Permission to Shine: Why Black Women Are Embracing the Summer Solstice

The first June that I experienced an intentional Summer Solstice was in 2021. Now, June has always been a moderately difficult transit for me, at least since the summer of 2000 when my dad passed away. I had been on a spiritual journey for about two years by 2021, so it was at this time that I considered myself an expert on all things metaphysical, obviously. I was about three months into a full-time entrepreneurial endeavor that I wasn’t altogether prepared for and was going to use the energy of the solstice to heal myself and advance my life and my new career.

What I didn't realize then was that many other Black women were beginning to return to the solstice as a time for reflection, healing, rest, and reconnection as well. With Juneteenth being just days before the Summer Solstice it makes sense that some of our celebrations and traditions might crossover.

Black women deserve the moment that the Summer Solstice gives us. It is a chance to reclaim joy, resilience, and our connection to the natural world. But before we do, we need to know what it is, how it affects us, and how to actually work with the energy of the Summer Solstice.

What even is the Summer Solstice?

The Summer Solstice is the official first day of summer. Whether or not it’s blazing hot, or even if it’s summer break, it’s still not summer until the solstice. Many women aren’t familiar with the annual occurrence, which also takes place in winter. The word solstice means, quite literally, "to stand still." It is derived from the Latin words sol and sistere, meaning "to stand still."

According to Joanna Martine Woolfolk in The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need, it is further defined as follows:

From an astrology perspective, the New Moon in Cancer generally falls just before or in tandem with the Summer Solstice. This is a time that I personally like to set intentions around what feels like it requires nurturing, as I may have been neglectful of it throughout the year or since the winter.

As I stated previously, many Black women aren’t familiar with the Summer Solstice because it may be perceived as a pagan holiday or viewed through the lens of witchcraft. It’s important to remember that personal spiritual journeys allow us to define our relationships with a higher power in the ways that feel most fitting.

Not everyone experiences the Summer Solstice in the same way, however. For some, it is a time of reflection and renewal. For others, it is a time of protection.

Attorney Fallon Hamilton Vaughn, Esq., shared her perspective on the season:

“Summer Solstice is usually a protection spell session for me. I hate the summertime, so I try to pray for safety and sanity until Fall.”

For Healing Artist and Medicine Carrier Samantha Magnolia, the Summer Solstice is an opportunity to connect with nature, community, and Spirit.

“I celebrate Summer Solstice by doing a few things: going to the beach to bask in the sun, collect water from the ocean, and be in community with my people. If I do a working for the Solstice, I don't always feel called to, I utilize fire and sea water in the working. Lastly, but most important, I honor myself in the ways I feel led to. These practices keep me grounded in self while being deeply connected to Spirit and doing the work the current season calls for,” said Samantha Magnolia, Healing Artist and Medicine Carrier.

Others view the season through a lens of empowerment and collective healing.

“The Summer Solstice is about stepping into the light and claiming our space, feeling renewed energy. For Black women, it’s a powerful psychological reminder to prioritize our own wellness and joy. That aligns perfectly with Juneteenth. This season is a double celebration of hope through freedom and bringing the truth to life. A time to honor our roots and let our light shine brightest,” added Blaize O'Neill, real estate investor and community builder.

What are some ways you can celebrate the Summer Solstice?

I like to think of the Summer Solstice as a time for reclaiming your true self or allowing your inner child to frolic and enjoy whatever space you occupy. Whether this is your first Summer Solstice celebration or one of many, here are a few ways Black women can honor the season and themselves.

1. Fully embrace yourself and your truth.

   
   

Give yourself permission to show up as you are. The Summer Solstice is a reminder that there is no need to shrink, hide, or dim your light for the comfort of others.

2. Pay some respect to yourself.

   
   

Nurture yourself. Reparent yourself. Take time to care for the parts of you that may have been neglected while you were busy caring for everyone else.

3. Reclaim your power.

If you feel as though your light has been dimmed, now is the time to turn it up. Revisit the dreams, goals, and passions that make you feel most like yourself.

4. Spend time in community—or start one.

Gather with friends, family, or other Black women. Host a Black girls' BBQ, wear yellow, laugh loudly, play outside, and create the kind of joy you want to see more of in the world.

5. Thank the Sun for all that it does.

   
   

The Summer Solstice marks the Sun's entrance into Cancer and the longest day of the year. Take a moment to express gratitude for the warmth, light, growth, and abundance that the Sun provides, both collectively and personally.

When I first intentionally celebrated the Summer Solstice in 2021, I was looking for healing, direction, and perhaps a little magic. What I found instead was a reminder that life moves in seasons, and so do we.

Whether you spend the Summer Solstice in prayer, at the beach, gathered with friends, setting intentions, or simply sitting in the sunshine, there is no right way to celebrate. The invitation is simply to pause, reflect, and honor where you are.

For Black women especially, the Summer Solstice offers something many of us don't receive nearly enough of: permission. Permission to rest. Permission to play. Permission to be seen. Permission to take up space. Permission to embrace our joy as fully as we embrace our responsibilities.

As the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, perhaps the greatest lesson of the Summer Solstice is this: your light was never meant to be hidden.

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About the Author

Sheba Roy is a storyteller, brand strategist, and creative visionary who approaches her work through the lens of artistry, connection, and transformation. From hosting expressive art therapy experiences that help people heal through creativity to producing large-scale experiential activations and building visibility for brands through public relations, Sheba is passionate about creating meaningful moments that inspire growth and self-discovery.

As the founder of CreativeAF MUZE Marketing & Management, she helps businesses, creators, and communities amplify their voices through a blend of strategic thinking and creative innovation. A proud mother of two, Sheba has spent more than two decades balancing entrepreneurship, creativity, and community impact while raising her children.

This article marks her first contribution to Women for the Culture, where she explores the intersections of wellness, spirituality, personal growth, and the experiences of Black women.

Connect with Sheba and learn more about her work at http://www.mscreativeaf.com/!