Why the Solstice Is More Than Just a Season Change — A Global Call to Remember the Light Within
In our world, modern holidays have lost their deeper meaning and connection to nature, I believe wholeheartedly that the Solstice deserves to be honoured and remembered across the globe. It’s not about dogma or tradition for tradition’s sake—it’s about returning to the rhythms of the Earth, aligning ourselves with the sun, the cosmos, and the cycles that govern all life. The Solstice marks a moment of celestial balance and divine timing, a powerful portal for reflection, renewal, and intention-setting. These moments are gifts from Mother Nature, asking nothing of us but our presence. When we pause to celebrate the Solstice—through ritual, ceremony, or simple awareness—we reclaim something essential: our place in the larger web of life. It’s time we revive these ancient celebrations, not just for nostalgia, but for the healing of our spirits, our communities, and the Earth itself. I believe with all my heart that reconnecting to these natural holy days—especially with sacred plants like cacao, can guide us back home to what truly matters.
My name is Sharon Fernie, and I am the Founder of Herbal Cacao, providing the world with high-quality Herbal Cacao Blends. I have a deep passion for holistic wellness and ancient traditions, and at Herbal Cacao, it's our mission to support our community on their journey of self and spiritual discovery, spreading awareness about the profound benefits of ceremonial cacao and other medicinal adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms.
Here in the "Herbal Cacao Journal" I explore the fascinating world of not just our active medicinal ingredients, but also dive into the world of rituals, ancient healing practices, and modern wellness techniques combined with experiences out of my own life.
So, whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your holistic wellness journey, this blog post in the “Herbal Cacao Journal” is your invitation to deepen your understanding of sacred herb & plants and their profound impact on our mind, body, and spirit.
When is the Summer Solstice in 2025 happening?
In 2025, this sacred turning point arrives on Friday, June 20th at 10:42 p.m. EDT, marking the longest day of the year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. This moment—when the sun pauses at its northernmost point and appears to "stand still"—is a cosmic threshold. Ancient cultures recognized it as a portal for transformation. For millennia, people have aligned with this time to celebrate the sun’s life-giving light, to reflect, pray, and give thanks. The Solstice reminds me of what happens when we live in harmony with the natural world—when we return to the rhythm of light and shadow, of inward stillness and outward expansion.
A Sacred Pause in the Wheel of the Year
The Summer Solstice, often referred to as Midsummer, marks a pivotal point in the Earth's journey around the sun. It's a time when the veil between the physical and spiritual realms feels thin, inviting introspection, celebration, and a deep connection to nature's rhythms.
Historically, this day has been celebrated with festivals, bonfires, and rituals aimed at honoring the sun's life-giving energy and seeking blessings for abundance and growth.
The Shifting Date of the Solstice – And Why It Matters
One of the things I’ve always found mysterious about the solstice is that it doesn’t land on the exact same day every year. Unlike fixed public holidays, the timing of the Summer Solstice depends on the Earth’s tilt and orbit—on when the Sun reaches its northernmost point from the celestial equator. This means it can fall on June 20, 21, or even 22. It reminds me how beautifully fluid and alive the natural world is, unbound by the man-made constructs of calendars and clocks. This moment in time, often called the year’s longest day, gives us the most hours of daylight—and with it, an invitation to stretch into the fullness of our being. It’s a portal of light, a celebration of the sun’s radiant power, and an opportunity to pause and truly honor the source of life itself.
A Calendar in Sync with the Cosmos
The more I walk this earth-honoring path, the more I question the systems we’ve inherited—especially the Gregorian calendar, which most of us follow today. It’s a solar-based system, yes, but built on political agendas and religious influences rather than the organic flow of nature. It divides time into rigid months and arbitrary holidays that often feel disconnected from the Earth and her cycles. In contrast, the Maya calendar—still kept alive by modern-day wisdom keepers—is rooted in cosmic harmony. It’s a living, breathing system aligned with both the micro and macro cosmos. It recognizes the sacred movement of celestial bodies, the rhythms of the moon, sun, and Venus, and the energetic pulse of life itself. I’ve had the honor of witnessing ceremonies in Guatemala where Maya elders speak of time as a spiral, not a line—where each day carries its own essence, energy, and purpose. This way of relating to time invites us to live with more intention, more presence, and deeper connection to both the Earth beneath us and the stars above.
