Each year my family has a revitalizing ritual we perform at the beginning of the year. You can try this easy beautiful ritual too! You will combine a release ceremony commonly known as a Burning Bowl Ceremony with a create ceremony.

The basic intent of this ritual is to use the start of the year to release thoughts, actions, and/or relationships that are no longer serving you and then invite in the creation of thoughts, actions and relationships that do nourish you. You will sync with nature’s powerful rhythms, let go, and allow your dreams to come alive by using this transformative ritual.

Burning Bowl Ceremony (release ceremony)

Fire is a symbol of purification and transformation–and power! In the Burning Bowl Ceremony you use fire for release and transformation. You can use your fireplace or a fire pit or a large unburnable bowl filled with lit candles – just use care with your fire please!

Perform the following:

1.  Write down whatever you want to release—it may be more than one thing.  This will be anything that no longer serves you or never did serve you. The act of writing down what you want to be free of in your life is a key part of bringing it out to be released. Use a small piece of paper (or several small pieces if you have lots to release) and then fold the piece or pieces of paper.

2.  Now close your eyes and spend a moment or two in quiet prayer or meditation.

3.  Make a personal commitment to surrender. If there is anything else holding you back—there almost always will be—become aware of what it is, and let that go as well.

4.  Now light your piece of paper (one at a time), and quickly drop the paper into the burning bowl (or fire) and watch it transform into ash. Say this out loud or to yourself, “I commit to releasing this, it no longer serves me.” Take a deep cleansing breath!

Now you have actually created space in your being because you have released what no longer serves you!  And, according to the philosopher Aristotle, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Aristotle based his conclusion on the observation that nature requires every space to be filled with something (even if it is air that fills it.) I love this because it gives you the power to attract something awesome in this new empty space. You can use your intention to fill it with your deepest desires!

Create Ceremony

A great way to fill in that sparkling new empty space is with a create ceremony.  For this, you will spend a couple of moments reflecting on your life in the areas of faith, family, health, and finance.

1.  Think about what you would like to see happen in your life as you move forward from this day.

2.  Write down the words “I commit to creating” and then list one or more desires you have for your life. These can be single words or phrases, or you can write a beautiful letter of commitment to yourself. These notes are for your eyes only.

3.  When you are finished, fold the paper and place it in an envelope addressed to you.

4.  Hold this letter close to your heart for a moment and say or think to yourself, “I invite this into my life with an open heart.”

5.  Then put the letter in a safe place where you will be able to find it next year!

You will open this letter next year when you perform this ceremony again. Next year, you may find it illuminating to see what this powerful process brought into your life. And, you may be surprised by the ways in which your desires were manifested!

You may do this ceremony alone or with others. Either way do it in a way that is meaningful to you and it will help you experience deep change in your life. Enjoy!

May this moment and every moment forward be filled with harmony, abundance, and vitality for you and those you touch.

In the present,

Tammy