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This Summer Solstice Ritual Can Help You Release and Renew

June 21st is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. This marks the longest day of the year—it also happens to be International Yoga Day. This day has had special spiritual significance since ancient times. It has been celebrated by civilizations across the globe and continues to be a significant day.

Journal, speak, or meditate on your intentions for the upcoming summer. Focus on harvesting the fruits of your labor, gratitude for abundance, and the ways that this summer will help you to expand and grow into a better person. If there is anything you feel you need to release from the previous winter or spring, write it down and burn it, or envision it being consumed by the flames in your mind.

Ancient Summer Solstice Sites


Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, the Mayans, and the Druids not only celebrated this day, but also built structures or temples that would align with the sun on the day of the summer solstice.

At the Great Pyramids of Giza, as the sun sets on the summer solstice, the head of the Sphinx aligns perfectly with the setting sun. This creates a crown of light—illuminating the crown chakra or Sahasrara of the Sphinx. The crown chakra represents enlightenment, or oneness.

Stonehenge is another ancient site that aligns with the summer solstice at sunrise, midday, and sunset. There are many Native American medicine wheels that align with the summer solstice, including one in Wyoming constructed at the top of a mountain range.

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Symbolism


Many civilizations worshipped the sun for its life giving qualities. The sun represents cosmic power, life, energy, strength, and the one’s self. The sun can also represent clarity, or vision as seen in Greek and early Hindu mythology suggest. In Greek mythology, the sun is the eye of Zeus, while in Vedic mythology it is the eye of Varuna.


Practice Your Own Summer Solstice Ritual


This summer solstice, practice your own ritual to honor the abundant season of summer and the life giving energy of the sun. You can do this ritual alone or with friends and family.

  • Gather up herbs, flowers, and anything from the natural world.
  • Begin by honoring the four directions. Go outside and stand in each direction, give thanks or recite a prayer toward one another. Sprinkle herbs or flowers in each direction as an offering of gratitude.
  • Practice one Sun Salutations facing each of the four directions. Begin facing West, then another Sun Salutation facing North, East, and South.
  • Use fire to honor the life giving warmth of the sun. If available, make a bonfire to enjoy with loved ones. If a large fire is not possible, a candle will do just fine!

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Adriana Lee
Adriana's yoga journey began at a young age and continues to inspire her every day by healing mind, body and spirit through the breath. She received her 200 Hour RYT through Frog Lotus Yoga's center, Suryalila, in Adalusia, Spain. She also trained an additional 50 hours with Heba Saab at Body Heat Hot Yoga in Las Vegas, NV. She continued training with Heba by assisting and acting as a mentor to her 200 Hour trainees. She trained with Cameron Shayne in Miami and received a 50 Hour certification in the Budokon Yoga system. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and a Reiki Level 2 practitioner. Her yoga practice has brought sweetness and authenticity into her life and her intention is to share that sweetness and help her students strive to be their own authentic selves.
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