Summer Solstice
Since the beginning of time, the Solstice has been considered a magical moment. On the Solstice, the veil between worlds is said to grow thin, making it easier to connect with nature spirits and the healing energies of the planet. It is also a time when we can feel our intrinsic connection to Mother Earth and all who inhabit her.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the June Solstice occurs when the Sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This event marks the astronomical beginning of summer in the northern half of the globe. (In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the opposite: the June Solstice marks the start of winter, when the Sun is at its lowest point in the sky.)
The word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium—from sol (Sun) and stitium (still or stopped). Due to Earth’s tilted axis, the Sun doesn’t rise and set at the same locations on the horizon each day. Instead, its rise and set points shift northward or southward in the sky as Earth orbits the Sun throughout the year. Additionally, the Sun’s arc across the sky becomes higher or lower depending on the season.
The June Solstice is significant because it marks the moment when the Sun reaches its northernmost point—after which its path pauses briefly before beginning to move southward again.
A Time of Enchantment & Magic
Because the Sun appears to stand still in the sky for a few days around the Solstice, this time of year was traditionally seen as one when the usual laws of nature were suspended—and when magic could slip through the cracks.
Bonfires were lit to protect towns and villages, and midsummer herbs were gathered for their powerful, protective properties.
The night before the Solstice in particular, known as Solstice Eve, or Midsummer Eve is often linked with otherworldly happenings, fairies, and nature spirits.
The Harmony of Alignment
According to research led by geobiologist Rory Duff, the day before the Solstice is also a time when the energetic grid of the planet—the 'ley lines' of the Earth—align at the exact same frequency, creating waves of harmony, peace, and healing across the globe.
These harmonious frequencies linger for a few days, helping us access higher dimensions and expanded states of consciousness.
An easy way to connect with this energy is by spending time in nature. Herbs, fire, air, and water hold special power during this time, and many Solstice traditions around the world revolve around these elements: the bonfires of Scandinavia and pilgrimages to sacred wells in Glastonbury.
The Summer Solstice represents the most expansive Yang energy point of the year. It is a powerful pause—a moment to align with the core of the Universe, the perfect time to co-create with the abundant force of life.
The podcast by the National Trust explores how there might actually be a scientific reason behind this collective ‘Midsummer Madness’ and it’s all to do with light levels and circadian rhythms. If you’ve ever felt a slightly feverish rush of energy around this time of year, and wondered why, then this is definitely worth a listen.
Soak in this Pause of Power and make THAT wish.
The wish for You.
The wish for the World
Celebrating and Giving Thanks
To celebrate the Summer Solstice is to honour two things: on one hand, we give thanks for everything that has come our way through the power of the rising Sun; on the other, we acknowledge a turning point, as the light begins to change its course once again.
At a time when Mother Nature is in full bloom, this is a moment to set your intentions and make that wish:
The wish for whatever stirs deeply in your heart.
The wish for what longs to be born into life.
The wish for yourself.
The wish for the world.
The Universe is listening—and incredibly receptive at this time.
Solstice Blessings,
Sidsel Solmer Eriksen, Founding Editor
Solstice Practice Cards
Make a Wish
There’s something innocent and magical about making a wish—something that recalls the energy of childhood. Wishes are focused expressions of our heart’s desire, as well as our intention to create something new in our lives. This opening is a beautiful gesture in and of itself, regardless of the outcome. We place ourselves in a magical state of full receptivity—a state as wonderful as the fulfillment of our wish itself.
Close your eyes,
open your mind,
and make a wish.
Wear your Crown
Go for a walk in the fields or woods and gather branches and flowers to braid a flower wreath. Wear it with a flowing summer dress on the night of the Summer Solstice, or leave it to dry either outside or inside. You can follow the tradition of the St. John’s wreath—the cherished ornament of those who celebrate the Summer Solstice. It is crafted from flowers, leaves, grasses, sedges—whatever speaks to your heart.