9 Enchanting Ways to Celebrate the Magic of Midsummer

 

What is Midsummer?

Midsummer is often seen as a liminal time when the veil between our world and the Otherworld ‘thins’.

Meaning all manner of enchantment and fair-folk mischief is potentially afoot!

Shakespeare’s (1564-1616 CE) famous play A Midsummers Night’s Dream depicts the fictional magical chaos arising from closeness with the fairy realm on midsummer.

There’s an abundance of interesting folklore surrounding midsummer.

Divination and love spells being particularly popular.

Dew collected during the midsummer sunrise was said to restore someone’s sight.

Going back a little further in time.

The summer solstice was celebrated in Britain with bonfires and rolling fiery wheels down hills.

Midsummer continued to be celebrated into Christianisation, albeit in an altered form.


When is Midsummer Celebrated?

Midsummer (also known as the summer solstice and Litha), takes place around:

  • 20th or 21st of June in the Northern Hemisphere.

  • 21st or the 22nd of December in the Southern Hemisphere.


What Are the Themes of midsummer?

The themes of the season are:

  • Abundance

  • Joy

  • Fairies

  • Magic

  • Power


How to Celebrate Midsummer

Midsummer (1887) by Albert Moore

1. Create a Sun Altar

Create a temporary altar dedicated to the peak of summer!

If you’re limited for space try creating an altar in a glass or jar.

For example, fill a small shot glass or jar with sea salt or sand, place a yellow beeswax candle in the middle of the jar and surround it with yellow petals, yellow crystals or bay leaves.

Sun Altar Ideas

  • Image of the Sun or a Sun deity

  • Offering bowl

  • Yellow candles

  • Yellow flowers

  • Crystals that corresponds to the Sun

  • Sun tarot card

  • Images of bees

On midsummer’s day, light your candles and incense.

Then spend some time contemplating the energy of summer, pull a tarot card, say a prayer.

You can also meditate on the glyph of the Sun.


2. Watch the Sunrise

Thousands of people flock to Stonehenge every year to watch the sunrise surrounded by the mysterious ancient megaliths.

You don’t have to visit Stonehenge to enjoy a summer solstice sunrise!

Check what time the sun rises in your area (in England, sunrise on the summer solstice begins around 4:43 AM!).

Enjoy watching it.

Maybe with a cooling drink and some summery snacks.

Snacks make eveything better.


3. Go For a Walk

Visit the woods, a garden, or a local park or wherever you feel safe enough to relax and hear the birds.

If you’re physically unable to go outside for walks.

Look out of a window and mindfully observe without distraction.

Allow yourself to be truly present.

Bathe in the warming magical energy of midsummer.


4. go on A Picnic

Having a picnic for the summer solstice is a fun and simple way to celebrate.

Mainly due to the (hopefully) good weather and array of fresh foods available.

Consider light sunny foods such as fresh orange juice, bread, salad, olives, oranges, honey cake and hummous dips.

Midsummer was often a time for communities to come together, so a family picnic definitely  feels appropriate!


5. Light a Beeswax Candle

Lighting a bonfire to represent the Sun’s zenith is a traditional way to celebrate midsummer.

However, for many people having a full blown bonfire just isn’t convenient.

Instead, try this simple alternative!

Burn an unbleached beeswax candle as an offering to the Sun.

Jazz up your candle with any of the following for more midsummer vibes:

  • Sunflower oil

  • Biodegradable golden glitter

  • Sunny herbs

  • Yellow flower petals

On midsummer’s day, say a prayer to the Sun or your solar deity of choice.

Light the candle and allow it burn out completely.

Never leave burning candles unattended.


6. Make an Offering to the Nymphs

A Nymph in the Forest (1893) by Charles Amable Lenoir

The nymphs are nature spirits from Greek mythology and Hellenic Paganism.

They’re often associated with those glorious golden emissaries of the Sun, honey bees!

Midsummer is the perfect time to connect with the nymphs.

Try setting up an indoor altar to them if you’re not able to get outside.

As they’re beings of the earth try to stick to natural or handmade objects

Nymph Altar Ideas

  • Images of bees or flowers

  • Unbleached beeswax candles

  • Stones

  • Ceramic or clay bowls

  • Honey mead

  • Spring water

To make your offering go to your nymph altar or go outside.

Preferably to a wild place.

Say a prayer and pour out an offering of honey mead or water.

Don’t leave food offerings outside as these can harm wildlife and attract pests.

Leaving coins and other sundries as offerings isn’t recommended.

Because littering…

You can also spend some time picking up litter as offering to the nymphs.


7. Connect with a Sun Deity

Making a small offering to a deity associated with the Sun is a simple way to acknowledge the turning of the wheel without elaborate ritual.

  • Apollon

  • Helios

  • Sulis

  • Saule

  • Sunna

Around dawn, wash your hands and go outside with a cup of honey, mead or oat milk.

Find a quiet spot.

Say a prayer to your chosen deity, thanking them for the abundance of summer.

Pour the offering out onto the ground and contemplate their presence.


8. Perform a Midsummer Tarot Reading

Pull out your favourite tarot deck and perform some summer themed divination!

Pull a card to see what midsummer magic is blossoming in your life.

A quick google search will reveal many summer solstice themed tarot spreads, so have a browse and choose one that excites you!


9. Summer Solstice Journal Prompts

Since midsummer occurs around midyear, it’s the perfect time to reassess for the next six months.

So, grab your journal and answer the following journal prompts:

  • Which part of your life requires more balance?

  • Which part of your life would benefit from more positivity? How can you infuse this area with positivity?

  • What fun things do you want to do more of?

  • How can you make your life feel more magical? List all of your ideas!

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