So many of us focus on exertion, effort, motion, and doing, with little to balance us in the way of relaxation, receptivity, and rest. In the Global North, as we enjoy this time of greater darkness between the holy days and New Year’s Day, I thought I’d offer you a simple “yin” restoration ritual.To do this, set aside some ceremonial time, two hours minimum, in which you will be quiet and have no distractions. To assist with this, you may want to prepare a drink of something soothing, like chamomile tea, warm milk, or ceremonial Mama Cacao (if you have already been instructed in her ritual). Avoid coffee for this. You may want to set up some quiet, soothing background music.

Morning or early afternoon would be best to do this, because these are times when we are generally “in motion,” so the contrast will be felt more strongly. With your “cuppa” in hand, lie down on a couch or bed, with your head and back propped up so they are 70-80 degrees or so from your legs. Enough so you are resting, yet alert.

Just relax as you sip. Allow yourself to enter into a trance state but don’t do this when you are tired enough to fall asleep.

Send a grounding trunk from your abdomen to the center of the earth and see it wrap around what you can see as the molten golden center of the earth. Call upon Mother Earth and Mother Divine.

Feel your muscles relax ever more deeply as you breathe in to a count of 5 and exhale to a count of 8. Visualize that you are gently receiving the golden energies from Mother Earth and Mother Divine directly into your body through your breath and through the grounding trunk coming from Mother Earth. Feel these energies as love.

Let Mother Divine bathe you in this healing. Keep relaxing your body and mind. Let thoughts release. Receive.

When you have concluded after two hours, gently begin wiggling your fingers and toes and stretching your body. Thank Mother Earth and Mother Divine. Slowly rise and move gently into the rest of your day. If you are knowledgeable about how to work with Mama Cacao, you may find you want to stay even longer, as her ceremonial space can last a number of hours.

Blessed New Year to you!

Inspired by Marguerite’s work? Would you like guidance or mentoring from her?