Bay Leaf Ritual for the New Year

Introduction

Every New Year, I engage in a ritual that is both meditative and deeply rooted in ancient traditions. This practice, inspired by an ancient Greek ritual for prosperity and fertility, involves the use of bay leaves, a symbol of success and protection. Ancient Mediterranean royalty often wore garlands of bay leaves as crowns, signifying their power and divine favor.

Bay leaves are also prominent in Alexandrian magic, known for attracting success in business and finances. This ritual is particularly effective because it involves writing down your wishes, which acts as a form of positive affirmation. By clearly stating your goals and desires, you can manifest them more effectively in your life. Here's a detailed guide on how to perform this ritual.

Materials Needed

To perform this ritual, you will need the following items:

• A blank check
• A gold or silver pen (green will suffice if you can't find these colors)
• Cinnamon incense
• A green, orange, yellow, or gold candle (choose the color that resonates most with you)
• Orange oil, bergamot oil, success oil, or Horn of Plenty oil
• A package of whole bay leaves
• An envelope
• A pretty ribbon

Step-by-Step Guide

Preparation

1. Timing: This ritual is best performed within ten days before or after New Year's Day. Ideally, do it on New Year's Day.
2. Bath: Start by taking a relaxing bath with your favorite bubbles to put yourself in a calm and peaceful state. Play some steady, rhythmic music to help you enter a meditative trance.

Setting the Scene

1. Light the Incense: Begin by lighting the cinnamon incense. Cinnamon is associated with Mercury, symbolizing communication and quick results.
2. Prepare the Candle: Scratch your name and birth date on the side of the candle. Place the candle on a plate wrapped in tin foil to represent the moon.

Writing Your Wishes

1. Write the Check: Using a gold or silver pen, write the amount of money you wish to make this year or the amount you need to resolve financial issues on the blank check. Make it payable to yourself and add a little extra for fun money. Decorate the check with lucky symbols like dollar signs, hearts, and flowers.
2. Anoint the Check: Dab the four corners of the check with one or more of the oils mentioned above. Add a touch of your personal perfume for an extra personal touch.
3. Place the Check: Put the check under the dish holding the candle.

The Ritual

1. Light the Candle: Light the candle and say, "In the name of the I Am that I Am, I pray to the Archangels and their legions of light, I pray to the blessed Virgin and her angels of compassion for the following assistance and blessings."
2. Write on Bay Leaves: Open the package of bay leaves. Write a single word representing each wish on individual bay leaves. For example, "Citizenship" for immigration status, "dentist bill paid" for financial obligations, "lover returns" for relationship desires, etc.
3. Arrange the Leaves: Place the bay leaves in a circle around the candle, forming a wreath. Continue until you have written all your wishes.

Final Steps

1. Affirmation: After writing all your wishes, say, "I consider this done in this hour, in full power according to the will of God, helping all and harming none. Amen."
2. Seal the Wishes: Once the candle has burned out, place the bay leaves and the check in an envelope. Seal it, wrap it with a ribbon, kiss it, and store it in a safe place. Do not look at it again for a year.

Conclusion

This ritual is a powerful way to set your intentions for the New Year and manifest your desires. By taking the time to meditate and clearly state your goals, you align yourself with the universe's energy, allowing your wishes to come to fruition. May this New Year bring you prosperity, success, and fulfillment.

Interesting Stats

• Bay Leaves in History: Bay leaves have been used for over 3,000 years in various cultures for their medicinal and magical properties. (Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information)
• Positive Affirmations: Studies show that writing down goals increases the likelihood of achieving them by 42%. (Source: Dominican University of California)
• Meditation Benefits: Regular meditation can reduce stress by up to 31% and improve focus and concentration. (Source: American Psychological Association)

References

• National Center for Biotechnology Information
• Dominican University of California
• American Psychological Association

Blessings to all of you this New Year. xxx Samantha