Guide To Summer Solstice

Last Updated on July 6, 2025

The summer solstice has arrives on Friday, June 21st 2024, marking the official start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere!

The summer solstice is a joyous and magical turning point in the year. This day is bathed in the most sunlight, the night shrouded in the least darkness, as the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. This powerful event is celebrated across cultures, a time to honor the sun’s life-giving light and the overflowing bounty of nature.

What is the Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice occurs when the Earth’s tilt towards the sun reaches its peak. This means the sun appears at its highest point in the sky around noon, with minimal change in its position for days before and after. It’s the longest day of the year (and shortest night)–or vice versa, if you’re in the southern hemisphere.

Contrast that with fall and spring Equinox, when you have equal daylight and darkness.

Summer Solstice & Magick & Paganism

In nature-based faiths, this special day is known as Litha (or Midsummer), one of the most sacred celebrations. People have gathered (and still do) at Stonehenge for day-long festivities, witnessing the sun’s alignment with the structure.

A Season Steeped in Symbolism

At its core, the summer solstice is a joyous tribute to the sun, our life-giving source of light and warmth. It’s a reminder to appreciate this precious time in Earth’s cycle, knowing the sun won’t shine forever. The solstice also carries deeper symbolism, reflecting themes of life, fertility, and the ever-turning wheel of seasons.

The Summer Solstice brims with symbolism. It’s the peak of light and energy, representing vitality, flourishing growth, and life expressed in its fullness. Long, warm days bring joy and optimism. But the solstice also whispers of a shift, as the sun’s strength gradually wanes. It’s a reminder to savor the present moment.

Manifesting With Solstice Magic

The Summer Solstice is a potent time for magic and manifestation. The veil between the physical and spiritual realms thins, allowing easier connection with higher energies and guidance. It’s perfect for setting manifestation intentions, drawing on the sun’s power, and bringing your desires to life. This is a prime time for rituals, spells, and meditations focused on abundance, love, and personal growth.

The Summer Solstice in Astrology

Astrologically, the summer solstice marks the sun’s entrance into Cancer, and the opposite of winter solstice, when the sun enters Capricorn. As a cardinal sign, Cancer initiates new seasons. Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) mark seasonal beginnings.

Summer Solstice Ritual Ideas

Celebrate summer solstice, no matter your spiritual beliefs, by connecting with the sun’s power and nature’s beauty. Here are some ideas:

1. Fire Magic

The sun embodies the fire element. Set your intentions with a fire ritual. Light a candle, visualize your desires, and extinguish the flame with a final breath (sound familiar? Birthday wishes have pagan roots!). If outdoors, burn herbs like chamomile or lavender for well-being.

2. Connect With Nature

Disconnect from technology for a while and immerse yourself in nature. Take a walk in a park, forest, or even a small green space in the city. Savor the extended daylight as long as possible.

3. Stay Up All Night

What better way to celebrate that to watch the sun set and rise again? This is the easiest calendar day of the whole year to do just that! Reflect on darkness and the importance of the light.

4. Sun Salutations

Ancient yogis were as in awe of the sun as we are! The sun salutation was a way of honoring the sun–and that makes it perfect to do today! Try out just a few to get in the spirit or do a devotional practice with a whole series of 108.

5. Embrace the Flowers

Tend to your garden, bring blooms into your home, or explore a botanical garden. Flowers are symbolic of the solstice, and some believe they hold magical properties.

6. Celebrate

Many cultures view the shortest night as a time for revelry and setting intentions for the coming months. Dance, attend a concert, or host a solstice gathering. Watch the sunset and witness the sun’s glorious rise again.

7. Take Stock

As we’re half-way through the year, take stock. How are you doing with your goals? Is it time to set new ones? Or is it time to kick some bad habits for good? This is an excellent time to reassess and look at your big picture! (Do some fire magic after this for extra oomph!)

8. Sex Magick

Celebrate the season’s fertility and life force by connecting with a partner (or yourself!) in a sensual, conscious, and empowering way.

9. Sungazing

Okay, so don’t really look directly at the sun. But spend a few minutes watching it (as best you can) and noticing it’s power is a powerful centering ritual. Connect to that energy and let yourself harness some of it! You can also try this out at sunrise or sunset.

10. Charge Your Crystals

Let your crystals get bathed in the power of the sun! Usually, I recommend cleansing your crystals with the power of the full moon. But you can also use that beautiful solar energy for the same thing. Leave them out for a few hours in a safe place to let them charge up fully.

This year the solstice and full moon fall on the same day, so you can leave them out a full 24 hours to soak up both solar and lunar energies!

So tell me: are you celebrating the summer solstice this year? What ritual ideas are you going to incorporate into your routine?

The summer solstice is a naturally celebratory time! So feel free to indulge a little. Sing! Dance for joy! (Even if it’s just in your kitchen.) Look up to the bright sky and thank the sun for being here!

Blessings, friend!