Sue Redmond

Celebration, Letting Go & Intention Setting Ceremony

New Year often sparks a time of reflection, this doesn't have to be done in a harsh critical way of looking at all that you haven't achieved but more a gentle way of celebrating all that you have survived and thrived through. Taking time to acknowledge the challenges of life and the opportunities that have emerged is important. Often we do not see the distance we have traveled as life takes us from one thing to the next. Sometimes we don't have time to celebrate, this is a great time to do so. 

In this ceremony, much like our pagan ancestors and Goddesses who came before us, we will use the five elements of Space, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water to go through three different parts. 

Part 1 acknowledges and celebrates the past year or years and how we have survived and maybe even thrived through them.

Part 2 acknowledges aspects of our lives that we could benefit from gently letting go. 

Part 3 invites setting an intention to uncover the gold within our souls. The more we release and let go, the more our true nature and clarity are revealed. 

Creating a ceremonial atmosphere

You can do this alone or in a group. If in a group allow time and space for each person to share if they would like to.

Light candles, burn incense, and listen to soulful music.  

Part 1: Celebrate 

Phase 1: Space Element

Sit and meditate on all the positives that have emerged in your life over the past year(s). All that you have to be grateful for. 

Phase 2: Earth Element

Take a pen and a piece of paper. Reflect on all you have to be grateful for, whether it is skills you learned, ways you have cultivated being, how you have grown, kindnesses you have shown, or contributions you have made small and big. You can address the letter to yourself as follows: 

Dear XXXX

I am so grateful for.... 

Thank you

Phase 3: Air Element

Speak your letter out loud so you can hear it and receive it within your heart. 

You have a choice here you can keep this letter or you can proceed to Phase 4  & 5. 

Phase 4: Fire Element

Take this letter signifying your survival, growth or contribution, and burn it in a small bowl that allows you to keep the ashes in. 

 

Phase 5: Water Element

Find some running water for example a stream and let the ashes of the letter wash away to be reunited with the earth.

Part 2: Letting Go 

Phase 1: Space Element

Sit and meditate to create space in your awareness of what needs to be let go of.

 

Phase 2: Earth Element

Take a pen and a piece of paper. Reflecting on what you would like to let go of, for example, patterns of behaviour, unhelpful habits, and unhelpful thinking. Write a letter to yourself. Starting with:

Dear XXXX

Let the energy of the pen commit to paper all that you would like to release from your life with love.

 

Phase 3: Air Element

Speak your letter out loud so you can hear it and receive it within your heart. 

 

Phase 4: Fire Element

Take this letter signifying letting go and burn it in a small bowl that allows you to keep the ashes in. 

 

Phase 5: Water Element

Find some running water for example a stream and let the ashes of the letter wash away to be reunited with the earth.

 

Part 3: Intention Setting

Phase 1: Space Element 

Meditate to uncover the gold within your soul. As you let go of more of the things that do not serve you, the more your true spirit becomes revealed. Observe what emerges that is important to uncover and cultivate within you.

 

Phase 2: Earth Element

Set your intention for what comes up to cultivate in your life. You can take a pen and piece of paper and write a letter to the universe requesting your intention. It may begin with:

Dear Universe,

Please help me to uncover my…. or cultivate more love, peace, gratitude…

Thank you

XXXX

 

Phase 8: Air Element 

With your hand on your heart, speak your intention releasing it into the world.

 

Optional: You could place your Dear Universe letter in with your Christmas decorations when taking them down and revisit it next year when you are putting your decorations up. There is no need to burn them. Keeping it signifies wanting to create it.