Note to the reader: I originally wrote this post last year (2023), and shared it only with my mailing list; now I’m sharing it with you! If you notice the subtitle notes past 3 years, yet the post itself references only the last 2 years, that is why.
Two years ago, I was stepping even further (back) into my own spiritual practices, I was knee-deep into every method and modality of inner work you could find, and I’d happily gone from Pharma-scripts to micro-dosing, but I felt more lost than ever. I had big dreams for the future, but I was skeptical…
I was past a few of the times in life when I experienced the heaviest mental anguish. But, there were another couple coming my way…
This background might give you a bit of a better idea that I was truly grasping at anything I came across, that I felt would help support me in achieving those big dreams I had...
Oddly enough, stumbling across this ritual seemed like pure algorithm-orchestrated coincidence at the time. But something inside of me told me to try it, and I’m so glad I listened to that feeling!
A little bit of ritual background for you:
The Ritual that found me was loosely based on Rauhnächte (Magic Nights): The Twelve Nights After Christmas — which you can read more about by clicking the linked site.
I did some further reading about these nights, and sat with my intuition and got this strong urge to align this ritual up with the Winter Solstice/Yule instead of Christmas, so I did. I happened to check with the person who shared it to get their feedback on shifting the dates a bit 😅 but this decision to switch to what aligned better for me was a pretty magical moment in itself. I was early on in my undoing of making sure everything is done exactly as prescribed, to a nightmarish-perfectionist-standard.
Once you read through the ritual, perhaps take a moment to decide if it feels more magical for you to start on the night before Yule or the night before Christmas — and go with that! I honour your inner knowing in this process, and always, when it comes to what’s best for YOU.
For the ritual, you will need:
A piece of paper, a writing utensil, scissors, a baggie/jar, a lighter, and a fire safe container + 13 wishes.
Prep work:
Sit down sometime before the Winter Solstice (or Christmas if you decide to do it then instead) and think about where you want to be in one year… What do you want to co-create with the Universe? What do you desire?
Take those desires, and get clear on 13 wishes (yep, one more than the 12 night ritual)
Once you’ve got your 13 wishes, check in with your intuition and see if you want to keep a copy for reference. If so, take a photo or write them out again for safe keeping.
I’ve tried both of these methods, admittedly my 2022 radical-trust approach was because I forgot to take a picture of them before they were all shoved in a jar, and when I checked in with myself, I felt so much trust in this process (after seeing the first year results), that I decided I didn’t need to remember them all.
The ones that I do remember all came to fruition though 👌🙏🙏
Next, cut your wishes into individual strips of paper, and then fold them all up so you can’t see what’s written on them.
Place the folded wishes in a jar, or a in a baggie, or a bowl, or a hat… any sort of container will do, as long as you can reach your hand in.
The Ritual:
Starting on the eve of Winter Solstice/Yule (this year, 2023 at the time of writing, I’m starting on the 21st, as the 22nd is the full day of Solstice)
Or starting on the eve of Christmas (so the 24th, if that’s your preference),
set some sacred space however you like; this doesn’t have to be elaborate…
When you’re ready, select ONE of your folded wishes out of the container… but don’t peek at it, keep it folded up! 🙈
You’ll then burn the 1 wish that you pulled 🔥🔥🔥
(PLEASE PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY - if you can do this ritual outside, please do! I use a long wand lighter and a cast iron pot/my mini cauldron for this. Any fire safe container will do!)
While it’s burning, I like to focus on my intention for the Universe to fulfill this wish, and send some gratitude to the Universe for its divine assistance in this matter.
Once it’s burnt, trust that the Universe will open doors, create opportunities, and guide you to the path you need to be on to fulfill that desire. You’re done for the night.
Repeat this process for a total of 12 nights.
So what about the 13th wish? Well, that one is your responsibility to fulfill over the next year!
I have to say, both times I’ve done this, I was left with the most practical wish I could have been given to fulfill. The first year for me was to complete my 200hr Meditation Teacher Training and get my Reiki Master certification. And everything else on my list was far less traditionally measurable!
This was last years:
A little more abstract, than the previous year, but something I had a solid measure on and knew where I was at to start. Oh, and I absolutely made this happen last year (with lots of love and support, of course.)
Okay, quick recap:
Burn 1 wish per night, for 12 nights, the remaining wish is your focus to fulfill for the next year; and you’ll be guided and greeted by opportunities for the other 12 throughout.
If you started on Dec 21st, the evening that the Solstice technically begins, your 12th wish will be burnt on the 1st of January. I like this, as it gives me my focus for the rest of the calendar year on Day 1. If you start on the 24th, your last wish to burn should be on January 4th.
And there you have it! My favourite (simple) ritual, for these 12 magical nights; plus a built in reflection of what you want to create the following year!
Add, modify, do it exactly as prescribed or not at all, trust your intuition, and you’ll find the magic you need ✨
Thanks for reading! And wishing you a beautiful, and desire-fulfilling 2025.