Releasing Ceremony & Ritual
As another year comes to a close, it’s important to not only focus on what we want to manifest and create in the new year, but also what feelings, emotions, and traumas we are ready to let go.
Many times what keeps us from our goals, visions, and manifestations are old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve us. For example, in my life I am choosing to let go of self-doubt. I have spent the last year really seeing how often I doubt myself, where this doubt originated, and also how it is no longer serving me. I am choosing to leave this self-doubt in 2022 and step into 2023 with the intention of learning how to trust myself on a deeper level.
Every year I create the time to do a Releasing Ceremony. This has become my end of year ritual that I do every year to let go of that which no longer serves me. Here are some ideas of what you could do to create your own ritual and ceremony of release.
Creating rituals is a personal practice, and I invite you to get creative with what feels best for you. You can try the below this year and add more things next year. I find that each year, my rituals evolve, but I always start with the same foundation outlined below.
End of Year Releasing Ceremony
Create time on your calendar for a Releasing Ceremony. You may be able to do it today or you may want to schedule it on your calendar for another day. By creating time and space, you are already setting the intention that this is important to you.
Gather any items that you may need for this ceremony. I like to create a physical boundary with crystals to create an intentional space for myself (I use crystals but you could also draw a circle on the ground around you or use objects you find in nature) . I also light a candle, bring a journal and pen (or paper and pen), and any other items I may need. You can also use sage to cleanse your space ahead of time. Take the time to see what items feel good for you and would assist you in your Releasing Ceremony.
Once I have created my ceremony space, I say my intentions aloud. For example: “My intention for this ceremony is to clear and release what no longer serves me so I may step into 2023 as my highest self.”
Once I have set my intention for the ceremony, I write down everything that I am ready to release and let go of. Sometimes it’s a long list, sometimes it’s just one thing like self-doubt.
After I become clear on what I want to release. I take the time to acknowledge and thank each thing on my list. It’s important to take the time to acknowledge the lessons that each thing on this list has taught you. Everything in life has a lesson attached, and when we acknowledge these lessons, growths, and truths, our bodies know we are ready to truly let go of these things.
After I take the time to thank each thing / lesson. I take the pieces of paper and discard them in some way. You can light them on fire with the intention to burn away that which no longer serves you.* You can also take these pieces of paper and rip them up and throw them in the trash and take the trash out of your house (this represents you clearing these things from your home). You could also bury these papers in Mother Earth, or find another way to physically represent releasing these things from your life and personal space. It’s important to do something with this list, whatever it may be.
Once these papers have been discarded, I invite you to visualize a white light filling your body and filling the places where these things used to live within you. If there’s something you are looking to call into your life, it’s a great time to set that intention as well.
Then take a moment to thank yourself for creating the space and intention for letting go what no longer serves you. You can also thank God, the Universe, or a Higher Power for assisting you with this ceremony.
Then set the intention to close this ceremony space with an intention like - “This ceremony is now complete. I thank myself and the love of all that is for assisting me in releasing what no longer serves me. And so it is.”
Now you can pick up the items you used to set your space and close the Releasing Ceremony.
*IF YOU CHOOSE TO LIGHT THE PAPER ON FIRE, BE SURE TO USE A FIRE SAFE CONTAINER AND TO KEEP WATER NEARBY. FIRE CAN CAUSE DAMAGE WHEN NOT TREATED CORRECTLY. USE CAUTION AND MAKE SURE YOU BURN THESE PAPERS IN A SAFE CONTAINER AND ENVIRONMENT. TAKE ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS NEEDED IN ORDER TO CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOURSELF.
