We call to the Center, the element spirit
our being
beyond time, beyond seasons
the spiral
ever changing, yet eternal,
transformation

Statement of purpose:

There are innumerable times in each life when we feel faced with the necessity of beginning anew. Too many times we do not give these beginnings the attention and consideration they deserve. Without planning and consideration, they can go off in directions other than positive. Some new beginnings might be: graduating from high school or college; new relationships; marriage; the birth of a child; a new job; the end of relationships or marriage; a death of someone close to you; an illness, or the aftermath of an illness, the beginning of a new project or a new phase of an existing project.

In order to open a new door we must close an old one. Often we know this must be done, but are at a loss as to how to do it. This ritual will set the stage. Be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves.

Guided meditation:

Breath slowly and steadily. Slow your mind, allowing thoughts to flow so far inward that you begin to feel separate from yourself. When you feel calm and relaxed, being to embark upon your inner journey:

It is just after dawn and you are walking through a dewy spring meadow. Early wildflowers are blooming underfoot and the yellow-green grass waves gently in the light breeze. Off in the distance, a virgin woods sprouts new growth, and flowering buds decorate the once bare boughs where birds now twitter, brightly welcoming the new day.

You inhale deeply of the fresh air of morning, making yourself promise to remember to take time from your daily demands and constant concerns for the future to stop and enjoy these simple pleasures.

Suddenly, your eye is drawn by a flash of white which scurries past you on the ground. It is a small white rabbit.

You mentally send it blessings as you watch it run. At the edge of its den, it turns to you and winks. At first you want to dismiss the idea as silly. Then it winks again, as if challenging you to doubt.

You laugh with joy at the small creature as it turns to leave. You assume it is going to disappear inside its hole, but then it takes off at a bounding hop for the nearby woods. You watch it go and notice that it keeps stopping to look back at you, as if beckoning you to follow.

Feeling up to new adventures (and a bit like Alice about to stumble into Wonderland), you chase after the rabbit.

The rabbit slows when it enters the woods so that you can keep up. You continue to follow until the animal stops at the base of what has to be the tallest tree in the forest. It is a an unusually tall willow, which seems quite out of place in the deep forest setting. Deciding the anomaly must be fed from an underground spring, you are about to abandon your game with the rabbit and return to the meadow when you notice someone sitting high on a curved bough.

To your utter surprise, a young woman is resting lightly on a fragile branch. She could be any age from fourteen to thirty. Although she is young, something about her seems ageless. Her silky yellow hair streams about her waist and her sea-green eyes seem to pierce right through you. She wears a long, flowing white gown. Her slender feet are bare, and around her head she wears a silver headband which holds a crest of silver upturned horns. You smile timidly at her; she returns the greeting with a warm enthusiasm.

Greet the maiden with the traditional words "Merry Meet" and allow you inner-senses to finish dictating the direction of the meditation. Allow the maiden to teach you, either by showing or telling you something you need to know.

When you are ready to go, thank the maiden for her company in any way that you feel is appropriate. When you are ready, head back out of the woods to the place in the meadow where you began your inner journey. Become aware of the room and your surroundings, and when you are ready, return to your normal waking self and open your eyes.


Working:

Pass out paper and markers. Have each person draw, write, or in some way creatively represent the new beginning that she wishes to bless. If desired, go around the circle and have each person describe her drawing and associated wish.

Take a symbol that represents the element air (feather, fan, incense, etc.). Go around the circle, having each person pass the symbol for air over her drawing and say:

"Be gone, all problems of thought and mind.
Be blown away by the winds of change."

Take a symbol that represents the element fire (a candle is a good choice). Go around the circle, having each person carefully pass the fire under her drawing and say:

"Be gone, all fears and harmful angers.
Be burned away by the fires of my will."

Take a symbol that represents the element water (a chalice of water is a good choice). Go around the circle, having each person lightly sprinkle water over her drawing and say: