Today marks the summer solstice for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere of our planet. It is the longest day of the year! This day is celebrated by many ancient rituals, as our ancestors gave a lot of importance to this special day. It marks the fullness of life, when foods and crops are maturing and reaching their harvest time.
We can tap into this heightened energy to regenerate abundance and manifest our dreams.
There are a few things I like to do on this day to recharge my batteries, and soak up the sun energy.
- Practicing yoga at sunrise / sunset
Sunset and sunrise are truly magical times where the energy is heightened and it is easier to connect with our higher selves. Practicing yoga during a sunrise is optimal to celebrate the new –born light and the new beginning that it represents. Sunset yoga practice brings more mindfulness and retrospection in my opinion. It helps me get more grounded and allows me to think of the lessons I have learned and how I can take those experiences into making my future better.
- Light up a candle
As the summer solstice celebrates light, it is a good idea to light up a candle to symbolize the creative and regenerative power of the sun. This could be especially good, if the day is rainy and cloudy and you don’t really see the sun.
- Take time to relax and just be
Try to meditate. By meditating I don’t only mean to sit down in a lotus pose and chant matras (which of course can be very helpful and bring you further with your meditation). I like to simply sit outside in a calm place with my eyes closed. I like to feel the wind against my hair and skin, and feel the warmth of the sun. I focus on my inhalations and exhalations for a while, emptying my mind from any thoughts. I find this practice really easy to follow and because I do not call it meditation but relaxation, I find I can sink into this blissful and present state more easily.
- Revise your New Year’s resolutions
The summer solstice also marks the half point of the year. I like to re-read my New Year’s resolutions on this day and see how much I have progressed with my goals. It is a great time to start a new, and even if you notice that you haven’t really been keeping up with your resolutions, this day offers you a chance to get back on track. We still have another six months to achieve our goals, and this certainly is motivating!
- Talk about your goals and dreams
Because this day has so much energy and it represents the point at which everything is starting to bear fruit, I think it is important to be especially positive and talk about what we want to achieve and be in the future. Take this energy today to bring into manifestation what you say out load. Surround yourself with people you love and trust and just talk about your dreams without fear of being judged. You might be surprised how some positive events will start to unfold in front of you. 🙂
Do you have any practices and rituals you like to do at the Summer Solstice? I would like to hear about them!