"Listen to the long stillness: New life is stirring. New dreams are on the wing. New hopes are being readied: Humankind is fashioning a new heart. Humankind is forging a new mind. God is at work. This is the season of Promise."
— Howard Thurman
For me, even when I've stayed home and gone to bed by 10 pm, New Year's Eve still has a revelatory feeling. But I'm not someone who wants to climb a mountain first thing on New Year's Day. Businesses are closed, people are recovering from the night before, and it is nice to enjoy a rest after all the holiday hustle.
Now that we're officially 'back' I bet you're ready for the weekend!
Getting back into the rhythm of work after the threshold of the Winter Solstice and Yule isn't an overnight event, it takes time. Today's first Full Moon of 2023 can help you release some of the pressure.
When we manifest with the cycle of the Moon, we start new intentions at the New Moon, and then work towards those goals until the Full Moon. At the Full Moon, we want to release whatever it is that still needs doing to the Divine.
You've done all that you can to make 2022 a year to remember. We won't see our first New Moon of the year until January 21st. That is the time to set your new manifestation goals. For tonight, I want to invite you to release everything to Spirit. TO BEGIN
For this ritual, we will be using each of the four elements. For the earth, you can use any stone, but if you have an amethyst, this is a good opportunity for it. Amethysts have cleansing properties and they gained their name from the Ancient Greek word meaning “not intoxicated”. If you had too much fun with Bacchus at New Year's amethyst is a good ally. For water, you'll need a bowl of fresh water and a bowl of saltwater. For fire, use any candle you like. If you have a purple candle, that is ideal. For air, you will be connecting with the breath. You will also need a paper and a pen.
Make yourself comfortable with a cushion on the floor or a chair. Place the freshwater bowl in front of you to the right and the saltwater bowl on the left. Place a piece of unlined paper in front of each bowl. Light your candle and take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes and center yourself, focusing only on the breath.
Whatever you intended for 2022, know that you've completed it to perfection. You were always fated and destined to be in exactly the space you are in right now, nothing more and nothing less. Write down any of the goals you had that you didn't get around to. If you wanted to go to Alaska, but instead you went to the beach, that was exactly what was meant to be.
When we set our goals under the New Moon in a few weeks, we are setting new goals. You can envision Alaska again, but it will be a new vision because you're releasing this old one to Spirit.
When you've made your list, take your page and tear it up. Take the pieces and light them on fire with your candle. As you do, say aloud, "I am gratefully releasing and letting go of the year that has passed," then drop them into the saltwater.
Fire represents our passion, so as you burn the page, feel your inner flame. Recall something that you were passionate about as a child. For me, it was the color pink, My Little Ponys, Punky Brewster, stationery, my dog Radar, and more.
As children, our passions are intense and when they are no longer of interest, we don't mourn their loss because we're onto the next. As kids, we don't cheat ourselves out of getting excited through hyper-vigilance. Call upon that same enthusiasm as you say farewell to 2022.
Next, take a long look at the blank page and the freshwater. Close your eyes again and return your focus to the breath. Here lies 2023. Between this Full Moon and the New Moon, know that the Divine is on the case. Of course, you weren't supposed to complete everything! You've got dreams to fill all your lifetimes! Ask your highest self to take any pressure off your shoulders and know your job now is to just receive.
At this moment, there is only space for delight. Visualize the blank page and the clear water as you say aloud, "I'm ready to receive. I am grateful for all that Spirit is doing on my behalf, only my highest and best." As you stay in this meditative state, pay attention to what makes you feel a sense of lightness. This is the space of receptivity you'll want to remember and call upon after each Full Moon. When you feel complete, simply offer thanks to the Divine and to yourself, blow out your candle, and send your 2022 pages down the swirly drain. Between the Full Moon and the New Moon on the 21st, keep your amethyst or earthstone close by. Write down everything you receive between now and then as a way to integrate your gifts so you can start fresh once more.
