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thoughtful questions as we leave 2019 and enter 2020

12/26/2019

My 2019:
What did I enjoy most about my year?
What did I find most challenging?
What was the most important thing I learned this year?
What have I completed this year?
What am I ready to relinquish?
For what am I grateful?
Is there a word which sums up this year for me?

My 2020:
What would I like to enjoy in my new year?
What would I like to learn this year?
What challenge am I ready to take on?
What would I like to relinquish or complete this year?
What would I like to experience more of – what would I like to increase this year?
What would I like to share?
What word would I like to integrate and embody this year?

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The Burning Bowl - A Winter Solstice Ceremony

12/9/2019

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This ceremony was adapted from a traditional ceremony which takes place at Winter Solstice. The purpose of the ceremony is to gratefully release what is not longer needed from the old year, and to invite in the new year with intention and prayer.
A fire is built or a burning bowl is created. To create a burning bowl, fill a large, fire resistant, bowl with soil and place a white candle in its center.
The ceremony begins with an opening prayer of your choosing and a statement of the intention of the gathering.
Each participant is given two small slips of paper and a pen.
On the first slip of paper, the participants are invited to write a gratitude list for the year that is coming to a close. We give thanks for blessings received, lessons learned, experiences, thoughts and other things we no longer need. We give thanks for anything with which we are finished.
On the second slip of paper, the participants are invited to write their prayers, intentions, and gratitudes for the new year.
A prayer of release is offered by the ceremony leader or by one of the participants.
Each participant (one at a time) then burns his first paper in the fire, stirring the ashes into the soil. He release the items on his list to Creator and Mother Earth. If he wishes to speak a few words, he may do so. If he wants to keep silence, he may do so. He is witnessed and supported by the rest of the participants in silence.
When all participants are finished, a simple prayer of gratitude is spoken by the ceremony leader or one of the participants.
Each participant (one at a time) then burns his second paper in the fire, stirring the ashes into the soil. He offers his prayers to in the spirit of gratitude, asking for guidance and support in the coming year. If he wishes to say a few words, he may do so. If he wants to keep silence, he may do so.
When all the participants are finished, the ceremony is ended with prayers of joy and gratitude by any participants who wish to offer them. The fire is extinquished and the soil returned to Mother Earth by one of the participant in a sacred manner.

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thoughtful questions as we leave 2019 and enter 2020

The Burning Bowl - A Winter Solstice Ceremony

Rev. Sunemaura O'Brien

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