The Summer Solstice and Litha playlist and journal prompts

A breathwork and ritual playlist for the Summer Solstice and Litha

Hello friends. I have been curating and sharing playlists around the Celtic Pagan Wheel of the Year for some time now. Each time the wheel turns I update my post and playlist from the previous year. This is always a really interesting exercise in observing my own repeating themes and cycles. For an overview of The Wheel of the Year you can check out this post.

It’s the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere on the 21st June. Summer Solstice is a significant day that’s celebrated in many cultural traditions. The Summer Solstice marks the pinnacle of the sun’s power, with the longest day and the shortest night. For our ancestors, the summer solstice would have been significant as it marked the culmination of the work to generate an abundant harvest. All of the toiling and hard work at the end of Winter and the start of Spring leads to now, when the earth is abundant with crops and we reap the rewards of our hard work.

We can hold this in mind as we journey through the Solstice. What have you brought into fruition so far this year? What have you been working towards? What is to be celebrated?

As we connect with the Summer Solstice, what have you brought into fruition so far this year? What have you been working towards? What is to be celebrated?

While this Solstice is a celebration of mid summer it also marks our decent into the dark half of the year. The days get shorter from this point onwards and we are called to look at the resources we’ll need to sustain us through the winter months.

In previous years I’ve reflected that the Solstice is one of favourite points of the year because I love the light, early morning sunrises, and balmy summer evenings that seem to last forever. That is still true but I’m realising that this abundance of light can lead me to push through my own need to go inward and rest.

The Sun card in Kim Krans’ Wild Unknown Alchemy deck talks about the sun never setting. It’s the Earth that pivots away from the sun. Perhaps sometimes we need to be more aware of when we need to pivot away from the sun, to listen to ourselves and to go inwards. As with all things, Solstice is all about finding the balance that we need internally and the balance between ourselves and external factors.

A breathwork playlist focussing on themes of life, the power of the sun, and growth!

This hour (ish) long playlist is an opportunity to focus on themes of life, the power of the sun, and growth. You can use it for breathwork, journaling, or for movement-based practice. You can find out more about breathwork techniques here, including a shorter introductory playlist to try if you’re a beginner. As always, please do check with a Dr before trying breathwork for the first time.

Breath work, also known as pranayama, originates from ancient traditions in yoga and Hinduism. In the yogic philosopy the breath is a vital life force. Pranayama encompasses a range of breathing techniques that are believed to enhance the flow of prana, the subtle energy that permeates all living beings.

If you’re using this playlist to journal, here are some prompts that you might like to reflect on for the Solstice.

• How does the energy of this time of year resonate with you personally?

• In what areas of your life have you experienced growth and abundance recently? How can you nurture and celebrate these aspects?

• The summer solstice is traditionally seen as a time of celebration and joy. Reflect on the things that bring you joy and ignite your passion.

• Reflect on the concept of light and its significance during the summer solstice. How can you bring more light into your own life and the lives of others?
  In what ways do you dim your light or hide your true self?

• Take a moment to express gratitude for the abundance and blessings in your life. Write a gratitude list specifically focused on the joys and blessings of the summer season.

Solstice Blessings.

Laura x