Rituals That Help Ground Me

"I love my morning ritual in my sacred space"

Usually, my morning routine has my husband and I getting up to drink some coffee, chat and when we are really enthusiastic we add a yoga session or dog walk. Most importantly for me, I move up into my 'rock room' to start my morning ritual of prayer. Prayer for me has really changed over time. Today prayer is a time that I meditate, pull cards and reflect in my journal.

First I should tell you that my 'rock room' has really developed over the past several years. When our children moved out I took one of the rooms and set up some of my favourite ornaments and an extra table and chair. I have always been someone who collected rocks on hikes and travel trips so I added them around my room. I was fortunate enough to get some beautiful pieces of raw amethyst that really sparkled and brought magick to my space. My husband then found a gorgeous hand-painted table that just chanted 'altar' in my whole body. The table has hummingbirds and flowers circling the outside ring. I was also curious about Oracle Cards and Tarot Cards so I began trying some out and displaying them on the table and shelves around the room.

I joined a subscription box, Witches Moon Box that brought my room to another level of magick, ritual and ceremony. I receive abalone shells, incense, and palo santo sticks. With these items, I started to experiment with a ritual that would ground me for the day and help me be truly present for the joyful moments of my life, and really help keep me stable during the challenging times.

My ritual starts by lighting candles and incense around the room. I might light one or three candles depending on my time and feelings. I sit in my comfortable chair at my table and start with a deep cleansing breath. I then open my eyes and take my piece of palo santo wood. The smell of this wood brings me instantly into a sacred space! I pass the wood over my head and body allowing the smoke to envelop me. I slowly say the following while I am taking deep breaths:

"In the name of the Divine, I am aligned. I call in my Spirit Team: Spirit, Angels, Saints, Spirit Guides, and Ancestors. I release all that does not serve my highest good. I ask my Spirit Team to help heal me and release the energy that binds inside and out. I call on Arch Angel Michael to use his sword and lovingly cut these cords. I ask Spirit to bless them and release them. I ground myself into the earth and I reach up to the Soul Star Chakra above my head. I cleanse and clear all my energy from all my Chakras. I open myself to receive joy, peace, love, abundance, and prosperity. I easily receive these gifts into my life"

I have changed these words over the years to add what works for me. You might have different names in your Spirit Team or work with other deities instead of Angels. In your spiritual journey, I always encourage you to find out what works for you and use it in your practice. If it does not resonate with you leave it and explore something else. this is your practice and your journey so enjoy playing with it!

I will then pick up my tarot deck that I am using for the day. I will decide what my question is that I want to pull cards on and the spread I want to use. In the beginning, I kept it very simple using three cards with these questions:

#1 What is the present energy for me?

#2 What is hidden from me that I need to know about?

#3 What is my next right action?

I will read the story of the cards intuitively asking myself. "What is the story of the cards for me today?" I notice feelings that come up for me and what part of the pictures I might be focusing on, or are there any pictures or thoughts coming into my head? It took me a while to realize that listening to my own body and mind was my intuition. I used to think that intuition was this big clear voice directing you very clearly. Through my morning ritual, I began to realize that my intuition is very subtle like a feather or cobweb flickering over your skin. It is hard to really see or touch but you know it is there. The more practice I had, the more I trusted my intuitive 'hits' or messages that came to me.

If I have more time I will also go to tarot books to explore deeper meanings for the cards. This has really helped me to expand my understanding of the tarot cards as I explore how others may interpret the same card. Their words also become a way to target whatever resonates most strongly with me.

I love pulling oracle cards to deepen the tarot message. I have collected so many beautiful oracle cards so as I pull a card I lay it on top of the deck on my table. The messages will often deepen my understanding, make me laugh as they point out a very different perspective of the same issue, or make me think more deeply. It is a bouquet for my heart, soul, mind and a beautiful visual picture to see these cards layed all over the table.

My final part of my morning ritual is to journal about my morning reading. What do I feel is important for me to record? What am I connecting and understanding at a deeper level? What is an 'aha' that came to me in my thinking? Are there areas of shadow that need my healing and compassion? After this, I feel such a strong connection to myself and Spirit and I move into my day.

The example I wrote about in this blog was of the full morning ritual that I take part in when I have lots of time. If I am running late or do not have the time I will shorten what I do. Some variations are to pull less cards, just think instead of journal, meditate on my way to work to ground, clear and connect to any messages that I need for the day.

For me, it is always evolving to meet my needs and my passions of the time. I have taken some pieces from others and added my own. Mornings are the best for me but others like evenings. As always find what serves you the best and enjoy your spiritual journey!

What is your spiritual practice? Is there something you would like to add?

Michelle Wright