Self-Love Rituals (banishing self-hatred)

[sacred573]

Hello everyone!

I have come upon a certain point in my life where I am being forced to re-examine everything about myself, and how I've approached life. And I've realized that the root of a lot of unhappiness is not loving the self: not feeling like you deserve to be loved, that because you do not fit our society's standards for beauty, that you do not deserve to be happy.

Of course, this is an absurdity, and so I am planning to enact a ritual (during the waning moon, of course)- to banish self-hatred, and make room for love to grow.

I am beginning to write it out, but was wondering if anyone has performed such a ritual before, and if they'd like to share their ideas- as there needs to be some kind of central symbol to base the magic around. (like having a candle represent self-hatred, and snuffing it out, or writing out all your self-doubt, and burning it).

Any ideas?

[-Ember]

Perhaps rather than (or as well as) looking for something to destroy as your representation, perhaps something more symbolic of acceptance?

[Rhianna813]

Many of the rituals I practice are connected letting go of what I no longer need and bringing in what I need more. I feel that energy is neutral and that we use it for whatever purpose we need. Often the decision to use this energy for self loathing, resentment, anger, and fear is very unconscious and hard to just stop. Ritual can be a good way to help release it.

When energy is released I belive it once again becomes neutral and goes off into the universe or land to be "recycled". During ritual I use this energy recycling all the time. Here is an example:

Write out what you want to release. Put all your raw energy and feelings into it. Really let it go. Burn the paper. Fire is so transformative and seeing it burn is very releasing. When the ashes cool acknowledge that they are now available energy for you to use. Put the ashes into a fabric bag with other objects representing what you now wish to bring into your life. Or take the ashes outside and scatter them to the wind as you ask for new energy to enter your life. Or take a new paper and write out what you want to bring in like love, compassion, and healing for yourself. Add water to the ashes and finger paint on the paper. I usually sleep with under my pillow and look at again at the next moon cycle.

You could also use small stones to represent what you are releasing. Infuse them with the negative energies than cleanse them in some water. Now recharge them with your new intent of healing. Carry them with you, touch them often, or put them on your altar.

Because these rituals involve releasing and bringing in I usually do them on the Full Moon. But that's just me.

Rhianna

[IvyCeltress]

Do something good for yourself like a bubblebath, manicure/pedicure or massage because you deserve to be traated like a goddess.

[Dio]

One of my favorite simple spells, is what you would call a "seven day candle"

You could get a taper candle to represent all of that which you wish to banish. Make it a color that you would have represent all of the negative aspects that you no longer want in your life. Put notches on it so that you can see seven clearly defined segments on the candle.

For seven days before the New Moon, burn a segment a day...the last segment to be burned on the day of the New Moon.

After you have banished all of that negativity, you will want to fill in the space with some positive energy.

Get a another taper candle that represents everything that you want to 'bring in' to you life. Choose a color that would represent positive things for you.

Repeat the steps taken for the banishing candle, only this time, burn it for seven days before the Full Moon. The seventh segment to be burned on the day of the Full Moon.

[Scyllas]

Here is something that I read long timmmmmeee ago (oye, time flies) - It's a simple spell for self improvement and happiness.

Find 7 small stones (better if you found them instead of purchasing them) - and paint them in the color theme of the rainbow. (one rock Red, one rock Orange, one rock Yellow, one rock Green...etc) Carry them with you for a week (7 days) - and on the following week, follow your intuiation - burry one stone (you decide on the color) on the first day when you walk near trees or river (in the city? right, right) While burrying the stone, think to yourself..."From this day, I will ______" (fill in what you desire... For example, 'From this day, I will no be bothered by stress againmore') - Then bury another stone on the second day..."From this day, I will...." (example, "from this day, I will respect myself more." - Do that for the rest of the week... And then the spell is completed.

[Sage Rainsong]

I have done something like this before. Its still going on. It releases a lot of energy and forces you to rapidly go threough these emotions. It doesn't make them disappear. At least in my experience. Make sure you are ready for it. For the record I would do it over again in a second.