Midsommar Altar 2026

Midsommar was almost two weeks ago, and while I set up my altar and did a small celebration, I didn't get around to writing the post until now. I have been enjoying resting and spending time with friends and family in the short time I have before the school year starts again.

Midsommar is a festival to celebrate the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. Archaeological evidence, such as standing stones and other such monuments, suggests the summer solstice has been culturally important since the Neolithic era. While different cultures celebrated this festival differently, there are many common themes and practices, such as bonfires, feasting, and fertility rituals, and for a good reason. By the summer solstice, crops are ripening quickly in the field, providing extremely bountiful harvests, which were cause enough to celebrate. Here in Georgia, strawberry season has ended, but peach, blackberry, and blueberry season is well underway, along with watermelon, corn, summer squash, and zucchini.

As with each of my altars, I took the correspondences of the season to heart while I carefully chose the items that are featured. Midsommar is characterized by reds, oranges, and yellows, sun symbols, fire, and lush greenery, themes featured in this year's altar.

1. Sun Wheel- Unless you are new here, you have seen this sun wheel on more than one occasion. Since I made it, it has appeared on my summer solstice altar. It's one of my favorite crafts I've done over the years, and it was so simple and easy to make. As the name suggests, it represents the Sun, which is most prominent on the summer solstice, masculine energy, light, and fertility. Being that the summer solstice is the longest day of the year, it is only fitting to represent the Sun in all His strength. Sun wheels were commonly created by our ancestors as a form of sympathetic magic by helping the Sun remain strong through the rest of the growing season, which was needed to ensure a bountiful crop to make it through the darkest and coldest months of the year. In fact, there is a record of Nordic peoples creating sun wheels, albeit different from the one I have created here. You can read more about Nordic sun wheel representations in my post What is Midsommar? (Where did I get it: I made it; Cost: Under $5)

2. Various Candles- Of all the potential symbols and practices associated with Midsommar, bonfires are one of the few verifiable practices, as it is often referenced in historical documents. They were often lit as a form of protection, for both people and livestock, as the bright flames were said to burn or scare away harmful spirits. These practices were common across multiple cultures, so it seems obvious to include fire and candles to represent these practices on my altar. This year I decided to feature a wide array of candles at varying heights to represent the varying heights of flame during a bonfire. Fire is associated with strength, vitality, and life, common themes of Midsommar, and is also used as a form of sympathetic magic to attract the Sun. After all, the sun is what helps ripen crops in the field which will nourish us through the winter months to come. One of the candles featured is red, representing strength, fertility, lust, and love, which help bring forth life during these bright summer months. (Where did I get it: Candles- Dollar Tree; Cost: $2, Candle Holders- Dollar Tree; Cost: $4)

3. Calendula Petals- Calendula is a solar plant; its bright yellow is often compared to that of the shining rays of the sun. As such, calendula represents the Sun, strength, vitality, health, happiness, and abundance. As with other elements on my altar, the calendula petals work sympathetically to strengthen and empower the Sun to ensure continued abundance and prosperity for the remainder of the season. Furthermore, calendula is associated with the Norse goddess Freya, bringer of love, beauty, and fertility. Some evidence suggests that Freya and her twin Freyr were honored during the solstice as bringers of abundance, warmth, and vitality. The solstices are also liminal periods, and while not as powerful as the equinoxes, spirit work is often a certain focus of Midsommar festivities for hedge witches like myself. Calendula can be used as a dream enhancer, allowing for spirit communication. (Where did I get it: My Garden; Cost: Free)

4. Sowilo and Mannaz Runes- In the center of the altar are the runes Sowilo and Mannaz. I have written about both of these runes on my blog, and it seemed appropriate to include them on my Midsommar altar. Sowilo is known as the sun rune, and represents not only the sun, but also vitality and victory. It brings strength and life to the altar, correspondences of summer. Mannaz, however, is known as the humanity rune. It represents community, which has long been a central focus of all blóts and Midsommar festivities across multiple cultures. Blóts are always celebrated with the greater community and often used as a time to connect with not just neighbors, but also newcomers, ancestors, and land spirits. Midsommar is one of these festivals, so it seems only fitting to include the rune here. (Where did I get it: Won; Cost: Free)

5. Carnelian and Clear Quartz- With the runes are two different types of crystals: carnelian and a clear quartz tower. The two carnelian stones, in their reds and oranges, are associated with the Sun, strength, happiness, vitality, and growth. I went with two carnelian as the masculine energies of the season tend to dominate, but I also chose two because the number two represents balance and partnerships. While the masculine tends to be the more prominent energy of the season, life cannot be brought forth by the masculine alone. It takes the masculine and feminine coming together to create new life. The clear quartz tower adds additional strength to this altar dedicated to the Sun, while also representing the subtle energies of the feminine, balance, and focus. (Where did I get it: Various Occult Stores; Cost: $12)

6. Incense Holder & Solar Incense- Last, but not least, is my incense holder and within a solar incense. This blend, known as "Summer Solstice," was created by my local occult shop and contains sun-associated botanicals, resins, and sweet spices to celebrate the peak of the sun's power. I am not 100% sure what is in it, but it smells wonderful, wonderful enough that my husband asked me to bring it into the office after I was done with my celebrations.  Apart from its association with the sun, incense smoke is often used to carry messages to the other world. Since the veil tends to be thin during the solstices, this is a great time to commune with spirits, ancestors, and the like, and honor them. (Where did I get it: Local Occult Store; Cost: $2.50)

TOTAL COST: ~$16

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found, made, or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost will be higher. This altar is more expensive than some of my previous altars because I wanted to include some new items I purchased this year. I hope you find this sort of breakdown helpful, especially for those of you looking to create Instagram-perfect altars on a budget!

I hope that you had a wonderful Midsommar, and were able to celebrate in whatever way is most meaningful to you, whether that be indoors or around a roaring bonfire with friends and family.

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar.