Mid Summer

Central Park at Mid Summer

Welcome to the abundance of mid-summer! August 1st marks the mid-way point between the Summer Solstice on June 21st and the Fall Equinox on September 22. Summer is the season of growth and it's at this time of year we start to see the beginnings of the harvest to take shape. You may find the first watermelons show up at farmer's markets. I always think the watermelon is great symbol of this time of year. It's a perfect cooling antidote to the intense heat of August and its immense size reminds us of this season's abundance and growth.

Being the mid-point of the season, we likely will start to notice that the sun is setting ever so earlier than a few weeks ago when we marveled at how late we got the light. You may also start to notice the first signs of crunchy leaves on the ground or the slight yellowing of them. You may notice this in the picture of Central Park.

These are all signals to check in with ourselves. It's at this time to start considering where we need to give one final resilient push towards growth and where we need to start easing up and slowing down. It's rarely just one or the other we need, but rather a bit of both in different areas of our lives. We still have plenty of light and energy to work on growing big projects or endeavors, but we need to remember to soak up the last bits of summer's sweetness. By creating a balance between these ideas, we can prepare ourselves for Fall. We'll not only have a lovely harvest to bring in and celebrate, but we'll also be mentally prepared to slow down and turn inward.

I always suggest journaling to check in with yourself, so here are some prompts you can try:

• How can you open yourself to abundance?

• What "watermelons" are coming into your life? Or phrased another way, what have you achieved or what have you done that is beginning to show signs of sweetness?

• Like the first sign of yellowing leaves, are you starting to feel the call to slow down? How can you embrace that while soaking in the pleasures of summers?

• What still needs attention and growth? How can you focus the peak of the summer energy towards this? How can you rely on your resilience to see it through these last weeks of the summer?

• If you made Spring intentions or goals, are there are any that have failed to take hold? Is this a good time to let them go in favor of focusing on growing what has taken hold and taking the time for the abundance you do have?

Ritual Ideas for Mid Summer:

1. Take a walk in the sunshine (or at sunrise/sunset if it's too hot). Try to take this walk as mindfully as you can without artificial distractions. What signs of the season can you spot? Do you see any yellow or brown leaves? Can you hear cicadas? Are children playing in the park? Try to listen to the sounds like a soundtrack of the season.

2. Eat some watermelon! Perhaps find a recipe for a watermelon slushee or experiment and create something new. As you handle your watermelon, notice its size and sweetness and try to think of something in your life that feels as beautifully swollen and sweet.

3. Embrace your abundance. One of the best ways to celebrate abundance is to express generosity. Find something you can give to share your abundance. It could be a monetary donation or you could make something by hand and give a gift to someone who might not be expecting it.