Did you know that the sun takes a brief pause before changing its direction of travel? This event is marked by Solstice, which happens twice a year. Different cultures and traditions have long celebrated this significant astrological event, so what can you do to honor Solstice?

Many cultures have long lived a life immersed in nature, attuned to the Earth and Moon’s rhythms, recognizing their interconnectedness with the elements. This connection to the land has meant astrological events such as Solstice have long been revered as significant not only for the external world but our inner world too.

June 21st marks Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and Winter Solstice in the South. It is the perfect time to take your own sacred pause and celebrate this change in season. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to celebrate Solstice and honor your own light.

What Is the Meaning of Solstice?

On Earth, Solstice is when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky during the year, marked by the shortest or longest day. The term Solstice comes from the Latin (solstitium) for sun and ‘to stand still,’ which is because the sun was observed to take a pause before continuing its journey into what is now considered the start of Winter or Summer.

Like Equinoxes, Solstices happen around the world in June and December. The June Solstice dates are between June 20 and June 22nd. The December Solstice dates are between December 20 and December 23rd. They are often called winter Solstice or Summer Solstice.

On June 21st, it is the Summer Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere, with the longest day, while for the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the start of Winter, with the shortest day. In December, the Southern Hemisphere celebrates summer, whereas it is the Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere.

Why Is Solstice Important?

The Solstice marks the sacred pause of the sun and the many external and internal rhythms of life; the changing seasons, life, death, darkness, light, day, and night. It also reflects the relation between the sun and the moon, the sacred dance between these forces. These female and male energies are essential to balance our own inner nature, so we can find our center.

Solstice is a time that has long been considered important for the land, body, and spirit. Our ancestors recognized how much the world around us is a reflection of our inner world and how important it is to have a reciprocal relationship with Mother Earth and Father Sky.

Solstice gives us the opportunity to reconnect to the Sun and Earth, recognizing the cyclical nature of life and connecting to our light within. It is the perfect time to close a cycle to make space for the new season ahead.

Summer Solstice Traditions

Summer Solstice is celebrated in different ways around the world; however, there are several similarities between traditions. For example, many people gathered, and still gather until this day, at sacred sites to observe the sunrise and sunset. Many of these sacred sites, such as Stonehenge in England, are aligned with the movement of the sun on Solstice.

Summer Solstice is also a time to give thanks to Mother Earth and pray for an abundant harvest. This involves giving cleansings, offerings, ceremonies, playing music, spending time in nature, and dancing.

Some traditions also burn bonfires to ward off certain spirits, purify, and celebrate light defeating darkness. Some cultures also jump over fires as a way to purify and set intentions for the season ahead.

Winter Solstice Traditions

Winter solstice traditions also involve time giving offerings, praying for the return of harvest, celebrating, and giving thanks to the Sun and Earth. Some ancient festivals, such as the Roman festival of Saturnalia, reflects the modern celebration of Christmas, where people would play games, feast, give gifts, and even reverse social orders.

Seasonal food and fire are also part of many Winter Solstice traditions when people would prepare for the winter and darkness ahead.

Solstice in Ecuador

In June, Andean communities celebrate the festival Inti Raymi, also known as Fiesta del Sol. The dates of specific celebrations vary depending on the community and country, but usually, celebrations last several days.

It is a festival that many Andean communities throughout South America mark. It is said that the festival originated in Incan times, with the focus being on harvesting specific delicacies, such as corn. Ecuador is on the equator, so it doesn’t have clear seasons; however, the people have long recognized their relationship with the Sun and Earth.

Inti Raymi is the festival of the Sun and light, celebrating the agricultural year. Rituals include parades, cleansing in water, music, and offerings. Dance is also an important part of the celebration, with people stamping their feet to wake Mother Earth and encourage her to bring energy to the land and restore the harvest cycle.

Dancers will often have a ritual cleansing in natural water to purify their bodies and spirits first, renewing themselves in the energy of the elements. They then stomp throughout their town in specific outfits, often ending in the main square of their town.

How To Celebrate Solstice and Close the Cycle

Your Solstice celebrations may be inspired by your location and whether you are entering Winter Solstice or Summer Solstice. However, these are Solstice practices you can do to mark this significant astrological event and the end of a cycle, no matter where you are in the world.

Take a Cleansing Bath

Find a body of water where you can take a cleansing bath. You can take some tobacco or play some music as an offering before washing away anything that is not serving you. You can also make your own ritual bath at home by heating some water with herbs such as chamomile and adding rose petals.

Make an Offering

Solstice is an opportunity to give thanks for all the forces of the Earth, sky, and elements that provide us with all the abundance we need to survive. Give an offering to Mother Earth as a way to give thanks for all the ways she has supported you.

You can make an offering of grains, fruits, tobacco, water, seeds, stones, and other items that are meaningful to you, which you can return to Mother Earth. You can join Ayllu Medicina’s Solstice offering if you are on the coast of Ecuador! See details below.

Get Creative

Creativity is the perfect way to raise your vibration and help ground you in the present moment. Sing some plant medicine songs, dance, create art, play instruments, or find another way to connect to your inner nature within. Studies have found the importance of creativity for well-being in adults and the importance of taking time to pause and express our inner world.

Pause in Nature

Spending time in nature without distractions is the perfect way to honor the sacredness of this life and the interconnectedness of all things. Take a pause by meditating outside or going for a walk in nature. Observe all that is around you to practice remaining present.

Light a Fire

The fire is the heart of many rituals, celebrations, cultures, and homes, including Solstice celebrations. Connect to the fire and all the ways it can purify by gathering around one. Ask for guidance!

If you cannot safely light a fire, you can try a candle meditation or join a community event.

Watch Sunrise

Wake up with the birds and visit a local sacred site or go to a local sunrise spot to observe the sunrise. Give thanks to Father Sun for the new day. Spend some time thinking about what you are grateful for, and consider watching the sunset too.

Attend a Ceremony

Mark the sacred pause of the sun by taking part in a ceremony that honors the sacredness of this life. This may be a plant medicine ceremony, sweat lodge, or other local event. You can follow Ayllu Medicina (@ayllumedicina) on Instagram for our upcoming ceremonies or check out our next season’s plant medicine retreats.

Recap the Year

June Solstice is a time to reflect on the past six months since December Solstice. What were you doing last June? You can also reflect on your past year, all the things you are grateful for, everything you have achieved, and what intentions you want to set as the seasons change.

Learn How To Celebrate Solstice

Celebrating Solstice is a time to take a sacred pause like the sun and give thanks, remembering that the relationship with the Earth is a reciprocal one. It is the perfect opportunity to begin to align with the rhythms of nature and your own nature. Plus, it is always wonderful to take a pause, close the cycle, and watch the sunrise or sunset (or both!)

Ayllu Medicina is holding a Solstice offering, meditation, and a sweat lodge. We will focus on a Heart coherence meditation, which you can also learn at our Medicine of the Heart Retreat. When you align your mind-body connection, you can connect to your light, your love, and your center. If you are on the coast of Ecuador, join us at 4.30 pm next Wednesday!

If you have any questions about our Solstice event or our plant medicine retreats, please contact us! Comment below if you have any other ways you celebrate Solstice.