Summer solstice occurs on June 20, 2025, at 7:41 p.m. (PDT), marking a time when the sun is at its most northerly point relative to the celestial equator. The Latin words “sol” (sun) and “sistere” (stationary) describe the sun appearing to stand still or pause before changing direction and moving toward its lowest point on the winter solstice in late December. On solstice, and for the next three days, those in the northern hemisphere experience the longest daylight and the shortest nights of the year. Celtic and other ancient cultures referred to summer solstice as “midsummer” based on it being the midpoint between the cross-quarter holidays of Beltane (May Day) and Lughnasadh (Lammas). Summer solstice was considered a magical time; a time for joy and celebration, a welcoming of warmth, outdoor activities, playfulness, and nurturing crops for later harvesting.
Seasonal Themes and Nuances
Sunshine – For ancient cultures, summer solstice was a day to honor and celebrate the sun. Bonfires were lit to pay homage to the sun as a source of warmth and symbol for growth, abundance, and prosperity. Today we can welcome the first day of summer with a simple summer meditation, a Sun Salutation, or a predawn walk in nature to greet the sunrise. During this day of long light there’s plenty of time for hiking, a picnic, or a visit to the beach. It is common knowledge that sunlight can provide the body with Vitamin D, but other benefits include mood boosting, sleep improvement, and bolstering the immune system. When you and those you care for get ready to enjoy a sunshiny day, remember the sunscreen to reduce the risk of sunburn, premature wrinkles, and skin cancer. A modern-day anthem to sunshine is found in the second half of a song by The Fifth Dimension, Aquarius (Let the Sunshine In) . Give it a listen to uplift your day.
Growth – Summer solstice has traditionally been a time to celebrate a rapid growing time for crops, flowering plants, and animals. One area that has become of interest in the realm of psychology is the growth mindset, a theory suggesting that our basic abilities can be developed and improved through dedication and hard work. Without a growth mindset, we can become and remain “stuck” in an endless loop of mundane (rote, repetitive, boring, etc.) life. You can read about growth mindset in this excellent article by Tchiki Davis, PhD. The article includes 15 ways to develop a growth mindset, the first of which is to acknowledge and embrace imperfection! Summer solstice is a great day to begin a 15-day exploration of each item on the list. Use your journal to write about your self-discovery each day to get into the growth mindset groove.
Food – To create a special summer solstice feast, fire up the grill for portobella mushrooms, asparagus, and zucchini. Create a simple marinade with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and freshly chopped herbs such as thyme, basil, or oregano. Once grilled, place the veggies atop a bowl of crisp summer salad greens, spring radishes, and onions. Vegan feta crumbles and pumpkin seeds add a special touch. Serve alongside chilled gazpacho (recipe below) and pita chips. For dessert or a simple snack, berries of all colors and cherries are in season. Dig in!
Light – The dictionary defines “light” as the form of energy that makes it possible to see things. The ancients celebrated the long light at this time of the year, and we can do the same. Here are some prompts to consider on summer solstice and for the upcoming season of long light.What are you seeing in your personal world that you appreciate or enjoy? What do you see as outdated or obsolete? Can you see an optimal way to redistribute worn out things (thoughts, clothes, furniture, vehicles, patterns, behaviors, etc.)? What do you see when you look in the mirror or at someone you care for? How about when you look at your home, backyard, neighborhood, community, state, country, or world? Are you content with what you see? If so, how are you expressing gratitude or appreciation? If not, what changes can you make to improve what you see? How do you bring light to heavy situations? What about your vision and eye health in general? Are you able to see street signs clearly; has reading become a struggle? Perhaps it is time for an eye exam. What about your ontological vision? Are you envisioning a bright future or does it look dim? Turn on and shine your light for yourself and others at solstice!
The Seasonal Soup Kitchen
This year one of my goals is to celebrate Wayne’s legacy. Sharing a hearty bowl of soup, a crusty loaf of bread, and good conversation was Wayne’s way to celebrate. Making and sharing soup with others is an act of kindness, and while I can’t make soup for you all, I can share soup recipes from the Food Doctor and Friends cookbook. This Gazpacho Soup was chosen because of its cheerful red color, fresh ingredients, and spicey kick. A summer staple!
- 3 cups tomato juice
- 1 cup water or tomato juice
- 4 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- juice from 1 lemon
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1 yellow or red bell pepper, seeded
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded
- ½ onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3 T. olive oil
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. tamari
Combine all ingredients and blend briefly until combined but still chunky. Serve immediately or chill first. Yield 4-6 servings.
To Serve or Not to Serve?
We all find ourselves in service to others at some point in life. This section of the newsletter will invite you to reflect on the many surprising ways we live a life of service (whether we are aware of it or not). Let’s remember that one meaning of the noun “service” is to provide an act of help. Grab your journal or sit down with your partner or friend to talk about these prompts. Our third installment was featured in the May Day Newsletter and focused on being in service to our partner or spouse. Kids love summertime, so today our topic is service to children. These prompts are for folks with biological or adopted children.
