Ritual 1: Monday, January 1, 2007

Waxing Moon

It's the first day of the new year. Instead of making (then breaking) resolutions, put your best foot forward by building on past successes. This ritual gives you a chance to reflect on your many graces and muster waxing moon magic to help you shine even brighter this year.

Here's how to prepare:

After the sun gives way to the night, take a nice luscious bath with your favorite feel-good oils. If you prefer showers or a foot-soak, do that instead. You're empowered to adjust the ritual to your taste.

Wrapped in your fluffy robe or your comfy pants, take a look through your closet and pick at least three outfits that you love wearing. If you can't find three outfits that make you feel great, pick one and make a mental note to go shopping! If you can't find a single outfit that inspires you (maybe clothes aren't your thing), then choose three accessories instead. A pair of pumps, a necklace, a scarf, a handbag, a lipstick, a motorcycle helmet — whatever you feel proud, confident or powerful wearing. Fashion mavens, you're welcome to choose more than three outfits.

Set your outfits where you can examine them. For each outfit, follow this process:

Think about times you wore your outfit last year when you felt successful or happy. Consider what the clothes express about you. Metaphysics says "as within, so without." The externals can't demonstrate your whole being, but they do offer a glimpse!

On a piece of paper (I like to use 3x5 cards), write what the outfit says about you and what kind of help you would like from it this year, like so:

You are_________________________. Help me________________________.

Then place the paper on the outfit.

Here are examples from my own wardrobe. One of my favorite outfits is a crisp suit I like to wear for public speaking and presentations. I wrote on my 3x5 card: "You are a business woman, a public presence of grace and clarity. Help me with prosperity." For my jeans and low cut blouse, I wrote: "You are sexy and fit. Help me make the most of it." And for the little white dress, I wrote: "You are pretty and feminine. Help me experience flirtation and passion." I like to rhyme, but you don't have to!

Touch each of the outfits, in turn, as you say out loud what you have written for them.

Then, as if you were addressing your clothes (since that's exactly what you are doing!) say aloud:

You each express some part of me,
a glimpse of my soul for the world to see.
This year I make a bold request:
help me be my very best!
The moon, like me, has many faces,
many gifts and many graces.
This year I honor all of me,
with your help, so mote it be!

A snap is nice way to end a power statement like "so mote it be." Freestyle, shake-your-booty dancing is wonderful way to enjoy the experience of a simple ritual. You may also want to write in your journal.

You have just set powerful intentions for your new year, imbuing important objects (your clothes) with energy to help you be your very best. The magic is strengthened whenever you repeat those "you are/help me" statements before putting on your new "power-wear."

You can repeat this ritual in the future if you're inspired to empower everything in your closet!

After the ritual, share your experience in our community section.