Image by

John Gibbons

For those who are very in tune with the planets and find themselves to be affected by natural and universal shifts, you may find yourself stepping into this Summer Solstice with an unexpected lump of emotion in your throat. Not only are we at a halfway point of the year, a time when we are meant to take stock of the past six months of our work, accomplishments, losses and spiritual growth, we are also at a critical period when we should be looking forward to the six months ahead, visualizing our next steps, setting our intentions, all while letting go of that which no longer serves us.

It’s a lot of pressure.

To top it off, this Summer Solstice happens on the exact same day when the sun moves into Cancer, which can characteristically be an emotional time. In addition to being the most emotional of all astrological signs, Cancer is also ruled by the moon, the ruler of all our feelings. So we have a trifecta of emotional turbulence running currents through our small human bodies.

So while we encourage acknowledging and honouring our tendency towards ups and downs, passionate outbursts, powerful tides of love and sincere vulnerability to heartbreak and disappointment, we do not view Cancer season as a time of weakness. To the contrary, the season of Cancer gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our hardshell strengths in the face of adversity, while embracing the opportunity to balance our masculine sun energy through the Summer Solstice with our feminine ties to the moon.

So How Do I Do That? 

Ritual. Ritual is everything when we are working with our universal connections. Rituals do not need to be anything extensive, that you’re not familiar with, they can be subdued, mindful moments of acknowledgment and self-love.

Here’s a couple ways to implement ritual this Summer Solstice:

Honour Your Work

Take 5 to 10 minutes and write down what you have accomplished over the past six months. Read your list as many times as you need to over the next few days to let acknowledgement of your accomplishments resonate within your soul. Further to that, write down what you want to let go, what hasn’t worked out and give yourself acknowledgement for trying. And then, tell yourself that everything that didn’t work out, or that no longer serves you is something you will not be taking into the next 6 months of the year with you. Let. It. Go. 

Smudge Your Space

Start the next six months off with a clean energy slate. Smudge your workspace, closets, and home with sage or palo santo. Clear old energy and make room for new positive frequencies.

Use Citrine

Said to embrace the energy of the sun, Citrine is one of the most powerful stones to use for stimulating passion, strength and the power of manifestation. Citrine is connected your Sacral and Solar Plexus chakras where our feelings of personal power, will and determination are found, as well as our capacity for abundance and joy.

Keep Citrine close to you over the next few days. Hold it in your hand while you meditate or visualize the next six months to come.

Self-Care with Meditation

This is a beautiful ritual that ideally we would make time for everyday. Take an hour to your self  and do something that is only and completely for you. Whether it’s yoga, a bike ride, a run, a salt scrub, drink a warm calming wellness tea afterwards. Then settle into a meditative state for about 10 minutes or more if you can. Clear your mind in preparation for what is right around the corner, while practicing tools to help deal with any Cancer-induced emotional tides.

Image By
Garrett Sears
When dealing with our spiritualities, the idea of getting grounded may seem counterproductive. After all, aren’t we always working to align with our higher self? However, while some of us may constantly have our heads focused on the workings of the moon, or are thinking about the universe and the stars, it is important to maintain a strong connection with the grounding energies provided to us by our planet Earth.

When working with practices like Law of Attraction, for example, it can be easy to let our minds wander far and wide, developing and visualizing our desired paths and futures. But the practice of grounding our selves in the present is extremely important to staying aligned with our higher selves.

Further to that when working in our day-to-day experiences, it can be easy to let our heads move quickly to the future, worrying about what needs to be done and how you are going to do it, or focusing on the incessant “what ifs” of every day life. When our minds begin to spin, it can generate worry, doubt and keep us from the task at hand. We can feel less productive, less focused and more stressed.

Getting yourself grounded in the here and now can be done anywhere, any time. Here are a few ways to practice getting grounded, fast.

Go Barefoot 

Easy enough right? The simple practice of taking off your socks and shoes, whether you are inside or out, can help you feel connected to the earth below you, fast. Try to walk barefoot at home more regularly, being mindful of why. The simple movement of taking your socks off and placing your bare feet on the floor, while mindfully saying the word “grounded” in your head, will help you achieve it.

Burn Palo Santo

Palo Santo has been recognized for its soothing and healing qualities, known to keep our energies clear and grounded. The earthy aromatic scent of Palo Santo can help bring our minds back down to Earth, while providing clarity to our minds and a grounded sense to our inner beings.

Use Black Tourmaline 

Black Tourmaline can help clear or neutralize negative thoughts. It is commonly used in practices of grounding and can add as a protective force from experiences or people that may seek to drain your positive energy. Black tourmaline is associated with our root chakras, and activates our feelings of security.

Journal 

Journalling helps you get connected to the physical quickly. The practice of having a pen in your hand and a notebook in front of you helps you formulate your thoughts. Even if you are applying a stream of consciousness practice, the act of getting your thoughts out of your head and into a physical space will work to ground and calm the mind.

Simple Yoga Poses

It’s in the name. Simple poses like Tree or Mountain can help you feel connected to the earth below you, calm your heart and steady the mind. And they can be done anywhere, any time.

Meditate

Conscientiously clearing your head space while connecting to your physical being, will help you come back into a state of feeling grounded and connected with the earth. The simple act of feeling your back against a cushion or taking a moment to be mindful of how you are breathing will help you find alignment, as well as gives you an opportunity to appreciate with how your physical body works and connects with the physical around you.