"You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender."
~John Mark Green
Welcome to the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year. With the long and cold winter we've had the anticipation for my favorite season has been at an all time high.
Solstice translates to "sun stands still." The sun will seem to stand still in the sky giving us the longest day of daylight of the year. As we enter this season we astrologically transition the sun in cancer. Cancer is a sign known for being in touch with emotions and grounded. The moon is in Leo today bringing fire and passionate energy. A perfect combination for a day of celebration.
The Summer Solstice always feels like coming home to me. Back to the season that feels like where I belong, where my memories of childhood are sharpest and happiest. The smell of summer, the warmth and extension of evenings, and of course all the sun filled activities the warmth brings. Whether the celebration was large or small over the decades, this day was like coming home after a dark and lonely journey. A "Welcome Home Party" if you will.
So how do you celebrate this day? Being outside is always a wonderful way to start. If you're stuck in the office try to take a short walk on your break or sit outside for lunch letting the sun warm you. Evenings I love to have a large meal filled with my summer favorites outside with family and friends. Dancing barefoot outside to reconnect with the world is of course one of my favorite rituals. And sitting around a fire and setting a blaze what we need to let go from the long winter. After burning what we need to release it's time to journal for this new season. Including my journal prompts below if you'd like to borrow some of all of them for your mid summer's eve.
Burn after writing:
I like to burn the negatives thoughts first on this day. I start with some deep breaths and close my eyes to remember what's happened since the winter solstice. What disappointed me, made me sad, made me lonely or what failed during the winter months.
What do you need to burn away?
What cold winter problems brought you that you need to let go of?
What hardship are you finally ready to let go of?
After releasing the negative to the paper I like to (safely) burn what I journal (or you could throw it away) as a symbol of truly letting it go.
Journal Prompts:
What does coming home feel like for you?
When was a time you felt like you truly belonged? Who was there? Where were you? What were you doing?
What are you craving more of?
What could you talk about/read about for hours without getting bored?
What feels like sunlight to you?
What did you do today that brought you light inside?
"The more light you allow within you the brighter the world you live in will be." ~Shakti Gawain