Blessed Litha
Summer Solstice Rituals, Tarot Spreads, and Recommendations
Blessed Litha, everyone!
Today marks the longest day of the year up here in the Northern Hemisphere. Sunset is technically at 9:03 where I live, but it won’t actually be dark, dark until 9:30 or so. I am an early to bed, early to rise type, but I definitely try to stay up well beyond my bedtime for the summer solstice.
Something that I try to do each year is watch the sunset. It doesn’t always have to be up at Mt. Tabor, but it is certainly a favorite spot of mine. Can you really beat a sunset like this and with this view? Good Night, Sun… Hello, Moon. This time allows me moments of peace, moments of grounding, and because I am not a fan of the dark, I always bring a buddy. So it also allows me moments of bonding and community.
Another thing I love to do on the solstice is make a cold brew tea, or a lavender or rose simple syrup to make my own sodas. Kitchen witchery is one of my favorite ways to engage in my practice. I set the intention of each ingredient, and when I have it available, I will use moon water from past moons. Encore Teas has some of my favorite herbal blends. I can’t do any form of caffeine so I love when I find a good herbal.
I also try to do some tarot outside. Tarot under the trees is where my tarot roots are. Taking my decks, the guidebooks, a journal, and my phone for extra support, and walking up to the top of our extinct volcano. I love doing tarot outside under the trees with my bottom planted firmly on the ground. I no longer live a quick 7 minute walk from green space like this. It is now about 1.25 miles to get to the green space that I live near. This means I am outside doing tarot less. That’s ok though because I try my hardest to get out on big seasonal change days. It has become a practice in intentionality and dedication to myself and my practice.
This year’s card was the Ten of Wands, and it was very meaningful to me. The Ten of Wands is the card that SunStar pulled for me in my year ahead spread for June. I can’t recommend SunStar enough! Here’s his consultation info. In my YAS, we talked about transformation, evolution, the scarab, and making a summer plan. School is out. What is the plan? How can I follow that? How can I overcome the obstacles that will arise? Seeing the salmon just confirmed this.
I think this is my favorite Ten of Wands I have ever seen because the salmon’s life cycle and journey is treacherous and exhausting and dangerous, but they do it. They get through, despite the cons of the journey. I think it is also a really good reminder to release what can’t be controlled. Focus on what can be controlled and how I can act in a way that is not controlling in a negative sense, but instead in a flowing, productive manner.
If you are looking for a summer spread, here is one. A connection to nature is very important to me and my spiritual practice. I did not get a picture today, but as I walked to The Butte, I began my adapted rosary practice, and immediately, two ringneck doves made themselves known to me. I am finding that as I connect more to nature, the more I am finding the synchronicities that show me the energies I work with are with me in these moments where I try to connect.
The summer solstice is the very beginning of my decline into winter depression. It is a day of joy and fun and love and SUMMER! It is also the last day of the year where the days are getting longer. Starting tomorrow it’s all downhill, though the changes won’t be noticeable for a few weeks. Knowing this shift and its effects on me has actually allowed me to give myself more grace and understanding. These days, I allow for the naps when I need them. I allow for the rest. I allow for grief to run through me rather than chastising myself.
It’s not just the solstice, but it is also the beginning of Cancer Season! Happy birthday, Cancer babes! You can find me out on the beach a minimum of once a week and by a river, creek, or lake the other times. It is time to feel those emotions deeply, run water over your body, and cleanse it all out so we can go into Leo Season feeling fresh and ready to sparkle!
What are your solstice rituals? What do you want to try?
Wishing you well this week! May your life offer what you need in this moment.
With love,
Aventurine ✨
Happy solstice! I'm a few days late. We had a very simple ritual of acknowledging that it was the solstice. I think we went out for cheesecake. I also feel a sadness knowing the days will begin getting shorter from here on. Beautiful nature pictures as always.