Ritual 2: Monday, January 8, 2007

Waning Moon

Before the beginning of all things, says the myth of Miria, there was the Goddess — whole and complete unto Herself. She saw Her own reflection in the curve of infinite space... and fell in love. What She saw She named Miria, the Wonderful. "Miria" shares its roots with the words "mirror" and "miracle."

As the moon wanes tonight, make a miracle with your mirror and connect with the Goddess that you are. You will need a face-friendly soap, dry erase marker and... a mirror. It's best to do this with running water at hand. A few candles in your bathroom — and plenty of privacy — set the stage for the evening's magic.

Just as the waning moon marks a release cycle, so this ritual helps you release obstacles to perceiving your own magnificence. Here's how it goes:

Gaze at yourself in the mirror. Notice your reaction. Do you immediately want to look away? Do you scrutinize every wrinkle, hair or mark? Do your judgments start in at first glance? If they do, then this ritual is definitely right for you!

Simply notice the thoughts that occur to you. Then begin to write those thoughts on the mirror, using your dry erase marker. Don't censor, and you will find that your thoughts swiftly cover the mirror's entire surface. Our minds crank out thoughts a mile a minute. Your work is to get them out of your head and onto the mirror as fast as you can keep up. It may even be that some of those thoughts are positive, that's fine. Just keep your hand moving along that mirror. Though it may be difficult, try to maintain eye contact through the process.

Now rest your weary hand and take a step back. Behold! This is the noise inside your head! It is the state of affairs that you probably grapple with every day, instigated by your own reflection.

First things first: Address the mess! Look at it. Acknowledge whatever is there — good, bad, indifferent — and bless it. A blessing is the best way to release anything. I like to say simply, "I bless you and release you."

Run some warm water and begin to wash the mirror. Say aloud:

As the moon wanes, this energy is released. As this mirror is cleansed, so too am I. I release all thoughts and ideas that obscure my greatest good. I release any energy that blocks my magnificence.

Clear all the marks from the mirror. Then soap up, to give your face a slow and deliberate wash. Gently cleanse your face. This isn't a puritanical punishment; this is a worshipful act! Let your hands notice the curves of your cheeks, your nose, your forehead, your neck. Go slow. While you wash, call on the power of Miria and the moon to help you. Words have power — offer your voice to the experience:

May I see clearly, with eyes of love. May I see my own divinity. May I recognize the Goddess in me.

After you rinse, lift your eyes to see your freshly cleaned face in your freshly cleaned mirror. Take a nice deep breath. Behold the Goddess, Miria, who is reflected in all our faces. She is reflected in yours.

Tell this beautiful being, created in divine fashion... tell her, "You are wonderful. I love you." You have complete permission to fall in love.

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