Sun Rituals

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I decided to share one of the stories from my seasonal magazine, Evergolden. If you enjoy it, there are plenty more from myself and four amazing writers here on Substack :) And it’s currently 20% off!!

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For some, the sun is hidden for part of the year, but in summer, it shines its brightest. And I think, so do I. In the fall, sunlight enhances the golden and amber leaves; in winter, it makes the snow sparkle; and in spring, it gently nudges new blooms from the soil, But in summer, the sun is bold. It lingers longest, glows warmest, and touches everything with life.

As much as I love a rainy day curled up inside or watching summer thunderstorms roll in over the cornfields, I can’t deny that I’m at my happiest when the sun is shining.

That’s why, every summer, I find small ways to honor it. This season, I’m leaning into sun rituals—simple, grounding practices that help me feel more present, more alive, and more connected to the light that surrounds me.

MORNING LIGHT

I could lie and say I wake up with the sun—or that I plan to start—but let’s be real. I love the sun, but I love the moon too, and I’m a night owl through and through. I like my sleep.

Still, that doesn’t mean I skip out on morning sunlight altogether. When I do wake up, I open my blinds, sometimes eat breakfast outside, or head out for a mid-morning walk. However and whenever I do it, I try to get at least 30 minutes of sunlight early in the day—for the mood boost, the circadian rhythm support, and a little mental clarity to carry into whatever comes next.

SUN SALUTATIONS

Yoga is one of my favorite ways to move and reconnect with myself. In the warmer months, I love taking my practice outdoors—it feels different under the open sky. A few rounds of sun salutations not only energize me physically, but they also give me a quiet, grounding moment to begin again.

SUN TEA

I’ve never made sun tea myself, but I remember my mom setting out a big glass jar in the summer when I was little. Over the past year I’ve started drinking at least one cup of tea daily, so I’m excited to let it warm and steep in the sun.

LIGHT READING

This is already one of my top summer rituals. I’ll find a spot that’s half in the sun and half in the shade so I can move between the two as I warm up. Add a blanket, sunscreen, an iced drink, maybe a snack and honestly, I could stay out there all day.

GOLDEN HOUR WALK

Golden hour is one of the highlights of day. The air softens, the light turns warm, and everything feels a little more magical. As someone who rarely sees the sun actually rise, I live for sunsets and I try to soak them in during a slow, observant walk.

These rituals aren’t grand or complicated, but they remind me to slow down, pay attention, and let the light in wherever I can.

“Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink the wild air.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

-Leanna