer-solstice/
- ↑ https://themuseinthemirror.com/2015/06/18/the-magic-of-the-summer-solstice-sacred-celebrations-for-midsummer/
- ↑ ​​ https://witchcraftandwitches.com/litha-summer-solstice/a-concise-guide-to-litha-and-summer-solstice-astrology-rituals-recipes-more/
- ↑ https://extension.illinois.edu/gardening
- ↑ https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/solstice/
- ↑ ​​ https://mountainlake.org/summer-fun-on-the-longest-day-of-the-year/
- ↑ https://www.sciencefriday.com/educational-resources/a-human-sundial/
- ↑ ​​ https://rootedrevival.com/summer-solstice/
- ↑ https://www.theseasonalsoul.com/5-summer-solstice-rituals/
- ↑ https://visitsweden.com/what-to-do/culture-history-and-art/swedish-traditions/midsummer-tradition/midsummer-sweden-something-another-world/
- ↑ http://www.vogue.com/article/summer-solstice-rituals
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-origin-choices/201403/the-only-way-make-positive-change-in-your-life
- ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_habits_of_highly_compassionate_people
- ↑ https://www.weather.gov/cle/Seasons
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/summer-solstice-astronomy
- ↑ https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/summer-solstice
About This Article
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If you want to celebrate the summer solstice with a party, consider inviting your friends over for a bonfire to celebrate light. While everyone’s there, you can have a feast of sun-colored foods like papayas and pumpkins that you gathered from local farms or markets. However, if you can’t throw a party, you can always start a garden or just commit to taking better care of yourself this summer. Keep reading to learn how to make a flower sun tea to make you celebration a little more unique!
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