What is the summer solstice, and how can it affect your intentions for the rest of the year? Here’s how to tap into the midsummer magic

Today (21 June) officially marks midsummer and the celebration of the summer solstice (or Litha as it’s also known in witchy and Pagan circles).

The high point of a series of annual Pagan festivals that comprise the Wheel of the Year – others include the winter solstice or Yule, the spring and autumn equinoxes, and Celtic fire festivals such as Beltane/May Day and Samhain/ Halloween – the summer solstice pays homage to the longest day (and shortest night) of 2022! It’s great news for anyone who enjoys complaining that there aren’t enough hours in the day because today there’s a whole 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight to get stuck into.

The festival is traditionally celebrated at sunrise – particularly at Stonehenge where the ancient stones align perfectly with the rising sun – but even if you didn’t have it in you to set your alarm for the big moment at 04:52 this morning, there are still plenty of ways you can harness the solstice magic. 

Solstice traditions vary across the northern hemisphere but themes of love, lust and indulgence generally abound. Midsummer folklore dictates that the summer solstice is a liminal, magical time where spirits and fairies are able to cross more easily into the human world. It’s a time to expect the unexpected and allow yourself to believe that wishes really can come true because there’s magic in the air… 

Today’s solstice coincides with the beginning of Cancer season (a sign connected to emotions, feelings, family and nostalgia) and is a potent time to set intentions and up the manifestation factor on important goals as we step into the second half of 2022. And the best news? All you have to do to tap into the magical solar energy buzz is do whatever brings you joy! Yep, the summer solstice is all about celebration, indulgence and blowing caution to wind… Shower yourself in gifts, dance naked around a fire, party till dawn, make out with your wayward ex… it’s that kind of vibe.

By simply showing the universe you mean business with a solstice ritual or two (see below) you can ramp up the magic on any manifestation you’ve got going on and/or sprinkle the right kind of fairy dust over goals and intentions for the rest of the year.

Here’s how to create a solstice ritual…

Style it up

Turn getting dressed into a magical ritual by adding some sparkling solstice vibes to your look. Tap into the energy of the sun by going for gold on the jewellery, clothing and sparkly metallic eyeshadow. Imagine yourself achieving everything you wish for as you adorn yourself.

Devour a feast

Feasting has long been a summer solstice tradition. Bring out the barbecue, assemble the grazing platter to end all grazing platters or go to town on the champagne and strawberries. Tonight is the night to gather friends together and celebrate in style.

Be a firestarter

Spark up the fire pit, build a bonfire or light all your expensive candles at once. Solstice celebrations traditionally involve some sort of fire to represent the sun and it’s a great way to add a ritual vibe to your evening. Write down any wishes for the coming months and burn them to ash for added magic.

Say it with flowers

Nothing says summer quite like flowers so go big or go home. Buy sunflowers on the way back from work, plant sweet peas in a window box or adorn yourself with a flamboyant flower crown.

Cast a solstice spell

Write a manifestation wish list to the universe. Speak your intentions out loud. Or leave a gift out for those solstice fairies in the dead of night.