The Spiritual Meaning of Summer: A Slow Living Guide to the Season

The first wave of red roses on the big, old bush we inherited with the house is already waning, and pears and cherries are beginning to swell. In the woods, the trees are lush, the forest floor thick with ferns and nettles, with occasional pops of purple from foxgloves. A short heatwave is now gone, but the Summer has stayed in the English countryside. The air is humid and aromatic. I'm breathing deeply, trying to fill my lungs with this heady scent of rain, earth and all things green... Summer in England is one of a kind, and there is no place I'd rather be.

English Summer is marked by country shows, festivals and old fairs. The sun travels higher until it reaches its peak, blessing us with long days and warmth. Gardens fill with fresh produce, trees in orchards heavy with ripening fruits, fields turning golden... and in the midst of all of this, a subtle shift begins. Lengthening shadows, first cool breeze in the night air and, in August, the start of harvest, that whispers of coming Autumn. The turning of the Summer solstice marks both midsummer and the beginning of the descent into the dark part of the year, reminding us of the duality of this season: warmth, joy, and abundance interweave with hard work and preparing for darkness.

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What summer is about

Spiritually, summer is an incredibly rich time of abundance, vitality and illumination. The energy reaches its peak, the countryside buzzes with life, inviting us to celebrate growth and fulfilment in the natural world and at the personal level. Midsummer, which falls in the middle of the calendar year, is a perfect time for mid-year summaries, reflection, and adjusting our course if necessary. 

The sun shines bright, illuminating even the obscure parts of our lives, often bringing to light things we unconsciously try to push away into the shadows. Consider what habits, thoughts and worries you don't want to take with you into Autumn. The next few months are your time to take care of any affairs that might become an open "tab" in your mind during the dark part of the year when you are supposed to be resting. Now it's the time to act and solve. 

Female Archetype

Summer represents mother: loving, nurturing, confident. This energy is not just about actual babies, but also about creating and sharing the abundance of your heart with the world through your work, art, kindness, housekeeping and so on. Mother is wiser than a maiden, and less experienced than a crone, but has more energy and strength than either of them. She creates, protects, nurtures, and, most importantly, gives and takes love. To love and to be loved... isn't it what this life is all about?

Time of Abundance

Some of your Spring intentions might already be bearing fruit. In my case, it's very true - my slow living book is currently printing, and I can't wait to share it with you very soon. Gardens, fields, orchards, and woods are buzzing with life - make sure you take a moment this season to acknowledge the abundance of the natural world and your own life and give thanks for all the good that is present in your everyday.

Summer food & self-care

There is an abundance of fresh vegetables and fruits throughout the summer. Incorporating locally grown produce in your diet supports local farming, keeps you healthy, helps with weight loss and is one of the easiest ways to live in tune with the seasons. 

Make the most of the long, sunny days and get your steps in. You don't need to travel far. Too many people dream of faraway destinations when they haven't set foot in their local woods. Research nearby walking and historical sites (avoid popular tourist spots, leave them for the quieter time of the year), and go exploring. Moving your body feels just right in Summer and works as a counterbalance to the slower season of Winter. 

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Discover our hand-poured candles crafted in our Somerset studio, inspired by the seasons of the English countryside

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Seasonal festivals

In Summer, we celebrate two festivals on the Wheel of the Year - a nature-based calendar marking solar events (solstices, equinoxes) and cross-quarter days known as fire festivals, rooted in Celtic tradition.

Litha - 21 June (Summer Solstice)

The longest day and shortest night of the year. The sun reaches its peak, and although it will dominate the sky for another couple of months, its power begins to wane. The night slowly began to lengthen, making this midsummer celebration bittersweet (unless, like me, you straight up love Autumn, then it's just sweet :D). Simple ways to celebrate Litha include basking in the sun, being outdoors early and late on the Summer solstice, practising sun salutations, lighting a bonfire or candle (try our "Litha" candle), and hosting a feast with seasonal ingredients such as honey, berries, and summer herbs. 

Lammas - 1 August (Beginning of Harvest)

An ancestral harvest festival, celebrated in both Celtic and Christian traditions. Lammas derives from Anglo-Saxon "hlaf-masse" for which the literal translations are loaf kneader and load guardian. The beginning of harvest is marked by baking bread from the first grains of the season. It is a festival of thanksgiving, so one simple way to celebrate is to write a gratitude list. Other ways include baking using local flour, cooking with seasonal ingredients, decorating your home for harvest, and lighting a candle to honour the sun (You'll love our "Lammas" candle!).

Slow Living in Summer

The days are long and warm, as if Mother Nature herself invites us to slow down for a moment and just enjoy the simplicity of life in the light. This Summer, make sure to take plenty of breaks, turn your face to the sun wherever you can (remember to use SPF cream, though), and cherish the simple pleasures of the season - fresh strawberries, a coastal walk, an ice cream cone from a van.

In August, gently begin to direct your thoughts towards the coming September and Autumn. Consider what steps you need to take to feel prepared. Shop for school uniforms and declutter your pantry and bookcase. Bring out harvest and late-summer decorations like sunflowers, bunches of wheat, baskets of apples, butternut squashes, and maybe even green pumpkins, rustic vases, and garden-inspired china - find our rustic home decor here.

A few closing words

I know many of my regular readers find summer challenging, but I hope this post encourages you to see the season in a different light - to recognise both its beauty and its purpose. The long, carefree days, the warm, balmy evenings, and the stillness that settles over the land are nature's invitation to slow down, be present, and appreciate what is here right now.

The Wheel of the Year never stands still. Before we know it, the golden light will fade, the evenings will lengthen, and another chapter of the year will begin. For now, let us savour the warmth on our skin, the calm pace of the season, and the lush beauty that surrounds us.

Adriana x

P.S. Our Autumn Countdown series will begin on the blog on 27th June 2026, and I couldn't be more excited! As much as I cherish the beauty of summer, I'm already looking forward to welcoming the first hints of autumn and sharing the journey with you.