NEW YEAR'S
RITUAL
You will Need:
wholesome delicious
food chocolate hammocks/ beanbags/
outdoor couches/other comfortable non-flammable seating apparatus citronella candles mosquito repellant fire paper and pens art supplies one or more beautiful
people an open heart
NB
Each person is entitled to engage and participate to whatever extent they feel
comfortable.
Preparation:
1.
find
a beautiful, quiet place under the stars.
2.
Light
a fire (remember to check any fire bans that may apply in your area- safety first
;)
3.
Prepare
delicious food and beverages.
4.
Eat
and drink delicious food and beverages.
5.
Ensure
that chocolate is available for snacking on throughout the night.
PART ONE: Reflecting on the year
past
9.00
Begin the ritual in whatever way you deem appropriate (eg. Meditation, hugging,
standing on your head etc)
9.15
Write down on a piece of paper 3 things that have caused you shame, anger,
frustration, or anxiety that you choose to let go of.
NB
Each individual may choose to share these or keep them to themselves. And by no
means is anyone to judge what they write down.
9.45
Write down on another piece of paper 3 things that you have been most grateful
for from the year past.
PART TWO: Looking ahead to the
future
10.00
Decide on one thing that you choose to be your primary focus for the coming
year (eg. Forgiveness, compassion, loving-kindness, physical or mental health,
connection, overcoming fear, patience etc.)
10.15
Create a piece of art that expresses what this means to you which you will keep
in plain sight to remind you for the rest of the year. Use whatever medium fits
best with your focus (eg painting, drawing, jewelry making, woodcarving etc.)
11.00
Write down on another piece of paper 3 things that you wish for people in your
life.
11.30
Write down on another piece of paper three things that you wish for yourself.
Part 3: Consummation of the
ritual.
11.50
Collect together the pieces of paper and prepare to burn them in whatever way
is most meaningful to you. eg
burn the first two
before midnight and the second two after; Or burn each of them in
the ten seconds prior to midnight; Or burn them altogether
on the stroke of midnight.
You
can complete the ritual in whatever way you choose (eg. Mediation, chanting,
grooving, howling etc.)
Now
you have gratefully fare-welled the previous year and gently received the
coming year.
