A soft and dreamy watercolor painting capturing the essence of the Australian Summer Solstice. The golden sun radiates warmth over a serene landscape of native wildflowers, including eucalyptus, kangaroo paw, and bottlebrush. In the foreground, a simple altar adorned with small candles rests gently among the flowers, symbolizing Litha and the celebration of light. The delicate brushstrokes and warm tones of green, yellow, and red reflect the cycles of nature and the gentle magic of the season.

As we come to the close of this #CyclesOfCraft chapter, it feels like the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate everything we’ve created and embraced since Beltaine. The journey from the fertile fires of Beltaine to the full bloom of the Summer Solstice has been one of growth, illumination, and transformation. Now, at the peak of the sun's power, we step into Litha, the Summer Solstice, a time to honour the light, bask in the season’s abundance, and set intentions for the next cycle.

The #CyclesOfCraft Journey

During the #CyclesOfCraft, we have learnt how to work with the lunar phases in our creative practice: the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter, and Dark Moon. When to begin projects, when to look at wrapping them up, even when to pause at the Dark Moon before starting again. Following these cycles and working with the changing seasons has allowed us to tap into natural rhythms and let them influence our creative process. The colours of each season have provided inspiration, while the summer heat has shaped how we work, sometimes making mediums like acrylic paint or air-dry clay unworkable. I’ve used this time to explore and learn watercolours, embracing their lightness and flow during these warmer months.

This cover image for the #CyclesOfCraft campaign visually encapsulates the journey of creating art in harmony with the natural world. Featuring the lunar phases and seasonal motifs, it embodies the essence of 'Crafting the Seasons: An Artistic Journey Through Nature's Cycles.' This visual representation reflects the interconnectedness of art, the lunar rhythm, and the ever-changing seasons that guide the creative process.

What is the Summer Solstice?

The Summer Solstice, or Litha, marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It is a celebration of the sun’s full strength and the abundance it brings to the earth. Traditionally, it is a time of joy, community, and gratitude, as we honour the gifts of the light while acknowledging that, from here, the days will begin to shorten as the Wheel of the Year continues to turn.

For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, celebrating the Summer Solstice carries its own unique energy. While much of the world aligns this day with June, we experience the full vibrancy of Litha in December. Our celebration falls in the height of summer’s warmth, buzzing with life and the energy of the holiday season. It is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with the rhythms of nature here in Australia, where the sun graces us with its golden power.

Colours, Symbols & Themes of Litha

Litha is all about embracing the radiance of the sun and celebrating abundance, life, and creativity. Its themes include:

Joy and celebration
Fertility and abundance
Growth and gratitude
Balance and reflection

Colours:

Gold, yellow, orange, red, green, and white

Symbols:

The sun, sunflowers, Eucalyptus, kangaroo paw, bottlebrush, and native mint. fire, fresh fruits, bees, honey, and seasonal flowers

Crystals & Herbs:

Citrine, sunstone, carnelian; lavender, chamomile, rosemary, basil, and mint

This Litha altar captures the vibrant energy of the Summer Solstice. With a small white goddess statue at its center, the altar is surrounded by candles, sunflowers, and crystals like citrine and carnelian. Seasonal herbs such as rosemary and mint, along with native Australian flowers like eucalyptus and kangaroo paw, enhance the altar’s connection to nature. The warm, golden tones and symbols of abundance, growth, and fertility invite the sun’s radiance and celebrate the peak of summer’s power.

Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice

Whether you choose to celebrate the Solstice alone or with loved ones, there are many ways to honour the day and its light. Here are some suggestions:

Celebrate with a Group

Host a Solstice Gathering: Share a meal outdoors, incorporating fresh, seasonal foods and drinks. Think vibrant salads, summer fruits, and herbal teas.
Create a Shared Altar: Invite everyone to bring something symbolic of the season—flowers, candles, fruits, or personal intentions.
Light a Bonfire or Candles: A nod to ancient Solstice traditions, fire represents the sun’s power. Gather around for storytelling, singing, or intention-setting.

