Summer Solstice – to Celebrate or Not

New Moon Greetings – June14, 2026

Summer Solstice is Approaching

The Summer Solstice is only one week away, on Sunday June 21st at exactly 2:24 AM (Mountain Time). That’s the moment that earth’s northern hemisphere reaches its furthest tilt toward the sun and then heads back in the other direction. So we could celebrate the day with the most minutes of sunlight or we could celebrate the sun reaching its highest point in the sky. We could also celebrate peak gardening season and plentiful fresh fruits and vegetables.

However, summer solstice also marks the beginning of days getting shorter and the the slide back toward winter. For me, summer solstice doesn’t invoke the kind of celebration that winter solstice does. It is easier to cheer the return of the light rather than its retreat. Still, it does seem important to pay attention to celestial events on our tiny planet. The sun after all does keep us alive.

Stopping Just to Witness

We spend most of our day forgetting that we live on a tiny rock in infinite space that travels around a huge ball of fire that creates life on our planet. Give yourself a moment (or more) to contemplate that fact. The earth’s journey around the sun creates shifts and changes in the light, weather, and our lives every single day. Take the time to notice.

Ways to Mark the Occasion if not Celebrate

• If you are in Denver, join me at Bluff Lake Nature Center for qigong at sunrise – 5:30 AM the morning of the solstice. (Contact

  

  me for more information.)

• Get yourself outside – look up at the sky. Look at the trees and the green world. The sun keeps all of this going.
• Fly a kite
• Blow bubbles
• Gather a bouquet
• Watch the sunrise. Watch the sunset.

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  Pay attention to where the shadows fall with the sun high in the sky and watch as they shift over the next few months.

• Make sun tea with herbs from your garden.
• Have a summer solstice feast of whatever is growing locally right now. In Denver, there are strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus, peas, kale, spinach, and more.
• Visit a farmers market and buy from local farmers.
• Make a donation to an organization that is working to keep our home planet healthy
• Read the Wikipedia post on photosynthesis and be amazed.

Even More Mindful Approaches to Summer Solstice

Consider this. The day of summer solstice is the longest daylight hours of the year. Sure it is only by minutes. But you could think of those extra moments of sunshine as a message from the universe that you have space to do something different. Maybe you could start a project you’ve put off or a new habit you want to begin. Is there a thank you note you need to write or a friend you need to reach out to? Could you spend your extra moments meditating, journaling or creating something  new for the world?

How might you honor the moment – even if it is not a celebration?

About this Blog Post & and Qigong Practice 

This post is part of my lunar blog series. I post each new moon as it is a great time to begin projects and set intentions with the increasing light.  Topics are related to plants and ideas featured in my book,  Growing Mindful.  . Other topics are related to mindfulness, gardens, qigong, and intentional living. For more details and a list of past lunar blog posts, click here. 

About Qigong – I lead qigong at Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver on the last Sunday of each month. You can find the schedule in announcements on the home page. I have also partnered with other graduates of the IIQTC (Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi) to offer virtual HeART of Body Compassionate Self Care Practice Circles based on qigong and tai chi. Check out the information here: Global Healing Circles or contact me if you need more information.