The Sun's beams are at their brightest, for the longest day (here in the Northern latitudes). Summer Solstice is on June 21st, and it's one of the four grand turning points of the solar year.

What's begun at the Spring Equinox, with Sun into Aries, is coming to life from the vitality and intention brought to it. Tomatoes are ripening on the vine.

When the Sun is at its most northerly point, hovering over the astrological Tropic of Cancer, that's known as the summer solstice. The Earth is tilted on its axis, so like a sunflower, the Northern Hemisphere has its face toward the life-giving Sun.

The Sun is at its most powerful, and appears to stand still in the sky, and that's what solstice means in Latin. After the summer solstice, the Sun's rays will begin to light up more of the Southern Hemisphere, and days will start to shorten in the North.

The bright glowing orb we call The Sun is celebrated in many traditions at the summer solstice. There are fire dances, bonfires, and in the olden days, the ancients rolled fire wheels down the hills. There's also a long tradition of ritual bathing, dipping in the cleansing waters. Fire and water are celebrated at the summer solstice, along with the Earth as Mother Goddess, at her most abundant.

It's a celebration of the Earth, the feminine and the living natural world. It's one of the four cardinal turning points of the solar calendar, along with the Winter Solstice and the Spring and Fall Equinoxes.

For those living in harmony with nature's cycles, it's the season to harvest herbs and honey. Many couples still marry in June, at the peak of nature's abundance. Some traditions would feed the newlyweds honey-laced foods for the entire first month, which is where "honeymoon" comes from. The full Moon in June is the Honey Moon.

The summer solstice coincides with the Sun's ingress into Cancer, and the official start of the season. Cancer is the water cardinal sign of the mother, nurturing, and family. It's a high spirited time, when solar light is radiant and the feminine energies are in abundance, too. There are parades, picnics, festivals and celebrations of all kinds in the Northern Hemisphere at this time, often outdoors.

Becoming aware of these solar turning points tunes you into the natural rhythm of the seasons. The summer solstice is the peak of sunlight, and the Sun as radiant manna of all that grows, has been celebrated with feasts, dancing and just being together. After the solstice, the days begin to shorten slowly toward the Fall Equinox, when days and nights are equal again.

ARIES

Summer Solstice will prove to be your longest day, yes, but also your best day. More action orientated than ever you climb every mountain, and forge every stream using, this time to enjoy a new point of view. Accept that you can change by doing things you never thought possible! Summer Solstice Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy; Burning Sandalwood aromatherapy oil will allow you to appreciate the blessings that life has given you.

TAURUS

You connect to the earth; you walk barefoot through the dew and twiddle your toes in the long green grass. Nature eases your heart, your soul merges with true friends and you share the goodness of life with them! You love the bounty that summer brings. Licking sticky fingers at garden parties is such fun. Summer Solstice Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy;”Enjoy all your passionate connections!”

GEMINI

As your Summer Solstice hits the highpoint, you realize that hanging out with gossiping folks who have nothing significant to share is just not your thing anymore. The clouds are dispersing, and summer heralds in a sacred magic as you adjust to that new cosmic rhythm! Summer Solstice advice from the Cosmic Gypsy! “Stop the negative internal dialogue to manifest what you truly desire!”

CANCER

No need to get crabby on Summer Solstice. New optimism sees you scuttling down to the sea shore no longer picking up everyone’s emotional tab. Suddenly; you realize that your unique sensitivity is a great gift as you sit under the moon with your champagne glass raised to life! Summer Solstice Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy: “Expect to go where your wildest dreams take you”!

LEO

Get the bucket and spade out Leo, you are ready to play fun games. It is time to enjoy existence after what seemed like never ending “emotional angst” Summer Solstice is “bang on” for surprises and breakthroughs. Say a little prayer and ask the Gods to keep up the good work! The stars are finally on your side, and true love will come back into the picture. Summer Solstice Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy: “A door has indeed closed, so enjoy the new one that is ready to open!”

VIRGO

It is time to throw caution to the winds. Finally there is no more dust and grime to clean up! Now that the solstice sun is shining on your life, you see how things glimmer and the good results come thru thick and fast. The emotional baggage you had to contend with weighs so lightly on you now. You can stand on your own personal mountain ready to be optimistically in love! Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy “Take heart as you give in to grace!”

LIBRA

It has been hard to balance those scales recently. But the Solstice has arrived and with it so have the angels! They reveal that life is far less difficult than you once thought. Your gifts of diplomacy have won through at last. You can look at love and life with new eyes and realize there is so much to be happy about. Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy “Your great vision is coming into being; do not be afraid to follow it through!”

SAGITTARIUS

You have been into your” happy go lucky” forever, but tensions and worries escalated over the past year. You have been working hard trying to get finances and relationships back on track! So now you are more than ready to celebrate the Summer Solstice turning your back on all those disappointments and difficulties. Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy: “Appreciate all that you have achieved!”

CAPRICORN

Realistic Cappys will find the Summer Solstice connects to an astral current that works magic. You stop listening to scary people, and listen to your heart instead. A vivacious time of fun and transformation awaits. The longest day of the year will show you new solutions, a different emotional strategy that needs to be into place. Your private life could be touched with blessings. Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy: “Time to show your true colours!”

AQUARIUS

The summer solstice is leaping into place for Water Carriers after days of wear and tear. Summer news is coming too, and you are ready to explore inspirational territory and reach up to new projects! Best friends show their stalwart support, as you walk towards what you have always wanted. Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy: “You evolve into immensity with the smallest of steps!”

PISCES

The Summer Solstice burst on the scene at just the right moment for the sensitive Pisces. You are tired out by life’s mini-twisters. You need a holiday with fun and frolics. You get so lazy in the sun and yet really find peace standing on a sea shore somewhere, looking far into the horizon! This could be the beginning of a new way of understanding the universe! Advice from the Cosmic Gypsy: “Experience opens us out to true awareness!!”

Image by Daniel Merriam

Text helped by Molly Hall and Phillip Garcia