Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and is observed on either June 20, 21, or 22, depending on the position of the sun. No worries if you don’t know how to calculate the position of the sun because the Summer Solstice is most commonly known as the first day of summer. The Summer Solstice has been celebrated by cultures all around the world since ancient times. Many of these ancient celebrations continue today while incorporating modern practices and customs from other cultures.
Here are some ways you can celebrate the summer solstice with family and friends or on your own.
1. Light a Bonfire
Some ancient European cultures believed burning bonfires at Midsummer (another name for Summer Solstice) would encourage bountiful harvests by increasing the sun’s energy. Bonfires were also thought to protect against evil. In the historical region of Bohemia, girls would throw wreaths across the bonfires to their sweethearts to ward off illness and bring good luck.
For a modern celebration, light up a backyard fire at dusk in a fire pit. Then tap into old traditions of storytelling, playing music, and dancing around the fire. No fire pit? Light up large citronella candles and torches around your yard or smaller candles inside your home to represent the sun’s energy. Instead of throwing it through the fire, hang a floral wreath on your front door.
2. Play Dress Up
In Old Great Britain and Europe, dancers would dress up as unicorns and dragons for Summer Solstice and dance from bonfire to bonfire. Flower crowns made from summer blooms were/are a popular summertime adornment. During this time, it was also believed that fairies would wander to Earth during Midsummer’s Eve so people would try to catch glimpses of the fairy king by sitting under an elder tree.
Have some pre-Halloween fun and dress up for the Summer Solstice. You can make and wear flower crowns or unicorn and dragon masks. If you really want to go big, dress up as fairies coming to enjoy the Earthly celebration of the Sun.
3. Watch the Sun Rise and Set
Celebrating the Summer Solstice doesn’t have to be a big hubbub. It can be as simple as watching the sun rise and set before the days start to get shorter again. You can make it a peaceful affair by starting the day off with meditation, yoga, or a cup of coffee before the kids wake up. End the day with journaling, tea, and if you’re inclined to invite the kiddos, roasting marshmallows.
4. Partake in the “First Fruits” of Summer
An underlining theme of most Summer Solstice celebrations is nature’s bounty and the harvesting of grains, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. In many ancient cultures, the earliest gathered fruits, or first fruits, of summer were offered to their deities or royal sovereign for blessings or to renew the strength of the monarchy.
Enjoy the “first fruits” of the summer by picking ripe fruits, veggies, or herbs from your own garden or local farm. Try out recipes made from locally grown fresh produce. Use summer flowers, fruits, and herbs in simmer pots to make a natural air freshener and imbue your home with the summer season.
You can even use this time to reflect on the fruits of your labor. What goals have you achieved so far this year? The summer solstice is a time of growth so think about how you want to grow as a person, what other goals you want to achieve, what ideas you want to expand on, etc. You still have half a year to go.
I hope this list serves as starting point in creating your own summer solstice traditions. Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year so the possibilities to make it festive and rejuvenating are as abundant as the sun’s light.
