New Year's Rituals

A fresh year is upon us, just creeping in around the corner. We are in that strange, in-between time after Christmas and before New Year's. No one wants to work, and even if they tried, everyone else is on vacation -- mentally, if not physically.  No one is really sure what to do with this chunk of time, aside from putter around the house, finish all the holiday leftovers, clean up the Christmas mess, and patiently await January's return to normalcy. What a great time to prepare for the New Year and honor the transitional energy and momentum of the yearly shift. 

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Reflect on the Previous Year

Even though the previous year may not have been perfect, or ideal, I believe that it's important to reflect on the things that have happened, and how you've changed. I like to reflect on the year at a Macro-level, and think about what I have accomplished and what has improved upon over the last twelve months.  Try to have an open mind when considering what you've shifted over the previous year as minor shifts can have major impacts. Even if you don't feel like you've made huge strides, start small when thinking about changed behaviors.

A huge achievement for me over the last year was establishing a fitness routine. Not only did I follow a routine, I increased the frequency of working out as the year progressed.  Establishing an exercise regimen has in turn helped me to create a morning routine, which has allowed me to structure my time more efficiently. 

Cleansing & Clearing Old Energy

One of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the New Year, and at the beginning of each new month is to cleanse and clear my house.  I'm not just talking about an energetic cleanse, but a physical one too. Things like clutter and mess hold energy, and if let untouched, can add to the energetic weight in a house. Clutter can feel like pandemonium and chaos, when your home is supposed to be a sanctuary. 

Cleaning can act as a double duty spiritual chore if you infuse your cleaning products with your intentions as you move about the space. When sweeping or mopping the floors, envision clearing away all the stagnant energy, and things that you don't want to take with you into the next year. Make signs, symbols or sigils with cleaning agents as you clean the countertops. Speak mantras of love, peace and goodwill into mirrors as you wipe them down. 

I like to make sure that the space is physically clean before I do any energetic clearing process. If I do an energetic clearing, it is much more likely to maintain a calm energy longer when the space itself has been primed and prepared.

Light it Up & Let it Go

Nature's elements are some of the most powerful tools that we have at our disposal! Fire can act as a powerful cleansing and clearing agent, creating a powerful energetic release upon combustion. If there is anything that you're holding onto from the previous year that you don't want to carry with you into the next one, write it down on a piece of paper (or print it out), and burn it in a safe space. You write down thoughts that you've been ruminating on, situations that you don't want to be apart of, or anything that you're holding that is weighing heavily on your heart.

Burning something produces a physical change in the item burned (in this case, paper), transforming the energy stored and releasing it from it's current form. It is said that smoke travels across dimensions, delivering your message to the Universe.

Wash it Off

After doing all that physical cleaning, you'll want to make sure that you're taking the time to honor your physical body, by cleansing and clearing your energy body. Water is one of the purest and most powerful of the natural elemental tools that we use in Spiritual work. Many people swear by baths, but showers can also be a powerful tool when combined with your intentions.  When in the shower, you can envision water washing away energy from your auric field and energy body.

​There are many different types of ritual bath soaks that can be highly rejuvenating, but a warm bath where you're cleansing and clearing your energy field with salt would be a perfect complement to this practice. Feel free to add in whatever herbs, flowers, essential oils, or add-ins you feel drawn to. If you're drawn to an ingredient, there's likely a reason for it! 

If you don't have a bathtub, or are unable to take a bath, feel free to create a sacred foot soak in a small pail or bucket. You can still enjoy all the benefits of a ritual soak by soaking your hands and/or feet! These extremities have lots of chakras (energy centers) on them, so they'll benefit greatly. 

Reset Altars and Sacred Spaces

This is the perfect time to review the altars in your home to see who you're honoring and how you're honoring them. Take the time to wipe down any tables, clean off any objects with a damp towel, and see if these objects are meant to stay out for another year. You may want to change out your altar for another purpose/intention, or create different altars in different spaces of your home. If you have an ancestor altar, this is a great time to thank them for guiding you and standing by this year, and ask that they continue to do so in the coming year. Having some quiet time in each room of your home can help you to see if you feel at peace, and identify any opportunities for improvement. 

I'm sure there are many more ways to close out the New Year, these were just a few that I enjoy doing as the year winds down and comes to a close. These are also practices that may be helpful at the change of season, the change of the month, or any time you need a little refresher! It's always a good idea to be proactive when it comes to maintaining the energy of your space!! 

Are there any traditions that you enjoy this time of year? Please share them with me in the comments, I'd love to know! 

May you have a happy and healthy New Year, my friend!

Love,
​Arielle Sterling