Summer Solstice - How Will You Celebrate?
The official start of summer, according to the stars, is June 21, marking the longest day of the year. With roughly 12 hours of sunlight, it’s the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and welcome the new season with intention and joy.
A Time to Revisit and Renew Intentions
Whichever way you see it, mid-summer or the start of a new cycle; the Summer Solstice invites us to reconnect with purpose. It’s an opportunity to revisit goals, set new intentions for July through September, and realign before autumn’s grounding energy returns.
In ancient Greece, the solstice was celebrated as the first day of the year. In ancient China, it honored yin qualities, a reminder to slow down amid heat and activity. Across cultures, this day represented balance, renewal, and reflection; a sacred midpoint where light and life flourished.
Ayurveda: Cooling the Fire of Pitta Season
In Ayurveda, the summer months are known as Pitta season, governed by the elements of fire and water. As heat rises—both outside and inside—it’s essential to stay cool, hydrated, and calm. Excess Pitta can show up as rashes, irritability, anger, or restlessness.
To restore balance:
Enjoy cooling foods and herbs like cucumber, mint, cilantro, and rose.
Practice gentle, grounding yoga postures such as forward folds or restorative poses.
Incorporate cooling breathwork (Sheetali or Sheetkari pranayama).
Spend time in water or shade to honor your body’s need for rest.
These small rituals align your energy with the rhythm of nature, heat balanced by stillness.
Yoga: Saluting the Sun with Mindful Movement
In yoga, Surya Namaskar—the Sun Salutation, is traditionally practiced to honor the light within and around us. Many yogis celebrate the solstice by performing 108 Sun Salutations, symbolizing devotion, discipline, and renewal.
The number 108 holds deep significance:
There are 108 beads in a mala used for meditation.
The distance between the Earth and the Sun is roughly 108 times the Sun’s diameter.
This sacred sequence connects movement, breath, and awareness—inviting us to flow with gratitude for the light that sustains life.
Reflection: A Mid-Year Check-In
Interestingly, the end of June also marks the close of the second quarter in the business world, a natural time for review. Just as companies reassess their goals, we too can pause and evaluate our personal resolutions. What has bloomed since January? What needs nurturing—or releasing—as we move into the latter half of the year?
Whether through meditation, journaling, or quiet reflection, the solstice offers space to realign with what truly matters.
Honoring the Infinite Cycle
The mandala, often used in meditation, represents the infinite nature of the universe—the cycles of creation, growth, and renewal that never truly end. As we celebrate the midpoint of the year, it’s a reminder that while seasons shift, the rhythm of life continues, endlessly expanding and returning.
Celebrate Your Own Solstice
You don’t need a grand ceremony - just presence.
Light a candle.
Step outside to feel the sun on your skin.
Set an intention for the months ahead.
Or join me in a yoga class or Ayurvedic session to explore ways to stay cool, grounded, and balanced this season.
Happy Summer Solstice - may your heart be light, your body calm, and your spirit radiant. 🌞
