The Ancient Rituals of the Summer Solstice
The summer solstice is a phenomenon that happens in June — when the days begin to get longer once more and the warm times signal their return. The Sun travels on its longest path through the sky, meaning that this is the longest day. The summer solstice in the northern hemisphere is a time of celebration, for the light has returned.
To our ancient ancestors, this time was auspicious and sacred. Our ancestors lived on the land in every way — the land dictated their food supply, water supply, and the health of their livestock. From hunter-gathers to the first farmers, these people were tied to the land. Their ties went beyond mere survival and into an energetic tie. They lived and breathed with these spirits of the land and sky.
Summer Solstice Pagan Rituals
In Britain, the native people would celebrate with summer solstice ritual celebrations. All over the isles, they rose early to see the sunrise over their carefully placed megalithic monuments — from Stonehenge to Avebury Henge. In Ireland, since the late stone age, people have gathered on the Hill of Tara to see the sun’s first rays. It was a time our ancestors approached with great optimism, hope and excitement.
Lighting bonfires along the hilltops was also common. Many say these fires were to ward off spirits that may bring harm, but this is a mentality that came later in the medieval period. Sine the bonfires lit at Samhain or Halloween were for actually encouraging the spirits of the land to find the tribes of people to give them blessings, we can assume the same is true for the bonfires of midsummer. The light from the hilltops would imbue the tribes with protection for the coming months.
We often assume that these traditions died away, but rituals do not easily disappear. In the medieval era, villagers would still light bonfires and sacrifice crops to ensure a bountiful harvest. In medieval Britain, midsummer’s eve was called St John’s Eve, and the day of the summer solstice was referred to as St John’s Tide. An ancient part of the ritual included tossing bones into the fire as part of the celebration. This is actually where the word bonfire comes from.
There’s also evidence that our ancestors burnt rubbish in these bonfires. They would burn what they no longer needed; perhaps husks of corn, bones, old cloth that was unusable and other bits and pieces. Perhaps this was their way of beginning the warm season anew. In Ireland, this practice continued on into the 20th-century.
Picking St John's wort was a tradition practiced heavily in medieval times but actually has its roots in earlier stone age practices. The herb would be hung from the top of doorways or windows to keep negative energy away, and to promote healing. Within the home, dried yarrow was burnt to 'smudge' the old energy away, and bring in the new.
It’s time to bring in the new and get rid of the old! The summer solstice or midsummer celebration is a time for you to cleanse yourself and your space, and prepare for what is to come. Yogi Bhajan says that a solstice is a time to break your patterns. As we go through crucial changes, we have to release anything that is holding us back.
Summer solstice ritual ideas
Watch the sunrise. Our ancestors have been keeping track of the seasonal change for eons. Connect yourself back to your own lineage and to the land around you by watching the sun peak at this sacred time.
Invoke the ancestors and helpful spirits. The summer solstice provides an opportunity to reach those passed and the spirits of the land. The veils are thinner on midsummer. It’s the perfect time to ask for guidance or ask for blessings on the journey ahead.
Clear your space. Clean away all clutter from your surfaces and throw out anything you don't need. Dust all your surfaces and if you feel called, smudge your space with some dried herbs.
Step into your light. The summer solstice is all about going into the warmer season. Similarly in our own lives, we can ask ourselves where we can step into our own light. How can we be more authentically ourselves? Where are we holding back from shining? Journaling can bring great insights.
Remind yourself to take long deep breaths. As the seasons change, we head into new times. Change can cause us stress as we let go of what is familiar. Take a moment, place your hand on your hara chakra, just below your navel, and breathe deeply. When you breathe in, your belly should expand out. When you exhale, the belly comes inward. This will help calm your mind and body through this strong energetic time.
The fascinating thing about history is how our ancestors live on within us. Although it feels like our stone-age ancestors are a world away, they actually live on through us. We are the living lineage of our ancient past. When we fully notice and realise this, we can start making decisions that are best for us and best for the environment around us.
I wish you all the best midsummer solstice filled with blessings and light. Let me know in the comments how you’re going to celebrate the summer solstice!