A Ritual to Honour the Summer Solstice

This ritual is a beautiful way to mark the Solstice, reflect on your growth, and set intentions for the season ahead. You can do it alone or invite others to join you.

Preparation

Prepare your altar space with symbols of the Solstice: flowers, candles, sun imagery, fresh fruit, seasonal herbs, and native Australian flowers like eucalyptus or kangaroo paw.
Play music that reflects the theme of joy and sunlight. I’ll be sharing a special Spotify playlist to set the tone.

Welcome the Day

Rise early to watch the sunrise, symbolising the light flooding into your life.
Take a cleansing shower, bath, or swim. If possible, use herbs like rosemary, lavender, or mint in the water to refresh and renew.
Dress in Litha colours: gold, orange, red, or green.

A beautiful sunrise over the Melbourne city skyline, capturing the soft golden glow of an Australian summer morning. The sun rises over the iconic buildings, casting long shadows, creating a tranquil yet vibrant scene that symbolizes the beginning of a new day in this bustling city.

Reflection & Intention-Setting

Let the sunlight into your space by opening windows or stepping outside. Feel the balance of light and dark restoring your energy and spirit.
Draw 3 cards from a tarot or oracle deck to reflect on:

What light do I need to embrace?
What is ready to grow in my life?
What can I release to create balance?

Journal your reflections using this prompt: What light am I ready to embrace in this new season? What intentions or affirmations will guide me as I move forward? Allow yourself to get creative—sketch, paint, or collage your insights.

This 3-card tarot reading is part of a Summer Solstice ritual, where each card represents a different aspect of reflection and intention-setting for the season ahead. Set in a sunlight-filled room, the peaceful ambiance and mystical energy of the cards guide the process of connecting with the light and energy of Litha.

Celebrate & Give Thanks

Prepare a meal or snacks using fresh, seasonal produce that honours the Australian summer. Some ideas include:

Vibrant summer salads with mango, avocado, and native herbs
Fruit platters featuring watermelon, berries, and stone fruits
Herbal iced teas with mint, lemon myrtle, or chamomile
Honey drizzled on fresh bread or scones with native jam

As you enjoy your meal, take a moment to give thanks for the light, the earth’s abundance, and all you have cultivated this season.

Summer Solstice celebration dinner features a spread of fresh, seasonal foods including a vibrant mango and avocado salad, a fruit platter of watermelon, berries, and stone fruits, and refreshing herbal iced teas. Set outdoors in the warmth of golden sunlight, the table reflects the abundance, joy, and connection with nature that the Summer Solstice brings.

The Joy of Living

At the heart of the Solstice is a celebration of life itself—a day to pause, soak in the sun’s warmth, and feel joy radiating within and around us. As the French say, Joie de Vivre (the joy of living) reminds us to embrace this light while it is at its fullest.

The intentions and affirmations you set now can be seeds for what’s to come as we move towards the next New Moon. Think of this as the beginning of your vision board, which we’ll create together when the new year begins.

Wishing you all a joyful and radiant Summer Solstice! May it fill your heart with light and set you on a path of growth and abundance.

Keep an eye out for what’s coming next in the #CyclesOfCraft journey. A new cycle is always just around the corner.

What are your favorite ways to celebrate the Solstice? I’d love to hear how you connect with this day’s energy. Share your thoughts in the comments below or over on Instagram—and don’t forget to tag me in your celebrations!

This special edition Summer Solstice blog was brought to life with the help of Canva Dream Lab, where all images were carefully crafted to reflect the vibrant energy and abundance of the season. Exploring new creative skills through Canva Dream Lab has been a rewarding experience, and I’m excited to continue using these tools to bring my artistic vision to life. Thank you for joining me in this celebration of light and growth!

Summer Solstice Special Edition: Celebrating the Light of Litha