Out with the Old, In with the New - Gearing Up For The New Year

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December often turns out to be a bit of a strange month. Everybody goes into end-of-year panic mode, and there is so much pressure to get everything done before the year ends. On top of that, we find ourselves reviewing the year, and perhaps feeling disappointed that not all our plans worked out the way we had hoped. And of course the pressure to SPEND SPEND SPEND over the holidays - for many, spending power has become a measure of achievement and self-worth - a very sad state of affairs!

As far as Nature goes, 1 January is just another day, but it is well worth remembering that with so many people being focused on the importance of the date for so many years, it has indeed gained significance on an energetic level. Thus it is not really a surprise that many of us feel the December-madness and the January-confusion. As the new year begins, we are faced with a blank canvas. Humans are by nature goal-oriented, so it quickly becomes quite depressing to enter a new year which turns out to be just the same as the year before. Many people go back to routines and jobs which are pretty repetitive, and one can quickly begin to feel trapped in the hamster wheel of mundane predictability. 

One good trick is to get into the habit of focusing more on your spiritual goals and lessons, and less on the man-made ideas of success. Moonshadow's Year Forecast email consultation is a helpful tool for those who like to plan ahead, but want to remain in touch with the spiritual and energetic aspects of their lives. The Year Forecast gives a month by month overview of the energies and lessons present in your life over a 12-month period, thus empowering clients to work consciously with these energies. 

The Birthday Mandala Tarot (available as Email or Video-DVD consultation) is another great spiritual mapping tool, and takes an in-depth look at the trends, lessons and energies present from one birthday to the next. 

Whichever tools you choose to use, finding ways to remind your unconscious of moving forward spiritually, is sure to bring you peace of mind and a lot more happiness than simply being stuck in the rat-race which never really goes anywhere at all! 

Of course the subconscious mind pays most attention to ritual and symbolism, so we have put together some ideas for consciously kick-start the new year with a positive attitude.

OUT WITH THE OLD! IN WITH THE NEW!

We often start accumulating new goals (more pressure!) before we have properly dealt with our past goals, achievements and disappointments. Of course, all the old stuff lingers in our unconscious if we do not find a way to express and process them. Here's a simple but potent little ritual to kick-start the new year. Feel free to adapt however you see fit. 

You will need:

• Writing pad
• Pen
• Journal
• Black candle (black all the way through is best!)
• White candle, or any colour which you associate with positive new beginnings.
• Fire-proof bowl or container (or a fire place)
• Music of your choice (optional)

Part 1 - Out With The Old….

• Light your black candle with the intension to release and banish all things negative.

• If you've chosen to work with music, choose something which will inspire you to get rid of negative emotions. Don't be afraid to go with loud "angry" music - it often works best for this part of the ritual!

• On the writing pad, write down everything you can think of which you are ready to release and banish from your thoughts and routine. These can include regrets, disappointments, bad habits, people who drain you, whatever you can think of!

• Spend a few minutes meditating on what you have written down. Make peace with your decision to let these negative and outdated aspects of your life go.

• When you feel ready, put your writing in the flame of the black candle, and let the paper burn out in your fire-proof container (or fireplace). When your negative thoughts and feelings have turned to ashes, blow out the black candle with the intention of extinguishing the last of your old year's baggage.  

Part 2 - In With The New…

• Light your white (or colored) candle with the intention to call in new, fresh energy.

• If you've chosen to work with music, put on something which uplifts and inspires you.

• In your journal, make a list of all the positive emotions you'd like to attract and experience in the New Year. Try not to get side-tracked by specific events or things - leave that to the universe! If you are specific about the emotions you'd like to experience, the events and situations to trigger those emotions will come. Consider things like gratitude, happiness, achievement, compassion, good health, spending time with loved ones, and whatever else you can think of.

• Now make a list of all the things you already have in your life which help you experience these emotions. Being grateful for what you have is a far more powerful energy than being desperate for what you want!

• Spend some time pondering and meditating on all these wonderful positive things you have, and strive to find more of. When you feel ready, snuff the candle with the intension of gratitude for all the good that is yet to come.

And there you have it! You are now all set to enter your new year free of the old baggage, and full of inspiration! Remember to read through your journal entry once in a while to remind yourself of your emotional/spiritual goals, because ultimately these are the goals that really mean something.

Happy holidays!