Witchcraft for Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice is the celebration of the peak of summer’s sun. The time when the sun is at its zenith and the green world has expanded, reaching for the sun and has grown as large as it can, and pauses in order to refine and to focus on blooming, setting fruit, and seed.
Magically, I see it as the door that looks both ways. Toward the past and what we have accomplished and learned, and towards the future, asking us what we want to do with the time that is given to us.
The Magic of the Personal: A Summer Solstice Spell
In addition to the more traditional view of the magic of the summer solstice, which I’ll share more about in a minute, we can also offer ourselves challenges on the personal level. You can call on the power of the season to help you with:
Your inner self expanding beyond limitations
Allowing your spirit to stretch into its fullest potential
Gathering wisdom from the past to guide present choices
Sink into how your magic and work ripple out to benefit others in these times
Reclaiming joy and devotion on your daily path
Anchoring your will and commit, direct, and move with purpose
Navigating crossroads, especially when torn between two paths
Embracing your sovereignty
One way to magically work with invoking these qualities is to light a candle at sunset, center or ground yourself in whatever way you wish, and whisper into that candle your desire for assistance with any of these goals. Let the candle burn all the way out, journal, and pay attention to any dreams or inspirations you have over the next few weeks.
You can also work with divination to receive magical inspiration from the spirit world. If you have some Mugwort, lay it around the area where you are going to do the divination, or burn it in a cauldron.
Divination for Solstice Clarity
The Summer Solstice is a liminal time. It’s a good time to lay out your cards or runes and ask the spirit world for guidance.
Here’s a five-card (or rune) spread I like to use at this time of year:
First card (horizontal, far left): Past – What you have achieved, and what strengths or lessons you can carry forward.
Second card (center of the line): Self – Who you are right now or the role you’re holding in the situation.
Third card (far right): Direction – The energy to steer towards or something to approach with caution if non-beneficial.
Above these three, place:
Fourth card (hovering above): Spirit Overview – A message or perspective from the spirit world or Deity.
Then draw one final card from the bottom of the deck and place it below the others:
Fifth card (beneath): What to Avoid – What this reading isn’t about, or a mindset that might be leading you off course.
To help open your intuition, burn Mugwort in your cauldron or lay sprigs of it around your reading space to open the way for clearer messages from the otherworld.
What is the Summer Solstice
The summer solstice is the time of the peak of the sun's power. The sun rises and sets, the farthest north. In the northern hemisphere, it occurs on or around June 21. In the southern hemisphere, it occurs on or around December 21. It’s the time of the longest day and the shortest night. Or sometimes that occurs the day before or the day after the solstice, depending on where you live.
Since mid-winter, the days have been getting longer until we stand at that balance point of midsummer when the days start getting shorter again.
Folklore and Magical Associations of Summer Solstice
In England, it was usually called Litha or Midsummer Day, and the festivities started the night before with bonfires. Many of the older pagan customs were incorporated into Midsummer or the nearby St. John's Day on June 23.
Because it was a liminal night when spirits walked abroad, sprigs of St John's Wort were hung above doorways for protection. It was also placed under pillows to bring dreams of future love or to ward off nightmares. If you work with green witchcraft, the solstice eve is an especially powerful time to harvest St John's Wort, or Blue Vervain. Personally, I like to harvest many of my herbs around noon on this day if the plants are ready.
In Orkney, an animal bone is placed on the wood before the fire is lit. Perhaps an ancient remnant of pagan customs or a Christian tradition representing martyrdom and sacrifice.
The more common witchcraft associations and types of spells done during the summer solstice and summer in general are for health, abundance, love, expansion, strength, fertility, and success.
Summer and the summer solstice are also associated with the element of fire. Colors for candles and altars are warm fire colors like yellow, orange, gold, red, and sometimes white.
Herbs and Plants of Summer Solstice
You can use these to decorate your altar or put them in charm bags to enhance your witchcraft with the power of the solstice. Or burn them as an offering.
Any daisy-like flower that has a large center and ray-type petals, like Chamomile, Sunflowers, Daisies, or Calendula. I also like Rosemary, Blue Vervain, Lavender, St. John's Wort, Agrimony, and Roses for this time of year.
Deities and Beings Associated with Summer
Deities and Beings Associated with Summer
Áine, the Irish goddess of love, wealth, and sovereignty
Freyr and Freya, the Norse God and Goddess of summer sun and light
Uslad in Russia
Lad and Ladobog in Slavic countries
Lado and Oslad in Ukraine
The Oak King, who rules the summer months and is in battle with the Holly King, who rules the winter.
And many other beings, depending on where you live.
I am wishing each of you all the magic of summer, abundance, health, strength, and the resilience to do what you need to do for yourself and others in your community during these difficult times.
Stay safe and be well.
Colette
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