Simple Abundance: A Ritual of Gratitude
The Autumnal Equinox, also known as 'Mabon' in some spiritual circles, marks a the balance between the day and the night. After the 23rd, the days get shorter, and the nights get longer (and colder!).
This is the second of three harvest festivals, the first being August Eve (Aug. 1st) and All Hallows Eve or Samhain (Oct. 31st).
This is a perfect time to celebrate the abundance in your daily life: food, friends, music, and your achievements. It's also a good day to reflect on where you're at in your life, as well as where you'd like to be.
Materials needed:
Orange taper candle & holder (you can substitute with cinnamon or vanilla incense if you wish), matches, seasonal fruit & vegetables, piece of paper, pen, pictures of family and/or friends (optional), pet toys (optional), glass of wine, juice, or spring water, bowl of milk (any kind), uplifting music. Wear clothing that is comfortable but makes you feel attractive.
Timing:
The exact time of the Equinox is at 4:22am EDT 9/23/15, but I like to start mine at twilight. Any time that is convenient for you is also fine, the Universe loves expressions of gratitude at all times!
The Gratitude Ritual:
Have all your materials collected at your altar, kitchen table, or outside in your garden.
Play uplifting music.
Place your candle or incense in the holder, and surround it with seasonal fruit, vegetables, pictures of family or friends, and pet toys.
Place your glass of wine, juice or water in front of you, and the bowl of milk as an offering to the Earth on the opposite side.
Next, write a list of all the things, big and small, that you're grateful for in your life. Don't worry about being thorough or specific, let it flow from your heart, and also don't forget to list some of your achievements! We often forget to feel grateful for ourselves and all the good things we do. For example: sunlight, rainbows, my dog's kisses, honoring my boundaries, work I love, my mom, food on the table, my first herb garden, losing 10lbs, etc.
Fold the paper towards you, then turn it 90 degrees clockwise, and fold it towards you again.
Place the list under the candleholder then light the candle.
Take a few moments to focus or meditate on the things on your list, how wonderful they make you feel, how grateful you are for them.
When you feel ready, place your hand on your heart and say out loud three times with emotion: "Thank you, thank you, thank you".
Imagine that as the candle or incense burns, it's sharing your feelings of joy, thanks, and gratitude with the Universe.
Then drink your glass of wine, etc., dance around, call a friend and tell them you love them, eat a piece of fruit or cook a yummy, seasonal meal with your vegetables, and enjoy yourself!
When the candle or incense has fully burned out, pour the milk onto the Earth (a potted plant will do in a pinch), thanking her for her bounty. You can keep your joy collection on display for as long as you want to, and place your list under your pillow.
Whenever we are going through phases of growth, change, expansion, becoming, it is inevitable that fears or obstacles will come up as a part of that process.
Like the dragon in the fairytales, it’s often facing + overcoming a great challenge that catalyzes our transformation and initiates us into a new level of wisdom, understanding, and power.
My symbolic fairytale “dragon” is a shark in spirit form - a great white shark, to be exact.