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This is where the Sun exerts its’ maximum power in the Northern Hemisphere due to a tilt in the Earth’s axis.

In ancient times it was considered a time of fullness, fertility, renewal of life, worldly blessings and celebration. Not alot has changed today in how we look at summer. We see it as a time of holidays, play, celebration, fun, joviality, parties, and getting together with family and friends.

Summer in itself represents a time for purification to release the sadness, fears and pains from your life creating a renewed energy and youthfulness. This in turn allows you to raise your vibration and understanding to attain your heart’s desires; thus allowing you to celebrate the Joy, Warmth and Laughter of Life.

For couples it is a time for renewing the bonds of Love that brought the two of you together in the first place. For those of you who are single, it is a time to renew your commitment to you to find your true love. Since the summer is a time for external physical manifestations then why not include manifesting the ‘right’ person to love?

With renewed energy of the Summer Solstice all things are possible, allowing your summertime celebration to be one with more meaning and someone to share it with!

As the sun spirals its longest dance, Cleanse us,
As nature shows bounty and fertility, Bless us,
Let all things live with loving intent and to fulfill their truest destiny

Wiccan blessing for the Summer

What is a Solstice?

A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice a year. The name Solstice is derived from the Latin Sol (Sun) and Sistere (to stand still). The Sun gets progressively higher in the sky as the days advance toward the solstice. When it reaches its maximum height, the next day it will climax a little lower, as the days then will begin to shorten.

Celebration

This has been a time for celebration since time immemorial. Using flames and fire associated with the sun. As the Winter Solstice approaches, lighting fires is a way of bolstering the sun’s energy. I’m not suggesting you rush out and begin lighting fires! But I’m sure you get my drift.

You will find the sun quite often represented as a wheel. Midsummer sun rituals have included the rolling of burning wheels downhill that signify the declining power of the sun. Midsummer fires are lit to symbolize and promote fertility, strength and abundance for the coming harvest. It is said that if the wheel continues to burn all the way down, the harvest will be good, but if it goes out before it reaches its destination, the crops may fail. This custom is still particularly strong in Yorkshire.

Healing Light

As summer time begins and we enjoy the wonderful weather, Midsummer is often a time for holidays, outdoor gatherings, festivals and lots of lovely garden barbeques shared by family and friends. Bringing people together in harmony with love and peace abound. Children’s laughter can be heard, the sweet sound of music, the good old garden strimmer and the distant barking of the dog!

As our plants soak up the energy of the sun at this time of year, it is believed by some that they are imbued with the sun’s natural healing qualities. One plant in particular saturated with the sun’s vital energy is St John’s Wort. As legend has it, it flowered on St John’s day (24th June). St John’s Wart is also known as “chase the devil”. Thus when harvested at Midsummer can be dried and kept until winter, when, made into a tea is believed to chase away the “Winter Blues”.

For You?

This is time of rest and relaxation. For building up your vital life force energy or “chi”. The ways in which to do this are vary varied and must be in a way that best suits you. For example, those who meditate do so outdoors (remember hat, no sunstroke please) enjoy the freedom, reconnection and expansion of spiritual growth. Those who party gather your friends or just sit quietly indulging in your favourite novel. There are no hard and fast rules. Just do for you what feels good and thoroughly enjoy the Summer Solstice. Love and Light to all!