A Self-Care New Moon Journal Ritual

A Personal Ritual for Reflection and New Beginnings
This private ritual is an intimate way to welcome the New Moon and to do a little magic  and healing work for yourself too. The New Moon is a great time to focus on goals and intentions. You can let go of that which no longer is of benefit to you, and bring in new energy to manifest goodness in your life. The next The New Moon is November 29, 2016.
Here's how you can create your own personal ritual experience in a sacred space - use  this  for self-reflection while excercising your journalling skills. You will need the following items:  a journal or notebook, pen or other writing tool, a black candle.
Setting up a sacred space for yourself is imperative for creating a calm, comfortable atmosphere in which to focus your magical intent. It is best to schedule some time in a space where you will not be disturbed for at least half an hour or more. A sacred space can be anywhere that is quiet and feels comfortable to you. Have a flat surface available, like a desk, a spot on the floor, a shelf, or a bench. You can start to prepare your space by smudging with frankincense or sage, you can also clear the space by ringing a bell or using a spray smudge .
Sit comfortably on the floor,  a chair, a cushion, or begin standing if you prefer. Close your eyes. Ground yourself by breathing in deeply three times to relax your body and mind. Feel your body supported by Mother Earth, welcome her gifts of strength, grounding, and divine love. Visualize roots sprouting from where your body touches the ground, twisting and reaching down through the earth and into the Divine Light at the Earth's core. Feel the energies tingle and charge your body and mind.

When you're ready open your  eyes, light the white candle - do this with the intention to cleanse and clear  your energy with the light of the flame while  honouring the black new moon and the godddess.
Take your notebook and pen, and sit with them. Admire the cover, feel its weight, the texture of the paper. Hold the pen in your writing hand - feel it filling with positive energy. Invite the energy of the new moon into your heart and mind. Focus on the new goals for which you will manifest with your notebook and pen.

The end of the year is a good time to reflect upon ourselves and our past, recognizing the events, choices, and magic that got us to the present moment. In your notebook, write the best and worst memories or events you experienced this past year. What went well? What kind of emotions do  you remember feeling? What would you improve? What would you do again, if given the chance? What inspired you? What made you cry? What made you laugh? Who did you meet? How did they make you feel? Write down any important things, with as much detail as you can. Sit with what you wrote - experience them again. Reflect.

Next, write down any fears or insecurities plaguing you at the present moment. Write as little or as much as you like. Now is the time to record anything bothering you, holding you back, or hurting you. Sit with these things a moment, remembering how these things made you feel. Do they still follow you? How do they affect you today? When you are ready, tear the page out.
Now, take your notebook and write down all the things in which you are grateful for. This is a non-exhaustive list! When you finish, read them over. Relive these feelings of joy, love, gratitude, and compassion.
Light a charcoal disk with the flame of your candle, visualizing its divine energy igniting the charcoal and spreading its magic. Place the disc in a flame-proof bowl. When the coal is hot and ready, put a pinch of clearing incense on the charcoal - we recommend using our Fresh Start  blend, which contains menthol (aka "spiritual bleach"), sweetgrass (attracts the positive), rosemary (rememberance and healing), and lavender (purifiying). Sit for a moment, mindfully taking in all the scents and sensations.
Take the page you tore out. Read them over again, and sit with them. Focus your energy on releasing those negative things you wrote, and as you do, tear the page into as many pieces as possible. With each tear, focus on releasing the thing from your life and from your memory. These things no longer serve you. They have completed their purpose, and now you are sending them away, never to bother you again. When you have sufficiently torn up the page, put the pieces in an envelope, jar, or container.
Next, write down what you hope to accomplish in the next year. This is your rebirth - who would you like to become? What would you like to improve? What specific goals do you have?  What steps can you take to reach and finalize your goals? How will these goals benefit you?  Be as specific as possible, and remember, change takes time. Do not expect everything to be perfect right away - things will happen when they are supposed to!

Throw another pinch of Fresh Start or your choice incense  on the charcoal. This is your Fresh Start! This is your New Year! Leave the torn up past behind, and open yourself to experience the Fresh new YOU. Read your goals outloud, one by one. When finished, open your palms toward the sky and pray:

"I open my heart, mind, and body to recieve all I set out to accomplish.
I joyfully accept the energies and support of the Universe, and ask that it aids me in all I need.
I accept the old me, and embrace the new me. I am ready to clear my past and create my future.
May my magic be of benifit to all, may it harm none, so mote it be."

Meditate on your goals and visualize them coming into fruition with ease and divine support. When it feels right, snuff out your candle and thank the Universe for assisting you. Take your jar or envelope with the torn paper, and put it somewhere secluded but still accessable, like a closet or cupboard, or altar. It will serve as a reminder of what you left behind. Keep your notebook by your bed, and use it to keep track of your goals. Let this become your new Gratitude Journal - every day, write at least one thing you are grateful for.

Blessed Be.