Why and How to Harness the Peak of Yang Energy of the Summer Solstice

The radiant sun is the source of all human life. The cycle of human life revolves around it. People come and go but the sun remains shining day after day. It never fails us. Steadfast symbol of perpetual life and vibrant energy, we take the sun for granted rarely pausing to appreciate its unceasing life-giving nature and live by its example. The Summer Solstice event is always an opportunity for us to honor and harness the energy of the sun and its aspects and to become part of and expand our consciousness by way of this energetic solar event.

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Sunrise on the Summer solstice occurs every year on June 20 or 21. This day is the peak of yang energy ushered in by energetic Summer and the Fire element.

We’ll want to harness this peak of yang energy at this time since the lively energy of yang will begin declining when energetic Fall and the Metal element arrive August 7 and we decline even more profoundly through energetic Winter and the Water element.

We can harness the Summer Solstice peak of yang energy by acknowledging it exists and opening our hearts to it—the heart being one of Fire’s organs according to traditional Chinese medicine. Place your focus on the heart during energetic Summer by 1) feeding the body heart nourishing foods(1) and 2) staying active—a yang energy—so that the heart will receive positive energy and support like improved blood circulation.

When summertime and the Summer Solstice arrives it is very important and integral to your body to remain active. (Please read our recent blog on increasing yang energy here. The article can help you harness this peak of yang energy.)

The quantum energetic Fire element line of skin and hair care by PHYTO5 will also assist you to get the most out of energetic Summer and its yang energy. All products in all five element lines are highly energetic with the highest concentration of this potency found in the Phyt’Ether serums. This unique vibrational quality in the products gives them the ability to balance not just skin, but vital energy and emotions as well.

On the Summer Solstice the sun is at its highest point in the sky and marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. This day marks the start of astronomical summer and the tipping point at which days start to become shorter and nights longer.  The Summer Solstice calls for introspection and presence unto ourselves—a hallmark moment in time calling us to creatively and profoundly experience the spirituality, meaning and vibratory frequency of the solstice energies. This event can be extremely powerful in helping to take us to new heights spiritually and vibrationally.

The word solstice comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and stitium (still or stopped). The ancients, even as early as the Stone Age, noticed that as Summer progressed, the sun stopped moving northward in the sky as it began to track southward again as Summer advanced to Fall.

Our forebears from all over the world, undistracted from the rigors of modern daily life and who lived in greater harmony with nature than we do today, noticed there was something very special about the Summer Solstice.

Approximately 800 years ago, Wyoming plains native Americans built the famed 80-foot wide Bighorn stone Medicine Wheel. It was built with 28 spokes one of which pointed to Summer solstice sunrise and another to the Summer solstice sunset.

Chumash Indians of California bored carefully placed holes in walls and ceilings of caves through which only the Summer Solstice light would shine.

Anazazi Indians of New Mexico painted two spirals on a rock in Chaco Canyon. At noon on the Summer Solstice a beam of light pointed to the center of one of the spirals.

In Central America, the Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs built great temples aligned to the moment of the Summer Solstice sunrise.

In the Mayan city of Chichén Itza in Mexico, the Spiral Tower is built with windows and doors that are oriented to the rising and setting sun at both solstices and equinoxes.

At the ancient Mayan observatory Uaxactún in the Guatemalan rainforest, present day viewers can welcome the Summer on a viewing platform to see the sun rise over a series of small pyramids, an astronomy cluster of four structures, built in exact alignment with the great solar event.

The Summer solstice was the most important day of the year in ancient Egypt when the waters of the Nile would begin to rise at this time. From the view of the Sphinx, the sun sets squarely between the Great Pyramids of Khufu and Khafre on Egypt’s Giza plateau on the Summer solstice.

The solstice was joyfully celebrated in ancient Europe with flower head wreaths, games and bonfires. It was believed that bonfires would boost the sun’s energy for the rest of the growing season and guarantee a good harvest for the Fall. And while the actual purpose, function and origins of Stonehenge, the neolithic megalith monument in the south of England, has been long debated by archeologists, the site happens to be aligned with the direction of the Summer Solstice sunrise.

