The Power of Ritual

As we ease into December, it is only natural that we reflect on the year that is coming to a close. The short days of winter offer a precious opportunity to slow down and steal moments of silence for self-reflection.

Ask yourself: What have you done this year that you are really happy with? What would you like to devote more energy to polish? What is awakening in you that you would like to nourish and grow? 

These reflections can be fleeting- particularly in a world where we so easily jump from one thing to the next - so I invite you to consider a powerful practice that I use regularly: RITUAL.
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I really love the power of rituals to bring a potent aliveness to these reflections and  pave my path forward. Rituals truly help to anchor and nourish your intentions.

Rituals can be used for clarity, manifestation, releasing and grounding to name a few. Rituals often incorporate fire, smudging, meditation, song, dance.

This month offers several potent days that are wonderful to perform ritual including the Winter Solstice (Dec 21st), the New Moon (Dec 7th) and Full Moon (Dec 22nd). 

December 21st is the Winter Solstice or Yule. In the Northern Hemisphere, this day officially marks the beginning of Winter and is shortest day of the year. It is also the day that we move towards more light.

Here is a ritual suggestion for the Winter Solstice:

1. To greet the return of the Sun on December 21st, wake 30 minutes before the sunrise and breathe in the Solar New Year. There is great feeling to greet the light, both within and without.

2. Light a candle and journal what you wish to seed for this year. The seed holds all codes and transmissions and to speak these wishes out loud and/or to take a seed and plant it into the Earth where it will gestate through the Winter, is very powerful.

3. In the dark, release what you wish to 'compost'. Into the soil of the Earth, you can let go of your limiting beliefs, your "not good-enoughs", your shadows and trust that Mother Earth can transmute them for you.

… do you have a friend who needs to feel the earth under her feet? Share this with them ...