Summer Solstice is the pinnacle and illumination point in the Wheel of the Year. The Sun is at it’s peak power, which imbues us and the Earth with clarity, energy, healing and protection.
The energy is similar to a Full Moon- the energy is drawing things up and out to be seen, to be felt, to be released and then integrated through the rest of the year. This can be a mixed bag, emotionally! Solstice always represents a memorable turning point in the year, as there is more clarity now on our circumstances and all that was maybe hidden under the surface of our life is out in the open for us to deal with, consciously and tangibly. We may also just feel called to be ‘out’ more- expressive, social, or exploring and enjoying the outdoors.
Solstice also calls us to let our own authenticity shine- the power of the Sun melts our defenses and allows our inner light and authentic self to take up space! It reminds us that we are made of energy. Our body is light, our spirit is light, we are part of the intricate web of life that is ultimately made of light. The Earth Mother and the Sun are offering us their gifts at full force now, which awakens our own divine energy within.
I always feel connected to my inner child this time of year, and feel called to enjoy life’s simple pleasures- soak up the sun, spend more time outside, garden, make nature-based crafts, and enjoy all the colours that surround us this time of year, as so much is in bloom. I think about the things I loved as a kid- bike rides, ice cream, jump rope, drawing with chalk on the sidewalk- and do at least one of those things!
There is a nostalgia and emotional depth that comes in during the Solstice season as its entrance aligns with the Sun moving into water sign Cancer, the crab, ruled by the moon. We may feel called to nourish our inner child, watch old movies, play, connect with family or friends, delve into our ancestry, imagination, cleanse emotionally, improve our home situation, and connect with the water element.
Summer Solstice is interesting because there is both this yang sun energy alongside a yin lunar energy creating a very potent recipe for inner and outer healing, nourishment, grounding and creative manifestation! It is quite emotionally and energetically activating and initiating. I like to think of the sun on the horizon of the ocean as depicting the combo of fire and water this season holds.
As a point of initiation of a new season, this is a time to set intentions for the coming 3 months until the Autumn. How do you wish to harness this abundant energy towards your dreams and goals?
Cultivating Joy:
I’m centering on Joy for this Solstice season. I used to be somewhat disconnected from joy, because I equated it with bliss, a very heightened state that I felt was out of reach in daily life. I thought I might need an exciting trip or peak experience to feel it, so I stopped noticing all the ‘small joys’ that surrounded me, and felt depleted. It wasn’t until I started letting some of the harder emotions like grief flow out more, practicing gratitude and noticing how smaller joys were abundant during my day, that I felt connected again.
I realised that joy isn’t necessarily a high vibe bliss state out of reach, but a warm hearth flame that expands within when I engage with the present moment more fully.
Now I notice all the small things that uplift and warm my heart in a day, like a cute baby bird hopping on the ground, a funny kid, kindness between strangers, love shared, a pretty spiderweb, etc. and I let it all fill my cup, until my heart becomes so full it bubbles into joy.
My desire for this season is also to have more fun! Again, in small ways. So, one day that might mean I break up a bad mood by putting on a fun song and dancing to it, or taking a walk outside and intentionally noticing cute/beautiful things, or watching a comedy.
Thinking about the Summer Solstice’s opposite time of year, the Winter Solstice, I feel simplicity and authenticity are themes of both celebrations. The Summer calls us to the simple pleasures-enjoying nature’s abundance, and connecting with our inner child, while the Winter calls us to conserve our energy by focusing on the simple things and foundations. Both ask us to come back to our true self, without the mask, the performance, or striving- but simply being.
Color Magick & Crystal Healing:
Summer Solstice is a colorful season! From the many flowers and colors of nature’s bounty to the rainbow of Pride parade, June asks us to wear our true colors and shine.
One powerful way that light affects us and our mood is through color. Is there a specific color attracting you these days? You can manifest what this color represents in a tangible way through ritual or spell work.
For instance, if you are attracted to the color green, this may signify a need for healing, grounding, balance, heart-healing, growth, spending more time in nature, aligning with herbal medicine, desire for abundance, stability or fertility in your life. Green soothes intense emotions and represents nature’s balance.
If you wish to draw more abundance, balance or healing into your life, you could include green in your daily rituals or spellwork. You could wear green clothing and jewerly, use green herbs, candles, crystals or artwork on your altar, and begin practical steps to manifesting your ‘green intentions’ for your life.
If your intent is for health, you maybe eat more greens, visualise green light around your body, place a green crystal on the part of your body that needs it, etc.
