Manifesting Ritual for the Summer Solstice
Are you aware of the power of the Summer Solstice?
The Summer Solstice is a sacred time, commemorated by our ancestors through fire and ceremony, honouring the sun as it peaks in height in the sky and stretches the day into the longest of the year.
It is the third of the Chinese Five Elements. As we leave the wood season we move into the fire element. It can be a very busy time of year, with longer daylight hours making it a very yang time of year. So it is a wonderful time to bring some yin into the mix for balance. It’s an opportunity to honour the seasons, say goodbye to anything that is not serving you and welcome the strength of the sun’s energy to propel us forward into a new beginning.
This very physical change of season is a powerful time to manifest spiritual transformation with a ritual to release, cleanse, and renew.
Release, Cleanse, and Renew: A Manifesting Ritual
A ritual is all about empowering intentions by connecting physical actions to them.
This ritual below can help you get ‘unstuck’ from the past and clear the negative energy and patterns that are no longer fulfilling or supportive of your greater purpose and intentions. You can perform this ritual exactly as is or alter it to your personal preferences, for a powerful, personal kickstart to the new season.
Suggested items:
Mandala - Fabric or Cloth
Paper & Pen
Candle & Matches
Bowl of water
Sacred & Symbolic Objects
1. Prepare Your Space
Collect the items you would like to include in your ritual, selecting items you gravitate towards that connect to your intention. This may be crystals and stones, old objects, driftwood, books, or anything else that speaks to you. This is an opportunity to listen to your intuition, which you may have spent the winter honing.
The fabric acts as a space keeper— it establishes a dedicated boundary for the ritual. Lay this down and organize your objects around the fabric. It may also be a wooden serving tray or something else that can clearly delineate the space.
2. Purify
Prepare a bowl of water, if you haven’t already. Light incense, a sage stick, or Palo Santo. The Palo Santo wood are used for ceremonies and rituals, because of its fragrant, sacred characteristics, and the purification it offers in aromatic smoke and fire. Waft the smoke throughout your space or home, in a purifying routine.
3. Cleanse Your Space
Light a candle, and add 2 drops of your favourite essential oil. I love tangerine. A small fire like this continues to repel negativity, and move stagnant, stubborn energy, cleansing the space. This makes way for new intentions and welcomes the fiery solar energy that peaks this time of year.
4. Set Your Intentions
Take a few moments to meditate. Just like the space, envision the Palo Santo incense smoke clear your mind and burning away any negative thought patterns you’ve built up or hung on to in the past. Identify these as blocking elements before sending them away with smoke and fire.
Once you have cleared your mind, contemplate what new way of being you want to call forth. How do you want to be, from this moment forward? What are the intentions that you will embody as you enter this new season? Take a moment to envision being the embodiment of these intentions. What does it look like? How does it feel?
5. Write Your “Release List”
After you’ve formed a clear vision of your new self, take out the pen and paper you’ve set near your ritual space. You are going to now list the things you want to release— thought patterns that are holding you back, money issues, beliefs, ways of perceiving yourself and others, excuses, or fears— anything that will not serve you as you manifest your intentions into being.
6. Sit in Gratitude
An opportunity awaits you— to release old negativity and manifest your highest intentions. Here, we give thanks for this opportunity.
In your right hand, which is the hand of release, hold the paper with the list you’ve just written. Then, select an object from your ritual space to act as your anchor to your intention and new self— hold it in your left hand as a symbol of what you want to receive, or call forth to support your intention.
Take a few moments to sit with quietly your gratitude, and give thanks for the opportunity to release the old, and make way for the new.
7. Release
After giving thanks, you will completely release your attachment to your old habits, patterns, and ways of thinking that no longer serve you. Tear your paper. With a bowl of water next to you, you may burn your paper to signify cleansing and releasing of those old patterns.
Imagine the water absorbing the negativity, manifested as smoke, clearing and purifying your space.
8. Call in Positivity
Now that your space is cleared, fill it with positivity. Ask your guides and angels to bring to you what is in your highest good. Feel the abundance of energy and love that surrounds you. You are incredibly loved. Never forget that.
Raise and open your arms, palms up to the sky. Heaven rushing in. So good. Enjoy.
Ice baths … I’m doing it … should you?
I love the sun, I love being warm, I love being snug as a bug in rug (preferable a rug that is a very, very soft blanket)!
