The last Dark Moon of 2023 - Review and Get Ready

sheetaljayaraj
Dec 12, 2023
2 min read

Hello Moonchild :)

We finally arrive into the last Dark Moon of the Year (12th December). How do you feel now? Close your eyes, take a few breaths and do a quick recap of the year. Notice what stands out for you - situations, emotions, feelings, memories, people, places.

If you did not do the last Full moon ritual, I recommend that you do that first before this one. It would set you up in a better way for this ritual.

This Amavasya*, slow down your day, do less and give yourself the gift of reflection.

Set aside about an hour and create a sacred space with flowers, incense and anything else that holds meaning for you. Keep your journal and pen ready. Light a lamp (preferably) or a candle.

Grounding or Earthing by consciously placing your palms on the bare earth/floor or being aware of the parts of the body in touch with Mother Earth is a powerful practice on Moon days. Visualize an energy exchange happening - taking in energy from the earth as you inhale and sending or releasing energy (energy that doesn't serve you well) into the earth as you exhale.

After this, you could go through a gentle movement practice to open up the body for the ritual.

Sit down and close eyes. Offer gratitude to your Gurus and ancestors. Visualize a dark Moon in your eyebrow centre, take a few breaths asking the lunar energies to guide you.

If you love chanting, do the ‘Om Som Somaiyah Namah’ chant 14 times.

Place your palm on your belly and direct your breath into this area for 21 breaths. Next, place the palm on your heart. Do a gentle humming with your exhales 14 times.

Answer these questions in writing:

1. What were my intention/s for 2023 if any? Did I manifest it/them partly or fully? If not, why? If yes, who and what contributed to it ?

In case you did not consciously set any intentions, answer this:

What were my high and low points of 2023? Who and what contributed to these ?

Read this mindfully.

2. What are my key learnings from 2023? How do I want to apply these learnings going forward? (immediate and long term action points)

Read this mindfully.

3. Put down 5-10 words that depict my desires for 2024

(Feel free to elaborate these words into sentences if you have more clarity)

Finish writing. Read this and absorb it. You will sit with this over the next few days until the Full Moon, reading it every morning and night.

Close by offering gratitude to the Earth, the Moon, your Gurus and ancestors.

Have a beautiful practice :)