The Summer Solstice is nearly up on us. Our ancestors have celebrated the Solstice for over 4,000 years, the brightest day of the year with over 17 hours of daylight here in the UK. Solstice rituals offer a powerful reset a time to embrace new beginnings and welcome transformation.
Let’s take some time out this year to honour this sacred turning point in the year. Summer Solstice this year is on Sunday 21st June at 9.24am. This marks the exact moment the Earth’s North Pole is tilted closest to the sun.
Here are a few ways to connect with the energy of the Summer Solstice:
Gather in community to celebrate: Gather with friends, with family or with like minded community and celebrate together. Join us at the Sunhouse on Sunday 28th June for our Mid-Summer Celebration at The Sunhouse there are still a few places left: Click HERE for more info
https://sunhouse.wales/2026/05/29/summer-solstice-celebration-at-the-sunhouse/
Journaling: Journal your intentions and reflect on what you wish to welcome into your life this summer. This season is traditionally seen as a time of celebration and joy. Reflect on the things that bring you joy and ignite your passion.
Fire Release and Intention Setting: List anything you are ready to release and then set fire to the paper letting go of old habits that no longer serve you. Then, write down your goals for the next six months and again intentionally set fire to them calling on the transformational energy of fire to support you.
Water Blessing: Connect with nature by wild swimming, or simply splash your hands and face in a nearby river, ocean, or stream to represent clearing and renewal.
Smudge Sticks: This year we will be making some natural smudge sticks from garden herbs, including sage, lavender and rosemary. Bound together with organic natural cotton thread. They’ll take a couple of weeks to dry and then we will have them for you to purchase in the Sunhouse so you can use them at home to cleanse your space and clear old energy.
And of course the simplest and most important practice………
Embrace the Sun: Welcome the day with a full deep breath, turn to face the sun, and savour a moment of silence. Or do a few simple sun salutations, physically aligning yourself with the season’s energy.
Click here for a simple guided Qigong Practice to Honour the Sun:
Qi Gong Visualisation Exercise to Cultivate Yang Energy from the Sun
In Qigong we intentionally connect to the Yang energy of the sun, as a way to draw in universal Qi, enhancing feelings of expansion, lightness, inspiration, and joy for life.
Science is now finding empirical evidence for what we all know to be true; that sunlight is critical for mental, emotional, and physical health, for example getting sunlight early in the day is known to improve your mood, energy levels, and focus.
Start by standing and facing the sun, take some slow, deep breaths. Let the palms of your hands open to receive the suns warmth. Try to relax your body and let go of any thoughts that arise as you breathe. Feel the sun’s warm rays on your skin.
After a moment, imagine the sunlight shining through your body, infusing your being with healing energy and nourishment. Continue breathing and feel that sunlight moving through you and gathering in your belly. With each breath, more sunlight channels through your body and flows to your belly.
Keep breathing and feel the sunlight gathering and becoming stronger within you. Visualize it growing into a golden ball of light that shines outward to the rest of your body. Feel it shine through your legs, chest, arms, neck, and into your head. As the sunlight moves, feel it invigorate you with joy, inspiration, and health.
When you feel ready let your arms gently and slowly raise by your sides imagining them move with the rising sun. Infusing your body with light, take a moment with your hands raised to the sky allowing the yang energy of heaven to move into every cell of your body. Then bring your hands to your heart and give thanks for it all.
Continue doing this exercise as long as you’d like. When you’re done, smile at your golden ball of sunlight and take that feeling with you into the rest of your day.
Sunhouse 