Hello, reader. How are you doing? Yesterday I completed a four day ritual I want to tell you about.
Performing a multi-day ritual is wild during travel because I was at a different location each time. I recommend this because the spirits of the land are different everywhere, the plants are different, the biome, the watershed. Multi locations is a way to gather power.
Also the repetition clearly told myself–and all the beings and entities supporting me–that I’m serious about this need, and willing to put in work. Repetition sealed the deal.
Four is my favorite number, so balanced and stable. Four helps me feel strong.
locations
First time, I was at the radical faeries sanctuary near a special tree. I was in the sunshine, facing south, and it was divine. Ming helped me.
I had a plan, but part of the ritual was spontaneous. So it was bonus to create portions of the ritual at that sacred place. The magic of the location joined the magic of the spell. Faeries have been doing ritual in that spot for decades; I’m happy to sing the tradition.
Second time, I was at a park in California’s central valley called Dog Island Park. I was sitting on my brown blanket below oak trees, on brown fallen oak leaves, with Ming standing nearby. Again Ming protected and helped me.
Third time I did the ritual, I was exhausted at our vacation rental in Davis, California after hours of driving and processing Too Much intensity from everything I’m learning. Ming helped me, but I was less into performing the ritual indoors.
I had imagined a three day ritual, originally. But I realized I needed a fourth day to be outside and burn the outdated prayer to release it from my responsibility.
Fourth time, Ming and I were in our car near the train station in Davis. Miner’s lettuce is blooming on the parking lot edge. I was wearing my new pink cherry dress I find exciting, about to attend the birthday tea party we had traveled all that way for. Hundreds of miles for love.
I was able to burn the old prayer– I was ready, by day four. Yes, the ritual changed me. Just what I asked for.
four day ritual
Ok, here’s the format of this particular four day ritual.
Every time, first I gathered materials, situated myself, and asked Ming what direction I was facing. Normally I face north to do ritual. But I enjoyed facing all different directions.
Then I asked Ming for their hand and poured salt. Each time it was Ming’s left hand I poured the salt into. Ming made a little palm cup for me; then I poured water onto the salt and mixed it with my fingers.
I washed my hand with the salt water, then had Ming dump the salt water by each makeshift altar. Then a second time I put salt in Ming’s hand-well and added water. I used that second salt water to bless myself and bless Ming.
The last time I did the ritual, we had a stub of palo santo right there, so I lit it in its binder clip, and Ming wafted smoke for us.
asking for help
Then I prayed to Mother God, asking for help. I had my favorite hunk of carnelian, and a little outdated art-prayer rolled up in a yellow cloth tied with a dark blue thread.
Also I had an index card with a list of names of people and entities who want better for me on one side, and my clear requests written on the other side.
It felt great to list the friends, ancestors, and entities who want better for me (on the obverse) because I feel strong from their love. I read the names aloud, calling them in. People and entities like Ming and our chosen family member, Jaguar, water, my bestie, Rainbow Goddess, and Parent Earth. All those forces are supporting my efforts for change. Thank you, beings.
Asking for protection is great for an anxious, disabled, traumatized person like me. I’ve done great making a beautiful life for myself with Ming. And I can’t afford to be manipulated into bad situations with people who hurt me / harm me. I’m no longer available for abuse.
protection
I read the requests for help out loud also, and it felt good to say. First time I did the ritual, asking for protection from manipulation felt dramatic. By the fourth time, my needs seemed more valid and clear. I was no longer shy; I was ready to call what happened to me last year manipulation. I was harmed, and I’m not showing up for abuse anymore. I’m not worried about saying that.
So, what do you think? I broke some old magic that didn’t make sense anymore, and I’m learning more bravely how to ask for help from the forces who most love me. Love is a skill we can strengthen, and asking for help is part of love. The more I can be real with you about what I need, with consent so you are free to say yes or no, the more we can build community and deal with issues before the point of crisis.
Crisis is so much work. I would rather be real all along, and there for each other all along.
