Solar Happenings
Guide to Equinoxes and Solstices
If you appreciate the glorious heat of summer, crisp autumn air, wintery holiday weather, and fresh air of spring, you can thank the jaunty tilt of the earth.
Slanted at just 23.5 degrees, our planet gives us distinct seasons with everything from the deep darkness of winter to the long hours of midsummer sun.
The transitions between seasons are marked by the solstices and equinoxes, which reflect the seasons in our own lives as we work our groove
throughout the year.
Equinox: A day with an equal amount of light and darkness.
Solstice: The moment when the sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky each year.
June
Solstice
December
Solstice
The Winter Solstice
Also known as the hibernal solstice.
The earth tilts as far as it can from the sun, dropping us into the darkest day all year. Those extra hours of darkness can create a peaceful moment for rejuvenation, like a long winter's nap, as the sun takes its lowest possible path across the sky.
-
Date: December 21 or 22
-
Theme: Rest, release, recharge, renew.
Ritual
Make a list of everything
you're ready to eighty-six
from your life.
Burn this paper and visualize these unwanted habits, beliefs, or actions burning up and floating away.
Meditate in the darkness and silence on the refreshing space you've got now that you've let that sh-tuff go!
Affirmation: I release what does not serve me.
The Vernal Equinox
Also known as the spring equinox.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the beginning of spring. Revel in the feeling of total balance as you get exactly 12 hours of light and dark. On this day, you've got it all!
-
Date: March 20 or 21
-
Theme: Birth, growth, new beginnings.
Ritual
Write down your intentions
for the coming seasons on
a piece of seed paper.
Holding this paper, visualize your intentions playing out perfectly as you slay these goals.
Plant the seed paper and watch both your goals and the flowers come into bloom.
Affirmation: I am growing into the best version of myself.
The Summer Solstice
Also known as the estival solstice or midsummer.
The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, where the sun arches as high as it can through the sky. Soak up the sun with more daylight than you'll get any other day of the year.
-
Date: June 20 or 21
-
Theme: Nourishment, awakening, light.
Ritual
Cozy up with nature, soaking up the long hours of daylight. Take an invigorating hike or swim in a natural body of water like a lake or the ocean.
Walk or swim in silence, meditating on all that you've manifested in the previous seasons. Give gratitude for all the greatness.
Gather with friends and family and party down around a bonfire as you watch the sunset.
Affirmation: I welcome abundance and light into my life.
The Autumnal Equinox
Also known as the fall equinox.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the first day of autumn as the earth balances out again with equal hours of day and night. Soak up the bliss of balance during this crisp fall celebration.
-
Date: September 22 or 23
-
Theme: Harvest, evaluation, reflection.
Ritual
Meditate on the goals that
you've totally crushed.
Make a gratitude list or create a collage to show off your top hits.
Light a candle and place your list or collage in a prominent place where you can soak up your success throughout the season.
Affirmation: I bring balance and harmony into my life.
Want to know more?
Speak with a PathForward Psychic to dive deeper into the unique ways of the solstices and equinoxes. Learn more about how these seasonal celebrations impact your own life.
RESOURCES:
- https://www.britannica.com/science/winter-solstice
- https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-winter-winter-solstice
- https://wanderlust.com/journal/winter-solstice-honoring-the-return-of-light-2-uk/
- https://ambitiouslyalexa.com/winter-solstice-affirmations/
- https://affirmationsspot.me/2021/12/21/winter-solstice-affirmations/
- https://www.britannica.com/science/vernal-equinox
- https://www.fi.edu/en/blog/what-vernal-equinox
- https://wemoon.ws/blogs/pagan-holiday-traditions/spring-equinox
- https://www.sunset.com/lifestyle/wellness/spring-equinox-rituals
- https://ambitiouslyalexa.com/spring-affirmations/
- https://www.britannica.com/science/summer-solstice-astronomy
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_solstice
- https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/june-solstice-customs.html
- https://spiritualgangster.com/blogs/news/summer-solstice-honoring-the-light-within
- https://solancha.com/summer-solstice-2021-powerful-rituals-practices-mantras-to-honor-surya/
- https://rhythmsofplay.com/ways-to-celebrate-the-summer-solstice/
- https://medium.com/the-ascent/restoring-balance-on-the-autumn-equinox-72dd5bc08dea
- https://www.trishmckinnley.com/autumn-equinox-rituals/
- https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-fall-autumnal-equinox
- https://www.britannica.com/science/autumnal-equinox
- https://www.outdoorapothecary.com/rituals-for-autumn-equinox/
- https://www.britannica.com/video/217727/Demystified-what-is-the-difference-between-solstice-and-equinox#:~:text=Just%20remember%20that%20solstices%20are,be%20a%20celebration%20happening%20somewhere
- https://www.weather.gov/cle/Seasons
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