Cold Night: Warm Heart. A Ceremony of Listening & A Ceremonial Bath

The cold comes in, it presses in.  Mornings are frozen and white. Icicles drip with the orange glow of the rising sun. 

Down coats and hats and mittens and extra layers wrap around our fragile flesh.  We retreat inward to the warmth in our bones, at our center. 

Going out into the cold days and even colder evenings begins to feel more like a devotional practice. The sacred, snowy weather vestments are applied in layers one by one. Often with a prayer of some sort for divine heat.

Yes, our energies are moved inward, to daydreams, meditations and self reflection.

The season demands it.

We can make a choice to  pulse with the rhythm of the weather, to sit next to the fire of our own hearts and listen.

Often, we resist this time. The cold and dark and solitude can feel lonely and bereft.  So much easier to stay busy, binge watch tv, cook, clean, make phone calls, eat, work, see friends, knit.  The lists are never ending. 

Is there a longing, a grief or a mending inside you that can be tended now, while the arctic, north wind rages outside?

It's true that discomfort can arise when we slow and listen, really listen to what is moving, yelling, calling for attention or that which is sitting still and hidden within us. 

What will it take dear one, to mend your exquisite heart?

Let me wrap my arms around you and listen too. 

What is it you need or want to change?  Is there a shift you would like to make this year?  Will you finally do it? What are you ignoring inside? What can you put in place now?  Can you feel more free, positive, connected?

Who will you be when the verdant green sweeps across the land and into your being by Spring?

Here, let me stay by your side as you grieve and let go, as you uncover and decide, as you let the warm anger and frustration fog the windows.

Let me celebrate your realizations, your accomplishments and your healing.

Let me hear your creativity, your joys and your manifestations.

Let me be your witness in the vast landscape of your humanness. 

Cold Night:Warm Heart
A Ceremony of Listening
&
Ceremonial Bath

You will need:

-3 candles
-Matches
-2 cups Epsom Salts
-Bowl to mix salts and oils
-Essential oils* of (one or all):
Palmarosa: Steadies the emotional heart, helps to loosen emotions and provide feelings of safety. Comforts and clears oppression and heaviness.
No safety precautions.

Ylang Ylang: Helps to connect us to our emotional center. Opens and grounds. Provides confidence for moving forward.
Safety Precautions: May cause headaches in excessive amounts

Blue Yarrow: Helps with deep wounding and suppressed emotions. Helps with acceptance and letting go.
Safety Precautions: Not for use in pregnancy, during breast feeding or for those with epilepsy.  Use only 5 drops total.

Sweet Majoram: Relaxing, warming and nourishing. Helps with grief and acceptance. Restores joy and laughter.
Safety Precautions: Not for use in pregnancy.

*(with any essential oils it is important that you check for sensitivities and your own contraindications)



Directions:

• Find a time and place where you will not be disturbed.  Draw your bath and put on some soothing music.

• Place 2 cups of the Epsom Salts into your bowl. Choose your essential oils, drop aprox. 20 drops combined into the salts.  (no more than 5 drops Blue Yarrow) Mix well.

• Step into the bath and gently swirl the Epsom Salts into the water.

• Next, light your candles one by one.

           The first candle is for yourself and this dedicated time for yourself.
           The second candle is for the Wise Ones that will support you in 
           your ceremonial bath.
           The third candle is for the bright light of healing.

• Sink into the bath and inhale deeply.  Feel the warm water and notice the candle light surrounding you. 

• Massage some of the warm water over your heart.  Begin to notice any tension there, anything your heart may be holding.  Let your imagination and any images arise.

• Feel the warm light of the candles and the water. Feel the safety, support  and relaxation they provide.

• In your imagination, ask for support from one of the Wise and Ancient Ones. Notice who arrives to be with you. Is it a kindly, wizened old woman, a shaman dressed in fur and leather, a healing and loving presence?  The options are limitless. Who do you see in your minds eye as a caring, kind, wise and unconditionally loving presence.

• Let whomever it is that shows up for you, surround you with peace, love and support.

• Listen to what your heart wants to say. Listen good and deeply.  Let it whisper or yell.  Let your heart sing.  Listen as well as you can, then listen some more.  Do this until you feel absolutely complete.

• Feel the support and the beauty of the Wise One holding you.  Let them soothe you or encourage you.  Let them give you whatever you need.

• When this feels complete, thank the Wise One and extend gratitude to yourself, the herbs in the essential oils, the water and the fire of the candles.

• Blow out the candles one by one.

• Drain the bath water and imagine that anything you are ready to release is swirling down the drain!

• Breathe and feel. You may want to rest after your ceremony and perhaps write down any insights you have gained. Be sure to note your next steps.

All my love,
Lark