Day 27
Friday– 27 December
Capricorn Sun – Element of Earth
4 the Qtr Moon moves into Sagittarius
Mars is Retrograde until Sunday, 23 February 2025
Greetings and Good Morning!
May Good Spirits Surround you this day!
Today's Challenge… Holiday Recovery
Yule is over, Christmas is done, Boxing Day has come and gone… Hanukkah won't be finished for several days, but that doesn't mean you can't get started bringing order back to your space! There can be lots to do for your well-deserved holiday recovery.
First up is the noble task of consolidating your decorations. You know, those boxes that you stuffed into the attic like a squirrel hoarding acorns? I am specifically referring to the ones you didn't use this year! It's time to bring them out and see just how many ornaments you have collected over the years. It's a bit like a craft project gone rogue—half of those decorations that you are convinced were made by your great-aunt twice removed are now covered in dust and desperately need a new home-- hopefully the trash can. I highly doubt any museum will want them; but you can try. As you put away those you used this year, consider downsizing if possible. But what if you went with a theme one year and had so much fun with it? Except you lost your zest, and the stuff is in very good condition. I mean, you used them for what? 3 weeks at the most? Donation centers and thrift stores often take such items, or you can try the FB Buy Nothing search, although there may not be one near you. Maybe you can pawn them off on a family member or co-worker who has been looking for a purple sequin pickle for over ten years!
Next on the agenda: culling the herd of tinsel and lights, and outdoor blow-up critters. If your house looked like a scene from a holiday-themed horror movie with tangled lights and an overabundance of garish glitter, it's time for some serious decision-making. Let's face it, if you haven't used that light set since the Great Light Debacle of 2020 (you know the one, where it took three hours to untangle), perhaps it's time to pass these lights on to a new home. Maybe you could use them on your patio this summer? Probably not.
Now, we can't overlook the matter of artificial Yule trees. How many do you have this year? One? Three? Five? If you've been overtaken by the spirit of festive overindulgence, now's the moment to assess your tree situation. It might be wise to ask yourself: "Do I really need a tree in every room?" Or treat yourself to a 'Tree Reduction Day.' If you rented a live tree, good for you! Don't forget to take it back. In my family, I have always heard complaints about the color of the tree. Seriously? My husband wanted a white one. My oldest daughter wanted a purple one. Then there was the child that wanted the black one...and size...there was always dickering over size, and then I would break down and buy that tree, trying to be a good what-ever, and I would get a shrug, a momentary smile, and then...nothing except ten bloody trees shoved into attic, trailing into the basement, and finally? A sewer flood ate them.
Yup. Gone but not forgotten. Sigh.
I now have a three-plastic bin rule. I can keep anything that fits into those bins. What does not fit in the bins? Has to find a new home. And no, the rule states the bin size I picked originally stays. I cannot buy new, bigger bins. That is a no-no. Sometimes I replace old decorations with new ones. For example, I won a snowman five years ago. I have no emotional attachment to him. Rachel gave me a new snowman this year. He earns the old snowman’s spot in the bin. I know it sounds callous, but I pity the person who has to clean out my storage closet after my demise -- I try not to make it worse for them, and in the end, no one is going to care that I gave up a snowman decoration.
Let's talk food—oh, the glorious bounty of leftovers! You may find yourself wading through a sea of epicurean delights: half-eaten fruitcakes, uneaten stuffing, and enough turkey or ham to feed a small army. Now's the time to get organized—make a game plan for how long everything will last. Spoiler alert: that casserole from Aunt Mary is not going to age like a fine wine. To head this mess off, I make sure all my guests are given the opportunity to make as much food as they want. And I have learned to be honest when they say, "Are you sure your family doesn't want this?" and in most cases, I will look them square in the eye and politely and firmly say, "No!" I have a house of super picky eaters, and the food could be 5-star. And they'll still snub it.
And what do you do with those gifts from family and friends who decided to take a holiday sick day and not attend your party, or who said, "Please don't drop gifts off, I'm contagious"? Those charmingly wrapped presents sit in lonely anticipation in the corner by the door, waiting to be whisked away to their new homes. If you think you are going to see the recipient soon, you might choose to place them on a table that you've labeled "Gift Island"? Consider it a temporary harbor where all those leftover bags and boxes can wait until they're finally off to their intended new owners. If it will be longer, a space out of the direct line of sight might not be a bad idea. You could ship them, but, honestly, the cost of mailing off packages can be prohibitive, and trying to wrap that five-foot stuffed panda is probably out of the question. I actually have a shelf for gifts on hold -- some in gift bags with designated tags and others simply stacked and waiting. My eldest daughter, who is an Aquarius, has a gift closet. Go figure. When I travel a lot in association with my books, I often pick up interesting stuff that this person or that person back home will like. Or, I think, "That's cool. I'm sure there's someone who would love that for Yule (or their birthday, their initiation, or whatever)."