In ancient China, the Summer Solstice was associated with yin, the feminine force, which is balanced by the yang masculine energy of the Winter Solstice. Festivities celebrated the earth, femininity, and the yin force. The ancient Chinese saw the sun prevailing in Summer with yin energies beginning to wax as yang energies began to wane.

According to some ancient Greek calendars, the Summer Solstice marked the start of the New Year and also marked the one-month countdown to the opening of the Olympic games.

In the days leading up to the Summer Solstice, the ancient Romans celebrated Vestalia to honor Vesta, goddess of the hearth. At this time married women left offerings in the temple of Vesta as pleas and prayers for blessings for their families.

Midsummer was a pivotal time of year for the Vikings, who would meet to discuss legal matters and resolve disputes around this auspicious time.

Cultures around the world still celebrate the day with feasts, bonfires, picnics and song. Today, people dance around bonfires that blaze on hilltops in Cornwall, Wales and Ireland. Yoga centers and spiritual circles around the world usher in the solstice with drumming and chanting.

Each one of us has the individual opportunity to dive deeper into life and the Summer season by becoming more deeply acquainted with the Summer Solstice. One way is by intimately experiencing the darkness of the evening preceding the solstice to assist us to know and appreciate the light of the Summer Solstice sun the next morning more fully.

Here is a list of simple yet powerful practices to help us usher in the Summer Solstice more consciously while embracing the peak of yang energy.

• Eat simply throughout the day leading up to evening.

• In the evening, turn out all the lights in your home.

• Unplug your television, computer, and all electrical devices.

• Light candles.

• Go outside, outstretch your arms and breathe in the night air.

• Take a long walk during this evening. Take note of the stars and the clouds.

• Light a fire outside, if possible. If you don’t have a firepit, use a portable grill.

• Play an instrument fireside if you can.

• Sing or chant quietly and reverentially.

• Bake potatoes in the fire you built.

• Lay down on a blanket near the fire and doze.

• Go back inside and read a book by candlelight.

• Take time to sit in silence.

• Wake up before dawn that day to be ready to greet the rising sun.

• Feel the energy and the presence of your ancestors.

• Relish the power of the rising sun.

• Sing a song or whisper a prayer in honor of the dawn.

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Endnotes:

1. Red fruits and vegetables, (red being the yang color associated with energetic Summer and the Fire element) are considered by traditional Chinese medicine to be beneficial to a warm heart with a healthy chi.

Sources:

“Chinese Summer Solstice Features Feminine Energy and Cold Noodles.” eChineseLearning Blog Chinese Summer Solstice Features Feminine Energy and Cold Noodles Comments, www.echineselearning.com/blog/chinese-summer-solstice-features-feminine-energy-and-cold-noodles#:~:text=Ancient%20Chinese%20saw%20the%20summer,Yang%20energies%20begin%20to%20wane. Accessed 2 June 2023.

“The Vestalia: Celebrating Vesta and Purifying Rome.” History and Archeology Online, https://historyandarchaeologyonline.com/the-vestalia-celebrating-vesta-and-purifying-rome, 6 June 2019

“History of Summer Solstice Traditions.” National Trust United Kingdom, https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/history-of-summer-solstice-traditions

How and Why to Increase Yang Energy Activity During Energetic Summer and the Fire Element

One of the foundational tenets of traditional Chinese medicine is that of adjusting our lifestyle habits to align with the seasons. These lifestyle habits include how we eat, move, and live throughout the year as we experience the changes of each of the five seasons of traditional Chinese medicine. This is a mindful practice and a rhythmic approach to living where we learn to adapt, flow and enjoy life more. We ease into ways of living that work very well in support of body, mind, and soul. This type of rhythmic living helps us avoid stress and its harmful effects and it elevates our well-being.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, energetic Summer which begins May 6 and runs until July 19 every year is the season of the Fire element. Summer is the most yang period of the year—a time of expansion, peak vitality, and outward and upward movement.

