Fire Ritual
“Take some time to be with fire in a sacred way. Let it enchant you, purify you, and empower you as it has done for countless others throughout the centuries.”
Fire rituals are performed across cultures around the world from the Japanese Buddhists to Australian Aboriginals and Native Americans. These sacred fire ceremonies are performed for purification, release, offering, to ward off bad spirits and harness the intense energy of the fire with spiritual intention. You can create your own sacred fire ceremony this solstice to invoke whatever you need in your life.
Start by, obviously, creating a fire. Light up your fireplace, light some candles or make a bonfire. Settle into the space. Kindly invite spirit to join you in this process. God, your ancestors, the universe, divine energy, whatever name resonates with you. Call out to them, say a prayer or read something that resonates spiritually with you.
Tear a piece of paper into half and with one half break into strips of pieces and write down the things you wish to release. These could be negative feelings, bad habits, belief systems, or connections to certain people or situations.
On the other half of the paper, create an offering.This could be in the form of a gratitude letter, poem, drawing or written prayer. These are your gifts, good intentions and blessings that you wish to share in return for this purification.
Now let's burn this sh*t! Meditate on the flame for a few moments. Slowly, one by one, throw the strips of paper into the flame. As you watch the paper turn to ashes, visualize those blockages dissolve away from your mind, body and spirit. You are FREED. Take a few deep breaths. Say whatever words come to mind that affirm this release over these things in your life.
After you’ve burned all that negative energy, share your offering. Speak aloud your poem or letter, describe your drawing or art piece. Sit with the fire, continuing to focus on how much LIGHTER and ENERGIZED you feel after releasing those things.
Journal any feelings or realizations that come up for you. Close out by sharing gratitude for this fire energy, for all the elements of Earth, for your ability to hold this sacred ritual.
Fire Cider
Now that you've had an ~energetic cleanse~ let's work to purify your physical body! Fire cider is an intense tonic (apple cider vinegar leveled UP) that helps to restore and reinvigorate your immune system. It is widely known within herbalist communities. Dorene Petersen, president of the American College of Healthcare Sciences in Portland, Oregon, comments on the powerhouse properties of Fire Cider, particularly horseradish. “It’s an incredibly powerful botanical,” she states. “It has antibacterial potential; it’s great for things like the bacteria that cause things like acute sinusitis.”
There are many different recipes for fire cider, but most contain ingredients like garlic, onion, lemon and spices. Try out this recipe below and let us know what you think!
1 large horseradish root scrubbed very well, about 7 inches long
1 large ginger root about 7 inches long
1 large onion root and stem end removed and peeled
1 large orange do NOT peel. Use the whole fruit.
1 lemon do NOT peel. Use the whole fruit.
16 cloves of garlic peeled
2-4 habanero peppers stems removed
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
raw apple cider vinegar
raw honey
Instructions:
Grate the horseradish and ginger roots. Roughly chop the onions, orange, lemon, garlic, and habanero peppers. Stuff them into a half-gallon glass jar with a tight fitting lid or divide evenly between two quart sized canning jars. Sprinkle the turmeric in on top (dividing evenly between the two jars if using quart jars). Pour the raw apple cider vinegar in over the contents, allowing it to settle in through the crevices and adding more so that the contents are submerged. Lay a piece of parchment paper over the rim of the jar, then screw the lid tightly in place. Let the mixture sit in a dark, cool place, allowing it to marry and infuse for 4 weeks, shaking once daily.
After 4 weeks, pour the contents into a muslin or cheesecloth lined colander positioned over a stable pot. Let it drain for 30 minutes, then gather the corners of the cloth, twisting and squeezing until you cannot release any more liquid. When it's fully strained, add honey to the liquid to taste and pour into a sterilized wine bottle or canning jar. Store in a cool, dark place for up to a year, shaking well before using.
Bath Ritual
Soak in all these great things you've done for you body and spirit. Begin with a couple scoops of Skin and Sky Beauty Tea Blend to seep in the water. Then add a few drops of lavender essential oil and light some candles around the tub. Enjoy the soak, maybe put on a Skin and Sky playlist.
Before the end of your bath, do a good exfoliation on your legs, feet and bum, it will help oxygenate the blood and improve your circulation. After your bath, apply an oil with circular motions all around your body.
Enjoy this winter, Skykissed.
xx