It’s sizzling outside, but the breeze is refreshing, the birds are chirping, and summer is in full swing. The summer solstice, aka Midsummer or Litha, is the longest day of the year, and this year it falls on June 21, with the sun setting at 8:27 p.m. It’s a time to celebrate the sun, warmth, fire, and abundance.
Here is our list of ways to get your solstice on in RVA.
I honed my craft as a city witch in Brooklyn and very recently moved here. I am living for all the nature this city has to offer. No shade on NY parks, but this shit hits diff. Since I am a bit of a novice on allllllllll this town has to offer, I consulted my nature lovers and witchy crew for their expert advice, and did they ever deliver.
As I ventured out to check out their recommendations, I would ask random people what their favorite nature spots were. This ended up being a great way to explore the city and meet new friends.
From setting up your altar and finding nature spots to hit up, to spells to do, this article has everything under the sun that you need to know to appreciate summer the witchy way.
Setting Up an Altar
A Midsummer altar is set up with items that visually represent the season and is sort of a witch’s desk where you can set intentions and do spell work. You can do this at any point leading up to the day or on the day itself. It can be very simple, or you can go all out.
Since this solstice is all about the sun and fire, you’re going to want to include things that represent those elements to you. Colors generally associated with the day are red, yellow, and orange. You may want to get a candle in one of these colors for the center of your altar. A great place to get candles is House of Anubis, but you can also just go to Michaels. A white candle always works if you can’t get your hands on a colored one.
Traditionally, witches place something to represent the elements in each directional corner of the altar, though it’s your altar, so don’t feel obligated to play by the rules. These are just examples. You can put anything that represents these elements to you, or simply use a candle in the associated color in each corner.
North is for earth. Think stones, plants, or even dirt. It’s associated with the color green.
East is air. Anything yellow works, or you can place feathers or incense. Aquarian Bookshop has an amazing selection of incense and loose herbs. I love the smell of dragon’s blood, and it’s perfect for this holiday.
South is fire. We’re going red here. You can set a candle in this corner or simply rest your matches or lighter there.
West is water. A small bowl of water does the trick, or a dab of something blue will do.
Take a moment to appreciate each element as you set up your altar. Whenever you light your candle or candles, think about all the blessings of the sun and what you want to manifest this season.
Get Stoned
Different stones have different witchy meanings. Head over to Aquarian or Magdalena and keep an eye out for stones that are red, yellow, or orange, like citrine (prosperity, success), amber (renewal, abundance), carnelian (courage, creativity), sunstone (abundance, optimism), and tiger’s eye (courage, mental clarity).
Moonstone (new beginnings), peridot (prosperity, renewal), and clear quartz (clarity, amplifies your energy) are also perfect for your altar this season.
You can also just go with your vibes. If something draws you to it, it may need to go home with you.
This is also the perfect time to charge any stones you already have. Charging your crystals in the sun is easy peasy. Cleanse old energy off them by holding them over the smoke from your favorite incense bundle, whether that’s sage, rosemary, dragon’s blood, or something else entirely.
Once they’re cleansed, place them in a sunny area and let them soak up the rays for two to four hours. Power those babies up with all that solar energy.
You can carry a stone with you to bring its desired energy while you’re on the go, place it on your altar, or keep it anywhere you could use a little vibe boost.
Make Some Shit
Sun Water
Witches love some moon water, which is simply an open jar or bowl of water left outside to charge under the full moon. It can be used to bless items on your altar, dabbed on yourself for a little lunar energy, used to represent the west on your altar, incorporated into cleaning rituals, or even used to water your plants. Just don’t drink it.
Sun water is essentially the same thing, except the water is placed outside for a couple of hours when the sun is at its peak. Stones can be added to the water to give both the water and the stone a little extra oomph.
Sun Tea
One thing you can drink is sun tea.
Fill a large clear jar, preferably one with a lid, with water. Now bust out your favorite tea bags. Savory Blends Tea Co. is a Richmond-based company with an amazing selection, and they’re hosting a tea blending workshop on the 20th where you can create your own summer brew. Their teas are loose leaf, so you’ll need to put them in your own tea bags or cheesecloth.
Pop a couple of tea bags into the jar. You can also add mint, lemon, peaches, or berries. Put the lid on and set the jar outside in direct sunlight for about three to five hours, depending on how strong you like it. Add your sweetener of choice and get to sippin’ on sunshine.
