It’s the Longest Day of the Year: Here’s What Every Sign Should Do With It

Happy summer solstice! On June 21, the sun enters cardinal water sign Cancer, officially beginning the longest day and shortest night of the year. Cardinal signs are born at the beginning of their respective season, and are associated with the solstices and equinoxes. Hence their reputation as initiators and leaders. With water sign energy thrown in, you can expect Cancer to take the lead with nurturing, emotional protection, and handling business.

Cancers are ruled by the moon and therefore very sensitive to the world around them. They immediately decide what they think about you based on how you make them feel, so once they dig their claws in, that’s that. Loyal and intuitive, they’re adept at reading people and situations, which is what makes them excellent caretakers. However, they need that reminder to pour back into themselves when they are burnt out, or else they get crabby.

Want to celebrate the Cancer in your life? Keep the environment comfortable and cozy. A lowkey dinner party with their closest loved ones, especially if it’s at home, may appeal to your moody friend. As they are a water sign, a summer afternoon by the nearest body of H2O to help them chill and recharge is also ideal. They are nostalgic and have a soft spot for the past — a scrapbook of shared memories is something they’ll treasure forever.

Summer Solstice Traditions

You may hear the summer solstice referred to as Litha. This is an old Anglo-Saxon word that signified the midpoint between June and July, eventually co-opted by neopagans in the 1970s into the modern celebration it is today. According to them, this is when the Oak King defeats the Holly King in battle, ruling for six months over the warmer months until the winter solstice. In Scandinavia, Midsummer is a culturally important celebration with different origins.

Midsummer is celebrated in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, and a few other eastern European countries. Stemming from the Christian celebration of St. John the Baptist, Scandinavians in the middle ages began erecting a Midsummer pole and wore flower crowns to symbolize rebirth. These types of celebrations with friends and family are still carried out today, along with drinking Aquavit and eating pickled herring, potatoes, and strawberries.

If you want to celebrate the summer solstice, spend some time in the sun if the weather is nice. See if you can gather some friends for an outdoor picnic, or go for a swim in your favorite body of water. Get a bouquet of your favorite flowers and make them into a flower crown. If you have the space to do so, build a fire, as Litha is considered a fire festival. Or, if you can, find a local midsummer celebration that’s open to the public.

Cancer Season Horoscopes

Cancer season will begin an emotional roller coaster for us this summer. This is especially true as Mercury stations retrograde on June 29 until July 23, putting our focus on whether or not conversations and ideas feel nurturing and truly emotionally supportive. Being in the sun, being around water (even if it ends up raining), and showing gratitude for the changing seasons are all wonderful ways to welcome the summer solstice.

Read for your Sun and Rising signs

Aries: The sun is illuminating the sector of your chart that rules home, family, ancestors, and memories. You may be moving, re-decorating, or getting closer to your family lineage in some capacity. A person from your past may re-emerge this summer, especially as Mercury stations retrograde for most of the season at the end of the month. Whether or not you want to welcome them back into your current life is up to you.

Aries Summer Solstice Activity: Open your blinds and windows and let some fresh air into your home. Consider adding warmer colors to your living space to brighten up the energy.

Taurus: Communication is key at this time, and you may be receiving news or information now that provides you with some security. You may be learning a new skill at this time, so it is important that you’re patient with the process. Some frustration may occur as Mercury stations retrograde later this month for most of the summer. Expect some misunderstandings in conversations, so be gentle with yourself.

Taurus Summer Solstice Activity: Take a walk through your neighborhood and soak up some sun. Even better if you can take a quick trip out of town to somewhere local with beautiful scenery.

Gemini: Your relationship to your self-worth, personal finances, and the material world is being highlighted at this time. It’s a good time to ask yourself if you feel monetarily supported, or if your skills and talents are being used to the best of their abilities. Your bank account may take a hit or two as Mercury stations retrograde at the end of this month. It’s important to keep an eye on your spending habits to see if your money is going towards the things you value.

Gemini Summer Solstice Activity: Align your actions with building wealth and attracting prosperity. If you are a witch, a protection spell for your finances for Mercury retrograde isn’t a bad idea.

Cancer: The sun’s spotlight is on you now, so if you’ve been wanting a fresh start, this is the time to do so. Maybe you’re looking to change how you view the world around you, or how you show up in it. As Mercury stations retrograde in your sign for most of the summer, how you exchange news, information, and ideas with others may be at the forefront of your personal development journey. You may also be evaluating if others are emotionally supportive.