At the Summer Solstice is when this Summer yang energy peaks. Yang represents the day while yin represents the night and at the Summer Solstice we mark the longest day and the shortest night of the year. On the Summer Solstice we have the most yang day of the year and the peak of yang Fire energy.

Balance of Yin and Yang
In traditional Chinese medicine, balance is always sought in order to achieve and maintain wellness. The ancient Chinese recognized the duality of our universe and saw that all things were composed of energy and that energy was composed of two complementary yet opposing actions. These two forces are yin and yang and they're interdependent and interconnected.

The ancient Chinese and we today can see that a natural ebb and flow of yin and yang energies is constantly occurring throughout all of life. We must acknowledge and embrace this ebb and flow as part of the cycle of life if we wish to live harmonious lives as part of the natural world. Balancing yin and yang energies is essential for balance of body, mind and spirit.

Summer Is Yang
The five seasons of the year each represent either a yin or yang energy primarily and for Summer, its energy is primarily yang—the energy associated with action, movement and change. Yang is the moving, dynamic, warming aspect within nature and our bodies.

Even if we don’t have background in traditional Chinese medicine, we sense all this, because we feel this expansion of energy in different ways during energetic Summer. The days become longer. We enjoy more sunlight and energy. We feel like engaging in more activities and we find it easier to gain momentum. We even feel more outwardly social and instinctively look for ways to engage with the world.

Both yin and yang principles play an important role in how active we are at any point in the year. There are types of exercise or movement that will best suit each season’s yin or yang expression. 

In Summer, since the Fire energy is very yang and all about action, movement and change, we’ll want to align the movement of our physical bodies with a similar kind of energy and action. Activity and exercise are especially important at this time to keep the pores open and chi flowing smoothly throughout the body. 

“To increase yang, spend more time in active, ambitious pursuits. Cultivate your outer expression, physical strength, firmness and personal interactions. Initiate projects. In your home, use warm colors - yellow-green, yellows, oranges, and reds.”

— Hope Karan Gerecht in Healing Design: Practical Feng Shui for Healthy and Gracious Living

Our bodies’ chi and energy are at their peaks during the season of Fire so we can take advantage of the window of opportunity the season provides for getting projects we were planning all Winter and Spring finally done.

Yang Tissues and Exercise
The body itself has yin and yang tissues. Yang tissues are the ones we are most familiar with—our muscles. It’s no coincidence that Summer yang activities and exercise target the muscles and involve rhythmic repetitive movements. Our Summer exercise should tend to push us a little more, needing to use more force to achieve our health and fitness goals. An aligned fitness goal for Summer would be to build strength or endurance in our muscular tissue.

Activating our yang tissues by exercising will definitely provide a plethora of health benefits, however if we solely focus on yang activities during Summer, this can wear our bodies down and heighten the fight-or-flight response in our nervous systems. A yin practice like walking to balance a gym workout invites us to slow down, be more present in our bodies and relax into the moment.

How to Work with and Benefit from Summer Yang

• Cultivate your yang chi energy by sunbathing, but be sure to use sun protection.

• Avoid prolonged stays in air conditioned cold rooms. This causes chi and blood stagnation.

• Avoid excessive sweating when exercising.

• Get sufficient sleep. You can go to sleep late but by 11 p.m. is best. Get up early. Do not be tempted to sleep too long in the morning. A midday nap is also very beneficial during Summer.

• Augment your regular exercise schedule with a short period of morning exercise when your yang is rising. This practice also nourishes the mind. Do not exercise immediately on rising. First, drink a cup of warm water and then do not too strenuous morning exercises for about 20 to 30 minutes. Qi gong, yoga and tai chi are perfect for this.

Types of Summer Yang Exercise

Exercise every day enough to just break a sweat, but do not overexert and drink a good deal of water when you’re finished.