If it is for financial abundance, you maybe create a little money spell jar or sachet with herbs, carve a green candle with affirmations of abundance, speak to a financial advisor or career expert or change your spending habits, spend time connecting with the earth in gratitude, and keep working towards your green goals!
What color is attracting you these days? How does it make you feel and what desire does it awaken within you?
Color Associations:
Red: Love, passion, power, desire, sexuality, boldness, leadership, courage, confidence, the Root chakra that grounds us.
Orange: Creativity, sensuality, pleasure and appetite, confidence, optimism, motivation, joy, exuberance, the Sacral chakra of our creativity.
Yellow: Intellectual clarity, curiosity, learning, inner sovereignty, self-confidence, abundance, happiness, positivity, the Solar plexus chakra of our independence and healthy sense of self.
Green: Healing, health, wealth, abundance, prosperity, fertility, the earth, balance, inner peace, the Heart chakra of love and relationship.
Blue: Peace of mind, wisdom, calm, cooling and soothing, truth, clarity, rest, communication, the throat chakra of expression and communication and the brow chakra of insight and clear perception of truth.
Purple: Intuition, spiritual connection of feeling ‘we are all one’ with the universe, imagination, otherworldly connections, inspiration, creativity. The crown chakra of spiritual connection to all things.
Pink: Love, softness, kindness, innocence, sensitivity, gentleness and self-love. Pink also corresponds to the heart chakra, reminding us to love ourselves as much as we give love to others.
White: Purification, cleansing, starting anew, spiritual initiation, innocence, desire for a clean slate.
Black: Protection, mystery, transition, the sacred void, fertile darkness, embracing the liminal, doing shadow work, protecting energy with boundaries.
Brown: Grounding, safety, support, comfort, stability, the earth, strength.
There are so many more colors I didn’t list! What colors are you drawn to? Where can you see this color in nature?
One unlisted color I’m often drawn to is teal, the mix between green and blue. I just love how it carries qualities of both colors, reminds me of water, and feels soothing to my nerves and mind, as well as stimulating to my heart and creativity. Another unlisted favorite is indigo, the combo of blue and purple like the night sky, which is so soothing to the mind and helps me feel sleepy. Also gold or silver may be colors you feel drawn to, which resonate with the sun and moon.
Crystals:
Another way to connect with color energy is through crystals.
Crystals are ancient beings that hold deep wisdom from the Earth. They carry strong vibrational frequencies that resonate with their color which can help us come back into balance and remember our true nature. As an animist, I treat them as living beings with a spirit, and when one is in my sphere or I wear it or am working with it, I feel into its wisdom and energy. I notice what it is trying to open up, shift or change within me and my energy field.
It is an honor to care for crystal beings. I think spiritual capitalism has gotten carried away with crystals, in that they are over-harvested and the mining of them often cause harm to people and the earth. Like many spiritual folks, I’ve collected quite a few crystals over the years, but have significantly lowered my purchasing of them and instead focus on appreciating them and giving them purpose, ensuring I have a relationship with them and honoring them instead of collecting them as pretty high vibe ‘things’.
Crystals carry the frequency of their color very strongly. You can connect with specific crystals to support your goals and to help you on your spiritual or healing path, by placing them on the body, carrying them, wearing them as jewelry, or placing them on your altar or in your space.
Try my guided meditation journey to connect with a color and crystal ally for your path:
Celebrating Summer Solstice:
So, what are some ways to celebrate this season?
- Enjoy simple pleasures, especially what delights your inner child!
- Be intentional in receiving the sun’s light when outdoors. Breathe in its gifts of healing, protection, liberation and revealing your authentic self!
- Invite light and bright colors into your space or wardrobe, hang suncatchers in your space, create something colorful!
- Connect with a crystal or a color that calls you, and use it to draw what you desire into your life.
- Plant flowers or spend time in a public garden.
- Express your authentic self in whatever way feels natural- through play, dance, a sport, gardening, speaking, writing, an art form, etc.
- Get together with loved ones or friends and celebrate life doing something you enjoy!
- Journal the reflection questions below.
Reflection questions for Summer Solstice:
What is being illuminated, clarified or healed for you now?
Like the flowers and trees in bloom, is there a part of you ready to bloom too?
In what ways are you called to receive the beauty around you?
In what ways do you feel called to share your unique, authentic self with the world?
What color is drawing you right now? What mood or energy does it awaken in you?
Where in nature does this color show up? Is there a crystal or flower of this color you wish to connect with?
If you wish to delve deeper, and are in the Toronto area, please join me for my Summer Solstice Circle- Color Magick & Crystal Healing where we will discuss these themes, find our crystal ally, learn about crystal care and use, create our own suncatchers, and socialise around the bonfire. Space is limited!
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