The Summer Solstice: A Gentle Invitation to Pause

I've always felt very connected to the solstice.

I a huge part of this is because my birthday falls on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day (or as I like to call it, the longest night) of the year. And then I married someone whose birthday falls on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. What a coincidence right! But whatever the reason, it feels an auspicious date. 

The Summer Solstice not only marks the longest day of the year, but also the astronomical start of summer. (The meteorological start of summer is actually 1st June.)

Did you know the word solstice comes from the Latin solstitium, meaning "the sun stands still"?

For a brief moment, it appears as though the sun pauses in the sky before beginning its slow journey back towards the shorter days of autumn and winter, which happens at precisely 9:24am 21st June. 

In a world that can feel so fast-paced, and sometimes even a little frantic, the solstice offers us something different. A chance to pause. A moment to stop. A moment to take stock. A moment to reflect on (pretty much) the first six months of the year and what we'd like the next six months to hold.

So today, this is your invitation to pause and reflect. Whether you were up crazily early watching the sunrise, are taking a walk in nature, sitting in the garden with a cup of tea, or simply stealing five quiet minutes for yourself, take a moment to honour the pause.

If the sun can stand still for a moment, perhaps we can too.

And if you're into journaling (or up for giving it a go), I've created five prompts for you.

Summer Solstice Reflection

These might seem like questions you can skim over and answer in a heartbeat but today I'm inviting you to take a moment.

Put your phone on silent, set a ten-minute timer and grab a notebook. Then spend a few moments really sitting with them.

- What has brought me the most joy so far this year?
- What am I ready to leave behind as I move into the second half of the year?
- What do I want more of in my everyday life?
- What three things am I grateful for right now?
- If I could choose one word to guide the next six months, what would it be?

I particularly love this last one. If you do this, please write it down this magical word and keep it somewhere you can see it (and do share with me too).

I've been thinking so hard about mine and on a walk, with a bit of space it came to me - gumption. I've loved this word ever since if first heard it (from the film the Holiday!!) and it means resourceful initiative; practical intelligence and determination; the ability to take action and get things done. Exactly what I want to take into the second half of the year.

An even quicker reflection...

If that feels too much to you here's an even shorter reflection; close your eyes and take three slow inhales and exhales, each time thinking of one of these.

1. One thing you're letting go of
2. Onething you're looking forward to bringing into the second half of the year 
3. One thing you're grateful for

Then carry on with your day, hopefully with a little more magic than before.

And don't forget there's 21% off today (21 June) using the code: SOLSTICE21

Happy Solstice to you all,

Katie Barley x