• Enjoy any sort of outdoor activity.

• Practice strength training, muscle building, core exercises and short high-intensity training(HIIT) sessions.

• Make sure you include cardiovascular/aerobic exercise:

“Cardiovascular fitness goes a long way in maintaining adaptation for the Fire Type. At the least, a brisk walk every day of at least thirty minutes can make a huge impact. If health and age allow for it, jogging or other aerobic exercises should be part of a daily routine. Many of my patients state they don’t have the time to set aside for this type of commitment, to which I reply that they don’t have any choice. Studies have shown that walking for shorter periods twice a day accomplishes the same training effect as one longer session. For the Fire Type especially, caring for the Heart is the first priority.”

— Charles A. Moss, MD in Power of the Five Elements: The Chinese Medicine Path to Healthy Aging and Stress Resistance

• The more active practice of yang yoga works on the yang muscles and blood flow while building strength, stamina and flexibility. These types of yoga include power vinyasa (provides rhythm and repetition), ashtanga, and Bikram.

• For the really athletic, there’s high jumping, running, and sprinting.

• Take an evening walk. The mind can become easily distracted in Summer and an evening walk can help nourish the mind with quiet and tranquility not to mention it will help balance your more strenuous activities of the day.

• Do some Summer evening stretching to loosen muscles and movement. This can help promote systemic blood circulation, thereby reducing your cardiac burden and improving your quality of sleep.

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Sources:

Yin and Yang: Unlocking the Power of Harmony. N.p., Xspurts.com.

A TCM Way to be Healthy, Inside and Out. N.p., FriesenPress, 2017.

Moss, Charles A. Power of the Five Elements: The Chinese Medicine Path to Healthy Aging and Stress Resistance. United States, North Atlantic Books, 2011.

Gerecht, Hope Karan. HealingDesign: Practical Feng Shui for Healthy and Gracious Living. United States, Journey Editions, 1999.

13 Inspiring Summer Solstice Quotes to Celebrate the Longest Day of the Year

The Summer Solstice, marking the longest day and shortest night of the year, is a time to honor the sun’s life-giving energy and embrace the vibrant season. These 13 Summer Solstice quotes offer profound insights to inspire your rituals and celebrations. Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth or a deeper connection with nature, let these words guide you through this auspicious time.

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What Is the Summer Solstice?

The Summer Solstice, derived from the Latin words sol (sun) and stitium (still or stopped), occurs annually on June 20 or 21.

On this day, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, delivering the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Ancient cultures, from the Mayans to the Druids, revered this event, aligning monuments like Stonehenge with the Solstice sunrise.

Today, it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and harness the sun’s radiant energy.

Summer Solstice Quotes to Inspire Your Celebration

1. Embracing the Sun’s Radiance

I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and Summer days. — Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau reminds us to cherish the abundance of sunlight during the Summer Solstice. Take time to bask in the warmth and let it recharge your spirit.

I don’t think there’s anything on this planet that more trumpets life than the sunflower… Wherever light is, no matter how weak, these flowers will find it. — Helen Mirren

Like the sunflower, follow the light this Solstice. Create a ritual to honor the sun such as meditating outdoors at sunrise.

2. Balancing Light and Dark

Both the Winter and the Summer Solstices are expressions of love. They show us the opposition of light and dark… — Gary Zukav

Zukav’s words highlight the Solstice as a balance of opposites — yin and yang. Use this time to reflect on your inner light and shadow, fostering personal growth.

This is the Solstice, the still point of the sun, its cusp and midnight, the year’s threshold and unlocking…  — Margaret Atwood

Atwood’s poetic imagery captures the Solstice as a turning point. Journal about your intentions for the season ahead to align with this transformative energy.

3. Evolving Through Solstice Energy

Give like the sun and the whole world grows tall. — Atticus

The Summer Solstice invites generosity. Amplify the sun’s generous kind of energy and share positivity with others, whether through kind words or acts of service.

