As we approach the Summer Solstice on 21st June, we arrive at the longest day and shortest night of the year. Also known as Midsummer, this festival marks the height of summer in the Wheel of the Year, when the sun is at its strongest and the natural world is bursting with life.
Traditionally, the Summer Solstice was celebrated with feasting, dancing, flower crowns and gatherings to honour the sun at its peak. Today, it remains a celebration of abundance, vitality and light.
For me, it's also a chance to pause and take stock. What has grown so far this year? What am I grateful for? And what do I want to nurture before we reach Lammas, the first harvest festival, on 1st August?
What Has Grown This Year?
At the start of the year, I set myself a few intentions for both my business and personal life, and the Solstice feels like the perfect time to reflect on how they're taking shape.
One of my goals for this year was to create more seasonal workshop experiences for my customers. I've always loved sharing the creative process with others, and lately I've been working on expanding my workshop offering to reflect the changing seasons and flora that inspire my jewellery. I'm also noticing that the longer days and warmer weather are giving me a little more energy. After a slow start to the year, I'm trying to channel that into the projects that matter most. There are some exciting new ideas taking shape behind the scenes, and I can't wait to share them with you soon.
June itself is shaping up to be wonderfully full. I've got hen parties, a dance festival over the Solstice weekend, and an exciting new collaboration with the William Morris Society in the works! It's still early days, but I'm excited to see the fruits of that project come to life later this year.
Abundance doesn't always mean having more. Sometimes it's recognising the opportunities, friendships, creativity and experiences that are already growing around us.
Strawberries, Sunflowers & Summer
One of my favourite signs that summer has arrived is the appearance of wild strawberries.
I've started spotting them everywhere lately and can't wait to go harvesting with my niece and nephew. They're tiny compared to the supermarket varieties, but what they lack in size they more than make up for in flavour. The sweetest strawberries I've ever tasted have been picked straight from the wild.
It's no coincidence that strawberries have become such a symbol of this time of year. Their ripening season coincides with the longest days of the year, representing sweetness, abundance and the rewards that come from patience. The June full moon is even known as the Strawberry Moon, named by Indigenous Algonquin peoples to mark the wild strawberry harvest.
When I think of the Solstice, I also think of sunflowers. Young sunflowers spend their days following the sun across the sky, gathering the warmth and energy they need to grow. I think there's something we can learn from that.
Summer gives us a chance to seek out the things that nourish us too. Time with loved ones, creativity, movement, rest, good food, sunshine and connection to nature. As the wheel turns towards the darker half of the year, what can we cultivate now that will sustain us later?
Looking Towards Lammas
The next turn of the Wheel brings us to Lammas on 1st August, the first harvest festival of the year.
That gives us just over six weeks between the Solstice and Lammas. Rather than focusing on huge year-long goals, I like to think of this as a smaller seasonal chapter.
What would you like to harvest by Lammas?
Is there a creative project you'd like to finish? A habit you'd like to nurture? A friendship you'd like to make more time for?
Nature moves in seasons, not annual performance reviews. I find it much easier to work with those rhythms than against them.
Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice
You don't need an elaborate ritual to celebrate the Solstice. Sometimes simply paying attention to the season is enough.
🌻 Spend some time in nature and notice what's thriving around you.
🍓 Enjoy seasonal food, whether that's strawberries or a picnic with friends.
🌼 Make a flower crown using whatever is blooming near you and embrace your inner child for an afternoon.
💃 Dance, swim, walk or simply spend time outdoors enjoying the longest days of the year.
✍️ Set an intention for Lammas and think about what you'd like to harvest over the next six weeks.
A Gentle Solstice Invitation
This Solstice, take a moment to celebrate how far you've come this year.
Notice what has grown and what is continuing to grow.
And then maybe consider what you'd like to nurture between now and Lammas.
The strawberries are ripening, the sunflowers are turning towards the light, and summer is in full bloom.
In the meantime, if you'd like to bring a little of the season with you, my Sunflower, Daisy and Strawberry Thief collections are all inspired by the beauty unfolding around us right now.
With love and petals,
Rebecca
Founder & Maker, Working Clasp 🌿☀️🍓🌻
