By Beth Schreibman Gehring

Long before calendars and clocks, before schedules and spreadsheets, there were the sun and the stars and those of us who watched them closely—gardeners, healers, farmers, mothers. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, was a sacred moment. A time of warmth and waiting, of ripening berries and blooming roses, of hands deep in the soil and hearts lifted to the sun.

For me, this day has always held a special kind of magic.

It’s when the plants are most alive with the sun’s energy, bursting into their fullest expression. It’s when we gather—not only herbs, but memories, meaning, and the courage to keep tending what matters most.

Over the years, I’ve marked the solstice in many ways. Some years with a full basket and muddy hands, others with quiet walks and a deep breath. Always, it’s a reminder that we belong to the seasons, and the plants will gladly teach us how to be present, if we let them.

This year, I invite you to celebrate the Summer Solstice with me. Below are a few of my favorite, simple, and beautiful rituals you can try—alone, with friends, or with the littlest ones in your life. They’re gentle, joyful ways to welcome the light, honor the season, and listen to the wisdom of the garden.

A Sunlit Herb Walk or Garden Harvest

Begin by stepping outside. Visit your garden, a favorite trail, or even a patch of green just off the beaten path. Let this be a walk of noticing. Who’s in bloom? Who’s leaning toward the sun?

St. John’s wort, yarrow, calendula, lavender, lemon balm, chamomile, and roses are all high summer herbs, and many are at their peak right now. Take a basket or gathering cloth and harvest a few stems (respectfully, mindfully, and never more than you need).

Bring a journal if you like and jot down what you see. Maybe a glass of wine infused with sliced strawberries, basil, and mint? Or simply walk in silence. Whatever you do, let the sunlight soak in.

Make a Solstice Blessing Spray

This is one of my favorite ways to bring the feeling of the solstice indoors. All you need is a small spray bottle, some distilled water or witch hazel, and a handful of aromatic herbs.

Here’s a simple blend:

• A few sprigs of lemon balm for brightness and joy
• A few stems of lavender for peace and calm
• A bit of rosemary for clarity and protection
• Some fragrant rose petals and a tablespoon of rosewater for heart and celebration

Place the herbs in your bottle, fill with water or witch hazel, and let it sit in the sunlight for a few hours. Then strain, if desired, and spray wherever you want to invite in fresh energy—around your home, your garden gate, or even as a gentle mist over your face and chest.

Craft an Herbal Solstice Smudge Bundle

Herbal smoke has been used by cultures around the world to bless, cleanse, and protect sacred spaces. For the solstice, creating your own smudge bundle becomes a way to honor both the season and the plants themselves.

Start by gathering herbs that are ready to harvest. Choose varieties known for their clearing, protective, and uplifting qualities like:

• Sage (garden sage or responsibly grown white sage) for clearing stagnant energy
• Rosemary for remembrance and resilience
• Lavender for peace and calm
• Thyme for courage and strength
• Mullein for grounding, protection, and gentle inner clarity

Cut stems about 6–8 inches long and bundle a few of each together. Lay them flat and arrange them so the ends line up neatly. You can also layer in a few rose petals or a sprig of lemon balm for added sweetness.

Take a natural cotton string or undyed twine and begin wrapping from the base, crisscrossing as you work your way toward the top, then back down again. Tie it off firmly, but not so tight that it prevents air flow—your herbs need room to dry.

Hang your bundle upside down in a cool, dry space for at least a week (longer if the humidity is high). Once it’s completely dry, you can light the end gently, blow it out, and let the fragrant smoke drift slowly through your garden, kitchen, or doorway—anywhere that feels like it could use a clearing or blessing.

Always use caution and intention. A shell or fire-safe bowl beneath your bundle can help catch ashes, and a window or open door is a good invitation for any old energy to move on out.

Set a Solstice Table with a Garland or Herbal Crown

Whether you’re preparing a celebratory meal or hosting a quiet tea in the garden, let the solstice table reflect the season’s beauty. Weave or bundle blooming herbs into a fragrant table garland—something simple and sun-kissed to stretch along a linen cloth or circle a bowl of strawberries.

Use herbs like:

• Mint and lemon balm for joy and refreshment
• Lavender for peace
• Rosemary for strength and clear mind
• Yarrow for sacred protection
• Roses and zinnias for love, sweetness, and enduring friendship

If you have a child nearby, let them help make an herbal crown, a playful creation to wear like a halo of sunshine as they run barefoot in the grass. If there are no herbs around, just use wildflowers. The true joy is in the weaving, the scent, the connection.

Blend a Solstice Herb Salt

Capture the flavors of the season with a simple herbal salt that brings the garden to your kitchen table. I love this as it’s so easy to make, beautiful to gift, and a lovely way to preserve fresh herbs at their peak.

Finely chop fresh herbs like:

• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Lemon thyme
• Lemon zest
• Chive flowers (if still blooming)

Mix into coarse sea salt and spread out to dry for a day or two. Store in a jar and use it on everything from grilled vegetables to fresh tomatoes. It’s the best kind of sunshine in a sprinkle.

Let the Plants Lead

There is no one “right” way to mark the Summer Solstice, only the way that feels good and grounded to you. Whether you’re gathering herbs, misting your doorway, weaving a garland, or simply sipping lemon balm tea in the sunshine, what matters most is your presence. Go outside. Touch them. Let their joy become yours.

And as you breathe in their scent and feel the sun on your skin, remember: you are part of this great, living rhythm too.

The light is rising.

This is the high tide of the herbal year. The herbs are speaking, stretching, shimmering. And somewhere deep within, so are you.

With affection always,

Beth

Medicinal Disclaimer: It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.

Photo Credits: 1) Fresh strawberries and mint leaves (Canva); 2) Toddler with wildflowers (author); 3) Herbal smudge bundle (author); 4) Herbal garland (Canva); 5) Herbal salt (author). 

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Beth Schreibman Gehring is a lover of all things green, delicious, growing, beautiful, magical, and fragrant. She’s also a lifestyle blogger, storyteller, and occasional wedding and party planner who uses an ever-changing seasonal palette of love, life, and food to help her readers and clients fall madly in love with their lives! Beth lives and works with Jim, her husband of 40 years, and is owned by 17 full sets of vintage dishes, hundreds of books, two cats, one dog, a horse, a swarm of wild honeybees, a garden full of herbs, fruit, vegetables, and old rambling roses, too many bottles of vintage perfume and very soon, a flock of heirloom chickens! She is the author of Stirring the Senses: How to Fall Madly in Love with Your Life and Make Everyday a Day for Candles & Wine (available on Amazon) and is currently working on a new book, Roses for Beauty, Flavor, and Fragrance. Join her in her gardens at https://bethschreibmangehring.substack.com/, or contact her at beth.gehring@stirringthesenses.com.