But guess what? I’ve started to take ice-baths!! I started very slowly over many weeks. First I started by dipping my feet in, then up to my midcalves, working up to my knees, eventually to my waist. At which point I thought this was an utter success and had no desire to go further.
I questioned the whole time, is this really good for me? How?
When I am in the small square, ice plunge pool, I have found a way to press my feet against the ladder so I can wriggle upper body in up chest. The final part way my arms. This was the hardest for me! As you can tell, I take my time. Finally I can now go in, up to my neck, meditate, enjoy the warmth and power of manipura (my 3rd chakra) and be in awe of the whole thing. There have been moments when I thought .. what if I’m frozen and I cant get out?! But I always manage to.
Five minutes is meant to be a good length of time to be in a cold, cold bath. That’s not currently my goal, I’m taking it one cold dunk at a time.
What I can say is that I strangely look forward to it. There is something quite incredible about it and energising. Wim Hof is a huge advocate so I am enjoying discovering his thoughts and story. I cannot say that any of listed benefits below have rung true for me but that fact that I am enjoying them more and more and looking forward to them is quite profound. Feeling the warmth in my body after I get out is exhilleating. Brings me into the present moment and very grateful.
What I have learnt ice baths and cold showers:
lots of us to do it
they reduced stress levels. Wim’s website says “Regularly taking cold showers imposes a small amount of stress on your body, which leads to a process called hardening. This means that your nervous system gradually gets used to handling moderate levels of stress. The hardening process helps you to keep a cool head, the next time you find yourself in a stressful situation.” Being me, a yoga teaching, Resilo physiotherapist, and playing with energy for a living, it does not resonate with me to “hardening the body, nervous system etc”; I believe in flow, freedom of movement, vibrating high, releasing stress, softening. However ice-bathing has given me freedom, empowerment and enjoyment. For example, I was in the sea in April and it felt warm. It was incredibly enjoyable to be able to frolick and enjoy the sea’s beauty on my skin rather than sitting on the beach and just looking at it. That might not be reducing stress but it has increased enjoyment and freedom and decreased fear.
a higher level of alertness & the cold stimulates you to take deeper breaths. Being a yogi it is difficult for me to say if I take deeper breaths when I am in the ice pool. I do use the (click to watch me demo it) ujjayi breath which certainly brings me into the present movement and allows me to connect to the warmth and power inside me which I LOVE! It is said that the cold water “decreases the level of CO2 throughout the body, helping you concentrate. Cold showers thus keep you ready and focused throughout the day.” Would love to hear your thoughts on that?
More robust immune response. This is the part that really fascinates me… Scientific studies have found that taking a cold shower/bath increases the number of white blood cells in your body. These blood cells protect your body against diseases. Researchers believe that this process is related to an increased metabolic rate, which stimulates the immune response. I will be doing more research on this.
Increased willpower.
Weight loss. Research has shown that cold showers (and exposure to cold in general), in addition to increasing metabolic rate directly, stimulate the generation of brown fat. Brown fat is a specific type of fat tissue that in turn generates energy by burning calories. Cold showers, then, are an effective tool for people who are looking to lose a few pounds. I haven’t noticed a difference in my metabolism but will keep you posted!
In conclusion, encourage you to face a fun fear. If you are going to start ice baths or cold showers I would recommend starting slowly and building your way up. Any concerns, talk to your doctor or health practitioner. Keep tuning in to your body’s messages and intuition.
New Moons: An Intro To Their Energy & How To Make It Work For You
Moon-curious? Here's everything you need to know about new moons and how to harness their powerful energy from down here on solid ground.
Why do new moons happen again?
A new moon happens once a month when the moon and the sun conjoin in the sky, setting off a new cycle of light. When the moon is new, it's invisible to us on Earth, then it slowly appears as a very thin crescent of light. While the energy of a new moon lasts for about three days before and after the lunation, the moon is technically only new for a moment—when the sun and the moon are directly aligned in the sky (and on the zodiac wheel!).
What's the spiritual meaning and significance of the new moon?
The new moon is a time to set intentions and launch new projects. Since new moons happen once a month and signify the beginning of a cycle, you can think of them as a cosmic reset. The new moon is an ideal time to set intentions and goals that you'll develop as the moon waxes toward fullness. Connecting to these lunar energies can provide grounding and a sense of direction.
After the new moon, the light starts to build, as the moon gradually becomes more visible to us on earth. This phase between the new and full moon is called the waxing moon. Our mission during this time is to collect energy and information as everything becomes illuminated. We can use the waxing moon momentum for building, working toward a goal, or bringing the first phases of a project to fruition.
