5 Magic Rituals to Try at the Summer Solstice
Flower crowns, herb magic and sweet dreams
Hello,
A very bright and sunny wave from me today (especially if real sunshine is a bit lacking where you are right now) as we are just days away from the BIG event in the seasonal living calendar; the Summer Solstice on the 20th June.
If you follow the seasons closely this will already be on your radar, but if this is your first time celebrating the Solstice you’ve got a lovely treat in store. This is one of the sunniest, happiest, most magic-filled festival days of the year and below I’ve got some great ideas for you to enjoy.
In this newsletter we’ll look at the origins of Solstice celebrations, dip into some of the folklore that surrounds this Midsummer festival then explore how to celebrate the Solstice in your own home.
Let’s dive in shall we?
What is the Summer Solstice?
The Summer Solstice occurs when the earth is tilted furthest towards the sun creating the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The word solstice comes from the Latin sōlstitium, which translates as sōl, (sun) and sistere, (to stand still).
It falls between June 20th and 22nd in the Northern hemisphere (June 20th this year) and it marks the official start of astronomical Summer. However some believe the Solstice actually marks the midpoint of the season, hence the name ‘Midsummer’. After this point the balance will start to shift towards the dark again, as the days start to shorten and the wheel turns towards the Winter Solstice.
The Solstice has been a significant time of year since prehistoric times and at a time when the days are long and the landscape is full of colour, Solstice celebrations focus on abundance, life and light; it is a time to celebrate the power of the sun and the height of summer.
So is it the same as Midsummer?
The time around the Solstice is also known as Midsummer in some cultures and is particularly celebrated in Scandinavian countries, where the sun barely sets at this time of year so they are able to hold their celebrations under the midnight sun. From long midsummer feasts to maypole dancing, flower crown wearing and lighting bonfires, many of their traditions have been adapted and borrowed by other countries over time.
Across Europe, ‘Midsummer’ or ‘Solstice’ celebrations generally take place somewhere between the 19th and 24th June depending on local customs. As such, throughout this post the terms Summer Solstice and Midsummer can be considered interchangeable.
Sounds good. How can I celebrate it?
Here are a few ways to bring some Solstice or Midsummer rituals into your home this June.
1. Gather herbs
Herbs are believed by many to be at their most potent at Midsummer, so now is the time to cut and preserve them for the winter. Some of the herbs symbolically linked to the Solstice are lavender, chamomile, calendula and St John’s Wort. These herbs were also traditionally used to ward off any mischievous spirits or fairy folk on this short summer night when the veil was thought to be thin between the living world and the spirit world.
2. Make a flower crown / wreath
Flower and herb crowns were traditionally worn for Midsummer celebrations in Scandinavian countries, where garlands of flowers and herbs were made and worn to ward off mischievous spirits. They also look really beautiful and can be repurposed as a Solstice wreath for your front door too for a bit of extra magical protection. Here’s how to make one.
3. Light the shortest night with candles
To symbolically keep the sun shining through the shortest night of the year, and as a symbol of protection against any Midsummer magic, it was traditional to stay awake all night and keep a bonfire or candle burning from sundown on the eve of the Solstice, to sunrise on Solstice morning. Bonfires were also lit on hilltops across the country as a symbol of protection.
If you don’t fancy staying up all night, lighting a candle for a little while on Solstice Eve can help to link you to this ancient tradition. Just please remember to put it out before you go to sleep!
4. Greet the dawn
The simplest way to tune into the Solstice energy is to greet the dawn. Stonehenge is perhaps the most famous Solstice gathering place for pagans, with many staying up all night to greet the dawn on the longest day of the year.
Alternatively you can watch a livestream of the dawn rising over the stones on the English Heritage Youtube channel from the comfort of your own bed if you prefer.
5. Try a Midsummer Love Spell
In case you missed it in my June Newsletter, here’s a Midsummer Love Spell to use on this short night of magic and mystery:
Midsummer Eve / Solstice Eve has traditionally been a time of dreaming, fortune telling and romance. Love spells were practised on the Solstice, the shortest night of the year when the veil between this world and the spirit world was thought to be thin. Roses are deeply associated with Midsummer and here’s a traditional love spell to perform on the eve of the Solstice:
Pick a rose on Midsummer Eve (or Solstice Eve)
Place a few of the rose petals under your pillow
When you sleep your true love will appear to you in your dreams
The Scandinavian version of this is to pick seven flowers on Midsummer eve and place them under your pillow to dream of your future love.
Herbs picked on Solstice eve were also thought to have extra healing powers, so adding a few soothing herbs, such as lavender or chamomile, under your pillow were also thought to aid sweet dreams on the shortest night of the year.
Ok, that’s all for now, I hope you enjoyed your Summer Solstice newsletter and I hope you have a wonderful day filled with magic, ritual and (maybe) sunshine. Now it’s over to you to share your Summer Solstice rituals and traditions in the Comments.
Vicky xx
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I think we need a spell for conjuring some sunshine Victoria! 🤣😳🌞 Here’s hoping the summer solstice brings some much needed warmth. X
I did not know about the potency of herbs at this time, such magic!
I’m gearing up for a cozy, simple Scandinavian midsummer this year and my own traditional, solitary greeting of the solstice sunrise at 3am. Wishing you so much light and sunshine as we enter this sacred week! ☀️