The Summer Solstice is a magical time. The sun is shining, birds are singing, and everything feels warm and light. The Solstice is also a time that heralds change. It is the longest day of the year, and the last day before the night begins to get longer as autumn approaches. This powerful energy of change makes it a great time for cleansing spells and rituals, to bring some of that fresh, bright, cleansing fire into your home and yourself.

Take a summery ritual bath.

Ritual bathing not only cleanses your aura through sympathetic magic, it also allows you to absorb the healing, uplifting energy of the herbs in the bath itself. You can do this by adding a prepared solution to your bath, like Spiritual Cleansing Big Al Bath & Floor Wash or Marjoram Bath & Floor Wash. You can also prepare a bath tea by combining ingredients like lavender, hyssop, lemon, thyme, or sea salt. Steep the ingredients, and add the liquid to your bath before stepping in. For added oomph, take your bath outside and don't towel off afterward, just let the warm Solstice sun dry you naturally.

Light a solar candle.

The Solstice is celebrated as a time when the sun's power is at its peak, and, with it, all things solar. The energy of fire and creativity are at their highest, and the time is often celebrated with bonfires and candle magic. If a bonfire isn't possible for you, don't worry -- there are plenty of ways for you to bring the energy of the sun into your home without having to set up kindling in your living room.

For this, you can use candles in white, yellow, red, orange, or other fiery, solar colors. White is the one most often associated with cleansing, but choose whichever speaks to you. You can also use a prepared candle, like a Spiritual Cleansing Hoo Doo Pillar Candle, or Spiritual Cleansing Custom Big Al Candle. Set the candle somewhere where it will not be disturbed, and light it. Sit quietly in front of it, letting the light wash over you like the sun's rays. As you do so, picture the warmth and light of the sun shining down on you, exposing and burning away all of the negative or stagnant energy attached to you. When you are through, offer a prayer of thanks and snuff the candle.

Burn sun-aligned incense.

Incense is usually associated with air, but the act of lighting it is powerfully symbolic, too. Through fire, the cleansing smoke of the incense is set free. Fire transforms the stick of herbs and wood into a powerful spiritual tool. Many cleansing herbs and incenses are also associated with the sun. These include bay laurel, frankincense, and rosemary. You can blend these or use them individually, and burn them in a fireproof bowl using a block of charcoal and some sand. If you prefer, you can also use a prepared incense, like La Bomba.

To do this, light the incense and let the smoke pass over you. Carry it through your home in a clockwise direction, while you request that any and all negative energy be carried away on the smoke. (Be sure to open your windows to let the sunlight in and give the energy a place to go!)

Use a sun-aligned crystal.

You can do a very simple "crystal" cleansing by picking up any stone outdoors, and holding it while you release the pent-up negative feelings and energy you've been holding onto. When you feel ready, set it in the sun to let the sun wash it away.

If you prefer, you can also choose a sun-aligned crystal. Hold it in your hands and meditate with it, programming it with your intent by visualizing it filling with bright, healing, cleansing light until it glows like a miniature sun. Carry it with you, in a pocket or a small white bag, and hold it when you feel you need a little solar pick-me-up. Good crystals for this include sunstone, ruby, carnelian, or citrine.

Summer is when many of us are bursting with energy, ready to go out and enjoy the warm weather while we can because we know the seasons will change all too soon. Embrace this energy of change, and use the powerful solar energy of the Summer Solstice to help you let go and cleanse any of the old, stagnant, or negative energy you might be holding onto.