Tis the Season…
For joy, for togetherness, for journeying inward. And, lets face it, for stress.
I love this time of the year. My family celebrations begin at the end of October with the blended fun of Samhain and Halloween. The togetherness grows closer as extended family gathers first at Thanksgiving, and then through three birthdays in December to Christmas Eve with our annual Tamale feast. My immediate family celebrates a beautiful blend of Yule and Christmas, with traditions big and little observed throughout the month.
Some years, these celebrations go smoothly, filled with joy and light and fun. Some years they’re a little rougher, with drama, stress and weighted expectations. Most years, these months are a combination of the two – joy and stress.
If your celebrations are similar, here is a ritual to focus the energy of the Season.
Tis the Season Elemental Focus Ritual
The first step is to choose the positive emotion / feeling / energy you most want to experience. Think of what would most make the holiday season special to you. Excitement, joy, calm, control, inner peace. The options are endless and only you know what will feel best.
✨ Choose elemental associations for that emotion. A crystal for Earth, a sound for Air, a visual cue for Fire and a scent for Water. For instance, if I want to focus on familial love this season, I might gather a piece of Rose Quartz, a Yuletide song from my childhood, a pink candle surrounded by rose petals and a rose and lavender based incense.
⭐️ Each day, isolate some time to focus on that emotion. It could 5 minutes or 30, the same each day or varying, The amount of time isn’t as important as the ability to give the emotion your complete and total focus. In that time, use your four elemental associations (crystal, sound, visual, scent) while focusing on the emotion.
⭐️ At various times, when stressed or just when you’d like to reconnect with your chosen emotional state, revisit any or all of your elemental touchstones. For instance, music and candlelight during family visits, or your crystal tucked into a pouch with herbs to carry in a pocket while shopping.
⭐️ Remember to offer thanks as you notice the positive feelings. The thanks offered could be to your Deities, to a Higher Power or Universal Energy. Or simply to yourself.
Wishing you all the wonderful emotions you might choose this holiday season!
