Today’s Last Quarter Moon marks the final chapter in our “Dawn of Joy” Moon Cycle, where we are exploring joy as a portal to resilience & connection, and the beauty, mysticism, and reliability of the Dawn that arrives each morning.
As we explore our yearlong theme, “Rituals of Rewilding”, my hope is to bring you simple Rituals (with the continuous invitation to embellish however you see fit) calling upon the Elements to aid and support us in the movements of our lives and the collective.
May these Rituals assist us in building and strengthening our intimate relationship with each of the Elements, ourselves, and our world.
Please use this Ritual in a way that is personal and useful to you – these suggestions are a starting point, not a set of rigid directions.
Materials Needed: Any object that is part of your morning routine, or just your beautiful self.
Time Suggested: 3 seconds (seriously) – however long you like!
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Reflecting on Your Morning Routine/ Rituals
The Dawn of a new day is a powerful reminder that offers us renewed hope, that no matter how dark the night is – renewal and rebirth is possible (and in fact, inevitable). Witnessing the fiery sun break through the blanket of dark night is almost undeniably a spiritual experience. The Earth grows in sunlight. Therefore, Dawn is the very first sign each day that growth, change, and evolution is preparing to begin. We can also harness this energy, inspiration, and support from this liminal time of Dawn each morning to support us in our own lives.
Now, this is the moment where you may expect me to encourage you to wake up at Dawn each morning to do an hour of yoga, another hour of meditation, another hour of journaling, and reading your spiritual texts, and so on. . . However, I am going to make a bold claim that you don’t need to do any of that in order to engage with Dawn, and all it offers us, each morning.
Speaking from my own experience, it is not good for my body to wake up anytime near Dawn. I’ve actually had years of practice due to my early mornings as a Barista, so I CAN do it, but in no way have I ever felt my best doing so. In a time when wellness trends are raging, an impressive early morning routine can feel like a status symbol. One which is often (and sadly) entwined with consumerism (buy THIS magic powder for your 4am smoothies, buy THIS incredible piece of workout equipment, if it’s not safe for you to go jogging at Dawn – pay for THIS membership, or buy THIS book to teach you how to maximize every single hour of your day and sleep less than ever before!). Okay, you can tell I’m a little bitter here, but it’s due to the “early bird elitists” so often frowning upon me following the wisdom of my own body. Unfortunately, many people have refused to believe me when I say sleeping later is better for me and the rhythm of my life. In fact, rising with the Sun and cultivating an in depth morning routine is a privilege many of us can’t afford.
Therefore, I humbly offer you a simple alternative Ritual to harness the fiery energy of the Sun’s rays at Dawn:
Take three breaths, and do one action that reminds you who you are, what you value, and where you’re heading.
In Creating this simple Ritual, I invite you to do the following:
Step One: Get Centered
As always, I encourage you to carve out some time for yourself to touch base with your heart. “Getting Centered” is taking time to connect deeply with ourselves before connecting to something/someone else. By taking time to have “Ritual Foreplay” (lighting candles, turning on music, turning off our phones, etc.) we are signaling to ourselves on the deepest level that we are making ourselves a priority. We are signaling to our innermost selves that now is a safe time to emerge and communicate with us.
Step Two: Ask In
Ask yourself here, what is one very small action you already do or can easily incorporate into your mornings that will help you deepen into yourself, what you value, and where you are heading (a North Star in your life).
For me, as silly as it may sound, applying my eyeliner does this for me. I love wearing my cat-eye liner and I’ve been doing so since I was 16. Although, some days I opt out of wearing make up, but on days I do the simple act of applying my eyeliner helps me feel into myself, the values I hold, and prep myself for facing the day’s activities.
Some other examples might be:
~ Seeing your morning shower as a physical and emotional refresher, a way to connect with your body, and a way to reorient yourself before facing the world.
~ Drinking a small glass of water first thing when you wake up as a reminder to take care of your body’s needs and have a moment to feel into the flow of life before you officially begin your day.
~ Listening to your “theme song” on your way to work each day. Perhaps there is a song that is deeply meaningful to you, what would it be like to start everyday with this song? Or maybe even the first song that pops into your head each morning. While you listen you can come into yourself, reflect on why you are doing what you’re doing, and remember how these actions help you to reach for your dreams and goals.
Step Three: Breath & Practice
Once you have decided upon your morning Ritual action, I invite you to pair it with three breaths. For me, I like to take one breath into my heart, one into my gut, and one into my root to ground myself. Your three breaths could be with the intention of simply being present to your body and the moment you are experiencing. Maybe you want to assign a different intention to each breath. Or you might want to use these breaths as a way to briefly think about grounding into yourself, what is important to you, and where you are heading.
Finally, implement your beautiful, simplistic, and unique morning Ritual and see what happens!
Three breaths, one action, you got this.
P.S. If you ARE a person who has cultivated an early or lengthy Morning Ritual, no shade intended. I see you, honor you, and support you in doing what is best for you!
Optional Wild Woman Mad-Lib to assist you in your Ritual:
(This is meant to be of assistance to you, feel free to change as much as possible to make it work for YOU!)
I commit to practicing my Simple Morning Ritual for the next ___ days.
I will take three breaths.
On my first breath I will think of:________________.
On my second breath I will think of:______________.
On my third breath I will think of:______________.
The one action I will then take is:__________________.
This action helps remind me who I am, what I value, and where I am heading because ___________.
Your Turn!
We’d love to know how this went for you!
How are you utilizing three breaths?
What is one action you will take each morning?
Amanda is the Director of Communications & Creative Development for The Wild Woman Project, as well as: Wild Woman Project Circle Leader, a member of the Love Crew at the annual WILD WOMAN FEST, and a Mentor for The Wild Woman Project Circle Leader Training Program. She holds a B.A. in Theatre from California State University, Fullerton where she intensively studied Movement for the Stage. A self described Mystic, Artist, Witch, People Person, Beverage Aficionado from Los Angeles California; She is particularly passionate about the space where Art, Activism, and Spirit collide.
HI Amanda! I love this post! It really resonates. THANK YOU!!!
I commit to practicing my Simple Morning Ritual for the 7 next days. And then on the New Moon I will reassess if I want to make adjustments.
I will take three breaths.
On my first breath I will think of: Love
On my second breath I will think of: Gratitude
On my third breath I will think of: Protection
The one action I will then take is: Brew and drink my loose leaf tea in silence.
Cindie, thank you so much for sharing! So simple, but so potent! I love the specificity of making your tea in silence. Interested to see what unfolds for you. xx, Amanda
Greatly appreciated! Thank you. 😘✌️🌙
Francine, you are SO WELCOME! Glad you enjoyed. xx
Amanda, I love this post. When we get so busy, we think there is just no time for Ritual. This gives a great example how to easily work it into our day.
1) May I share these ideas, and the Mad Lib, in my Circle? I will give credit to you and The Wild Woman Project.
2) May I print this out for myself. I have trouble retaining information, unless I have it written down.
Thanks so much!
Thank you, Amanda! I SOOO resonate with you on the early morning not being good for MY body. I also have to wake up before Dawn for work sometimes, and so I’ve felt and know whats best for me! Also, I’m waking up early for WORK. I don’t have the privilege to take 3 hours to do all the things I really want to do (or would rather do!). Your simple ritual is such a nice way to stand firmly in yourself.