A Ritual for New Beginnings

The Road More Traveled

    It's like the night before Christmas and all through the house... candles are burning, tea is brewing, and I'm preparing for a fresh start.  Tomorrow, I am giddy to announce, a new job awaits me.. just 20 minutes from my child's day care.  It would make sense to take some time and talk about my last job, but that's between me and the cleansing part of my ritual.  Suffice to say that I'm so excited to start a normal life.

     To boot, tomorrow is 1/23/2012, which begins the Year of the Dragon.  My mama gave birth to me in that year! 

     

     This is one ritual sequence I've used in the past, so I'm offering it to you in peace and with intention that if you are experiencing a new beginning, it will help you sustain the excitement of this time.

I gather the following: Salt water in a beautiful vessel, a candle and light, something green and living, some essential oil.  

1.        Cleansing - I use salt water, as I commonly have this around, sprinkling it on myself and the ritual space.

2.        Grounding - I walk the space, sensing the energy
3.        Creating a Sacred Space /Casting the Circle / Creating a   
      Vortex of Power & Protection - I usually light a candle, and I have a bowl of seashells I might use to create a circle, as they invoke the ocean, the great and constant washing away of the past.
4.        Calling on the Powers of the Elements and Directions.  I've collected:

a.       East –air.  The smoke from the candle. b.       South—fire.  The flame in the candle. c.       West—water.  The salt water in a lovely glass vase.  I will likely use the snow outside, it's fresh! d.       North—earth.  If I can use actual earth, I would.  Right now I will have to borrow some from a nearby plant. e.       Space—sprit.  I use an essential oil, today it will be lemon, to breathe in cleansing spirit.

5.        Invoking the Deity or Deities.  I close my eyes and become still, sensing the energy in my body which is my connection to all things living.
6.        Statement of purpose / clarifying the intention of the ritual.  I say aloud, "Through this ceremony, I give myself permission to walk forward completely free of the past.  I open my eyes to the possibilities that tomorrow brings.  I walk forward in peace, not bitterness".
7.         The working

a.       I will light a smaller candle for each of the blessings the new job bestows on me: Time with my family, etc.  I will pack my attaché for tomorrow with intent.

8.        Raising and Releasing the Power

a.        I will repeat my intent, until I can hold the energy no longer and it is released into the Universe.  If moved, I will use Delilah's drum softly, but drumming does not usually feel authentic to me unless in a group.

9.        Centering Communion / Meditation

a.        After the exhalation of releasing sit quietly and relax into ALL That IS b.          When one is completely calm and at peace you might softly hum OMM or Auuu—ommmmmmmmmm

10.        Ending the ritual

a.        Thanking the Deity / Deities b.        Releasing the Powers by thanking them c.        Returning the circle to the mundane world by walking in a           counter clockwise direction