Ritual for Mental and Spiritual Recovery After Holiday Festivities
Choose a calm and peaceful environment where you can sit comfortably without distractions.
Gather Your Materials
- Candle (preferably white or blue for clarity and peace)
- Small bowl of water
- Journal and pen
- Safe Burn Bowl
- Matches or Lighter
- Sprigs of dried herbs (like rosemary or sage) for cleansing or your favorite cleansing incense.
Note: Should you not be able to have a candle with an open flame -- use an electric candle. Twist the flame on when appropriate, and twist it off at the end of your ritual.
Hold the unlit candle in your hands and breathe slowly over the barrel. Think of peaceful waters, a clear blue sky and sweet breezes dancing over a meadow. Breathe in the peace. Whisper if you like, "Peace with the Gods, Peace with Nature, Peace Within," several times. Light the candle to symbolize illumination and clarity. Place the bowl of water nearby as a representation of emotional release and renewal.
Sit comfortably in front of your candle and take a few deep breaths. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a moment, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Visualize any tension leaving your body with each exhale. Visualize negativity leaving your feet as you exhale, then repeat with the calves, knees, thighs, buttocks, stomach, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, neck, mouth, eyes, scalp, and top of head. Take a final deep breath and shake your hands vigorously as if you are flicking off unwanted yuck.
It's time to reflect and release; however, try to keep from judging anything. Close your eyes and think about the holiday season so far. Acknowledge the highs and lows—celebrations, connections, stress, and exhaustion. Don't spend any time on a particular incident or experience. See it. Pass it. Let it go. With each breath, visualize the energy from these experiences flowing into the bowl of water, symbolizing release. Imagine the water absorbing any negativity or chaos from the festivities.
Briefly burn a sprig of rosemary or sage (making sure to do this safely and under supervision if necessary) and let the smoke waft around your space as you repeat a simple affirmation: "I release what no longer serves me."
If, for some reason, you cannot burn the herbs, gently wave your hands over the candle's flame, visualizing it and purifying your thoughts and emotions. Once this part of the ritual is finished, and you still feel discomfort over a specific incident or uncomfortable in general, feel free to use your rattle, chips, or a singing bowl to continue the cleansing process.
Next, open your journal and take a few moments to jot down your reflections. Write about what you are grateful for, any lingering feelings you wish to process, and what you want to invite into your life moving forward. In only a few days, this program will be over. Take advantage of this moment to set an intention for the upcoming weeks. This could be about self-care, new goals, or simply allowing yourself to rest.
Finish your ritual by thanking yourself for taking this time for recovery and renewal. Blow out the candle and, if safe, pour the water on the ground outdoors or in a plant, symbolizing your intention to grow and thrive moving forward.
After the ritual, treat yourself kindly. Consider taking a warm bath, enjoying a quiet cup of tea, or engaging in a favorite calming activity to continue your recovery.
Make this ritual your own, and adjust it as needed to resonate with your journey! You can use it any time to attend an event or throw a party, visit a reunion, or go on vacation (yup, a ritual to recover from a vacation is often needed!).
Spirit Message for Today is from Spirits of Review
Summary
1. Do the Morning Ritual – earn one gold star.
2. Practice the Rattle Bath - 5 Gold stars
3. Complete Today’s Challenge – Work on Holiday Recovery-- 25 Gold Stars; Perform the Holiday Recovery Ritual – 25 Stars
4. Contemplate today’s Message from the Spirits of Review. How do you feel about this message? – 25 Gold Stars
5. Most important! Throw or give one thing away. – 2 Gold Stars
6. Bed-Tyme Run – 5 Gold Stars
Possible Gold Stars Today: 88 – Remember if I ever add the stars wrong, you receive a bonus of 10 gold stars!
What is your reward today?
Big hugs and best wishes
Have a lovely day!
Peace with the Gods
Peace with Nature
Peace Within!
Silver!