Cancer Summer Solstice Activity: It’s your birthday season, so make plans for your special day. Book a solar return reading with an Astrologer to see what’s in store for your personal year ahead.

Leo: You may be feeling the need to withdraw and retreat now, or tie up loose ends behind the scenes. Summertime sadness can hit you hard right before your season, so be gentle with your mental health. Your subconscious and the ways you self-sabotage may be highlighted more as Mercury stations retrograde at the end of the month. Be mindful about how you talk to yourself and avoid self-deprecation. Pay attention to your dreams, as they may have a message.

Leo Summer Solstice Activity: Sometimes, if we feel like we’ve lost our inner light, we have to do shadow work to find it again. Do not be afraid to confront your innermost fears.

Virgo: Your relationship to your friends and community is at the forefront of your mind now. You may either want to spend more time with them, or you may be evaluating who you still want to have in your close circle. Mercury stationing retrograde at the end of the month for most of the summer will likely push this further, maybe even creating some misunderstandings or disagreements in your friendships. Wait until Mercury is direct for more clarity.

Virgo Summer Solstice Activity: This is a great time for you to be of service and volunteer for a cause close to your heart. Giving back to the community also connects you with new people.

Libra: Your legacy and reputation will be center stage right now, so you may be feeling the pressure to perform. You may be particularly sensitive to how you’re being perceived now, and may take public reactions to heart more than usual. Conversations about your career or relationship to authority could come up with Mercury retrograde at the end of the month. Try to refrain from further negotiations or signing contracts until Mercury stations direct.

Libra Summer Solstice Activity: Create a vision board of your ultimate goals and aspirations. Add anything you hope to achieve to it — you may be surprised at the outcome.

Scorpio: This is the time to take that summer vacation trip you’ve been dreaming about, if you can. The further away from home your destination is with tons to explore, the better, so keep an open mind. This will be especially important as Mercury stations retrograde at the end of the month, so prepare for your core beliefs and outlook about the world around you to be majorly challenged. Conversations about this may be frustrating, but it will push you to expand.

Scorpio Summer Solstice Activity: Other than a vacation, it’s also time to put your expertise of something you’ve studied to use. It’s your turn to teach something you’ve mastered.

Sagittarius: Your relationship to intimacy and sharing will be highlighted at this time, so be prepared for a psychological breakthrough or two. Now is a great time to ask if you’re being supported by those you’re close to, or if those you’re financially involved with are responsible with joint resources. Mercury retrograde at the end of the month may further highlight any debts or money owed. Taking the time to re-structure finances and spending habits is a good idea.

Sagittarius Summer Solstice Activity: Make a practical budget you and a partner can stick to. Let your guard down and get to know someone new — you may have more in common than you realize.

Capricorn: Partnership dynamics and collaborations may be particularly highlighted for you at the moment. Now is the time to ask yourself if you feel held, nurtured, and overall emotionally supported by your closest one-on-one dynamics in a positive way. If not, this will become quite obvious, as Mercury stations retrograde at the end of the month. You may feel misunderstood in relationships at this time, but you may also realize who actually wants to understand you.

Capricorn Summer Solstice Activity: Spend quality time with a partner or a small group of your closest friends. Plan a picnic, go swimming, or do something fun outdoors, weather permitting.

Aquarius: Your physical health, daily habits, and workplace environment are in the spotlight now. If you’re not feeling nurtured or supported in any of these areas, now is the time to do something about it. Mercury retrograde at the end of the month invites you to slow down and address any burnout or overdue doctor appointments you need to make. A new routine that is genuinely mindful of your body and overall wellness is helpful now, more than you may realize.

Aquarius Summer Solstice Activity: Get out and move your body in the sunshine, especially if it’s a nice day. Sign up for an outdoor workout class, take a walk, or do something active in fresh air.

Pisces: Whether something sparks joy or not may be the primary thought in your mind lately. Your creativity is in the spotlight, so if there are projects you’ve been working on that have felt stagnant, you may be circling back. You may notice this more once Mercury stations retrograde at the end of this month. If you have been casually dating someone, or even thinking about doing so, now is a good time to review how you communicate in those types of dynamics.

Pisces Summer Solstice Activity: If you want romance and fun, plan a date with your crush. Spend time outside by a body of water with snacks, drinks, and good conversation, weather permitting.