The Summer Solstice Reset

As we approach the latter part of June in the Northern Hemisphere, we find ourselves immersed in the radiant energy of the Summer Solstice. This celestial event, marked by the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year, is more than just an astronomical phenomenon — it is a powerful symbol of illumination and rebalancing. I often imagine the year like a well-structured story where the solstice marks the climax, which (as my fellow bookworms know) is the most exciting part of the tale. This halfway point implores us to reflect on where we’ve been and encourages us to set intentions on where we’re going.

Beyond its astronomical significance, the Summer Solstice has been regarded in many earthly realms as an intensely pivotal time: Mystics consider it a thinning of the veil, which opens a deeper bond with the spirit of nature. Astrologers often focus on the sun’s entry into Cancer, signaling a period of intensified emotional awareness and nurturing energy. And let’s not forget Solstice Celebrations — a communal practice of honoring the abundance of light.

As a therapist, reiki practitioner, and human-in-progress, I view the solstice as a moment of transcendence — a cosmic chance to move closer to our authentic selves and each other. Conceptualizing the solstice holistically can help us to tap into our main character energy and untangle the answers to our deepest climactic questions, as well as strengthen our connection to this expansive energy that only happens once a year.

Just as art mirrors life, life mirrors the interstellar forces at play. If we look at the solstice through the lens of astronomy, we’ll locate a brief moment in time where the sun rises to its’ highest point in the sky. As soon as it reaches that zenith, it begins to fall. I often find myself enamored with bittersweetness of energy like this. I feel a heaviness in my heart center as I imagine the imminent descent and a flutter of hope rising when I remember that from the bottom, there is only up.

This cosmic mirror powerfully reflects the interplay between light and shadow. No matter where you are on our planet, the calendar year is characterized by an alternation between light and dark, depending on the sun’s position in the sky. At its core, the solstice is a magnification of light—its peak solar energy encouraging us to look at what becomes illuminated. This can be a cheerful time to celebrate the bright spots of our inner and outer worlds. It can also be a time of unearthing what may have been hidden in the dark. In therapy, our path toward self-awareness often involves confronting the shadows within us to embrace the full spectrum of our being. This process aligns with Carl Jung's concept of individuation, where we integrate all parts of ourselves to achieve wholeness. By embracing both our light and shadow during the solstice, we begin feeling into a more balanced and complete sense of identity.

One of the most accessible ways to work with solstice energy is to lean into what’s naturally happening in our own backyards. If you’re on the East Coast (like me), you’ve survived the frosty winter, relished in the sweetness of spring, and are now basking in the warmth of the summer season. During this time, I encourage clients to heighten their sensory awareness by simply being present in nature. Notice the sun on your skin and what happens internally when temperatures begin to rise. As we build heat in the body, we become more aligned with the energy of the fire element, which is often associated with growth. Plants that were mere seeds in the spring now reach toward the sun. To be nourished with the same warmth and light that grew the plants is to experience our own transformation cycles. The solstice is a period to manifest outwardly what we have been nurturing introspectively during the first half of the year. Its active energy aids in harvesting the fruits of our inner work, allowing us to fully embrace and express what’s been growing behind closed doors.

One of the central principles of both reiki and somatic work is developing trust with the body. Our bodies know best how to work with the collective and cosmic moment; and we can intuit this through understanding where we fall on the energetic spectrum of this time. As we story this year’s solstice together, two archetypal experiences (or main character energies) emerge:

1. The Sun Siren ~ This experience of the solstice can be characterized by a burst in energy, the sense of a collective warmth, a wish to break out, to move, to attract, to be free! It may be useful to lean into this lifted vibrational messaging: Intentionally connect with others, spend extra time outside, and engage creative projects, and even celebrate. These practices enhance somatic awareness and aid in moving any stagnant energy that may have settled during the winter months — which is likely one of the reasons for feeling that burst! But if we get too hot, we risk burning out, so it’s important to balance a metaphorical (or actual) beach day with a cool breeze. This can be easily fostered somatically through where and how we utilize our breath. If you identify with the sun siren, I encourage you to orient toward the exhale. After breathing normally for a few breaths, see if you can elongate your breath on its way out — even if only by a few seconds — in comparison to the inhale. When we focus on the exhale, we are naturally downregulating the nervous system, which may become overactive in a high-energy space, like the solstice. This calming effect can be felt throughout the body, and may even be felt on a spiritual level. Solstice or not, I believe that elongating our exhale represents an embodied movement toward peace.
2. The Misty Mermaid ~ Maybe what you’ve been tending to over the winter and spring has felt draining. Perhaps you’re not feeling the collective warmth and inertia because you’ve been sitting with emotional pain or grieving a deep loss. This impression of the solstice may manifest as a lag in energy, avoidance of the push outdoors, or general sense of overwhelm. This year, I have felt like a misty mermaid myself, and so I’d like to share how I’m coping with an external environment that seems contradicting to my inner landscape. Firstly, I am letting the tears to flow: Imagine tapping into the watery, nurturing energy of Cancer to allow yourself to be with inner-tender places. (P.S. There are somatic benefits to crying, including nervous system regulation and natural release of toxins.) The solstice may also be an opportunity to share your story in spaces where it feels safe to do so: Invite the light of the sun shine on your truth and feel the relief of release. Lastly, my go-to has been receiving solstice energy through meditation. These practices enhance our sense of connection to self and others, as well as support us in processing what may have occurred during the first half of the year. As misty mermaids, we can enhance that natural sense of buoyancy, somatically, by focusing on the inhale. After breathing normally, see if you can elongate your breath on its way in. When we focus on the inhale, we are invigorating our nervous systems by channeling the fiery energy of the solstice. Just as sirens use the exhale for calm, the extended in-breath connects us to our vitality and our lifeforce. Mermaids can be main characters too!

When we conceptualize the solstice holistically, we begin to weave together threads of a transcendent tapestry that may not necessarily be seen, but certainly felt. I find immense joy in guiding others through this process, helping them to cultivate a deeper sense of embodiment and presence; and I sincerely hope that this “short story” has helped to guide you — wherever you are in your personal journey. May the solstice bring you vitality, healing, and a renewed sense of connection to your body and the world around you. And don’t forget that the main character in your story is you!