Summer Solstice Musings
In every season we encourage you to take a minute to ask yourself …
What is my ideal pace during this season?
What am I looking forward to this time of year?
Is there something I do this time of year to appreciate the season?
“June is a month of celebration for all living beings. The long rains come, encouraging growth and transformation. Green grass carpets the ground, animal mothers nurture their young, scented blossoms invite pollinating friends, and water sparkles under rays of light. Na’a (Mother Earth) is awake and Niipo (summer) is near! Soon, Na’toosi (Grandfather Sun) will reach his most northerly point in our sky, shining from above the horizon for longer than any other day of the year. We call this the summer solstice. In many Indigenous communities, the solstice indicates a time for renewal and connection – a time for ceremonies intimately related to land and spirit.”
Calgary Board of Education. (2003). CBE Indigenous Newsletter: Summer 2003 [Newsletter].
Pelican on the Bow River, Calgary, AB, 2025
“The air of the prairie is clear and sweet.”
~ Nellie McClung
The word solstice comes from the Latin word solstitium, meaning "sun standing still." Summer is the season where the sun is most available, and some of us wish it would stay this way year round.
The transition between seasons is always a moment for reflection. Whether we set goals on January 1st, at the start of spring, or at any other time, seasonal transition is a good opportunity to reassess (refer back to the three questions at the beginning of this article).
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
This quote ignites the senses and one can feel and almost taste the experience of summer. When asked what summer makes her think of, Anne Robillard said:
“I think of growing and eating fresh veggies and spending endless hours outside. I love eating every meal on the balcony.”
Summer often invites us outdoors to enjoy swimming, hiking, biking, barbecuing, and other activities, while also noticing when our bodies and minds need a pause or “Time Out.” When we notice these signs, it might be a great time to settle in with a good book or take a nap under a tree.
The increased daylight hours and sunlight feel like an invitation to spend a little more time outside, connected to the land and the season.
“One must maintain a little bit of summer,
even in the middle of winter.”
~ Henry David Thoreau
After a spring that brought almost every kind of weather—including many chilly evenings that tested the patience of Calgary gardeners—the arrival of the solstice feels especially welcome. On a positive note, Calgary is particularly green this year, and the extra moisture has taken much of the dust from the air.
Calgary weather can be surprising and exciting with hail storms and thunderstorms rolling through, especially during Stampede. What is predictable about summer is the days stretch out, and there’s a sense that there is less of a hurry. Some people like to spend time lying back and watching the clouds drift by—what some call “cloud busting,” finding shapes and stories in the sky.
Summer reminds us that not everything needs to be rushed. With longer days and often more energy, we can choose to move quickly or at a gentler pace, making space for both activity and rest. For generations, many people moved with the rhythms of the land—times of gathering, movement, and work balanced with times of restoration and renewal.
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day... is by no means a waste of time."
~ John Lubbock
Each season can affect us differently. While summer’s longer days and increased activity can bring energy and connection, some people may need to pay closer attention to their rhythms, especially sleep, to support their mental health and maintain balance.
Just as nature moves through cycles, we each have our own rhythms to listen to and care for.
“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”
~ Henry James
We hope these musings offer something to ponder—perhaps a moment of healing, reflection, or a reminder to honour your own pace. Wishing you health and happiness this summer, and in every season.
~ Time Out Team
Coral Bee, Calgary, AB, 2024
