I found this lovely ritual in a book I’ve been reading, and wanted to share it with all you lovelies in time for the coming sabbat :) I’ve made a couple of adjustments, but have included a link to the book below if you’re interested.
Apparently, in the olden days™ this was the time of year when warring factions would return prisoners (mostly so they wouldn’t have to feed them during the lean winter months), so this ritual focuses firstly on that idea in part one whereas part two is focused on acquiring healthy habits - keeping in mind the idea of balance!
A few days before Mabon, go for a nature walk and gather some leaves. Leave them to dry on your altar.
Sit and think about things in your life that you would like to release (your “prisoners”) like bad habits or old regrets.
Create a symbol for each of these things (try three or four) and draw one on each of your leaves.
At ritual time, take out your leaves. Take some time to consider each one and think about those things you wish to release.
Hold each leaf up one by one asking your deities to take the problem from you and to give you strength for the future. You could recite something like: “Here be things I must release, To bring me joy and bring me peace, Give me strength to let them go, As Maiden transforms into Crone.”
Crush each leaf and dispose of them - you can bury them, although I prefer burning in this type of ritual.
Having discarded your “prisoners”, it is time to take on some positive habits!
Take a length of WHITE cord.
Consider some positive habits you wish to adopt. I personally choose only three or four - this is so the two ritual parts are equal (like the day and night during autumn equinox) but also so I do not get overwhelmed with things I’d like to change.
For each new positive thing, tie a knot in your cord, focusing the entire time on your intent. You could recite something like: “Here be things I must take on, To move me forward and make me strong, Give me strength to carry them through, During the shortening days and the light of the moon.”
Now you can either keep the cord with you as a daily reminder, or you can keep it on your altar.
Enjoy, my pagan witchy babes :) xxxxxx
