3 Sacred Practices To Open The New Year

What an exciting time it is to bring in a new year. In the opening days of the new year, many of us are looking back to find the areas of our lives that can be improved upon in the coming months. In this annual phase of introspection, a common practice is to list out the things we are determined to do differently and create a pact with ourselves to follow through. I am a big fan of the new years resolution ritual, but I’d like to share a few alternative methods that we find to be just as powerful.

Below are three traditional practices that have been used for centuries to transcend the past and start things afresh in the new year. A mentor once told me, “Nick, you can only hold on to so many things at once – to make room for new experiences, we often need to let go of things that are no longer serving us.” That said, some of the rituals below are about “cleaning house”.

1.) The Fire Ceremony:

When done with the right frame of mind, this practice can work wonders. When I was first shown the fire ceremony a few years ago I experienced an immediate inner shift once it was complete.

Take a few sheets of paper, the thinner the better, and cut them into ten strips. Using a pen or marker write down the ten limiting beliefs, memories, habits, or fears that are holding you back. This exercise requires some soul searching, so give yourself some time. What are your emotional triggers?  Why haven’t you taken that next step in your personal evolution?  What is that bit of negative self-talk that comes up when you reach for the stars? Engage your shadow and write it down.

Once you have your emotional blocks captured in ink on paper, light a small fire. A fireplace is ideal, but a candle and a metal wastebasket will work just fine.

One by one, read the words on each piece of paper aloud, feeling the full intensity of what you wrote. You can see where this is going

After you read each note, hold it over the flame and say “It is time for us to part ways. Goodbye.” Exhale as each piece of paper ignites and disappears.

2.) Pick Ten and Pass Them On:

We all have possessions that we no longer need, but for some reason we attach a nostalgia to certain items that makes it difficult to let them go. We become collectors, or even worse, hoarders, of objects that are no longer of use to our personal growth. This not only clutters our life and creates stagnation, but is also a wasted opportunity to share the wealth with others who could make use of these items NOW.

Choose 10 items, big or small, in your home that you haven’t used in over 12 months (fire extinguishers excluded!), and choose a friend or family member to gift each of these belongings to.  Another option is to drop them off at Goodwill. Sounds easy, but this might feel like ripping off a bandaid!

I like this practice because it involves both karma and feng shui. There is often an unexpected emotional “a-ha” when we let go of material things and give to others.

3.) Blessing the home:

Many cultures usher in the new year by doing a thorough cleaning of the home – this has both practical and symbolic significance. In Mexico, there is deep ritual attached to the actual mopping of the floor and the dumping of the water bucket into the street. The front and back doors of the home are then opened and closed as a symbol of welcoming in the new year and leaving the past behind.

After this ceremonial house cleanse, a great finishing touch is to perform a water blessing.  This is really easy and will remove stagnant energy from your home.

Important: make sure to set the right intention before you start.

Choose one of your favorite essential oils (lemon, rose, sage and cedar are mine!) and add a few drops to a cup of water. Pour into a clean spray bottle. Shake it up and move consciously through each room of your home, blessing each corner with thoughts of gratitude. Spray as you go!

Let us know how you make out with these tips!

The new year is going to be absolutely magical and we have so much to share with you in the coming months.  Stay tuned for more sacred healing articles, videos, interviews, and more!

Big hug,

Nick & The Sacred Science Team

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