Natural Living

Ritualise Your Summer

Sprinkle a little magic into your everyday with these simple, soul-awakening rituals

You may or may not realise it, but the chances are, you have many rituals in your life already. Whether it’s a morning yoga stretch before breakfast, your 10am tea and snack or checking all the lights are turned off before bed, these little actions create stillness and bring you back to the present moment, according to Kirra Galea, founder of the Soul Beauty Society (soulbeautysociety.com.au).

“The physical element of the ritual: setting intentions, calling in all the senses and creating an action,” says Kirra, “enables us to balance, centre and rejuvenate. Rituals can ride with us throughout the day when we shower or make dinner, and helps us beautify those moments to create a richer life experience.”

Summer is when we feel at our most positive and energised, so it’s the perfect time to adopt some new rituals that will carry us through the rest of the year ahead.

Summer altar

Create a sacred altar that reflects the seasons, where you can meditate and spend time reflecting. You may have the perfect spot for an altar or it can be as simple as creating a space for a woven or wooden placemat. Add items that represent the four elements, such as a seashell for water, candles for fire, a feather for air and a rock or crystal for earth, or you can simply write the elements on a piece of paper. Add anything sacred or beautiful that has special meaning to you and gifts from nature, such as flowers, fruit or herbs. Items that you’ve crafted, flower sprays, incense and oils are all wonderful additions. Performing rituals at your altar will raise the vibration of the space and anything placed on the altar will receive this transmission and be activated and energised. Take a moment by your altar to give your vibration a boost before you step out the door.

Bathing ritual

A bathing ritual is the perfect way to honour your body and a bath during a waxing moon (where the visible surface area of the moon is getting larger) can help you manifest your desires, whereas bathing on the waning moon (where the visible surface area of the moon is getting smaller) is a great time to release anything in your life that no longer serves you. Invite in elements from nature by adding flowers or herbs to your bath, lighting candles and playing some music. Set an intention for whatever it is you wish to manifest or release. Bathe with slowness and presence to honour the body and give thanks. If you wish to let go of an emotion, stay in the bath while the water empties and visualise it draining away with the bath water. Give thanks to draw the ritual to an end.

Magical mornings

If you’re an early riser, start your day on a high vibration by setting your alarm for 5:55, which in numerology represents manifesting positive change in your life. Breathe mindfully and repeat mantras that reflect anything you wish to call in, such as: ‘I’m creating possibilities everywhere’, ‘I attract abundance easily’ or ‘My day unfolds with ease and grace’. You can create your own simple mantras and you can even record them onto your mobile phone so that you can play them back to yourself if you’re pushed for time. As you make your morning beverage or fill up your water bottle, imagine drawing water from a sacred well. Take a moment to infuse your drink with love and ease for the day ahead and give thanks for the beverage’s nourishing effect on your body.

Devotional dance

Healing and manifesting through dance is an ancient women’s ritual that we know in our bodies but have often been so conditioned that we’ve forgotten this. The potent energy of the full moon is the perfect time for devotional dance. Start by setting an intention of what it is you wish to call in or release, then come into a place of stillness before putting on some beautiful music that reflects your intention. Without putting on a performance or with any self-judgement, dance with purpose and allow your intention to move through your body whilst breathing deep into the pit of your belly. Give thanks to draw the ritual to an end.

Mindful mealtimes

Take a moment to be with your hunger: we’re clear vessels for energy when we’re in that hungry state so tap into any awareness that comes through when we’re not clogged up with food and drink. Prepare your meal with love and mindfulness. To make it a fully immersive experience for your senses, you can play music and light scented candles or incense. Infuse the food with love during the preparation process with words or song. It’s wonderful to give thanks and bless the food before you dine to create a moment of closeness at the table. It can be as elaborate as you like or you can simply give thanks for the beautiful company and the delicious meal. At the end of the meal, raise your glass to give thanks and close the space before doing the dishes.

Sacred sleep

If possible, turn off technology an hour before bedtime. Take a moment to recall any energy you’ve sent out throughout the day. Come into a meditative space and, picking out pivotal moments during the day where you offered your energy to someone or something, visualise your energy reconnecting to your body. Some journalling can be helpful to release anything that’s sitting on your heart or playing on your mind so that you can come into that space of rest. If you like to drink herbal tea before bed, infuse it with the intention of nourishing the body, letting the mind rest and resetting for the day ahead. Add a couple of drops of infused essential oil, such as lavender, to your palms and inhale the scent. Set an intention to rest and replenish your body and mind.