Happy Solstice! 5 Rituals To Ring In The Longest Day Of The Year

Looking to do your own solstice ritual that celebrates the love and abundance of Mother Earth? Here are a few simple ones to try today that are inspired by ancient, time-honored tradition:

There is an Italian tradition of exchanging a pot of basil and cucumbers with your sweetheart. It is said that if your plant grows thick, your love will grow in joy and happiness. Take a cue from this gesture, and give a friend some honey to add sweetness to their life. The term honeymoon actually comes from the fact that there is an abundance of honey at this time.

I like to think of flowers as spiritual messengers. They encourage us to honor our creativity and wisdom. Breathe in the essence of jasmine for sensuality, rose for love, and gardenias for peace and sweetness. Surround yourself with sunflowers to bring in bright, warming energy.

For protection and luck for the coming year, make a wish over a flame. You can use a small candle, but please take care to be safe. If you are outside with a small fire, place fresh herbs in the fire for health and good luck. I like to use mistletoe, mugwort, vervain, St John's wort, lavender, and chamomile.

The traditional dance for the summer solstice is a figure-eight dance that expresses the turning of the seasons and the cycles of the year. Whatever dance you choose, let yourself break loose and rejoice in the rhythms of life today. I invite you to step into sacred time and space. As mystics have known for eons, you are not dancing alone; you are dancing with the universe. Let spirit dance through you.

In many cultures this short night is a time to pray, set intention, and celebrate the coming season. Camp out with friends, or if you want to join thousands of pilgrims, go to a sacred site ceremony like Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, or Callanish in Scotland.