Secular Summer Solstice by Lizzie Burgess

The summer solstice is a time of celebration and magick. It's a time to honor the sun and all that it brings to our lives. There are many ways to celebrate the summer solstice, and we're going to share some of our favorite ideas with you! In this blog post, you'll find recipes for Summer Solstice cocktails, easy spell ideas, and fun ways to mark the occasion. We hope you enjoy these ideas!

 

What is the Summer Solstice?

The solstice usually happens in summer around June 21st in the northern hemisphere (and around December 21st in the southern hemisphere). It's the longest day of the year, and after this point, the days start getting shorter again. The word 'solstice' comes from the Latin solstitium, which means 'sun-standing'.

The summer solstice has been celebrated throughout history. It's a time to give thanks for the sun and all that it brings to our lives. The sun is a source of light, warmth, and life itself. It's no wonder that so many cultures have celebrated the summer solstice throughout the ages!

Modern witches and modern pagans refer to this solstice as a sabbat called 'Litha'. This is a time they celebrate the Sun God(s), and to give thanks for all that they bring to our lives. Litha is a time of fire and light, a time to celebrate life itself!

Why do Witches Love this Sabbat?

The solstices represent the two points in the year when the sun is at its most powerful. The summer solstice is a time of growth, fertility, and abundance. This makes it a perfect time to work some magick! It's a great way to connect with the energy of the universe, connect with nature, and connect with your power. Being with others too, there is usually a sense of community and support, as we all celebrate the same thing together.

A List of Ideas and Ways to Celebrate

Secular ways we can honour the solstice can be very easily done. You do not have to be Wiccan, Pagan, or Druid to celebrate the solstice. The key is to get outside, be with friends and family (or even your pets), and have fun! None of these ideas force you to pay respects to Gods, Spirits or Deities but they do suggest celebrating love, progress, and abundance with your loved ones and with nature.

• have a picnic in your backyard or at a park with loved ones
• have a safe bonfire in your backyard or at a beach with loved ones
• go for a hike in nature
• decorate your home with summery colors like yellow, orange, and green
• make a sun tea
• make a nature mandala with flowers, petals, grass, and leaves
• get up with the sunrise or stay up until the sun sets
• infuse honey and vodkas or make fruit preserves ready for the harvest season
• create a sun catcher using macrame, dried summery flowers, upcycled materials, and your favorite crystals
• utilize summer solstice or Litha tarot spreads and read for yourself
• celebrate the progress you've been making in projects, your goals, and your career
  
  

A Summer Solstice Spell for Good Luck

Sometimes we would enjoy some security in knowing that these light, summery days offer continue throughout the year. This spell is designed to give you a little extra reassurance that good luck will come your way. It's an easy spell to do, and it only requires a few items that you probably already have in your home.

What You'll Need
- A yellow candle
- Three days around the Solstice
- A piece of citrine or lemon quartz
- A small bowl of water
- A pen and paper

Instructions
Sit down at your altar or workspace, and light the candle. Hold the citrine or lemon quartz in your hand, and think about what area in your life you would like to manifest more good luck. It could be anything from a new job opportunity coming up to more money suddenly coming your way to a new relationship that encourages new passions or more vitality into your life.

Once you have focused on what it is you would like to bring more good luck into, hold the citrine or lemon quartz in your non-dominant hand over the bowl of water. Visualize your desire being fulfilled as you say out loud:

"I grant myself permission for (desire), I am open and willing to receive all the good luck that is coming my way."

Repeat this three times, then put the citrine or lemon quartz in the bowl of water. Allow it to charge overnight by a window to capture the sunrise and sunset energy if possible.

In the morning, take the citrine or lemon quartz out of the water and hold it in your hand. Visualize your desire being fulfilled as you say out loud:

"I am grateful for all the good luck that is coming my way."

Put the citrine or lemon quartz back in the bowl of water. Allow it to again charge overnight. Repeat this the next two nights and mornings.

On the third day of the Solstice, take the citrine or lemon quartz out of the water. Draw a pentacle on the piece of paper with the pen, and then place the citrine or lemon quartz in the center of the pentacle. Fold up the paper, and carry it with you throughout the day.

This is a spell that can be done annually to attract more good luck into your life.

How to Make a Summer Solstice Cocktail

Whether you choose to celebrate alone or with others, an easy little potion to create for yourself honoring the light and airy energies of summer is a Summer Solstice cocktail. This particular recipe features some of my favorite herbs for the season: lavender, mint, and lemon balm.

What You'll Need
- A sprig of lavender
- A sprig of mint
- A sprig of lemon balm
- Chopped strawberries sprinkled in sugar, honey, or agave of your choice
- A glass of champagne, sparkling wine, or fresh lemonade

Instructions
Place a citrine or crystal quartz at the bottom of your glass to charge the space where the fluids will flow. Take out the stone, then pop in the strawberries at the bottom of your glass. Add the lavender, mint, and lemon balm to the glass of champagne or sparkling wine. Allow it to sit for a few minutes so that the herbs can infuse their energies into the drink. Sit in the sun (with a lid if possible to prevent bugs) and drink at sunset to feel the summery magickal energy.

A Simple Solstice Meditation

This is a meditation for you if you can't get outside into the sun, if it is a particularly cloudy day, or if life gets in the way of your solstice plans. This particular meditation is designed to bring extra happiness and light into your life.

What You'll Need
- A comfortable place to sit or lie down
- A piece of citrine or crystal quartz

Instructions
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Hold the citrine or crystal quartz in your hand, and close your eyes. Visualize a warm, sunny day. Focus on your surroundings, where you are on this sunny day, and if you are alone or with others. What are your senses describing to you? See yourself surrounded by sunlight, and feel the warmth on your skin. Sit and enjoy the warmth. Take a few deep breaths in and out, and let the sunshine fill you up with happiness and light. Feel the citrine or crystal quartz getting warmer as it absorbs the solar energy. Stay here for as long as you like, then open your eyes and take a few deep breaths. When you are ready, sit up slowly and begin your day.

I hope you have enjoyed this article on how to celebrate the summer solstice without religion, and that you have found some useful tips and tricks to add to your own solstice celebration! Whether you are a solitary witch or part of a coven, I hope you have a happy, magickal solstice! 

Until next time xox

Lizzie Burgess, a secular divination Bosswitch, runs BackyardBanshee.com/Bosswitch where you can learn more about divination methods, rituals, and resources that help you with your growth professionally and spiritually. 

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar.