Do you tell yourself that you hardly have time to breathe as the year winds up and you get busier and busier?

What if you could listen to nature’s invitation?

— If you could attune to the season and find grounding and respite?

Four ways to open to summer solstice

1. Remember the meaning of solstice

Solstice means ‘sun stands still.’

Towards the end of this month the sun will begin its journey towards darkness, but solstice on December 21 it appears to be stationary, poised between one movement and the next.

Set time aside to pause at solstice, open to nature, and find stillness in harmony with the rhythm of sun.

2. Make contact with nature

There are so many ways to turn to nature. Maybe this means dipping your bare feet in the sea, stream, or lake: standing on sand, grass, or rock to feel the support of the earth.

Or you may raise your arms to the wide open sky like the harakeke above, and breathe in spaciousness.

3. Gather summer flowers

and honour the season of blossoming: Pōhutumawa, harakeke (flax), roses, marigolds, gazanias, or sunflowers to decorate your table.

4. Create a solstice feast or picnic

of summer vegetables and fruits, especially red, yellow, and orange; yellow courgettes, golden slices of mango alongside strawberry reds, golden capsicum and kumara, grated beetroot and carrot, and more.

Breathe in the goodness of the season

Let it calm you

Make space for solstice!