Weave a Flower Crown
You’re going to need a lot of flowers with long stems for this one, and no thorns. You can also use ferns and other long foliage for filler.
It’s super easy once you get the hang of it. Essentially, you braid the stems of three flowers together and gradually add more flowers as you go. This tutorial is super easy to follow.
Midsummer Snacks
This is the time to celebrate the abundance the garden gives. Appreciate the bounty of the sun season with bright, vibrant fruits and veggies. Think berries, corn, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.
Peach salsa and watermelon feta salad are two super-simple summer staples.
Peach salsa is basically peaches, red bell pepper, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. It’s juicy, spicy, sweet, and looks like summer in a bowl.
Watermelon feta salad is somehow even simpler: watermelon, feta, mint, and red onion. It’s super light, bright, and refreshing.
We Outside!!
Get some solo sun time. This is the time of year when Richmond turns into Bloom Town. Get in your garden. It’s an ideal time to pick herbs and tend to your plant babies.
If you don’t have a garden, there are plenty of gorgeous places to admire the beauty of nature. Of course, we have the big hitters like Maymont (which just celebrated its 100th anniversary), Byrd Park, Belle Isle, and Pony Pasture. For blooms that won’t quit, you can drop a little coin and head over to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Don’t sleep on the beauty of the cemeteries here either. Hollywood Cemetery is breathtaking and a great place for birdwatching.
If you want a more low-key adventure, there are tons of smaller, less busy parks and local gardens to explore. Scuffletown Park on Strawberry Street is a tiny park packed with blooms. Lewis Ginter Park is a hidden hiking haven and the perfect place to meander among the trees.
The Lowline runs along the canal, and since it’s the beginning of Cancer season, strolling along this nature corridor is a calming way to celebrate this water sign. The walk takes you right by Libby Hill Park, so be sure to head over there before sundown. Libby Hill has some of the best views of the city and is the spot to catch the solstice sunset.
Wanna get more active? Hop on your bike and head to the James River Park Trail Loop, particularly the Buttermilk Trail if you’re looking for a little more adventure.
Trying to go real low-key? Just take a walk around your neighborhood and admire what your neighbors have going on in their yards.
I love to take a “witchy walk” where I have no real destination and just wander my way around, turning whenever I spot a cute tree or a particularly vivacious yard. East Main Street and North Mulberry Street are two roads that really serve summer scenery.
Wanna bring some of nature’s beauty home? Lavender Fields Farm has an amazing selection of herbs, plus you can pick up some local honey and lavender lemonade.
Sneeds Nursery is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and man, do they have a flower selection. They’ve also got plenty of other flora to choose from.
Keep an eye out for flowers that symbolize the season, including daisies, elderflower, lavender, roses, and sunflowers.
Bonfires and Burning Spells
After you catch the sunset, it’s time to make night moves. Gather your homies and get a bonfire going.
Because Midsummer is all about the sun, it’s naturally associated with fire. Traditionally, bonfires were lit on this night to keep evil away and bring prosperity to the next round of crops.
I like to do a simple burning ritual whenever I’m around a bonfire, though any fire source will do. Just be safe.
Write something you want on a slip of paper. If it’s something you want to bring into your life, roll the paper toward you. If it’s something you want to get rid of, roll the paper away from you. Focus on your intention as you roll the paper.
Then toss it into the fire and stay focused on your goal as it burns.
If you’re looking to get inside, head to Get Tight Lounge at 8 p.m. for their Summer Solstice Celebration and catch Community Witch with Hotpants and IONNA.
When dawn comes, that doesn’t mean you have to stop celebrating the sun. You can do any of these things whenever you want.
You can also keep the vibes alive after the big day at Mystics & Moss: A Midsummer Fairy Picnic on June 27 at Maymont.
The sun’s energy may be strongest during Litha, but it shines all year round. As we fade into fall, keep appreciating the flowers, light the candles on your altar, and take in those golden rays.
Photo by Jonathan Citron
Caption for photo: An Analemma of our Sun. One year ago today on August 5 2020, I embarked on the journey of creating this analemma. A photo of our star taken from the exact same location at the exact same time for a whole year, here spaced out by 5 to 10 days. The over exposed sun in this shot with a scene of Richmond Virginia from Libby Hill Park was taken on the day of the earliest sunset of the year, December 6 2020. All photos taken at 4pm in the winter and 5pm in the summer due to daylight savings, with camera pointing 245°SW
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