And just like that – another year has passed! While this time is usually full of New Year’s resolutions and grand goals, rituals can also be an incredibly powerful way to ring in our next chapter and let go of the past (and any stress, fear, anxiety, worry, or anger that comes along with it). Below are 6 of our favorite New Year’s rituals to kick off the next 12 months as the best version of ourselves:

The Burning Ritual

Light a candle (this works best if it is a candle with sage, palo santo, or another cleansing plant)
Reflect on the past year. What did you accomplish? What did you do that you have never done before? What new things did you learn? What challenges did you face?
Write down 10 things/people/behaviors/situations that you want to let go of (remember that if strong emotions emerge, it is important to feel them so you can heal them – just keep breathing!)
Write down 10 highlights of the past year.
Burn the paper that contains the list of the 10 items that you want to let go of.
Imagine whatever is listed on the paper as well as your worries and fears being carried away in the smoke.
When it is close to completely burnt, put the paper in a bowl of water or a toilet and discard of it.

Note: These types of rituals are very common in shamanic and indigenous cultures.

A Declutter Day

Decluttering is a great way to let go of the past and make room for the future. Participating in the following ritual in a mindful way will prepare you for all of the beautiful things that are yet to come:

Start with one surface or area in your home to declutter. Don’t overwhelm yourself with your whole house or apartment, just start with one small area.
Take everything from the surface or area and move it all into a pile.
Clean the surface or area once all the clutter has been removed.
Take one item from the pile and ask yourself, what is the reason that I have this? If you do not have a good answer, then put in a box for donation or throw it away. If you can’t decide, put it in a “maybe” box that you revisit in a few months.
Repeat the process, one object at a time.
Once you are finished, put the objects back onto the original and newly cleaned surface or area – make sure each item as a designated spot.
Repeat with the next surface or area.

Note: We recommend making a “deal” with yourself that every single time you buy something new, you will let go of/donate something old.

Ruda Potion

Ruda is an incredibly cleansing herb that has been used for centuries in indigenous South American cultures. Using a ruda potion will help you to cleanse yourself spiritually. Just simply follow these steps:

Boil a pot of water.
Add ruda branches.
Add rosemary (for scent), basil (for soothing & self-love), red roses or other red flowers (for passion), and lavender (for new beginnings).
Add the potion to your bath when you bathe OR rinse your body in it as a final cleanse at the end of your shower.

Mantra Meditation Practice

The beginning of a new year is a great opportunity to either start a meditation practice or reinforce your current one. We recommend that you pick a specific spot in your home that you do this in, and that you make an intention to do it for at least 21 days (and ideally for 2 months) in order to create habit of it.

Option 1: Repeat the Ho’oponopono meditation out loud for 11 minutes every day as soon as you wake up and before you check your phone (and ideally in front of a mirror): “I am sorry. Please forgive me. I forgive you. Thank you. I Love you”.
Option 2: Every morning write an intention in a journal, sit in a upright position, close your eyes, and focus on taking deep breaths. When you feel ready, repeat your chosen mantra over and over again in an affirmative voice for around 10 minutes.

Some ideas for mantras are:

My past doesn’t define me.
Negativity has no place in my life.
I set boundaries that honor my emotions.
I release physical, mental, and emotional baggage.
I find harmony in the changes happening in my life.
I give myself permission to feel happiness.
I have the power to transform my mood.
I deserve to be loved.
I am healing.
My body is strong and resilient.
I am enough as I am.
I am worthy.
I am free.
I trust myself.
I go with the flow.
I trust that I have been guided.
I am committed to becoming my best self.
I wake up smiling every day.
I am strong and healthy.
I let happiness be my goal and my guide.
I find reasons to be grateful every day.
I feel calmed and relaxed.
Today and every day I am thankful for being alive.

Release Ritual

This ritual is also great to do during each new or full moon but is especially powerful during New Years.

Fill a bowl with water and carry it outside (or at least near a window if it’s too cold to be completely outside) before placing it in front of your body.
Gather three white candles and place them around the bowl. Then place a black crystal (like Onyx, Black Obsidian, or Black Tourmaline) inside the bowl for protection.
Gather a piece of paper and write down everything you would like to get rid of/that no longer serves you and cut it up into small pieces.
Place all the cut-up pieces into the bowl.
State out loud what you want to get rid of - the stronger your intent and the more you believe what you are saying, the more powerful the ritual will be. Something examples are: “I am ready to release what no longer serves me. I ask that the universe supports me in my new beginnings and helps me move on with my life. I am ready to let go of whatever is not mean for me and does not serve my highest self”.
After you are finished, find a secluded spot outside, and bury the water and paper into the ground or sand.

Cord Cutting

Sometimes it is essential to cut cords with another person in our life. Whether you want to let go of someone after a breakup, or you have been betrayed or wronged by someone, the cord cutting ritual will help you to release them. In this ritual the cord will represent the emotional connection between you and the person you are cutting cords with.

Gather a black or dark colored string/thread and a photo of you and the person you are cutting cords with. If you do not have photos, you can also write your names on pieces of paper.
Roll up the small pieces of paper and tie them onto opposite ends of the string.
Visualize your connection to this person.
Once you feel ready, cut the cord with a pair of scissors and visualize the emotional connection fading away. If you prefer you can also use a flame to burn the cord as the fire will represent the healing process.

Note: You can also use this ritual to cut cords with painful experiences from your past that you are holding onto, negative behaviors, or addictions – it does not have to be a person!

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