The Chol Q’ij – A Sacred Map of Time
One of the most profound gifts I’ve received on this path is being introduced to the Chol Q’ij calendar—often called the Sacred Maya Calendar. Unlike our Western calendar, which divides time into mechanical units, the Chol Q’ij is a sacred almanac of energy, composed of 20 nawales (sacred archetypes) and 13 tones, creating a 260-day cycle that reflects both human gestation and the spiritual energies at play each day. It is not just a way to track time—it is a way to live in ceremony with time. Every day carries a unique energetic signature, inviting us to align with it intentionally. In the Maya tradition, people are born under a specific nawal, which shapes their soul essence and life path, much like astrology in other cultures. I’ve seen firsthand in ceremonies held by indigenous elders in the highlands of Guatemala how this calendar continues to be consulted for guidance, healing, and celebration. It ties us to the heartbeat of the cosmos, reminding us that we are part of a much larger, intelligent design—a web where time is not something to control, but something to listen to. Living in rhythm with the Chol Q’ij reconnects us to the sacredness of each day, something I find infinitely more meaningful than counting down to modern-day holidays that often lack soul. Within our "Inner Circle" We share the daily energy update from the heart of the Maya Cosmovision, written by Aj'q'ij Mark Elmy from Four Pillars. Alternatively, if you are looking for a more personal, fun way/tool to connect. These Maya Living Destiny Cards are a beautiful way to deepen your knowledge
The Maya and the Dance of Light
During my travels to ancient Maya sites, I was captivated by how intricately their architecture aligned with celestial events. Structures like those in Chichén Itzá were designed so that on solstices, the play of light and shadow would create awe-inspiring visual effects, symbolizing the descent of deities like Kukulkan, the feathered serpent god.
These alignments weren't just coincidences; they reflected a deep understanding of astronomy and a profound reverence for the cosmos.
Global Celebrations of the Solstice
Across the world, cultures have honored the Summer Solstice in diverse ways. These global celebrations, though unique to their cultures, share a powerful connection to the natural world, focusing on honoring the sun's cycles and the life it sustains. They reflect a universal reverence for nature and the deep spiritual practices that tie humanity to the Earth.
-
Stonehenge, England: Thousands of people gather at this ancient stone circle to witness the sunrise on the Summer Solstice, which aligns perfectly with the stones. This alignment symbolizes the connection between the earth and the sky, marking the peak of the sun's power in the year. The event is deeply spiritual, drawing people from around the world to experience the ancient ritual that connects humanity with nature's cycles.
-
Sweden – Midsummer Festivities: Swedes celebrate the summer solstice with joyous festivities that include dancing around maypoles, singing traditional songs, and indulging in feasts. Midsummer marks the peak of summer, a time of abundance, light, and growth. It's a time for communities to come together, embracing nature's bounty and celebrating the season's vibrancy with their loved ones.
-
Siberia – Yhyakh Festival: The Yakut people of Siberia celebrate Yhyakh, a festival of renewal, with various rituals, including dances, songs, and offerings to honor the sun’s return. This festival marks the return of the sun after the long, harsh winter. It's a time for rejuvenation and a celebration of life’s renewal, as communities come together to honor the forces of nature that sustain them.
