You can do this for the new month, a new year or anytime you feel you need to release something OR bring something TO you. You can use this same method for requesting and releasing!
You will need
Bay Leaf (or several)
Cauldron or fireproof dish
White candle
Lighter/Matches
Marker
I like to cast a circle. Casting a circle is not necessary, but I prefer to use one. It just feels right to me.
Begin now.
Light your candle.
Take your sage or palo santo and light it. As you light the palo santo, say, “Plant spirit of palo santo please infuse this space with blessings.”
Take your sage bundle or Palo Santo and extend your dominant arm in front of you, while the sage/Palo Santo is lit, walk in a circle clockwise and say, “I cast this circle for my protection. Keep all negativity out and let only love come in. So, it is said, so shall it be.”
You can begin the ritual now.
Cast your circle & call upon the Elementals, Guides, or Deities if that is your thing. Do what feels right to you!
Place Bay leaf & marker to left. Cauldron to right. (or fireproof dish)
On the first of every month write your goals, intentions, wishes on a bay leaf.
Make sure they are realistic things! No wishing for unicorns. 😝
Light the bay leaf on fire and place in your cauldron or fireproof bowl. You may need to light it several times - or burn them on a charcoal disc.
While it burns, meditate on them. Really visualize your goals and what their outcomes would feel like once you have obtained them. Once you feel you have sat on this long enough release your circle- with your dominant arm extended walk counterclockwise and say, “The circle now fades. It is done.”
If you called in anyone else, make sure you release them and thank them as well. Then throw the ashes out the front door and ask the universe to bring these things to you. (Make sure your ashes are COOL!)
Make sure to be thankful & grateful as you do so. By developing an attitude of sincere gratitude for everything you have and everything you are, you open gateways to greater things.
You can also do this exact same ritual with things you wish to release.
Examples: Fear, negative self-talk, judgement, procrastination, anger, guilt, anxiety, addiction, a person (write their name) etc.,
Write the things you wish to release on your bay leaf.
Repeat: “I write on this bay leaf to start anew. Let the smoke lift these words up and out to brew; away from me so I can be free. Welcome a new day, a fresh start. Only peace, love and happiness will dwell in my heart. So, it is said, so shall it be!”
Once you are done, light your bay leaf on fire and place it in your cauldron. Watch it burn. Visualize feeling lighter and freer as those negative words float away with the smoke. Really visualize HOW you will feel once they have disappeared from your life.
Repeat: “I release my attachments to (whatever you wrote on the leaf; see examples) So, it is said, so it shall be!"
Sit quietly for a few moments. When the leaf is done burning take the ashes and throw them outside to truly release them. Make sure they are cool first before disposing. Don’t cause a fire!
Thank you for this! The part about writing a wish on the bay leaf reminded me of the bay leaves in my Mother's spaghetti sauce. She always said that if you got a bay leaf on your plate, you got a wish. My kids are familiar with the practice and whenever we serve up a dish with bay leaves, they hope to get one on their plate so they can make a wish.