What is Summer Solstice About? + Climate Action Tips
Salaam friends,
It's solstice day! If you're in the Northwest, then I bet you are enjoying the return of the sun (Nice to see you, warm Papa 😎☀️). If you are most elsewhere, you're probably already sitting in an ankle-deep kiddy pool, wishing for cooler weather.
In all cases, Happy Solstice! Today is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere when this beautiful planet gracefully leans farthest toward the sun. I used to scramble to make the most of today, but I've found it so much more open and joyful to celebrate Solstice and Equinox as a short season rather than a singular moment.
Here's what Solstice is about for me:
Gratitude, first and foremost, for the abundance of food, water, safety, shelter, beauty, inspiration, community, and love in my life.
It's a peak moment in a cyclical rhythm—the beginning of a new phase.
A reminder that human rhythm, in its essence, is not separate from the rhythms of nature. Modern life can disrupt and cloud this truth.
It is an occasion to pause and celebrate the Spring birth of what we dreamt up in Winter and set our intentions to take action and bring it to life. I love to do it in ceremony and ritual.
A season where life is thoroughly and outwardly activated.
A time for play and movement. I take inspiration from frolicking bunnies and birds doing sick acrobatic air maneuvers for seemingly no good reason.
A moment to celebrate our place in the universe: conscious creatures aware of the rhythms of the planets and the life force that constantly moves, changes, and grows.
An invitation to channel the goodness that exists in every Being and shake off the clouds that obscure it.
FARMERS MARKET AND FRUITS 🍉🍈🍑🍒🍓🍅🍇
Permission to gift myself some solitude (preferably in wilderness) as I get ready for all the people-oriented events of summer
A time to acknowledge the realities of climate change. Most of us here live in abundance and privilege (abundant clean water, AC, tree canopy, shelter, food). I pause to send love to the communities bearing the brunt of this crisis. Some are dying from heat, some are losing Indigenous lands, and some are struggling from all the above while getting carpet-bombed.
The last bit strengthens my commitment to aligning my life and environmental practice with my values. I cherish kindness, compassion, civic responsibility, justice, and equality, and I make sure to practice these things:
Spread the word—talk to friends, family, and coworkers about the climate crisis and how I engage with it.
Learn about the crisis and ways to address it.
Include it in my political engagement - voting, calling, and pressuring with climate in mind.
I slow down. The faster + convenience = higher my impact. This applies to EVERYTHING. Challenge me!
Reduce my carbon impact, especially with transportation (walk more, drive less, take public transit, fly less, take vacations closer to home). I optimize my energy at home through insulation, electrification, and tuning my thermostat.
I tweak my diet (waste less, eat less animal protein, eat more local, grow more food)
I buy second-hand. When I shop for new stuff, I buy less online/imported and more sustainable, high-quality, small-batch local products.
I ditch fast fashion, consumerism, and throw-away culture. I buy second-hand and enjoy customizing and crafting my clothes and accessories.
I plant hella trees 🌲🌳🌲🌳
I revise my investment portfolio and pull my money from polluting industries. While I'm at it, I pull it from war profiteers, too.
My work is never done. This is a practice. I'm constantly refining and revisiting. Solstice is one occasion when we take stock and realign.
I invite you to borrow any of these practices and fortify your own. I acknowledge that these practices have much to unpack, so please reach out if you need support. Mentorship and coaching are what I do.