Blessings of the Summer Solstice

A time to celebrate the magic of life!

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The solstice is almost here! For those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, the glorious summer solstice and the beginning of summer will occur on Thursday, June 20 at 8:50 PM UTC (4:50 PM EDT). For our friends in the southern hemisphere, this day will be the mystical winter solstice and the beginning of winter.

Because I live in the northern hemisphere, I will focus mostly on the summer solstice in this article. Yet, both the summer and winter solstices are deeply profound occasions on which to celebrate and embrace the Light that is the highest expression of the Divinity in all of nature.

Max Pechstein, Sonnenuntergeng an der see, 1921

Understanding the Summer Solstice

The term solstice is derived from “sol” (Sun) and “sistere,” to stand still. At the solstice, the Sun has no apparent motion. This is a turning point when we, like the Sun, are meant to pause, so that we may appreciate and enjoy the fruits of our past efforts.

The summer solstice marks the moment when the apparent path of the Sun reaches its zenith in the Tropic of Cancer, before it appears to turn and move south again. It is the longest day of the year (in the northern hemisphere) and the time of maximum light.

Diagram of the Earth's Seasons by Tauʻolunga - Own work, CC0

The astronomical still point of summer solstice is also known as Midsummer. It has long been observed throughout the world as an important time to celebrate and give thanks for the magic of life! It is a time for purifying ourselves, letting go of the past, renewing our life force, and affirming our highest purpose.

Midsummer Solstice by Sam Symonds

The Summer Solstice: A Sensitive Time of Psychic Adjustment and Renewal

On the June solstice, the Sun will appear to touch the northernmost point along the horizon and rest for three days before embarking on its six-month southerly journey. Solstices generate subtle magnetic changes within us and in the world at large. Those who are especially sensitive may start to feel these shifting energies three days in advance of the solstice standstill, and for three days afterward, as well.

During this time, our mental activity may be amplified, which can trigger psychological imbalances or relationship conflicts. Our physical health may be vulnerable, so it’s important to be extra mindful and vigilant.

The Sun, which symbolizes our inner and outer light, achieves tremendous strength when it reaches its highest declination point north of the celestial equator on the summer solstice. Around this point, the Sun in its full power can also give us a boost of self-confidence and vitality.

A Special Solstice Full Moon

The summer solstice Sun in its fullness acts somewhat similarly to what we experience with the Full Moon every month. Synchronistically, this year, the Full Moon will occur soon after the solstice, on June 22 at 1:08 AM UTC (June 21 at 9:08 PM EDT).

This will be a very potent Full Moon/Solstice portal because the Sun and Moon (as well as our Earth) will be aligned along the Galactic Plane. This means that the Sun will be transiting at about seven degrees of Gemini, which is aligned with the Galactic Anti-Center. At the same time, the Full Moon (and Earth) will be transiting opposite the Sun, at around seven degrees of Sagittarius in the Galactic Center. This rare alignment can activate a release of stagnant energies. It may suggest a new flow of creativity, some mighty manifestation power, and a brighter, higher vision.

This plot overlays the locations of three reference planes on the Fermi sky map: the celestial equator (the plane of Earth's equator projected onto the sky), the ecliptic (the annual apparent path of the sun around the sky as well as the plane of Earth's orbit), and the galactic equator, which marks the central plane of our Milky Way galaxy.

Understanding the Solstices According to Vedic Astrology: Uttarayana and Dakshinayana

According to Vedic astrology, the first waxing half of the solar year from winter to summer solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as uttarayana. This is the Vishnu half of the year that represents the expansive cycle of conscious energy projecting upward and outward into the material realm.

Uttarayana is the most auspicious half of the year in which to establish new enterprises. For those in the northern hemisphere, this part of the yearly cycle will end at the summer solstice on June 20, and will begin again at the winter solstice on December 21, 2024.

Dakshinayana is the second half of the solar year extending from summer to winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. This is when Lord Vishnu takes his rest and Lord Shiva steps in. During this part of the year, the Sun’s power will gradually wane as it moves southward in its declination cycle.

In dakshinayana, we may reap what was sown during uttarayana. That is to say, dakshinayana is generally the time for winding down and finishing what was set into motion in the first half of the year. (And of course, all of this is reversed in the southern hemisphere).

As the natural flow slowly moves back to Source during dakshinayana, this is the hemicycle in which to focus more deeply on health, healing, and spiritual practices and rituals.

How to Celebrate the Summer Solstice

At the time of the summer solstice, it is so important to stop, give thanks, enjoy, and share the bounty of nature’s blessings. I usually have both a sunrise meditation and a sunset picnic on this longest day of the year! Spiritual rituals and ceremonies like this can help us access and align with the profound love and light generated in this powerful seasonal still point.

I wish everyone joy and happiness on the solstice! 

We welcome summer and the glorious blessing of light.

We are rich with light; we are loved by the sun.

Let us empty our hearts into the brilliance.

Let us pour our shadows into the glorious, forgiving light.

For this loving abundance let us give thanks and offer our joy. Amen. (Prayer by Michael Leunig)

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and some Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.