In the Sonoran Desert, the summer solstice means that we are sweltering under ridiculous heat and the news people are doing stupid things to show how hot it is outside. One local station was watching a big block of ice melt.
The word solstice comes from the Latin sol meaning “the sun” and sistere meaning “to make stand”. There are two solstices each year, summer and winter, when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky at noon, giving us the longest and shortest days.
The summer solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year for us in the Northern Hemisphere. From here on the days get shorter.
Shakespeare wrote about the summer solstice in his play Midsummer Night’s Dream, writing that this is the night when fairies come out. It is the night when the veil between our world and the world of the fairies and nature spirits is thin. It is said that if you want to catch a glimpse of a fairy this is the best night. (Click here to find out how to make your own fairy garden)
The ancient Celts were said to celebrate the solstices at the standing stones sites, like Stonehenge. Still today, hundreds gather at Stonehenge on the summer solstice to see the sun rise above the Heel Stone.
The summer solstice has long been associated with magick. In ancient times people would harvest wild herbs, plants and flowers at sunrise; making wreaths and garlands to hang on the front door to ward off evil spirits. St. John’s Wort was a particularly magical herb on this day.
But does the summer solstice have any relevance in our lives today?
I believe it does.
We may not be gathering flowers or gazing at the sunrise through Stonehenge but the summer solstice is a great time to gather our thoughts and look at our self-care routines.
The summer solstice is one of 4 sabbats known as “quarter days” in pagan tradition. Comprised of both solstices and both equinoxes, the quarter days are also important to astronomers and are notated on most calendars.
As a wellness practitioner, I like to combine earth based spirituality with health awareness. Here is how you can apply that to your own well-being.
Take time on this summer solstice to evaluate how you are treating your body. Ask yourself these questions:
Am I eating healthy food?
Are my emotions out of control?
Do I drink enough water?
Am I taking the proper supplements?
Do I feel rested?
This simple check-in on each of the quarter days will help you to quickly identify areas that are out of balance in your life. The sooner you recognize the imbalances the sooner they can be corrected.
Would you like some help finding more balance in your life? Click here to schedule a free wellness session with Melanie to get you back on track.