The great gift of the energy of the Summer Solstice is that it’s designed to move you from one phase to the next on your terms. — Deborah King

King emphasizes the solstice’s power for transformation. Pair this energy with healing practices, like using our Fire Element skincare line , designed to soothe sensitive skin and balance emotions with the vibrant fiery red energy of Summer.

4. Honoring Ancient Traditions

If I had to choose a religion, the sun as the universal giver of life would be my God. — Napoleon Bonaparte

Bonaparte’s reverence for the sun echoes ancient traditions.

From the Aztecs’ solstice-aligned temples to the Chumash’s¹ Solsticee light-capturing caves, cultures worldwide have celebrated this day.

Visit a local sacred site or create a small altar with red crystals like bloodstone or carnelian to connect with this heritage.

5. Celebrating Summer’s Abundance

I walk without flinching through the burning cathedral of the Summer… — Violette Leduc

Leduc’s vivid imagery evokes Summer’s intensity. Embrace this energy with outdoor activities like picnics or bonfires, a tradition still alive in Cornwall and Ireland.

It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside. — Maud Hart Lovelace

Lovelace’s words inspire gratitude for Summer’s beauty. Plant a rose or create a floral crown to honor the season’s lushness.

6. Rituals for Renewal

Not only is there the Summer Solstice, there is a full moon. May love surround you like sunshine on a sunny day. — William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s quote ties the Solstice to love and renewal. Celebrate with a moonlit walk or a candlelit dinner to deepen your connection to this magical night.

And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees… life was beginning over again with the Summer. — F. Scott Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald’s optimism invites us to start anew. Try a Solstice ritual like lighting a fire, chanting softly, or baking potatoes in glowing embers to mark this fresh beginning.

7. The Moon’s Mystical Role

At midnight in the month of June, I stand beneath the mystic moon. — Edgar Allan Poe

Poe’s words remind us of the moon’s quiet presence during the Solstice. Spend the evening stargazing or meditating to absorb its serene energy.

8. Welcoming the Dawn

May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you guide your way on.  — Snatam Kaur

Kaur’s blessing is a perfect Solstice prayer. Wake before dawn to greet the sunrise, feeling the presence of your ancestors and the sun’s empowering warmth.

Summer Solstice Rituals to Try

To fully embrace the Summer Solstice, try these simple yet powerful rituals:

• Evening Preparation: Eat lightly, unplug devices, and light candles to create a sacred space.

• Moonlit Reflection: Take a nighttime walk, observing the stars and moon. Chant or sing softly by a fire.

• Crystal Healing: Use red crystals like red jasper or carnelian, associated with June’s numerology (6 for healing, 2 for divine feminine energy), to ground and energize.

• Sunrise Greeting: Wake before dawn to welcome the sun with a song or prayer. Set intentions for the season.

• Skincare Ritual: Incorporate our quantum energetic Fire Element products to soothe overheated, sensitive, irritated skin and balance emotions. Align with Summer’s vibrant energy in balance.

Why the Summer Solstice Matters

The Summer Solstice is more than a celestial event. It’s a spiritual and vibrational gateway.

Ancient cultures, from the Mayans at Chichén Itzá to the Egyptians at Giza, aligned their lives with this auspicious day.

Today, yoga centers and spiritual communities worldwide celebrate with drumming, chanting, and bonfires. By engaging with these traditions, you can deepen your connection to nature and yourself.

Are you ready to glow this Summer? Explore our holistic skincare collection to nurture your skin and spirit with the season’s fiery energy.

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Endnotes:

¹ Chumash: Indigenous people inhabiting coastal parts of southern California.

Editors, History.com. “Summer Solstice.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 10 Aug. 2017, www.history.com/topics/natural-disasters-and-environment/history-of-summer-solstice.

Matthews, John. The Summer Solstice: Celebrating the Journey of the Sun from May Day to Harvest. Godsfield, 2005.