For those without kids of their own, the prompts can serve as food for thought for our relationships with nieces, nephews, or other young people we feel close to. I call these young people “spirit kids” because of a shared spiritual connection. It is a privilege to walk alongside them through good and bad times; to provide compassionate listening and care when they struggle; and celebrate with them when they are joyful. It is indeed fortunate when the universe graces us with a younger friend, mentee, student, colleague, or neighbor with whom these things can occur. No matter how long the connection lasts, time spent with spirit kids can be deeply fulfilling. Explore and enjoy these reflections about the way service flows between you. {Note: in the prompts, child* can refer to babies, young children, teens, adult children, and/or spirit kids.}
- What does “being in service to (or helping) my child*, really mean? What form does my service take? Is it a practical, grounded activity, providing physical structure, protection or safety, life advice, instructions, direction or guidance, energetic support; financial support; sustenance or nourishment, love, affection, or caregiving? What?
- How does my child* show up in service for me? Do I receive help or support from them? What form does their service take? How do I express my appreciation or gratitude for their service?
- Am I comfortable asking my child* for help? If not, why not? If so, when was the last time I did that? What was their response? Might there be a different way to ask for what I need, or a need to ask for their help more or less often?
- Is my child* comfortable receiving the service or help I offer? If I am not sure, what is a good way to ask them about that? Similarly, am I comfortable receiving help they offer? If not, why not?
- What are the best ways to connect and communicate with my child*? If communication needs improvement, what are some creative ways to do that?
- Is serving my child* draining my energy? Is it time to let go of some aspect of that service?
- Has the way I show up in service for my child* changed over time? Are the changes working for both of us? If not, how can we move forward in a positive way to refresh or reinvigorate the relationship? If so, are there other ways to serve/help each other now and into the future?
For the Love of Dog
I had planned to include prompts for both children AND companion animals in the To Serve or Not to Serve segment but found myself unable to do that. As I wrote the segment, I reflected on Robert’s and my “children,” all of whom are canines; all of them greatly loved. They have always come into our care in some magical and inexplicable way. We are there to serve them and they, in turn, serve us. Our spaniel, Teddy, was rescued at age 8 and joined our pack when Olivia was just a 6-month-old puppy. He provided great service to Olivia as a companion and friend. Teddy served me and Robert with endless love, gratitude, and affection. He stayed with us for 6 years and 4 months. How I wish it could have been longer.
Despite his first “chapter” (neglected, living outside, starving), he was the happiest dog I have ever known. He filled up the room with his personality, big love, and pizzaz. He was joyful, beautiful, scrappy, stubborn, cuddly, funny, resilient, strong, sweet, and food motivated. An old soul, teacher, and healer, the trust and unconditional love he showed us was our immeasurable gift. Teddy had many nicknames and original songs, composed and sung to him by me many times a day. He was my “familiar” and we shared a very special bond. He was my protector and champion; my link to something greater than myself; a link to the spiritual world, to the universe or great mystery. He was my golden sunshine, never more than a few feet from me day and night. Loyal and steadfast, he was by my side during my worst Long Covid experiences. On May 14th Teddy left us for the rainbow bridge. His leave-taking was traumatic. No, I can’t write about it.
There is now a deep silence in our home and for our pack. Olivia is quietly trying to figure out how to be here without her friend. Robert and I are walking alongside one another, juggling the stages of grief like delicate plates spinning on sticks. I often feel as if a part of my own body has gone missing. . . One of my wise spirit daughters told me I feel that way because I sent a piece of my heart over the rainbow bridge with Teddy, and that he left a piece of his joyful heart with me. I understand that. My rational mind can embrace that as truth. At the same time, it will take my heart some extra time to adjust to life without him in his physical form.
Loving pet parents know only too well about the heartbreak that occurs when it is time for that final farewell. It is the hardest part of having the unconditional love of a companion animal. Yet, we still open our hearts repeatedly to those big brown eyes, wet noses, and wagging tails. Or in the case of a feline, the silky coat, sweet nuzzle, and warm purr. We do this time and again, forewarned about the farewell; believing that the love shared is worth the suffering that will eventually and inevitably come calling. Pet parents know deeply that the ontological, and apparently paradoxical states called love and grief are inseparably bonded and complicated twins that arrive as a package deal. They equally and powerfully connect us to our joy and pain, to ourselves and one another, and to something unfathomably mystical.
Thinking our way out of these ontological states after loss is often not possible or even desired. Sometimes the only way out is through, sitting quietly with the love and grief twins, swallowing their bittersweet medicines, an intended cure for some ancient, mysterious wound. Time, holding space, permission to grieve, to love, and to fully embrace the complicated, multidimensional experience of loss can, and will eventually bring us back around to grace, or maybe those things actually are the manifestations of grace. Robert, Olivia, and I feel immensely grateful for the other pet parents, family, and friends in our circle of care as we adjust to life without our Teddy in form.
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On the Blog: The latest post in the Long Covid Series is LC, MCAS, and Measles, Oh My! “X” is for Crossing parts 1,2, and 3 are available in the ABC’s for Living Well.
Quotes for Season: “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.”~ Maud Hart Lovelace, Author
“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you, but not from you. And though they are with you yet, they belong not to you.” ~ Kahlil Gibran, Poet
“Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly.” ~ from Into the Mystic by Van Morrison
May all beings be safe, well, happy, and content.