Then comes the full moon, a time for culmination and harvest. This is the peak moment that we've been working toward when our new moon intentions reach their apex. Should we stay or should we go? Do we reap the rewards of our work or change course? As the moon becomes completely visible to us on earth, we can see everything clearly.
Next, the waning moon phase begins. As the moon recedes and the light starts to dwindle, we can begin to release what's no longer working for us. Reflect on what you've built during the waxing phase and shed what doesn't feel right. As the moon disappears from view, we can tie up any loose ends and say goodbye to what's not serving our highest purpose.
Astrologically speaking, new moons occur when the sun and the moon are at the exact same degree in the same zodiac sign. Full moons happen when they are in opposite zodiac signs but at the same degree. Every new moon will culminate in a corresponding full moon six months later. For example, a Pisces new moon will fall during Pisces season in February or March, then the Pisces full moon will arise during Virgo season in August or September.
You can set short-term goals between new and full moons every two weeks. Then, use lunar astrology for a longer game, creating intentions at a new moon that you'll develop over a six-month window.
What to do during the new moon:
1. Write down your intentions.
When we write things down, we are more likely to remember and act on them. At a page-turning new moon, write down whatever you're looking to manifest during this two-week cycle of light. Spend time with what you wrote and read it aloud. Keep your list of intentions with you as the moon waxes, and revisit it and revise it as needed. Stay in tune with the moon as it builds, and manifest your desires.
2. Choose an affirmation.
What kind of energy do you want to bring with you into this new cycle? Affirmations are a great way to get clear on what you want. Make a list of affirmations, read them aloud, and revisit them as the moon's light builds. Whereas intentions set the tone for what you want to do, affirmations are all about what you want to be and embody. Examples of affirmations for the new moon include: "I am confident"; "I bring peace and love into this new cycle of light"; "I share my light."
3. Take a new moon refresher bath.
Water-based rituals are always a great way to work with lunar energy, as the moon is so closely linked with the water element. Relax and reset in the tub with your favourite music playing. Light candles, fill your diffuser with essential oils and set a healing ambience for your bath. Submerge and set the space for a new beginning as you cleanse, release, and refresh your mind, body, and spirit.
4. Create sacred space.
Creating sacred, intentional space is an excellent way to invite new moon energy into your life. Oftentimes, when we create a physical environment, the energy we want more readily pours into our lives. Clear off a surface (dresser, table, etc.) and set any objects, intentions, lists, or images that remind you of what you're calling in with the new moon. Revisit this sacred space as the moon waxes. You can use it as a meditation station and light candles, use aromatherapy and oils, add crystals, and ground into the energy around the space every morning. New moons can also be a time to share sacred space with others through a new moon circle ceremony.
What NOT to do during the new moon:
1. Spend time with naysayers.
Use the new moon to energetically set the tone for the coming weeks. It's a time to refresh, reset, and look to the future. If there are any relationships or friendships in your life that consistently bring you down or drain your energy, you'll want to avoid spending time with these people on the new moon. Surround yourself with people who help you feel energized and alive!
2. Get stuck in the past.
The new moon is just that: new! Stay present, look ahead to the future with optimism, and try not to get bogged down with worries about the past. Let it go, and let it flow.
3. Say no to new opportunities, people, or experiences.
Pay special attention to any new people, experiences, or opportunities that the universe puts in your path during the new moon. While the full moon is a time to release anything that's not serving us, the new moon is a time to build, create, and spark new projects.
How to shake up your new moon ritual throughout the year.
A new moon always falls in one specific astrological sign. Every sign carries different energies and themes, and we can use this information to connect us with the cosmos. Here are some keywords associated with each sign to help you get started on your lunar journeying.
Aries: Identity, self, individuality, fire, beginnings.
Taurus: Mother Earth, art, nature, body positivity, grounding.
Gemini: Conversation, air, information, knowledge, social.
Cancer: Water, womb, Mother, moon, comfort.
Leo: Fire, creativity, fame, Sun, sovereignty.
Virgo: Earth, goddess, harvest, sorting out what's necessary from what's not.
Scorpio: Deep waters, underworld, shadow, the past.
Sagittarius: Adventure, fire, the unknown, wildness.
Capricorn: Earth, structure, integrity, hard work, Saturn.
Aquarius: Air, new ideas, revolution, future-oriented, outsiders.
