Tomorrow is summer solstice, the astronomical first day of summer and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun has reached its peak, and from tomorrow afternoon onwards, the days will gradually get shorter. But this is a moment of celebration - now is the time to step into the sun’s power, to make plans for the coming season and to gather and preserve what you can from the earth while it is green and abundant.
While some people celebrate the solstice by staying up all night and watching the sun rise (many of them gathered at Stonehenge, or other ancient monuments), for a lot of others, this changing of the seasons isn’t something they mark in any way. I can’t say I’ve ever danced around a fire, or visited a neolithic monument to celebrate, but in recent years I’ve found tuning into the seasons a very valuable exercise. If nothing else, it’s a good excuse to reflect on seasons past and start to think about what I’d like to happen in the coming season.
I’d love to invite you to open up your nature journal some time this week and write something about summer or draw something you associate with this time of year. Maybe you only have time for a note in your phone, or to think things through while out walking your dog. Either way, I’ve included some prompts at the end of this email to help you with your summer solstice celebrations.
Above you can see my own solstice spread, with a few ideas of ways to celebrate, plus a quote from Glennie Kindred’s The Earth’s Cycle of Celebration, sent to me by my friend Jen, who has been fundamental in helping me connect with the seasons:
“The rampant growth period has reached its peak. Everywhere is a sense of abundance and fresh growth. This is the peak of our expressive selves. Celebrate al of your achievements and who you are." - Glennie Kindred
Journal prompts
What is the summer solstice? Have you ever celebrated it before? If so, how. If not, why not?
What have been some of your highlights from this past spring (nature-related or otherwise)?
What are you most looking forward to this summer? (Maybe it’s a holiday, a plant in your garden coming into flower, the release of a new book, being able to eat that butternut squash you just planted seeds for…)
What can you let go of and burn in the fire (literally or metaphorically)?
What would you like to grow or nurture this summer?
Draw a plant, bird, tree or insect you have noticed in June.
Draw something you associate with the summer solstice.
Write down some ways you will celebrate this seasonal change and illustrate them.
Ways you could celebrate summer solstice:
Go out foraging for elderflower, garlic mustard, ground ivy, pineapple weed or something else and make something with it.
Make a summer tonic or tea using foraged plants or herbs from your garden/windowsill.
Decorate your house (or your head!) with flowers.
Light a fire and make a wish (or throw in a strip of paper with something you want to let go of written on it).
Give a loved one a pot of herbs or something you’ve grown or made yourself.
Go for a walk somewhere that means something to you, or explore somewhere new with friends.
Write or draw in your nature journal!
How will you be celebrating the solstice this week? Let me know in the comments!
I’ve made a Solstice Goddess, journaled and been out in the garden thinking everything that’s growing. I love Glennie’s writings.
I’m not a summer person, so I’m taking extra care to celebrate this week and practice gratitude for summer’s offerings. I have my elderflower cordial made ready, I plan to gather flowers from the garden to make a crown or a posy. Also thinking of making something with herbs. Definitely journaling, maybe some drawing - which I’m rubbish at. Gosh it’s starting to sound busy, I better get cracking!