#solstice 2022

Litha

The solstice is also referred to in the wheel of the year as Litha, which is an Anglo-saxon word that we have JRR Tolkien to thank for popularising! Tolkien turned Litha into Lithe in his Shire Calendar and so if you're looking for something really easy to do to mark the day then you could read some Tolkien, or perhaps have a hobbity meal!

Sunrise

The Solstice is inevitably focused on that moment of sunrise and the problem about sunrise at this time of year is that its early. Really, really early. So early its basically late. You don't necessarily have to get up for sunrise where you are though, you can mark the solstice on YouTube before you've even gone to bed (if you're in the States) with this live stream from the king of all ancient sites, Stonehenge. Coverage starts at 11pm EST on Monday 20th June, so get comfortable and celebrate the solstice live from Stonehenge!

The solstice day bottle

I believe that each day can be filled with enchantments, if we only look for them, but some days definitely make it easier than others, like the summer solstice! You can capture and preserve a little of that Enchantment with a small bottle or jar.

This is one I did for Ostara this year, collecting daffodil petals, and it reminds me of their beguiling beauty and magic each time I see it, so why not do the same for the solstice?

Get outside and collect a few growing things from the day, it doesn't need to be a special container, any sealable bottle or jar will do, just keep it small; remember when collecting anything from wild flowers think bee, not me.

You could add petals, leaves, seeds and berries, anything that captures your eye when you're outside and feels full of the enchantments of solstice.

Keeping it small will also make it easier for you to display somewhere that will remind you of the days of the sun as the year turns back towards darkness now. That way you'll always have an enchanted memory of the day to remind you.

Make a flower crown

If you have more time available and access to flowers you can safely take or have permission to take, you could make a flower crown. No need for tools or crazy floristry skills, you can make a flower crown entirely out of flowers, watch the video below for inspirations and how to.

As always when working with flowers outside, think bee, not me. Don't strip out all of one type of flower, just take a very few of lots of different types at most.

Alternatively, you could make a crown out of purchased flowers!

Visit your tree or pick one

Did you pick a favourite tree like I suggested at Beltane? If so solstice is a great day to visit it! Spend time with your friend, notice how their colours and shapes have changed, press a hand and be grateful or give them a hug if you can. Tell them anything you want to, but especially remember to tell them how wonderful they are. Do they have something to say to you? Remember to listen!

Don't have a favourite tree yet? Then solstice is a great day to pick one! Choose one that is local so you can seem them often and when you do find out all you can about what type of tree they are. Find out all you can about your new friend.

Eat seasonal food

Seasonal food is a great way to mark the solstice and the days of abundance to come, as the first seasonal fruits and vegetables are often appearing about now. What are they near you? Strawberries? New potatoes? Corn on the cob?

Whatever they are you can celebrate the solstice by making them a part of your solstice meal. You are eating what was made by sun and soil, the celestial and the earth connected together. What a great day to celebrate that!

Go outside!

There really is no stop on the wheel of the year that is more outside than the summer solstice; it's the very longest day of the year, that's about as outsidey as its going to get all year.

If you're able and you have no other resources, simply go outside, find a patch of green and pause. Feel the sun. Feel the ground beneath your feet. Be grateful for the moment. It doesn't take any more than that to simply mark this point on the wheel of the year.