Why does Summer Solstice matter?

We are all pretty used to wishing each other a 'merry Christmas', 'happy easter', or 'happy Halloween' (for the sake of staying focused, I am not going to follow the tangent I wish to take on discussing the religious implications of this).

But how often do you wish someone a happy solstice or equinox?

How often do you acknowledge and connect with the moments that mark the shift of our seasons?

At work today, I asked someone if they had a lovely Summer Solstice, and they said they didn't even realise that it had been the solstice.

They asked what I do to celebrate, and I shared my experience, and I am going to choose to believe that potentially a seed has been planted for them to notice its arrival next cycle.

Because noticing and acknowledging the shifts and changes in our seasons and cycles is just the beginning.

You may have come across the saying "where your attention goes, energy flows".

And it's one I love because it holds so much truth.

Annndddd if you're currently the type of person who likes 'proof', this saying is backed up within science by the understanding of our reticular activating system (which essentially just confirms that we experience more of what we focus on).

(Another tangent I won't explore right now but will one day is our relationship with, and reliance on, science, but we shall save that for another day)

So, back to it feeling important to at the very least acknowledge the shifts of seasons through our solstice is that it is our innate, natural response to live in harmony with the seasons.

This has only been suppressed in the last century with the introduction of artificial light and heating.

Up until then, both solstices and equinoxes would have held great significance for us as they would indicate the shift in season, which would mean a gradual shift in our behaviours as the season alters and changes, just like you see in animals. (remembering that we are animals)

If we want to feel more purpose, peace, contentment, and satisfaction in our lives, I believe that returning to our natural seasonal and cyclical nature is essential.

And it can begin by just noticing and acknowledging these markers of the changing seasons and cycles.

If you celebrate the Summer Solstice, what was your experience? And if you don't yet, but want to begin, leave a comment, and I'll share some ideas with you for the next one 🌞

Much love,

Matilda 💚