STEP III: Release

"Do not give your past the power to define your future" - Danielle La Porte 

New Years Eve is around the corner, I want to make sure you have access to the final steps of the "CLEANSE 2013" program to make room for a fresh and empowering start to 2014! 

In Step I we made a commitment to ourselves to do this work and set an intention to follow through. In Step II we reflected upon the years past and created three lists, one with our Celebrations, Achievements and Successes, one with what we would like to Release, and one translating both lists into inner wisdom we want to take with us (lessons learned). Now in Step III we are going to release everything we wrote down, bringing completion and wholeness to our year past.  Another great way to enhance this process is to literally get rid of items that reflect the past you are wanting to leave behind.  Burn old pictures from experiences you would like to release in the fire, donate old clothes to goodwill, get rid of that pair of jeans that are so old you are embarrassed to say their age and they are silently saying, "I'm not good enough", burn newspapers symbolizing an addiction to the news, or cookies symbolizing an imbalance/ secret addiction to eating sweets and unhealthy foods, whatever it is that you can find to cleanse yourself of, do it!  In order to make room for the life you truly deserve and desire, you have to be willing to fully let-go of the past and only take with you the wisdom and appreciation you've gained. 

In order to perform this ceremony you will need to be able to start a fire safely.  If you don't have the possibility of making a fire, you can burn the letters individually without putting them in a fire, or simply tear them up and release the energy as you tear each letter.  Any of the items that aren't flammable or safe to burn simply place in a garbage sac and throw them away.  Make it as easy and as beautiful as you want it to be.  Just do whatever feels right for you! 

Tips for creating sacred space and conducting a fire ceremony: 

In Shamanic practices fire is a sacred element that transforms what we put into it.  It helps us to release and let-go as we watch the alchemical process of transformation taking place.  If you have a shamanic practice that you would like to use to open your fire ceremony, then please do.  You can also simply set an intention to be guided by a higher power (God, the Holy Spirit, Creator Energy, the Divine, your ancestors or Higher Wiser Self…) and ask for assistance in releasing and cleansing your past.  Something we say in the shamanic realm is, "Beings of the Highest Vibration are welcome in this sacred circle of Light", I also call in my healing team and guides and ask the Holy Spirit to be with me as I move through the process. 

a:   Light four incense sticks and place in each of the four directions around your fire (north, east, south, west).  Imagine this process as an invocation of higher energies to help you release what no longer serves you and bring completion to your past.  You may also simply envision a circle of Light and Love surrounding you through the placement of the incense sticks.  

b:   In each of the four directions you may also place an "offering" symbolizing your connection and honor to this process.  The offering may be rose petals, tobacco, a splash of wine, flowers from nature or anything else that feels right for you.  (This is optional and remember, it only has the power you give it; these steps are merely symbolic and through your intention you give it the power it has to assist you in this process).

c:   Say a silent prayer for the earth below your feet, honor the world we live in and gaze up to the heavens above to honor the forces above us.  Hold this love, connection and honor with you as you light the fire and begin. 

d:   The first letter to release is your Celebrations.  Open it back up and read it to yourself or out loud, connecting back to that place of honor and celebration within you.  You can also add "I celebrate/honor myself for…" before each sentence or celebration.  Breathing it in, basking in your achievements, your successes and the awesome steps you took this year for yourself.  Release it in the fire. 

e:   The second letter to burn is what you are wanting to Release.  Envision these energies being lifted from you as you forgive yourself and any one else who may have wronged you.  When we hold onto energy of resentment, blame or judgement we only hold ourselves back… Free yourself and others by forgiving all that needs to be forgiven… Read through your list and add, "I forgive, I release, or I accept…" before each sentence and then say, "I ask that this energy be released and transformed."  Now it's time to burn the items you've gathered.  As you throw in the symbolic items you can say a statement that affirms your new desire to transform that habit/relationship; for instance if you were throwing in a cookie or a piece of chocolate you could say, "I am now willing to stop being a victim to unhealthy foods.  I now take all my power back I once gave to this cookie."  Watch the fire transform and lift any heaviness around those memories as you lovingly release and let-go of blame, shame or guilt. (Imagine how freeing this is!!)

f:   The last letter to burn holds the sacred lessons you have learned, the transformation, gifts and blessings in even the most difficult trails and tribulations.  Ask your Inner Wiser Self to guide you in this process as you connect into the golden nuggets of wisdom you wrote down and watch them transform into fuel for your future in the fire.  Say before each sentence, "my inner wise self knows…" 

g:   Watch, release, shed, let-go, forgive, celebrate, honor and GET EXCITED to have taken this massive step towards releasing your past and stepping into your most Empowered Self!  Allow the fire to burn out and thank the "help" you called upon to assist you. 

Take a deep breath, inhale, exhale…feel your body… Feel how much lighter you are now that you have consciously cleansed your past!  Feel the sensation of release, of letting go and being FREE!  You are now free to tap into and create your most authentic, creative, daring and empowered year yet! 

…stay tuned for the next step in creation… ;) 

Love & Blessings, 

Heather 

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