Healing Movement with Ava

A Celebration of Light and Stillness

The summer solstice arrives, and with it, the invitation to bask in the fullness of light. The sun reaches its peak, but instead of rushing toward it, I find myself standing still in its warmth, feeling the slow unfolding of summer’s breath.

The solstice is not just a time of peak energy, it’s also the moment when the longest day holds space for reflection. In the sweltering daylight, there is stillness. In the fullness of heat, there is a quiet invitation to pause.

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I breathe in the warmth of the earth beneath me, my body rooted in the present. And as the light stretches long into the evening, I am reminded that we are in a season of expansion — but only if we also make room for rest. In the brightest of days, the invitation is clear: we can do our deepest work when we also let ourselves lie in the sunlight, soft and unhurried.

Ritualize the Solstice

As the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, I invite you to pause and bask in its golden glow. The Summer Solstice is not just about the outward expression of light, but the inner illumination we allow ourselves to receive. This is a time to honor your growth, acknowledge your desires, and set intentions for the long days ahead.

A Simple Ritual for the Solstice

1. Set the Scene: Create a sacred space outside or near a window. Gather candles, fresh flowers (perhaps from your garden), and a journal.
2. Take a Solitary Walk: Walk barefoot on the earth, connecting with the heat of the summer beneath your feet. Let the sun kiss your skin.
3. Light a Candle: Symbolizing the peak of the sun, light a candle. As the flame flickers, reflect on the fullness of your life, what has grown, and what you are ready to release.
4. Set Your Intentions: In your journal, write down your intentions for the coming season. Let them be gentle, but grounded. Perhaps it’s simply being more present, more in rhythm with nature, or finding deeper joy in your rituals.
5. Tea or Wine: End the ritual with a simple cup of herbal tea or a glass of wine, reflecting on the balance of light and dark. Honor both.

Let the summer solstice remind you: there is beauty in both the height of the sun and the stillness of twilight.

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