Honoring The Wise Unknown
A Simple Fire Ritual For The In-Between Times
The Wheel of the Year continues to turn.
Regardless of whether you reside in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, February is symbolically and energetically a month of the in-between, the liminal, the sacred pause.
This is a time of year when we are asked to turn inward and reconsider what and who we’re aligning with as we prepare to move forward. It’s a time when we’re asked to draw our relationship with the unknown near and nurture it. February asks us to hold out just a bit longer before the next steps become clear.
Ostara/Spring Equinox - For My Northern Hemisphere Friends
Ostara, or the Spring Equinox, is coming up in March. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the beginning of Spring and a celebration of the sun's return. Ostara is a time of new beginnings, new life, fertility, creativity, planting seeds, and taking action on the visions you received during the dark hours of winter.
Mabon/Autumn Equinox - For My Southern Hemisphere Folks
If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, then you are preparing for Mabon, or the Autumn Equinox in March. Mabon marks the beginning of Autumn and is a time of gratitude, harvest, sharing abundance, reflecting on the fruits of the summer season, and beginning to prepare for a slower pace of life as the days grow shorter.
Though different seasons are approaching depending on where you live, February is a time to honor the void space before a new chapter begins. Now is a beautiful time to carve out moments of solitude to reflect, find stillness, and allow yourself to simply exist in the dark mystery that is fertile with the promise of new life.
Whether you’re wrapping up a busy summer season or slowly creeping your way out of winter, the simple ritual below is meant to guide you into deeper connection with your intuitive intelligence and body wisdom. Please feel free to adjust the ritual as needed and add your own flair - this is just a place to start. Rituals are meant to be personal, so take what resonates and leave the rest.
A Simple Fire Ritual To Honor The Great Mystery
Materials Needed:
A candle
A fireproof candle holder/platform
Lighter or matches
A journal and pen
A headscarf, shawl, or other head-covering
Any other sacred items you wish to work with or bring to your altar
Clearing Your Energy & Setting The Space
Carve out time one night when you will not be disturbed and can completely devote to yourself and your practice.
I like to begin rituals with an intentional bath or shower to cleanse my energy, set intentions, and then adorn myself with luxurious oils and anything else that will remind me of my beauty and divinity (silk robe, jewels, fuzzy slippers - go all out). Whatever makes you feel like a sacred vessel, and let it be pleasurable.
If you have an altar I recommend performing this ritual there, or you can set up a simple space with your materials, making sure it’s clean and comfortable.
The Ritual
Once you’ve set your space and cleared your energy, take a few moments to sit in the darkness focusing on your breath, using it to reset your inner world, clearing out and making space.
When you’re feeling centered and ready to begin, place your shawl or scarf so it’s covering the crown of your head. This is an ancient practice during ritual to provide protection and to help direct your power into your ceremony.
Cast a circle of magick and protection around you by visualizing or intending a beautiful, strong golden light encircling you and your sacred space to hold you in ceremony and focus the energy.
Call in your guides, benevolent ancestors who wish to assist you, the elements of the earth, the wisdom of the cosmos, and any other energies you work with. Thank them for walking with you, protecting you, and guiding you.
When you’re ready, light your candle and place it in front of you. Let your gaze be gentle as you focus upon the flame. Tune into the energy of fire.
Send gratitude to the flame for lighting your way in the darkness. Continue to meditate upon the flame, letting thoughts flow in and out. Focus on your breath if your mind begins to wander.
Simply allow. Let the medicine of fire take you where you need to go. Let it show you what wants to be burnt away. Let it show you what is waiting for you in the void - the unknown is beckoning and you want to find out what lies ahead.
Sit with your candle for as long as you wish and when you feel complete you can write down any messages in your journal to reflect on later.
As you feel ready to direct your energy away from your flame, feel free to journal on any or all of the following questions and anything else that is coming up to be explored.
Suggested Journal Prompts:
What am I afraid of that may be lurking in the dark? How can I begin to dance with these fears?
What must I give death to, in order to generate more life? (From Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D.)
What life am I afraid to give birth to? If not now, when? (From Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D.)
How can I embody the energy of the guiding sacred flame in my own life?
Once your journaling feels complete, it’s time to decide on an offering to the great void, the mystery.
You don’t have to create the offering during your ritual unless you want to, but use this time to choose what you want to make. Let yourself get creative.
Perhaps you write a poem to the void and place it at your altar or leave it somewhere in nature. Maybe you want to draw or paint a powerful symbol or your depiction of the great mystery. Or maybe you feel called to bake something and leave an offering to the void. However you wish to honor the mystery of life is perfect. Follow your intuition. There is no wrong way when you move from a space of love and devotion. Pick a creation and decide when you will make it.
To close out your ritual, thank the elements and wisdom of the earth and cosmos for guiding you along your path. Thank your guides and ancestors. Thank the support and protection of the seen and the unseen. Thank the void for its messages. When you’re ready, snuff the candle out. I prefer snuffing out the candle rather than blowing it out as this holds your intention and magick within the candle for the next time you work with it. This is a great practice to use if you’re working with a specific intention over a period of time.
Once you’ve expressed gratitude and feel complete you can close the circle through visualization or simply holding the intention of the ritual being complete.
Carrying The Magick Through
As you continue moving through this in-between portal into the next chapter, come back to your candle whenever you’re feeling lost in the dark and need support and guidance. Let the fire medicine illuminate the wisdom you already hold deep within you. Trust in the messages you receive.
In the coming days, create your offering if you haven’t done it during your ritual and give back to the great mystery of life.
May you find peace and courage in the stillness of this time of year.
With love,
Montoya
The Muse’s Altar
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