A Releasing and Intention Setting for Solitaries or Groups

Back on April 7th, I led the Frederick CUUPS community in an online full moon ritual. Our ritual focused on developing an intention and supporting affirmation to carry us through the next lunar cycle.  Although this ritual was performed for the full moon, it could be done at any time.

The way I am using the word intention here is as an internal gazing-point or focus.  It is a simple concept, emotion, idea, or goal that we weave into our lives.  Many intentions are just one word, or two.  The power of intention-setting is that it can gently shift the energy that permeates our lives.  For example, if my intention for the month is ‘Calmness,’ I can reflect on that word over coffee in the morning.  While I am doing dishes, cleaning, or gardening, I can think about doing so with calmness.  I can remind myself while interacting with others that my intention is calmness and watch that energy transform those moments of interaction.

This ritual is performed in a few different steps, but the supplies are quite simple.  You will need:

• A few pieces of paper, some of which will be burned
• A pen or pencil to write with
• A candle and candle holder, lighter/matches
• A nonflammable dish for ashes

Clean and prepare your altar or working space and lay out your supplies.  Ground and center.  If you would like to do this exercise in ritual context, cast your circle and welcome in the Powers you work with.

Releasing

It is normal right now to feel like there is too much happening. It is normal to not be okay.  For the first part of this ritual, we will do a Releasing. Releasings are a way of offering energy we no longer wish to carry to the Powers That Be.

Think about the last couple of weeks.  Some stresses are unavoidable and cannot be released.  However, some of our reactions to those stresses are more fluid – we have some agency there.  Consider and then write down one or two things you would like to release. Some examples could include paranoia, anxiety, fear, frustration, or anger.  Think about an energy or emotion that has not been serving you.  Choose, right now, to let it go.

Once you have considered and written down what you are releasing, place your non-flammable container next to your candle. VERY carefully, light the piece of paper with your Releasing on it.  Once it catches, drop it into the dish to continue burning.  As it burns, feel the transforming power of Elemental Fire carrying that energy away from you.

You can say aloud or silently ‘I release that which no longer serves.  So it is, and so it shall be.’

Intention Setting

To set an intention for this next month we are going to do a little journaling, so grab your paper and pencil. Answer this question:

What helps you feel grounded?  

You can use single words or answer it longform – whatever works best for you.

Here’s your next question: What helps you feel safe?

And your last question: What helps you feel connected to Spirit?

Please look over the answers to those questions.  Within your answers will be some beautiful words.  Begin circling words or short phrases that would make a good intention, a good internal gazing-point.

Now, out of your circled words, choose one word – one idea, emotion, or goal – to serve as your intention. Yes, just one.

Crafting an Affirmation

For the next piece of Work, we are going to craft an affirmation based around your intention. An affirmation is a sentence or statement we repeat to ourselves to begin working on our mental state.  Think of it as an adjustment to our self-talk. Affirmations are phrased using positive language.  So, rather than saying ‘I will not get stressed out,’ you would write ‘I have all the time and energy I need to accomplish my goals.’

Some other examples of affirmations are:

I am calm and centered

I speak and act from a place of love

I feel my connection to the Divine growing every day

I honor my need for healing and am treating myself gently

I am supporting myself lovingly

I root into nature and feel strength flowing through me

You will be using your affirmation for the next month along with your intention, so try to make it clear and succinct.  It is much easier to memorize an Affirmation with fewer than 15 words.

Energy Raising

Now that you have your intention and affirmation, please put those on a new piece of paper.  In big letters, write your intention at the top of the page.  Underneath it, write your affirmation.

Hold your piece of paper in your hands.  Close your eyes and visualize how you will feel at the end of the month with this as your intention.  Imagine how you will move through your days.  How your intention will help support you when things get difficult.  Imagine how you will interact with others, and how you will care for yourself.

Magick works best when we raise energy.  You could dance or chant, tap into the energy of a strong natural source like the ocean or a healthy forest, access the power of an Element or Force like the sun, stars, wind or storms, or almost any other energy-generating action. Raise energy in the way that works best for you.

Now, take all that beautiful energy you built up and blow it into your piece of paper.

If you need to, you can ground out any excess energy by touching the floor or the earth if you are outside.

After this ritual, hang this piece of paper somewhere you will see it every day.  You could put it on your bathroom mirror, next to your computer, in the kitchen – wherever you find yourself spending time.  You can also set your intention, affirmation, or both as the background to your phone.  Read the words to yourself every day.  Repeat them at least three times each session. At the end of the month, you can release the energy by burning the paper and choosing another intention.  OR, you can continue to work on this one.

Allow the candle to burn down if it is safe to do so or snuff the candle.  If you performed this practice within a ritual, close your ritual.

Remember to ground and center again and have a snack if you need help settling.

I wish you all the blessings, bounty, and beauty of spring.  May the growing light bring all of us health, happiness, and hope. If you have any questions, or any reflections you would like to share, hit me up in the comments.