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Monday, January 1, 2018

Hedge Riding for New Year's Resolutions + New Year Release Ritual

Last night I decided to sit down and use the items from the November House of Rituals box to meet with my animal guides, Meka, a fox, and Rocar, a raven, to decide what I should release prior to the New Year and what my new intentions should be. I began by putting together a small hedge riding sachet, lit the blue candle, turned on some drums, and away I went!

When I arrived at my garden I was greeted instantly by Meka who stalked up through the grass while Rocar soared in from above. After greeting them I asked them both what I should release from 2017. Since the December New Moon, I have been writing things I want to release on little strips of paper and placing them in a bowl. I knew there was something I was missing, but couldn't put my finger on it. The very first thing Meka mentioned, which was loudly seconded by Rocar, was my ex-husband. Of course I had already put him on one of the strips of paper, but Meka made it very clear this wouldn't be enough. In fact, she said it is going to take a tremendous amount of work for me to completely release him. A couple months back I journeyed to cut chords with Jonathan and retrieve part of my soul back from him. This was semi-successful. I hate to admit it, but something very dark was guarding my soul fragment and did not willing give it up. Instead of trying to work with it, I simply stole the piece and ran. This creature has been hanging out just outside my garden gate ever since, and I have been afraid to leave my garden and travel through the lower realm. I assume Meka is referring to the work that must be done in regards to this particular matter, not to mention there are still things I have to do in reality to move on. The second thing both of them said I need to release is my indecisiveness. As a Libra, I have a very hard time making up my mind. In this particular regard, I know exactly what they are talking about. Being of a very personal nature, I'm not going to say anything more than this is something that has been plaguing me for years. It is time to decide what I want to do and be firm in my convictions.

After asking what I should add to my list to release, I asked what my goals for 2018 should be. So without further ado, here is what my guides and I believe I need to work on the most this year.

Hedge Riding for New Year's Resolutions + Release Ritual

1. I need to hedge ride more often and blog about it whether my readers enjoy it or not. They reminded me that I created this blog to record my journey, no one else's, and I need to remember that. Meka suggested my experiences will likely help others understand this path as well as help me grow as an individual. I am glad they brought this up because the series I have planned for this year is specifically on hedge riding, what it is, and how to do it. One of the posts I have scheduled includes my experiences so I look forward to sharing everything with you guys!

2. Celebrate the moon, but don't beat myself up if I miss a ritual. This is something I struggle with. I usually get discouraged when I fail to complete at least a full moon ritual each month. Both of my guides strongly encouraged me to stop beating myself up and focus on doing as many as I can this year.

3. Spend the year celebrating the Wheel of the Year by learning more about the customs and the deeper meanings of the holidays. Use them to connect with Mother Earth. However, they were very clear that I should not attempt to create traditions this year. Instead focus on learning and recording what I have learned.= in my Grimoire.

4. Think before I speak and take control of my emotions. Thanks, guys! Easier said than done! This is going to be the hardest one of all. I struggle with just blurting things out and sometimes I hurt people's feelings without even meaning too. I am definitely not intentionally doing it, but it has become apparent I should work harder on this aspect of myself. As for control over my emotions, I believe they are referring to my depression and anxiety. Meka mentioned I have made significant improvements, but I still have a long way to go.

5. And finally, instead of focusing on losing weight this year, I should focus on treating my body like a temple. I should eat whole foods, hydrate, and exercise, not to lose weight, but to become, and I quote, "The Viking warrior [I] am!" Thanks, Rocar. I don't feel like a Viking warrior, but apparently Rocar feels my Swedish heritage deserves some extra attention this year. This was probably one of the most profound statements made to me in a long time. Every year I plan to lose weight, and every year I fail. I have been so focused on changing myself, that I lost sight that my health is more important. This is the only body I have; it deserves to be nourished well.

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Overall I felt this hedge ride was extremely productive, and I arrived back home feeling refreshed and determined to have a successful year. I finished up the evening with a simple New Year Release Ritual.

New Year Release Ritual

This ritual can be performed any time at the beginning of the year to help you release any thing that is unwanted from the prior year, or simply anything in general. Why not use the Full Moon tonight/tomorrow to release 2017 completely?

Supplies:

     Strips of paper
     Pen
     Lighter or Match
     Fire-safe Dish

New Year Release Ritual

Ritual:

  1. On the strips of paper, write down things, people, or habits you wish to release in 2018. For example, I wrote down "I release my depression," and "I release anything that does not bring me joy" on two of my strips. 
  2. Fold all the paper strips and place them in a fire-safe dish.
  3. Light the paper on fire, preferably outside and not in your room like my dumb ass did, and say, "As this fire burns, I release these things from my life. May the New Year be full love peace and joy." Imagine all of the things you wrote down being released into the Universe.
  4. Allow the paper to burn to ash. Once it is cool, scatter the ashes into the wind.
New Year Release Ritual

While I was performing my ritual, a moth somehow managed to get into my room. He flew toward the flames, but I manged to save him just in time. He sat quietly under glass while I completed my ritual. Moths are symbolic of determination; how fitting considering I was releasing 2017 and setting new goals for 2018! Furthermore, moths often show up to remind us to believe in ourselves, even though things may be complicated now. It was a gift to be visited by the moth, and I thanked him for his presence before releasing him into the night.

Hedge Riding for New Year's Resolutions + Release Ritual

I hope everyone has a very happy 2018! What are your goals this year?


7 comments :

  1. Thank you I'm going to try this

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  2. Thank you for sharing this with us! I definitely would love to read more about your hedge riding since I've been fascinated with it, but haven't done it myself. Sending you good vibes for 2018!

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    1. Of course! Thank you for reading. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you. I hope your 2018 is wonderful! Thank you for reading!

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  3. I am excited at the idea of a proper, in depth series on hedge riding. It is an idea that calls to me, and I know nothing, really, about it. Only bits and pieces. I anxiously await your sharing!!

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    1. I am glad you are interested in the series. I have the first post scheduled for January 22nd, so keep an eye out for it! Thank you for reading!

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