Ritual 6: Monday, February 5, 2007

Waning Moon

Have you ever felt stable... but completely stuck? Your relationship has a status quo; your job has its routine; your activities stay the same week-in and week-out. Rhythm gives rise to flow. It tells the subconscious "it's safe." Sometimes, however, what starts as a nice, reliable rhythm can turn into a dreary, soul-suffocating pattern.

Every number has a resonance, a significance to the inner mind. The number four suggests solidity and being grounded. A table's four legs keep it from tipping over. Four corners define a room or a building. Pop music is based in 4/4 time. Fours are great.

But wild women can't live on fours alone. We crave change. The resonance of change belongs to the number five, the sacred number of the goddess. Five is the number of transformation. It is the quintessential element that tips over the table. In the Tarot, the five is linked to the Hierophant, the ruler of, well, rules. The five is a call to examine your inherited rules, and to sort your true codes for living from your family's, society's or inner censor's limitations on "inappropriate" behavior.

Today's the fifth day of the month. Use your sacred time tonight -- with the waning moon's energy of release -- to shift your relationship to the rules.

Start by moving. Movement literally shakes things up. Move slowly at first, maybe just stretching a bit, then build speed. Let your gestures be wild and goofy -- anything but stale, contrived or perfect! Nobody's watching, so go full-tilt dork if that's what it takes to loosen you up.

Add some words to your willy-nilly vibrating body. My guides tell me "rools are for fools" (they think it's funny to break all spelling rules). Try saying that or your own mischievous chant a few times while jiggling around the room.

When you start to feel a bit worn out, sit down and dash a few words on paper about what rules in your life need to be rewritten. Feel your heartbeat racing -- this is the power of your own life force.

Say aloud:

I call on the power of five
That helps me feel more alive.
Let's change this rule
Into something that's cool!
I welcome the transformation.

Now jot down some alternatives to the old rule or just describe how your life could be without it.

As change starts to appear in your life (oh, it will!), return to the fifth line of the incantation: "I welcome the transformation."

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