The Summer Solstice

On the 21st, we will celebrate the summer solstice or Litha, which is an Anglo Saxon name for midsummer marking the longest day of the year. The summer solstice is a moment to pause and appreciate nature's abundance. Throughout spring, we've been occupied with family activities, spring cleaning, initiating new projects, and pushing ourselves to the limit, much like nature. Nature has dedicated all her energy to growth; trees have unfurled their leaves, flowers and herbs have sprouted from the soil, and wildlife has been birthing, breeding, and nurturing. Like us, Mother Nature has concentrated all her efforts and energy on production and growth.

The Summer solstice seems like a "tipping point" where humans, wildlife, and nature collectively feel somewhat drained by the burst of energy expended over recent months. However, the solstice represents a time of full light and energy, enabling optimal growth. Following the solstice, the light gradually diminishes, allowing us to pause, breathe, and slow down amidst nature's full abundance.

In the past, the summer solstice was marked by celebrations involving fire and dancing. Participants would leap over the fire, believing that the height of their jump would predict the height of their crops for the year. The fire symbolised the sun and the warmth of the summer season.

In folklore, the oak is revered as the king of the forest during the warmer, longer days, with its power reaching its zenith on the summer solstice. Following this, it engages in a battle with its brother, the holly king, and is defeated by him at the autumn equinox. The holly king then claims the beech tree as his wife. The beech tree is regarded as the queen of the forest, and an ancient solstice tradition involves taking a beech twig, attaching your wishes to it, and burying it. As the branch decays, it is believed to fulfil your wishes.

Similar to the winter solstice, this is a time when it was believed that the barrier between worlds is thin. People would dance throughout the night and greet the sun on the longest day, imagining their ancestors joining them in celebration. Hazel is thought to possess magical qualities, and in the summer months, people would use a hazel wand to stir their jam to prevent mischievous fairies from taking it, as this time of year made it easier for them to travel between worlds.

You don’t need to dance all night or light a bonfire to connect with nature's energy. Consider taking a walk in nature, allowing time to sit and watch the gentle sway of the leaves, observe how wildflowers attract insects, see where ponies roam and graze, and notice how foals and fledglings navigate their world. Feel how your nervous system relaxes as you renew this profound connection.

Alternatively, you could sit in your garden at dusk to watch bats emerge, listen to owls call, and watch the moon rise. Whatever method you choose, remember that solstices and equinoxes are simply moments as we journey once around the sun, offering us a chance to check in with ourselves and nature.

Enjoy the meditation below to take a breath, and reignite your connection as nature. If you have the opportunity, try and enjoy this meditation by getting comfortable, and grounded outside and lying on the ground.

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