Find Empowerment with Manifestation this New Year

            As 2016 comes to a close, many of us are thinking the same thing-Thank God! (Or, Goddess, Buddha, Ganesha, the Heavens). This whirlwind of a year has brought many things; along with whatever good, it was also the year of much loss, anxiety, confusion and the biggest shake up this country or world has seen in a while. As we cut our losses and work to shake off the dejection of the past 12 months, there are simple ways to find empowerment and ease into the fear of the unknown. We had the recent passing of the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. This was a time to sync up with Mother Nature, reflect over our year, and release what no longer serves to create space for new adventure and abundance into our lives. When we reconnect with nature, sync with her seasons and her elements we can then create our own future; find the path of least resistance and take back perhaps a little bit of control over our lives. I'm talking intention and manifestation time!
           
            With the busyness of current society it’s easy to see why so many of us feel out of control and victims to the chaos around us. That’s why this year we must pull back on the reigns, wipe the filters from our eyes and for one, just breathe. If we begin with meditation then there’s half of the control. To close your eyes and tune into the sensations of your breath you alone can soothe the central nervous system, release tension and that sometimes sharp, reactive thinking. Meditation give us the power to be the calm center; the eye of the storm that is the chaos around us. I’ve meditated in many spaces including my office before a presentation or teaching a class and even the Secretary of State. You don’t need to have your eyes closed and tune out the entire world, you simply need mindfulness and peace will follow. Meditation can be about being content while being completely present and aware of the world around you. As little as 5 minutes a day can be enough to release stress, increase focus and set intention for your day.
 
Create an altar space in your home, somewhere you can be alone if possible. Here you can gather all you need for working with the elements and working with manifestation and setting intensions. My space often includes stones and crystals for healing & grounding. Mother Nature's healers, crystals and stones hold vibrations and have qualities that can help to enhance health. We are naturally receptive to the healing qualities of these Earthly elements and they can work to balance blockages of the body, mind & spirit. Use these in rituals for health, wellness, prosperity and more.  I also use inspiring words or photos, candles and sage or Palo Santo for cleansing negative energy. Draw a tarot card if you find you need direction in a situation or somewhere to put your focus. Here’s a little ritual that’s easy to put together for the New Year to set positive intensions and direction.
 
Set up your space and gather your tools.
 
1. Pick your stones- My favorite three stones for this ritual would be Hematite, Moonstone and Obsidian. You may set these on your altar or hold in your hands.
 
Hematite is great for grounding, protection, and bringing harmony to body, mind and spirit
Moonstone is for new beginnings, reflection and intuition
 
Obsidian offers support in growth, deep soul healing, shields from negativity, and very powerful in releasing/absorbing emotions
 
2. Clear the space- Grab a bundle of sage or a stick of Palo Santo to cleanse negative energy. If you have a small bell set that near you as well.
 
3. Get your photos, either of family, friends or create a vision board of what you would like your upcoming year to look like.
 
4.  Create your Mantra-Decide whatever your personal mantra or intention is  for the year, write it down and set that on your altar as well. Gather anything else inspiring and set that in your space as well.
 
5. Grab your candles and your oils- You can use different colored candles for different meanings, or I like to use white as a universal and put my intention into it. If you have essential oils, anoint your candles before you light them; a lemongrass oil to balance, uplift and calm or Sandalwood for good fortune, protection and success are two good choices.
 
Settle into your space with your tools around you. Offer yourself a meditation to tune into your breath, get centered and release tension. Set your photos, mantra and anything else you'd like on your altar space, then anoint and light your candles. Take time to take inventory over your past year, see what has worked, what has not. What old belief systems have been holding you back? What projects lead you in the wrong direction this year? What relationships no longer serve? Start to find a release process with your breath to let go of the old; imagine creating space in and all around you to release and let go. Take as much time as you need, then continue by lighting your sage or Palo Santo and smudge your room and yourself; you may extend out to the entire house if you'd like to do a house cleansing or blessing for the new year. I like to use my hands to literally sweep the old energy off of me; a cracked window will draw the old energy out and allow fresh air to come in.
            When finished ring your bell to 'ring out the old'. Sit in meditation with your mantra and envision what you wish to manifest for the upcoming year. Envision and feel all that you want to draw to yourself, and see it as though it was already here. Draw that intension into aspect of your being.....and like cultivating a seed to sprout nourish that intension and let it grow. When you feel complete and full of new direction for the year, ring your bell to 'ring in the new'. Allow a deep cleansing breath to set your intension out into the Universe, ready to come back into fruition when it's ready.
 
 
Live well, love well, be well. Namaste. 

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