I love summer. I really look forward to it - even though I am way past school age when I had the summer off. The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is one week away.
The change of seasons is always an exciting time. I can feel the energy shifting which is when I start to anticipate the good part of that season. There is also that time-in-between feeling, like right now when it’s June Gloom and I need to remind myself that soon it will be hot and sunny every day for months.
It seems that each season has something special…winter is soups and sitting by the fire, fall is Thanksgiving dinner, cool nights and windy days, spring means flowers and it feels like hope, and then there is summer!
To me summer means feeling light, happy and free. The days are longer, there is lots of sunshine and we tend to spend more time outdoors. It means getting tan (just a little), going to the beach, cooking on the barbeque - even on a weeknight. It’s a time for vacations, family and friends, and a good book. I love the fresh produce in the summer, especially a good juicy watermelon. I enjoy growing my own tomatoes and basil. I like wearing flip flops, shorts and dresses.
What does summer mean to you?
The few weeks prior to the actual change, I am quite reflective and focused on what’s to come. I would love it if we still had specific rituals in our lives to mark the change of seasons, like they did hundreds and even thousands of years ago. The Pagans would have bonfires and ceremonies and dances specific to the time of year. The planting and harvesting of crops were also part of those rituals. There were strong belief’s associated with the time of year, and because people lived off the land they had to know the cycles and seasons.
The Summer Solstice begins at 1:16 PM EDT on June 21st. You might find a ceremony to attend locally…or not. Either way, please join me in saying a prayer of thanks for all of the gifts that summer brings!
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