Midsummer Rituals
Last month I wrote about the Power of 9. Now here we are at 8/8/2024 which all point to the number 8 – even the year (2+0+2+ 4 = 8). You may already know that the number 8 is pronounced as ‘ba’ in Mandarin, which sounds similar to the word for wealth or prosperity. I am not an expert on Western Astrology but those who are say that this date is particularly powerful for manifesting your intentions through ritual. If you are interested in learning more, google Lions Gate.
I got inspired to look up the word ritual in the dictionary to make sure I knew what I was talking about. Truthfully it had not dawned on me that the word is used as both a noun and an adjective, even though I use it both ways often.
As a noun, >ritual is a formal ceremony or series of acts that is always performed in the same way like a religious ritual, or perhaps the daily >ritual of preparing breakfast.
As an adjective, ritual is always used before a noun and describes something that is always done in a particular situation and in the same way each time. Examples are a ritual dance, a ritual purification or a ritual greeting.
With that grammar lesson under my belt and with the uneasy feeling I always get the first week of August (that summer is waning), I decided to look for ways to ritualize this time. And as you may know, I enjoy discovering rituals of the past that may have relevance in our lives now.
I’ve learned that many pagan rituals arose from the belief that Midsummer was a magical time of good fortune and healing. Bonfires were lit and loud behavior was encouraged to drive away evil spirits – sounds like a great way to shake off whatever needs it. These festivities always included dancing, singing, drinking, cleaning house, and collecting flowers – sounds even better to me! One ritual I read about involves placing seven flowers beneath one’s pillow on Midsummer’s Eve to conjure dreams of one’s future partner. I like this idea but want to remind us that one of the most important parts of any ritual is not some magical thinking but having clear heartfelt intentions.
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Before I do any ritual, I ‘potentize’ my hands with a ritual of its own. We use our hands to do most things, and this simple chi building or energy exercise, makes whatever other ritual we are doing that much more effective.
When you may want to use this ritual:
- To fortify your chi
- To build positive flow of chi
- To boosts vitality
- To center the mind
- To still the emotions
- To build protection
- To use before an important meeting, negotiation
- Before cooking your food
Follow these simple steps:
- Put the tip of the tongue to roof of mouth
- Take and hold one deep breath
- Rotate hands [dog-paddle style] towards body
- Go from your waist up to your heart as you rotate
- Exhale as needed
- Repeat #1-5, three times
- Separate your hands
- You may notice the chi force between your 2 hands feels ‘substantial’
- ‘Pour’ this chi into the top of your head
- Continue to move your hands around the front and back of your body
Finish by:
Empowering the ritual with the Three Secret Reinforcements if you know them or by saying your positive intention for doing this ritual out loud.
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Coming this September…
It has been a while and its now time to again offer my Feng Shui Master Class for the 21st Century.
In it you’ll learn practical ways to both upgrade and optimize the energy of your home and workspace. Learning the art and practical principles of Feng Shui will benefit you, your work and your relationships for many years to come.
These 5 classes are live via Zoom and each one is recorded for you to review. My 25 years of experience as a Feng Shui consultant to thousands of individuals and corporations enlivens our conversations with personal experiences, and there’s always time for all your questions.
In the past, I offered this course through a company that issued CEUs (continuing education credits) to professional architects and designers. Now, I am offering my 5-part Master Class to all those interested in improving their lives by updating their homes and workspaces with Feng Shui.
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Click here for dates, fee and details covered each week »
No experience is necessary. Please look below for what you’ll learn each week. Every week I include between 60 – 90 slides to illustrate and give practical examples for each lesson. These are small classes with time for clarifications and personal questions.
And of course there’s a BONUS…if you sign up in the month of August, I will include the PDF of my book Feng Shui for the 21st Century – an illustrated companion to the course and beyond!
Wishing you a Beautiful second
half of Summer!
Judith Wendell
ps…please check a recent interview I’ve had with the
Holistic Edge Radio Podcast! »
Feng Shui Consulting ~ Space Clearing – Integrative Interior Design
Judith Wendell on Holistic Edge Radio