Recently, on December 21, we welcomed the New Moon in
the sign of Capricorn – earthy, cardinal, grounded, realistic Capricorn. This
was a particularly special New Moon as it also fell on the date of the Winter
Solstice. On this longest night of the year, we also welcomed the much-needed Return of the Light. “Ah, thank ye
gods,” we say. “I’m ready to get some sunshine back in my world again!”
To celebrate the Solstice, I attended a women’s circle
gathering. We created this very simple ritual to say goodbye to 2014 and welcome
the New Year. In tune with the seasons, we
understand that whatever seeds we plant now will most likely come to fruition
at the time of the Summer Solstice. When the Sun enters Cancer on June 21,
your seeds may not be entirely ready to harvest, but they will surely be close!
You can of course get creative and alter this ritual to suit
your mood, your materials, and your timing. Have fun. This is for you!
Return of the Light: Intention Ritual for 2015
Material you will need: candle, pen, paper, scissors,
needle, thread, beads or berries, and a quiet hour.
- Get yourself a candle – you can decorate a special votive
holder for the occasion (we used green and red paper around a jelly jar and
tied sprigs of ivy, holly, pine needles and berries around it with colored
ribbon). You can also use one of those awesome $0.99 religious candles with the
Virgin de Guadalupe, Mother Mary, Jesus Christ, or a word like “PROSPERITY”
printed on it, available at your ethnic food store or a spiritual shoppe. You
can also use a big taper, or pillar candle – anything will do but it is best if
you use a new one.
- Say a prayer/intention invoking the Divine, or your
subconscious if that is easier for you, and light your candle. Sit in quiet
meditation of the past year 2014, and let your life unfold around your
imagination. See what is there to be
discarded. Blow out the candle, symbolizing the snuffing out of the past,
releasing back into the darkness to be transformed.
- Release the past in the following manner: Draw a snowflake
shape, a heart, a tree, a symbol (even a simple circle will do) – big or small
– on a piece of paper. On or in the middle of the symbol, write down anything that you are ready to release from your life. This
can be situations, relationships, beliefs, habits, limitations – anything that
has served its purpose. Write them down inside the snowflake or circle or
symbol.
- With reverence for all that these experiences have taught
you, release. Do this by cutting or tearing the paper into small bits, and
offering by fire (burn in a safe ceramic bowl, for instance, or put into the
hearth), water (dissolve in a stream or bowl), air (blow to the wind over a
hill, for instance), or earth (bury in the ground). Let go!
Now, relight your sacred candle. Go into meditation and
revisit your Divine image, higher self, or inner voice/subconscious. Ask to be
shown what is needed for 2015, what would serve you best to bring into your
life this coming year. Sit quietly for a few moments. Let it emerge. Breathe
deeply and hold three to five key intentions clearly in mind. Open your eyes.
Find a needle and thread. Holding your intentions in mind, string
five beads on your thread – one bead for each key intention. (We used cranberries in our ritual so if you
have those around, they make a nice touch, too.) Tie the string off, with an extra loop at the top for hanging. Admire
your handiwork!- You have just created a super-charged 2015 Intention talisman. Hang it
somewhere where you can see it regularly – draping from a window, on your wall,
near a mirror, even in your car. This has been energized by the Divine, by the
Goddess, by your highest Self. Let it serve to remind you of your True North
for the coming year.
May you and yours be blessed in the year to
come.
Thank you for being a part of my life and my work.
You are in my heart,
and I am grateful.
Wishing you health, wisdom, and joy in
2015,
Erin Reese
Contact Erin here for 2015 Readings ~ intuitive readings, astrology, tarot, and spiritual counseling.
Happy Summer Solstice!
Wishing you and yours a healing and beautiful midsummer!
Erin Reese, Master of Science in Counseling
is an author, spiritual teacher, and modern psychic reader based in the San
Francisco Bay Area. She works with clients all over the world.
