Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice (called Litha in Pagan traditions) is a celebration of the longest day of the year, where the Sun is at its fullest strength! It’s a time to honor and celebrate our life-giving Sun and the Earth’s bounty. Look around you- there’s colour, beauty and life everywhere you look! I want to encourage you to feel this within yourself as well.

Setting your intention for the Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice is a turning point in the year; it is when the light slowly begins to wane as we move closer towards the Winter Solstice. As we experience this turning point in the season, can you find a turning point within yourself? Since we are experiencing the High Sun set an intention that is all about YOU. Can you make a vow to yourself to really stand in your power? Or how can you show up for YOURSELF every day? Perhaps you want to be more seen and recognized in your business or career path. Maybe you want to finally own your money situation as you work towards being debt free. Or is it time to reclaim your health; build your vitality and work towards letting your body heal itself? Whatever your intention is this Summer Solstice, let it be a powerful one! You’ve got the power and strength of the Sun behind you!

Sun Tea Ritual

For this Summer Solstice ritual, we are going to set our intentions and let them steep under our Sun Tea. All the next day you can imbibe on your intention-infused, Summer Solstice Sun Tea!

Supplies:

A mason jar/glass jar
Enough water to fill the jar
Fruits, herbs + flowers to put in your jar*
A couple tea bags (optional)
Pyrite, Citrine + Clear Quartz (optional)
Pen + piece of paper

*I would recommend using any fruits, herbs or (edible) flowers that are in season in your area. If you can get to a farmer’s market or a grocery store that supplies local food, pick whatever you feel called to. I’m including a few recipes below for inspiration, but get creative and do your own thing!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie:

a small handful of strawberries, sliced
1-2 stalks of rhubarb, sliced
1 rooibos teabag
1-2 teaspoons of honey

Watermelon Refresher:

a few slices of watermelon
a handful of mint leaves
a few slices of lime
a black tea bag

Sunshine in a Glass:

half an orange, sliced
half a lemon, sliced
half a lime, sliced
a black tea bag

Pollinators Delight:

a small handful of lavender sprigs
a small handful of sacred basil (tulsi)
organic rose petals
mint (with the flowers if you have access)
chamomile tea bag
1-2 tsp of honey or a sprinkle of bee pollen

Ritual Steps

Ideally you’ll perform your ritual during the day of the Solstice. Otherwise do the ritual the night before, and you’ll make your Sun Tea the day of the Solstice.

Before your begin your ritual, GET IN NATURE (even if it’s in your own backyard) to connect with the elements and energy of the day. If you find anything on a nature walk you can take home with you (wildflowers, water from a stream, soil, rocks etc) use them to decorate your sacred space.
Set up your SACRED SPACE by placing anything around you (or on your altar) that help capture the energy of the Solstice. This could be flowers, crystals (citrine, pyrite, tigers eye, yellow or orange calcite are great), lots of candles to bring in the fire energy, incense, etc
CLEANSE + PURIFY the air by burning herbs, incense, diffusing essential oils or lighting beeswax candles
GROUND YOURSELF by taking deep, slow breaths, feeling your energy descend into the Earth. This helps to quiet our minds, settle our energy and deepen our connection to Spirit, the Universe, God, Source (whatever your connects to the divine may be)
MEDITATE on your Solar Plexus. Ask yourself what is the turning point within yourself you need to take in order to stand in your full power; in your fullest, expanded self. Ask for CLARITY + GUIDANCE for this particular intention or if you have any challenges or questions surrounding this intention. Listen for the answers; they are always within.
Once you feel very clear about what your intention is this Summer Solstice, WRITE IT DOWN on your piece of paper. Be CLEAR + SPECIFIC.
Place all your ingredients in your jar and top with water. VISUALIZE your water being infused with bright, white light pouring down from the sun.
Place your jar with all your ingredients either outside IN THE SUN, or in a sunny windowsill, with your intention under the jar. If you’re using crystals, place your stones against the jar so they can infuse their energy into your sun tea. If you are performing your ritual at night, burn a candle next to your jar to give it a little extra strength, and then put it in the sun throughout the next day.
Before closing your ritual, always send massive GRATITUDE + BLESSINGS to our Earth who continues to support and nurture us through her ever changing cycles + rhythms.
Once your Sun Tea has steeped in the sun for at least 3 hours (but ideally all day), STRAIN + DRINK your tea over the course of the next day or two. With each sip feel extra magical as the energy of the Sun enters your body and your intention vibrates with every cell in your being!

Be a bright sun that illuminates the world around you.