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Summer Solstice is a three-day celebration of the apex of the Sun’s journey bringing light to the Earth. Though the heat of Summer is just beginning, this date actually begins the ‘metaphorical’ decline of the Sun as it embarks on its journey to the Underworld, which will culminate on December 21st,( the darkest day of the year).

This cycle also represents the stages of life that each person goes through in the physical, the spring of our youth, the summer peak of our adult years, the reaping of wisdom in our golden years of autumn and the return to spirit world in winter.

Ancient cultures including the Egyptians and Druids marked the passage of time in nature and the spirit world. They used the concepts of the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine principles found on the earth plane and the higher planes to teach about the circle of life. The story of the Oak King and the Holly King in the Druid lore or the Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris are both examples of how the seasons and cycles change.

This celebration is also known as Midsummer, the longest day of the year and the first official day of Summer. On this day, it is said that the Goddess manifests as Mother Earth and the God as the Sun King. In Celtic lore, it regarded as the best time to see fairies.

How Summer Solstice Is Celebrated

Summer Solstice is a time to celebrate and revel in the light and lighter side of life. In ancient times, most marriages were held during the month of June and the tradition called the ‘Honey Moon’ is a pagan tradition. The word honeymoon, came from the drinking of mead (made of fermented honey), which was used in wedding ceremonies held during MidSummer.

Ancient Celts lit huge bonfires in clearings and on roads to give strength to the sun and keep evil spirits at bay. People wore amulets made with herbs to protect themselves, while others leaped through bonfires for purification, good health and love.

The evening before, during and after the Summer Solstice is the most important time of the year to pay attention to your dreams. It is reported that during this three day period, that what is dreamed of, will come to fruition. It is also the time that the ‘fae’ (faries) bestow good luck upon the people and is considered to be the best day of the year to see a fairy. This magic was best popularized in Shakespeare’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Legends state that in order to see a fairy on MidSummer’s eve, sit quietly outside with your eyes half open and gaze at a spot under a big tree. Fair warning: if you meet a fairy, don’t eat their food or you’ll have to remain with them for seven years, (which could be a lot of fun, but will seriously wreck any plans you have made).

A Wisdom Teaching Ritual for Summer Solstice:

In my work as a wisdom teacher, I share rituals that were used in the ancient temples, while bringing them into modern day practices. The Summer Solstice is a powerful time to visualize any negative thoughts and energy burning away to nothingness.  Here is a Purification/Cleansing ritual for the Summer Solstice:

The first step is to remove any negative thoughts you are holding on to. Write down your negative feelings on paper and then release them by burning them to ash in a safe container.

The second step is to remove negative energy from the home. In order to do this, bundle rosemary and white sage together with white thread and dip the tips into a bowl of spring water and sprinkle about the house to remove negativity and cleanse and purify.

The third step is to purify and cleanse your body and energy fields. Take a shower and while doing so, visualize the water washing your negative energy away and cleansing you. Here is the ritual to say while the water is on you in the shower. Begin by taking three deep breathes, breathing deeply to inhale and removing any stagnant energy when exhaling.

Then say aloud:

Mother Earth grounds me (earth)
This deep breath restores me (air)
The rays of Father Sun nourish me. (fire)
This pure water renews me. (water)
I am filled with Pure Light as I journey forward. (spirit)

Touch your forehead and say…
Let my mind open to the truth. (divine wisdom)

Touch your lips and say….
Let my lips speak the truth. (divine communication)

Touch your heart area and say:
Let my heart seek the ways of pure love, now and always. (divine love)

Touch each palm and say:
Let my hands be gifted to work in healing ways. (divine touch)

Touch the sole of each foot and say:
Let my feet ever walk upon the sacred path. (divine journey)

Exit the shower, wrap yourself up in a robe and find a comfortable place to sit. Light a candle and drink some spring water. When comfortable, begin a 15 minute meditation, asking for your guides to join you and share with you a message they have for you this night.

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