Burning Bowl Ceremony

Purpose: A ritual or process to become aware of and release what is unwanted in your life and to create an intention for the future. This process is often used at the beginning of a New Year, birthday or new stage in life.

Materials: Ceramic or heat-proof bowl or container, trivet or hot pad, matches or lighter, tracing or flash paper, pens or pencils, music, journal, writing tablet or paper, candles.

Burning Bowl Preparation: Before the process place the bowl on a trivet, hot pad or on the ground outside, as the bottom of the bowl may get hot. In place of the burning bowl, you may also light and use a fireplace or fire pit with an open flame.

Process: Begin by lighting a candle, turning on soft music or any ritual that set’s the tone to go inward. When you have reached a place of calm and centeredness begin.

What is…. journaling– Write out the following on a writing tablet or paper, or in your journal regarding your life right now:

What things are Working?
Why are they working?
What’s not quite right yet?
What would make it more right?
What are my judgments, feelings, emotions?
What miracles happened this past year?
What were my accomplishments this year?
What were my losses?
What do I fear the most?
What are my strengths that I can take into the New Year or new period?
What insights have I gained from this past year or period?

Releasing Ritual: On a piece of flash or tracing paper, list all the things you are now ready to release from your life.

Read through this list and then light your paper with the matches or lighter and place the paper inside the burning bowl, consciously watching it burn and releasing and letting go of everything you have listed.

Setting the Intention for the New Period
Option 1 - When you have reached a place of calm and centeredness once again, begin.

1. Write on the top of a piece of paper or in your journal “My Intention for This Year/Period”
2. Use the following questions to assist you in writing your intentions for the upcoming period:

· What is my hearts desire? What does it look like, sound like, feel like?
· What qualities will I embrace - i.e. health, wholeness, peace, trust, love, etc.
· What values will be present in my life? - i.e. integrity, honesty, trust, authenticity, financial security, etc.
· What people will be in my life?
· What places will I visit?
· What things will I do?
· What will I accomplish?
· What will I start?
· What will I complete?
· What will have more of?
· What will I reduce or have less of?

Option 2 - When you have reached a place of calm and centeredness again, begin.
1. Write a letter to the Universe, Spirit, Life or whatever Higher Power you choose, in gratitude for all that has been received, accomplished, completed, started, everything that has occurred during the upcoming year or period.
2. Use the questions in option 1 above to assist in writing your letter.
3. Sign and date the letter one year from now.
4. Put it in an envelope, seal it and keep it in a sacred place- your journal or other sacred text.
5. At Thanksgiving or at the end of the year, open and read your letter to see what has manifested in your life.