I Am Grateful
As the days begin to shorten and the air carries a crispness, we find ourselves on the threshold of Mabon, the Autumn Equinox. This cherished time marks the balance between light and dark. And it’s the season of harvest, reflection, balance and gratitude. Just as nature sheds its leaves and prepares for winter, we too can take this moment to let go of what no longer serves us and celebrate the abundance in our lives. To honor this profound energy, I’ve crafted a simple yet potent Gratitude Spell that beautifully aligns with the essence of Mabon. This spell is an invitation to connect with the season, express heartfelt thankfulness, and manifest positivity in our journey.
Ingredients/Supplies:
- Orange or Yellow Candle: Represents the warmth and energy of the sun during the harvest season.
- Autumnal Herbs: Choose a mix of herbs that symbolize the season, such as sage, thyme, rosemary, and cinnamon. These can be dried or fresh.
- Small Bowl of Water: Symbolizes the balance of light and darkness during the equinox.
- Small Bowl of Grains or Seeds: Represents the abundance of the harvest.
- Pen and Paper: For writing down your blessings and gratitude.
- Incense or Essential Oils: Scents like sandalwood, cedarwood, or frankincense can enhance the ritual.
- Matches or Lighter.
Instructions:
1) Set up your altar or sacred space with the candle, herbs, bowls of water and grains/seeds, pen and paper, and any other items you feel connected to the season.
2) Light the incense or diffuse essential oils to create a soothing atmosphere.
3) Before beginning the spell, take a moment to ground yourself. Take a few deep breaths and clear your mind of any distractions.
4) Light the orange or yellow candle, focusing on its flame. As you do, visualize the warmth and energy of the sun filling the space around you.
5) Take the pen and paper, and write down at least five things you are grateful for. These could be aspects of your life, achievements, relationships, or even the simple pleasures that bring you joy.
6) Hold your hands over the bowl of water and say, “Bless this water, the element of balance. May it cleanse and renew, just as the autumn equinox brings equilibrium.”
7) Hold your hands over the bowl of grains/seeds and say, “Bless these grains, the symbol of abundance. May they remind us of the harvest’s gifts and the cycle of life.”
8) Take a handful of the autumnal herbs and hold them close to your heart. Visualize your intentions for the spell—gratitude, balance, and abundance—being infused into the herbs.
9) Sprinkle a small amount of the infused herbs onto the paper with your gratitude list. As you do, say, “By the power of the equinox and the blessings of the harvest, I infuse these words of gratitude with intention and love.”
10) Gently fold the paper with the herbs inside, forming a small bundle. Hold the bundle over the candle’s flame for a moment, being careful not to let it catch fire. This action symbolizes the transformation of your intentions into reality.
Incantation:
Hold the bundle to your heart and say, “As the wheel of the year turns, I am grateful for the balance in my life, for the blessings of the harvest, and for the love that surrounds me. And so it shall be.”
11) Place the paper bundle in a safe space to let it continue to infuse with the energy of the spell. Blow out the candle, thanking the flame for its presence. You can leave the water and grains outside as offerings to nature or return them to the earth.
Remember, magic and rituals are deeply personal practices. The power of the spell comes from your intentions, focus, and belief. Feel free to adapt this spell as needed to make it your own.
Bundle Etiquette
People typically have questions about what they should do with their bundle once the spell is completed. Here’s some additional information you might find helpful:
Where to Keep It: You can keep the gratitude paper bundle on your altar, a sacred space, or even in a special box or pouch. Choose a location that feels meaningful and safe to you.
Energetic Connection: Periodically take a moment to hold your bundle. Focus on connecting with its energy and reaffirm your gratitude and intentions. This helps maintain the spell’s energy over time.
How to Dispose of Your Bundle:
The timing for disposal is a consistent question people are curious about. This can be based on your intuition and your sense of when the spell’s energy has fulfilled its purpose. If you start to feel like it’s time to release it, always honor that feeling. Another option is to keep the bundle for a specific period of time (such as until the next Mabon). Or until you feel that the energies of your spell have fully manifested. You may even receive signs, dreams, or insights that indicate it’s time to dispose of the bundle. Either way, only you will know when it’s truly time.
When you’re ready to release the energy, it should always be released into one of the elements (earth, air, fire or water) as they all have a grounding and neutralizing energy. If you’ve never done this before I’ll share a few options with you. The first is to bury the bundle in the earth, ideally in a garden or natural area. As you bury it, thank the Earth for receiving and grounding the energy. If the bundle is made of natural materials like paper and herbs, you can compost it. This offers a cycle of renewal and transformation. Should you live near a body of water like a river, ocean or stream; you could also consider placing it in moving water as an offering.
How Do I Know if it Worked?
Sometimes it’s hard to tell when our spell is working or what we should be looking for. Especially since some signs are more subtle than others. Here’s some tips on how to tell if your gratitude magick was on point:
Shift in Perspective: You may notice a gradual shift in how you perceive your life. You might find yourself naturally focusing more on the positive aspects, feeling more content, and being more open to recognizing blessings.
Increased Awareness: As you continue the practice, you might become more aware of the abundance around you—small blessings, moments of joy, and positive interactions—that you might not have noticed before.
Heightened Gratitude: Your sense of gratitude may deepen. You might feel more thankful for the people, opportunities, and experiences in your life, even the ones you used to take for granted.
Positive Energy: You might feel a general increase in positive energy, a sense of lightness, and an overall improvement in your mood.
Synchronicities: You might start noticing synchronicities or meaningful coincidences that align with your intentions and gratitude. These can be seen as signs that the spell’s energy is working.
Attracting Positivity: You might find that you are naturally attracting more positive people, situations, and opportunities into your life.
Inner Peace: As your focus on gratitude deepens, you might experience a sense of inner peace and contentment, even in the face of challenges.
Amidst the falling leaves and the embrace of autumn’s grace, may we find the quiet magic of gratitude that transforms our hearts.
Nikki Wood