“Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a commitment. It is a choice to show mercy, not to hold the offence up against the offender. Forgiveness is an expression of love.”
One of the most powerful things we can do for ourselves is to Forgive.
Cold Moon Forgiveness Ritual
Part of releasing any lingering negative energy from this year is practicing forgiveness. This can be difficult if you’ve not been given an apology.
However, it’s essential to your emotional well-being to find a way to move on from this pain.
This anger can weigh you down and fill you with resentment. Life is too short to spend your days filled with that bitterness.
You may need to forgive yourself as well. Do you cringe at how you acted or something you said in the past? This can be a small act or one so large you find yourself unable to move forward.
Remember the words of Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Do not leave space for shame, anxiety, doubt, or unproductive thoughts.
Practicing this forgiveness ritual under December’s Full Cold Moon is a beautiful way to close the year and start fresh for the next.
If you feel inclined, light a candle.
Spend time sitting quietly, focusing on your pain with your eyes closed. Once you feel ready, imagine a butterfly floating toward you.
You reach out towards it and lift your hand so it can land on your fingertip. Allow the butterfly to take your frustrations from you and notice it leaving your body.
As the butterfly flies away, feel your resentment and pain going with it.
Spend a few more moments enjoying the lightness and joy filling your heart.
And if you can get outside and see the moon, perfect. If not, that’s totally okay as well.