Libra: Balance, justice, beauty, harmony, air, ideas.
Pisces: The ocean, collective consciousness, mystical, dreams.
The new moon is like a cosmic reset and a monthly gift from the universe. Use this energy for beginnings and to set the tone for the next cycle in your life. Avoid unnecessary stress and decide what energy you want to call in. Let the new moon empower you!
Give yourself the gift of breath for Christmas
Do you make enough time for self-care? Many of us don’t make it a priority because we don’t think it’s important and there aren’t enough hours in the day. But what if I gave you some quick and easy tips and techniques to seamlessly weave it into your everyday life?
In this month’s blog, we look at how to transform your breath using Ujjayi (oo-jai-yee). This simple and easy breath practice will help to smooth and elongate your breath, leaving you calm, blissful, and warm from the inside out.
Take a breather
We take 23,000 breaths a day but how often do we pause to be with our breath? It’s a powerful thing to do because it can tell us so much about our current state of mind and body. For example, when you take a deep breath, how smooth is the inhalation compared to the exhalation? It is a little bumpy and rushed in places?
A simple technique
Ujjayi is a Sanskrit word, meaning to conquer or be victorious and likewise, the breath steadies the mind and it is said to conquer fear and illness too.
It’s very simple, this is all you’ll need:
Five minutes to read this blog
A cuppa
Little stickers or post-it notes
Your breath
Ujjayi Breath or Ocean Breath
Often referred to as ‘ocean breath’, the way Ujjayi works is by slowing the breath through a subtle contraction in the throat, making a sound similar to that of a distant sea.
You can practice it on your own while sitting in stillness but it is often used while practicing yoga asanas or postures.
When to use this breath
It’s a natural pick-me-up when you’re:
Stressed,
Wanting to relax,
Eager to be in the present moment.
Meditating,
Supporting the Earth element if you’re working with Chinese Five Elements,
Supporting the 5th chakra,
Seeking warmth or
Practicing yoga to support you in your asanas.
Sitting comfortably? Let’s begin
Bring your hand up in front of your mouth and exhale as if you were fogging glasses or a mirror. You will feel your breath warm your hand. Close your mouth and breathe again in this fashion and ta-da! The Ujjayi breath. Breathe only through the nose, and make sure your inhalation and exhalation are of equal duration.
The soft ocean sound comes from constricting the epiglottis and the soft folds of the inner throat and it’s similar to the mechanism we use to whisper. Although it’s a constriction of the throat, the Ujjayi breath flows in and out through the nostrils, with the lips remaining gently closed.
It’s a full breath from the diaphragm that begins in the lower belly (activating the first and second chakras), rises to the lower rib cage (third chakra), and finally moves into the upper chest and throat (chakras four and five).
Benefits
The Ujjayi breath:
Releases tension from the body.
Strengthens the nervous system by gently massaging the vagus nerve.
Strengthens the digestive system by warming the organs and body.
Diminishes distractions and allows you to be more self-aware and grounded.
Improved concentration (in your yoga practice too).
Diminishes headaches.
Relieves sinus pressure.
Decreases phlegm.
Preparing the body for safe and effective yoga
One remarkable benefit of Ujjayi breath is its ability to warm the body for yoga. The friction of air passing through the lungs and throat generates internal heat - like a massage for the internal organs, warming the core.
Keep breathing
Next steps to keep your practice going:
Place stickers or post-it notes where you’ll see them in the house - places that you visit often, like by the kettle, above the sink, on your laptop, or beside the TV.
Next time you see the stickers, pause. Then take three long slow, Ujjayi breaths. Say to yourself:
‘I am breathing in 3, I am breathing out 3,
I am breathing in 2, I am breathing out 2,
I am breathing in 1, I am breathing out 1.
And … Voila! It is that simple and easy. This will give your mind a mini reset and I promise you, your body and spirit will thank you for it. Overtime, you can increase to 5, 10, 20 breaths or more! It is incredibly soothing.
Try it now!
Listen to your inner knowledge
Remember, your breath can be your best friend and your true teacher, guiding you in a myriad of ways. The intimate connection between the breath and the mind is such a beautiful phenomenon - after all, it’s what keeps us alive.
If you have any questions about the Ujjayi breath or pranayama in general, please get in touch, or email me, I’d love to tell you more.
Make sure to take good care of yourself. You are worth it and you are loved more than you realise.
Namaste,
Emily x
