Ways to mark Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice is the longest day in the seasonal calendar.☀️

In the northern hemisphere it falls between 20-23 June.

It’s a turning point in the wheel of the year; the days will shorten and the nights lengthen from now on.

The word solstice itself means ‘sun stands still’. It is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky.

It’s a good time to look back and reflect on all that has passed since Winter Solstice, six months prior. Ask yourself,

What do you want to a knowledge about the last 6 months?

What have you learnt from this stage of your journey?

Ways to mark Solstice for yourself.

There are many ways I have marked this seasonal turning point in the past.

At it’s simplest, it’s been up to watch the sun rising, and staying up to watch it setting.

Other times I’ve met up with friends for a solstice breakfast, much to the amusement of their teenage kids seeing us seated around a fire bowl while they head off to catch the school bus!😂

I’ve gone on a solo wild woman retreat; camping in the west coast of Ireland and visiting the ancient burial ground of Queen Maeve on Solstice morning.

I’ve slept out in the garden on Solstice Eve and then driven down to the beach, the light already rising, arriving in time to see the sun popping up over the horizon

My favourite source of inspiration for ways to mark the seasonal celebrations come from Glennie Kindred’s books, Letting In The Wild Edges and, Sacred Earth Celebrations.

Ideas include,

• Find a high spot near you where you can face north east and watch the sun rise. As it does, celebrate all that you appreciate about the Earth and your life.
• Go for a walk on Solstice morning. Think about all you have achieved since mid-winter and what you want to carry forward. Find a natural gateway, such as two trees, and as you walk through name what you want to take with you in to the next part of the year.
• Get together with friends on Solstice Eve. Share food and fire. Stay up all night and watch the sunrise together. As it appears, celebrate it with drum and dance.
• Somewhere near the Solstice put aside some time for yourself. Create a retreat experience out in nature. Take your journal or sketchpad, and write about or draw what catches your eye.

However you mark Solstice this year, remember there are no right ways! 

Sometimes awareness is everything.😊

Let’s flourish together!

Arlene x

PS. You can find the actual time of sunrise and sunset by typing in your location here.

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/uk/london