How to Celebrate Summer Solstice: Connect With Nature Through These Rituals

After a long and seriously unforgiving winter, folks in the Northern Hemisphere are finally getting ready for a warm summer, as June 20 marks the official 2024 summer solstice. Many of us are already marking our calendars with beach days, hikes, and picnics galore — but if you're looking to tap into the spiritual aspect of the seasonal shift, there are several solstice rituals you can do to welcome summer, in all its glory.

From gifting friends with sachets as a natural mosquito deterrent, to enjoying a seasonal feast of locally-grown goodies, there are so many fun ways to celebrate summer on the summer solstice.

If you aren't familiar with suncatchers, they are colorful, see-through ornaments that are generally hung by the window. As explained by Express, sunlight moves through a suncatcher, bringing positive energy to the indoors — and if it's decked out with a prism, it will disperse rainbow light around your room. Whether you decide to buy or make one is entirely up to you. We're fans of this recycled water bottle suncatcher DIY, as it's easy and upcycles used materials that would otherwise be tossed.

The sun is strongest during summer solstice, according to Apartment Therapy, and although it can bring you energy and light, it can also be intense, and a lot to handle. That's why it's recommended that you try meditating in the sunshine, to absorb the power and welcome the warmth, as opposed to being bothered by it. Taking time to meditate in the sun is a relaxing and rewarding way to enjoy the outdoors — bring some water, a yoga mat, and get ready to feel totally zen.

Foodies like us love the longstanding summer solstice tradition of feasting on seasonal foods. Glamour suggests celebrating with a barbecue — maybe serve up a salad of locally-grown cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and greens, or grill up some squash and corn. Then, at the end of the night, you can serve up some strawberries and champagne.

Refinery29 suggests celebrating the solstice by spending sometime outside, and then bringing that good outdoor energy back home by planting seasonal plants or vegetables. If you don't have a green thumb, though, don't worry about it — you can always grab some locally-grown flowers or vegetables from your local farmers market. You definitely won't regret doing so.

Since the Song Dynasty (from 960 to 1279) China has celebrated summer solstice, or "chaojie." According to CNN Traveler, women would gift each other sachets that would not only smell good, but they would also drive away mosquitos. You can observe accordingly and make your own sachets with herbs that deter bugs, or even make your own DIY bug repellent — your friends would definitely appreciate either as a gift.

mindbodygreen suggests kicking off summer with a fire — aside from making vegan s'mores you can effectively "clear out the old" with this ritual. Simply sit by the fire and think about mistakes, fears, or regrets; write them down on a piece of paper in red ink; and burn it. Say the phrase, "I now release in the flame, the Goddess of Fire will consume my pain. It is done." Just remember to properly extinguish the flames when you're done.

This article, originally published on June 21, 2021, has been updated.