5 Ways To Celebrate the Summer Solstice
Did you know that June 20th, 2020 is the summer solstice? The summer solstice marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and the longest day of the year. It's a day associated with celebrating the fullness of life, fertility, happiness, strength, courage, and power.
Attuning to the richness of summer allows us to enjoy it more fully and transition into the seasons to come. Just as nature is cyclical with the varying seasons, so are we. Aligning ourselves with the cycle of nature and the seasons is a way to deepen our connection with ourselves and the world around us.
So without further ado, here are 5 simple ways to celebrate the summer solstice and enjoy the extra daylight that summer brings!
1. Salute the sun
The solstice is symbolic of transitioning from the short, dark and dreary days that winter brings, to the longer, warmer, brighter days of summer. Celebrate the solstice by saluting the sun with traditional or modified sun salutations, giving you energy and fire to kickstart your day. Even better, take your yoga practice outside and absorb the elements of nature - the sun, wind, water, and earth.
2. Connect with natureSpending time in nature reconnects you with the natural environment and your sense of place in the world. Nature is filled with negative ions which have a positive impact on your mind and soul. Go outside for a walk, cook on the grill, support local business and enjoy their outdoor dining, go to a drive in movie theater, and open some windows in your home to allow fresh air in. Also, connecting with water element by spending time at the water like oceans, rivers, and lakes which are known as blue spaces, can reduce stress and have a positive impact on your mood.
3. Do a walking meditation barefoot outside.Take your meditation practice outside barefoot. Feel the earth against your bare feet, the warmth or coolness of the grass, dirt, or sand, wetness of the morning dew, temperature of the environment, and sounds that surround you. Slow down your movement and tune into the sensations of your foot landing on the ground and all the muscles that become engaged as you lift and place each foot.
4. Celebrate how far you've come
The year is halfway over; can you believe it? Take a moment to celebrate how far you’ve come. The pandemic may have disrupted your life and goals, but there are still so many things to celebrate you getting to where you are. So take some time to honor and acknowledge your accomplishments both big and small. Trust that where you are is where you need to be. And remember that our culture is prized on this sense of doing. Perhaps non-doing is something that can also be celebrated.
5. Set your intention
There's no need to wait until the new year to set an intention or sankalpa for the second half of the year. Maybe some of your intentions for the year fell by the wayside from the pandemic. Now is a great time to re-evaluate your goals, figure out what it will take you to where you want to be, and set a sankalpa or intention to get you closer to living your fullest potential during the next three months.
You might ask yourself: how do I want to feel and who is it that I want to be in the world over these next three to six months? Write down your intention on a piece of paper, and plant a seed so you can watch both your intention and seed blossom to life. And remember that life happens for you not to you.
And last but not least, learn to enjoy summer.