The Radiance of the Summer Solstice

Debra Trappen
Jun 20
3 min read

Updated: Jun 21

A Celebration of Light, Life, and the Sacred Feminine

On Friday, June 20, 2025, the Summer Solstice arrives at 1:50pm PT / 4:50pm ET, marking the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

This solar threshold is both a culmination and a beginning - a sacred pause in the wheel of the year when we are invited to bask in the fullness of light, honor what is blooming in our lives, and gather our energy for the second half of the year.

Across time and cultures, the Summer Solstice has been honored as a sacred moment.

Spiritually, it invites us to:

Illuminate what was once hidden, within and around us
Expand into our fullest expression
Celebrate abundance, growth, and creative power
Embody the Divine Feminine in all her radiant, sensual, wise glory

This is the season of thriving, blooming, and shining. The fire within and around us is strong. We are being called to live fully awake, to honor the sacred spark of life and let it guide us forward.

The sun is often symbolized as masculine, but powerful feminine figures across traditions have long been associated with light, midsummer, and abundance.

Here are fierce females you may wish to honor:

Amaterasu (Japan) - The Shinto Sun Goddess who brings light back to the world. Her story reminds us that even in times of retreat, we are always worthy of rising and shining again.
Sekhmet (Egypt) - A lion-headed solar goddess of transformation, fierce compassion, and healing. She embodies the power of fire to both destroy and purify.
Demeter (Greek) - The Goddess of harvest and fertility. Her myth reminds us of cycles, mothering, and the deep wisdom of the seasons.
Sulis (Celtic) - A solar goddess linked to sacred healing waters. She merges fire and water, strength and gentleness.
Litha (Anglo-Saxon) - The name of the Midsummer festival, often personified as a radiant queen of warmth and life.

You may also wish to call in the energy of historical women who embodied fierce feminine fire, such as visionaries, rebels, and healers like Hildegard of Bingen, Sojourner Truth, or Dolores Huerta, whose legacy still burns brightly.

Here are soulful, meaningful ways to celebrate this sacred solar turning:

Welcome the Sun: Rise early to greet the sunrise or find stillness at sunset. Offer gratitude. Whisper a prayer. Let the light bathe you in blessings.
Create a Fire Ceremony: Write down what you’re ready to release - or amplify. Safely burn your words in a fire or candle flame to symbolize your transformation.
Decorate Your Altar: Adorn your sacred space with sunflowers, golden candles, citrus fruits, solar symbols, and offerings to summer goddesses. Include herbs like chamomile, calendula, and lavender.
Move Your Body with Joy: Dance barefoot on the earth, practice sun salutations, or take a slow, mindful walk. Let your body feel the season.
Host a Solstice Feast: Share a vibrant, seasonal meal with loved ones. Include fresh berries, garden herbs, and golden-toned foods. Bless your meal with intention.
Weave a Flower Crown or Herbal Wreath: Use fresh blooms to create a crown or wreath - symbols of abundance, wholeness, and the feminine cycle.