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Celebrate The Summer Solstice With These 6 Empowering Outdoor Rituals

Author:

Erin Bruce

June 20, 2016

By Erin Bruce

mbg Contributor

Erin Bruce is a lifestyle blogger based in Seattle, Washington with a bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology from Western Washington University. Her passion for connecting personal growth work to the transformational energy of the seasons inspired her to create The Seasonal Soul, where she explores meaningful ways to add a seasonal component to your spiritual practice and simple rituals to celebrate the solstices and equinoxes.

Photo by Stocksy

June 20, 2016

Today we celebrate the summer solstice—a powerful planetary event when the Earth’s cycle shifts and our relationship to the sun changes.

It's the longest day of the year, and the Northern Hemisphere is currently bathing in the fierce fire energy of the sun. Countless cultures throughout human history have revered the summer solstice as sacred and divine.

It's a beautiful day to find a moment to pause and soak in that rich summer energy and connect more deeply with yourself and your Divine.

Here are six simple yet meaningful rituals to help you harness the power of the summer solstice:

1. Watch the sunrise.

Every sunrise symbolizes a new beginning. Today’s is particularly powerful, and you can use its energy to fuel whatever new beginnings you are currently experiencing.

Find a good place to view the sunrise. Plan to arrive several minutes before the main event so you have time to pause, relax, and really absorb the moment. Take several deep breaths to ground yourself while you wait. As the sun begins to rise, think about what is newly beginning for you. What do you hope will grow with the strength of this summer solstice sun?

As the sun rises higher in the sky, close your eyes and picture that new beginning as a golden orb, burning inside you. As you breathe in, feel the sun’s rich energy adding to that fire. With each breath, visualize it burning bigger and brighter. Walk away with the confidence that whatever new growth you desire has now been lit afire.

2. Have a reading.

The powerful energy of the solstice makes it the perfect day to have a spiritual reading. If you’re able to treat yourself to a professional reading, today is a fun day to do so. But if not, even a total beginner can glean interesting insights by giving themselves a personal reading.

Find a comfortable spot and take several deep breaths to center yourself. As with all these rituals, if you’re able to do it outside, all the better.

When you’re ready, draw three cards (they can be tarot cards, runes, etc.), one at a time. The first one represents your past; the second, your present; the third, your future. Lay all three cards in front of you.

Using the guide that came with your cards, read the meaning of the first card you drew, which represents the past. Spend some time reflecting on what this might mean for you. Perhaps the card represents something you’ve let go of, something you’ve overcome, or something that fueled you to get where you are—your present.

Do the same for the other two cards. Spend some time reflecting on what each card means in the context of your present and future. Don’t worry about getting it “right”; there is no right or wrong. Just breathe, reflect, and see what comes up for you.

3. Light your fire.

The summer solstice is a powerful day to take a sun bath. This is an excellent way to soak in the abundant, passionate, hot summer energy and use it to light your inner fire.

Find a spot to lie on your back in the sun. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to ground yourself. As you breathe, begin reflecting on your inner strength, your fire—that part of yourself that is confident, and powerful, and badass. Picture that part of yourself as a fire burning inside of you; it may be fierce and strong, or it may only be a spark.

Feel the solstice sun shine on you, and pull that fierce, fiery, hot summer energy into your body with each breath. Picture its fire adding to your own inner fire. Continue to breathe in the sun’s fire; absorb it as long as you’re able. When you rise, you will continue to carry that fire with you. Whenever your confidence wanes or you need to access your inner fire, picture it burning inside you.

4. Journal.

Again, find a good spot to sit outside. Take a few deeps breaths to ground and center, and let your spirit charge in the sun for a moment. Then, spend some time reflecting on these seasonally inspired questions and prompts:

Summer is the season of fire. Reflect on the fire that burns inside of you, that fire that makes you feel fierce and powerful. Express gratitude for that part of yourself. How does that fire manifest in your life? What has it helped you accomplish recently?
On the summer solstice, the sun is at its peak. Write about a time recently that you felt at your peak. What are some peak moments you experienced this year? What have you accomplished recently that you feel really proud of?
This is also a time of letting go. Once the solstice sun reaches its peak, it has completed its cycle, and we begin letting go as the days grow shorter again. What has come to completion in your life? What are you realizing no longer serves you that you must let go of? How will letting go of these things allow you to change and grow?

5. Watch the sunset.

The sun reaches its peak on the summer solstice. It completes its cycle of growth and we begin to let it go as the days start to grow shorter again.

While you watch this setting sun, spend some time reflecting on what has reached its peak in your life. What feats, large or small, have you accomplished recently? Whatever it is, take a moment to feel proud of yourself. As you enjoy this glorious sunset, tell yourself this: “ I am. So. Damn. Proud of myself.” And mean it! Life is hard. You’re rockin’ it.

6. Light a fire.

The summer solstice is a beautiful evening to (carefully!) light a campfire. You can also do this ritual by simply lighting a candle.

After you’ve lit your fire, take a few deep breaths to ground and center yourself. Reflect on what “debris” you’d like to set fire to. What is no longer serving you that you're ready to burn away? Get really clear on what you need to let go of. Take a moment and jot these things down on scraps of paper.

Gazing at your fire, continue to take deep breaths. With each inhale, draw in that fierce, hot fire energy. Really feel the fire entering your spirit. With each breath, envision your fire growing larger and stronger until it is raging within you. When you are ready, toss your papers into the fire. (If you are using a candle, make sure you do this extremely carefully. Burn them in the sink or a fireproof bowl.)

As you watch the papers burn, envision that inner fire burning all your debris away. Once the papers are gone and the fire has burned those things away inside you, begin to envision what your life looks like with these things now gone. What rich new life is going to take root? What will now grow stronger within you?