Ritual 53: Monday, December 31, 2007

Waning Moon

Tomorrow is the first day of the new year. Through the ebbs and flows of an entire year, you have attended to your own spiritual nature, marking each Monday with ritual.

Remember your first Moonday Magic ritual? (Ritual 1) What intentions did you empower your clothes with? Do you still even have those outfits? If you do, pull one out of the closet and put it on. How does it fit? Any changes in your size? Your style? Your intention?

There is a phrase: The more things change the more they stay the same. This is the paradox: You are not the same person you used to be a year ago. You are exactly the same person you used to be. Reflect on it: What parts of you are enduring? What changes?

Tonight's ritual is simple. You'll need your journal, two pieces of paper, something to write with, a fire-safe container and some matches.

Center yourself in a meditative space. Chew on these questions: What would you identify as the greatest change you've experienced this year? If your life were a book and all the years were chapters, what would be the title of Chapter 2007? What were the lessons life brought you this year?

In your journal, jot down your thoughts. After you've thoroughly digested the questions, see what themes have emerged. Pare down, distill, and combine those themes into one overarching statement about 2007.

You could call your year anything! "Wild Adventure"... "Cataclysmic Change"... "Amazing Grace"... "Slow and Steady Wins the Race" ... "Living at the Threshold of Life and Death" ... "Taking Care of Myself" ... "Taking Care of Business" ... "Reconciliation" ... "Love Conquers All" ... "Anything Goes" ... "Freedom" ... You get the idea.

Pull out a piece of paper and write at the top 2007. Under that, write the "title" of your year.

At the top of another piece of paper write 2008. Under that, write a blessing for your coming year. You could use the blessing below or create your own.

I welcome this new year with optimism and awareness
I open my heart and mind to all the good that comes my way
May I meet my challenges with strength, grace, and humor
May I perceive my path unfolding with divine guidance
May I dance with the rhythms of the moon, earth, sun and stars
With the blessings of Spirit, I affirm this is so

Now burn both papers in the fire-safe container while chanting: "2008 is gonna be great!"

As you say, so it is!

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