Celebrating the Summer Solstice
“the practice that I am committing to is a seasonal reflection”
Today marks the summer solstice and the official start of summer. I’ve never truly celebrated it. As a kid, I loved summer because it meant there was no school. Our days were filled with endless play, the library, pool days, movies, and extra time with my family. As an adult, summer doesn’t hold the same joy and freedom, and as a year round homeschooling family, it lacks the transition that it brought to my childhood.
This year I am choosing to bring intention to this longest day of the year. In some yoga communities, 108 sun salutations are practiced on the solstice. Many cultures celebrate with feasts and celebration, song and dance, and an intentional reconnecting with nature. I may engage in some of these traditions, but the practice that I am committing to is a seasonal reflection.
“The changing of seasons gives us an opportunity to approach transitions with reflection and intention.”
I want to bring intention into this transition–using it as a time to reflect on where I’ve been, appreciate where I am, and I give thanks for what lies ahead. I would love for you to join me as we honor this season and acknowledge the transition it brings.
Journal prompts for summer solstice:
What new life did spring bring that I want to continue cultivating in summer?
In what ways can I invite rest into this season?
What parts of my life can I find joy this season?
What would I like to feel at the end of this season?
Are there any goals that I would like to accomplish during this season? If so, what are they and what steps can I take to achieve them?
How can I honor this period of transition between seasons, and how can I apply that same principle to other transitions in my life?
What about where I’ve been and where I am today fills me with gratitude?
The Takeaway
Transitions aren’t always easy. Some transitions bring joy, others sadness, and some bring mixed emotions. The changing of seasons gives us an opportunity to approach transitions with reflection and intention. It gifts us the chance to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going. As we shift from spring to summer, take time to recognize what this season of your life holds. Give yourself permission to be in whatever you feel, and find a way to honor your life’s unique season.
Share in the comments how you are celebrating the summer solstice this year.