Mesoamerica – Celebrations of the Maya
-
Chichen Itza (Mexico)
On the solstices, sunlight interacts with the Temple of Kukulkan in striking ways. While more famously aligned with the equinox, the pyramid’s architecture also acknowledges solar movements throughout the year. Solstice gatherings here honor Kukulkan, the feathered serpent deity, with offerings, fire, and traditional dance. -
Tikal (Guatemala)
One of the most powerful ancient Maya cities, Tikal features temples whose sightlines align with solstices and equinoxes. Elders and spiritual guides still visit Tikal during the solstice for sunrise ceremonies that welcome the energy of the sun and offer prayers for harmony and abundance. -
Copán (Honduras)
Known for its detailed stelae and astronomical carvings, Copán’s temple complexes reflect the Maya mastery of timekeeping. Ceremonies during solstices focused on marking the passage of sacred time and honoring solar deities to ensure the balance between cosmic and earthly life. -
Uxmal (Mexico)
The Pyramid of the Magician in Uxmal is aligned with celestial events and is believed to have served as a ritual space during solstices. It is said that the layout of the city reflects cosmic cycles, and solstice rites here were likely tied to agricultural fertility and divine cycles. -
Caracol (Belize)
Deep in the jungle, Caracol's observatory-like structures were precisely designed to track solar movements. During the solstice, the Maya would have used this sacred geometry to synchronize planting cycles and perform rituals thanking the sun for its vital role in sustaining life.
Across these sacred sites, ancient Maya civilizations gathered not only to worship the sun, but to live in harmony with it. Today, Maya communities and spiritual practitioners continue to honor these days, preserving and reviving their cosmological traditions with ceremonies rooted in deep Earth connection. These celebrations are a living testament to the Maya’s intimate relationship with time, nature, and the cosmos—reminding us that the Solstice is not just a day, but a doorway to ancestral wisdom and cosmic alignment.
Honoring the Light Within and Without
I invite you to create your own rituals for this summer solstice. Whether it's lighting a candle at dawn, journaling your intentions, or simply spending time outdoors, let this be a time to honor both the external light of the sun and the internal light within you.
In reconnecting with these ancient traditions, we find not only a link to our ancestors but also a path to deeper self-awareness and harmony with the world around us.
Solstice Ritual Tips:
Set Intentions and Manifestation Ritual
The Solstice is a time of peak energy and light—perfect for setting intentions. Journal your desires for the coming months, then place them somewhere sacred, like a nature space or altar. Visualize them manifesting with the power of the sun.
Gratitude Practice
Sit in stillness, connect with the sun’s energy, and reflect on gratitude for your life’s growth. This practice invites a sense of connection to both the Earth and the cosmos.
Solar Breathing & Activation
Engage in solar breathing: inhale deeply, feel the warmth of the sun, and exhale any negative energy. Visualize vibrant golden light filling you with vitality and clarity.
Nature Walk or Earth Connection
Spend time outside walking barefoot to absorb the energy of the Earth and the sun. Collect symbols like flowers or stones as offerings to the land.
Fire Ceremony or Bonfire
Fire represents the sun's energy. Light a bonfire or small candle, write what you wish to release or invite, and burn the paper as a symbolic release or transformation.
Sacred Dance or Movement
Express the joy and abundant energy of the Solstice through movement. Dance in rhythm with nature’s cycles, celebrating the light and your connection to the Earth.
Tips for a Deeper Connection:
-
Sacred Plants: Consider incorporating cacao into your ritual for deeper heart wisdom. Sip mindfully and reflect on your intentions, or simply use it to honor the sacredness of the moment.
-
Wear Solstice Colors: Gold, yellow, orange, and red reflect the sun’s vibrancy. Wearing these colors helps align you with the energy of the Solstice.
-
Create an Altar: Build a nature altar with items that symbolize the sun’s energy and abundance, such as crystals, plants, and symbols that resonate with your Solstice intentions.
By combining these inner reflections with outward celebrations, the Summer Solstice becomes a holistic experience. Whether you’re alone or in community, this ritual time can help you align with the sacred rhythms of nature and reconnect with the beauty and magic of life.
Personal Reflection on the Solstice Celebration
In our modern world, I've often felt a disconnection from these natural rhythms. Public holidays come and go, often devoid of the deeper meanings they once held. But the Summer Solstice remains a beacon—a reminder to pause, reflect, and realign with the Earth's cycles.
For me, celebrating the solstice is not just about grand ceremonies but about simple, intentional acts: watching the sunrise, meditating in nature, or sharing a meal with loved ones. These moments ground me, offering clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.
