New Year, New Moon Ritual

“What the new year brings to you depends a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” -Vern McLellan

I love that quote. And that’s why I believe so strongly in the power of setting intentions. It’s important to ask ourselves what we want more of in our life. It’s equally important to ask ourselves what we have to let go of in order to make space for that which we really want. This year, 2022, we have a new moon on the second day of the new year, which is an extra special time to get clear about the year ahead and let the Universe hear the wishes of your heart. Here is a simple ritual that you can do to invite in your hopes and dreams for the next month and or year.

Create a sacred space for yourself.

The space that you create can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make it. My sacred space this morning was set on the floor at the top of my yoga mat. I recommend that you bring a little something to awaken your five senses: a candle for sight; incense or essential oils for scent; tea or a comforting drink for taste; a stone, crystal or beads for touch; and relaxing music for sound.

Ground yourself in the moment.

Again, you can take as long as you’d like to center yourself in the moment. This morning, I chose to do 30 minutes of yoga before starting my new moon ritual. If you don’t have 30 minutes, that’s okay. Take what you feel comfortable with. Once you’re ready to begin, close your eyes or cast your gaze downward on a fixed point then take three deep breaths in, and three deep breaths out.

Set your intention.

This is the heart of the ritual where you are going to spend some time focusing on what it is that you want to invite in to your life for this new lunar cycle and year. You can do this in the quiet of your mind or by writing it down on a piece of paper or if you have a journal, that’s a great place to write down your intention. This is FOR YOU. Nobody is going to read it (unless you want them to) or judge it or tell you that it’s impossible. PERMISSION GRANTED TO DREAM BIG! Make 2022 your year!

Give thanks.

Once you’ve expressed your desires for the new lunar cycle and/or year, use the quiet time to pause and reflect with gratitude for all that you already have in your life. Again, you may do this in the quiet of your heart or write it down on a piece of paper or journal. Gratitude is the gateway to receiving blessings; it’s like that saying by Einstein: we can walk though life as though nothing is a miracle or as if everything is a miracle. In order to receive blessings in your life, you must first be able to recognize them.

Be still.

Know that the universe has received your intention and will work with you to make it a reality. Notice that I said “work with you”, because you must be an active participant in breathing your dream into existence. You may sit in stillness for as long as time allows and feels good before returning to your day. Perhaps you want to close out your New Moon Ritual by listening to this beautiful song by Jason Mraz called “Shine”; a story about the sun and the moon and how we can all be a light in our own unique way.

Tonight the earth moon and sun are in direct alignment, which is why it appears that there is no moon in the sky. The New Moon. She is there. Just as sure as the sun is always shining in the sky, even when darkness makes it so that we cannot see it. These celestial beings are constants and they each have their own important role to play in the Universe. Whether this light emanates from you or shines onto you this year, my wish for you in 2022 is that this will be the year where you boldly step into the fullness of your dreams for your life. I wish that you will be able to accept all the unexpected twists and turns on the road ahead and love wherever it leads you. I beleive that there is a higher purpose to life’s detours. And I pray that you know that even when it appears to be dark, the light is just around the corner. Happy New Year! Namaste.