The beginning of the year feels like a new start for many – clear, open, full of possibilities. At the same time, there is often pressure: We want to start motivated, establish new routines, and preferably do everything right from the get-go. Quite high expectations, right?
Breathe. Close your eyes. Focus inward.
What is truly important to you? What direction do you want to take? What intention do you want to carry with you this year?
Together with @juli_lobinha, we invite you to our New Year Ritual Guide: EA mindful ritual that supports you in grounding yourself and consciously aligning your year. 5 journaling questions will help you set clear, powerful intentions for your new year.
Why you should set intentions at the beginning of the year
Intentions are less about a goal, more about a direction, completely without pressure.
For this, we invite you to take some time for a small ritual and then answer a few reflection questions in writing to formulate your intentions.
A ritual is your time just for you: It helps you ground yourself and arrive in the new year. You anchor your intentions in an object that you carry with you, such as a piece of jewelry.
Journaling helps you sort your thoughts, move from your head to your heart, and relieve your working mind. You sense what you subconsciously desire.
Your Grounding Ritual
Now it’s all about you. It’s important that you take some time in the days around the turn of the year when you are undisturbed. A room where you are alone and can make yourself comfortable is best.
Your ritual in 4 steps ✨
Step 1: Clean your space & prepare it
Air out the room, light a few candles. Put your phone in airplane mode or leave it outside the room. Have your favorite piece of jewelry ready, paper and pen, and, if possible, some cocoa. If you like, you can also smudge the room with some Palo Santo.
Step 2: Grounding ritual with heart-opening cocoa from Juli Lobinha 🤍
Cocoa is a healing plant that we know more as chocolate in the Western world. It is perfect for your New Year’s ritual! When consumed in its raw form and ceremonially, it opens your heart and your vision, gives you energy and courage to make your dreams a reality, and is incredibly nourishing for your body due to its high content of magnesium, iron, and antioxidants.
For this reason, cocoa has been consumed for centuries in various indigenous cultures of Central and South America to celebrate rituals of gratitude and heart connection with all beings. Today, ceremonial cocoa is also known in the Western world for its heart-opening and healing effects.
Cocoa preparation:
Use 100% raw cocoa paste and heat it with water and – if you like – your favorite spices. Very important: The cocoa should never boil. If you need raw cocoa or a detailed preparation guide, you can find both here for download on the website of Caluna Cacao.
Once you have prepared your cocoa, sit in your cozy spot. Hold your cocoa in both hands, close your eyes, and connect with the ground beneath you and the sky above you.
Then bring your attention to your heart – your center and the place where heaven and earth meet within you. Now ask your mind to give space to your heart, and ask your heart: What is my intention for this moment and for this year?
If you would like to listen to a guided meditation at this point, we have one recorded for you here.
Now close your eyes. Let your heart speak. It’s not about formulating the biggest wish. Let your heart express freely what is most important right now. What do you want to invite into your life? What do you need to let go of? Bring your cocoa close to your face, let the sweet scent touch your senses. Drink it mindfully, sip by sip. Feel how the warmth fills your body and empowers your intention.
Now take your piece of jewelry and bring it to your heart. Visualize your year.
Imagine the following as clearly as possible:
- How do you start your days?
- How do you feel?
- What is present in your life? What people and activities do you see?
Step 3: Journaling: Your 5 reflection questions for the new year
If you like, you can air out the room again and make yourself comfortable for writing. Perhaps you have a few thoughts in your head that you want to write down first before you start with the actual questions.
Start by answering the following questions in writing. Feel free to take breaks or switch between the questions, that’s completely okay!
Set strong intentions for the new year
Read your answers again calmly. What words, feelings, or themes keep appearing? What inner attitude do you want to carry with you through the coming year?
Now start formulating three intentions. Write them down short and clear and make sure they are in the present tense, as if you are already living that way and feeling the state now.
Your intentions could be something like: "I live with trust and inner peace." or "I allow myself to grow at my own pace."
Now take your piece of jewelry in hand, bring it to your heart. Read your intentions out loud. Imagine that you connect with the intention and that your piece of jewelry reminds you of it every day of the year.
Are you ready for the new year?
This new year does not begin outside, but within you. Trust in your connection – with yourself and your vision. We are excited to share this moment with you and @juli_lobinha! 💫
Get to know Juli ✨
Juli has been part of our Spirit of Eden Family for many years. Her first piece of jewelry from us was the Rising Moon necklace, which has accompanied her since a wonderful evening together on the beach in Portugal. We are fascinated by Juli's knowledge of cocoa and are so happy that she shares it with you & us!
Visit Juli at calunacacao.com or on Instagram.