Revisiting New Year's Resolutions
Half the year is over!
While the beginning of July might seem like an odd time to talk about New Year's resolutions, for us witchy folks, it's actually the perfect opportunity for renewal and refocusing our intentions, since the period between the Summer Solstice and Lughnasadh (August 1st, also referred to as Lammas by some practitioners) is a time of transition and transformation. The energy of the earth is shifting, and so are we. This is a time to shed old habits and beliefs that no longer serve us and to embrace new ways of being.
I like to use the beginning of July for reflection. How is my year going? What have I accomplished? What have I not accomplished that I wanted to do? How are my “resolutions” or “goals” for the year going?
(Not that you care, but as you’d expect, I find that some of my goals have been met, and some have not—just like usual. :))
I also like to reevaluate my Word of the Year (WOTY), a powerful tool for setting intentions and manifesting our desires. A WOTY is (often) a single word that encapsulates our goals and aspirations for the year ahead. It's a touchstone, a guiding light, a reminder of what we truly want to create in our lives.
I starting choosing a WOTY in 2019.
2019 = Align
2020 = Dare
2021 = Nourish
2022 = Health
2023 = Create
Last year was rough for us, physically. My husband started the year off with (serious) health issues, and by time he was really beginning to recover in the Fall, I was sick. While mine wasn’t as serious, it was a long, drawn out process of diagnosis and minor surgery and recovery. It was January before I felt even remotely better. I tell you this because it affected my WOTY choice for 2024. I chose a phrase for the first time. I wanted to manifest a lot this year:
Healthy, Happy, Whole
How to Choose a WOTY
Choosing a WOTY is a deeply personal process. There's no right or wrong way to do it. Some choose a word that reflects a specific goal they want to achieve, such as "health," "abundance," or "creativity." Others choose a word that embodies a quality they want to cultivate, such as "joy," "courage," or "compassion."
The most important thing is to choose a word that resonates with you on a deep level. A word that excites you, inspires you, and motivates you. A word that feels like it was meant for you.
Here are a few tips for choosing your WOTY:
Reflect on your intentions: What do you want to create in your life this year? What are your deepest desires and aspirations?
Brainstorm a list of words: Write down any words that come to mind, even if they seem silly or random.
Narrow down your list: Choose a few words that really resonate with you.
Meditate on your words: Sit quietly and reflect on each word. How does it feel in your body? What emotions does it evoke?
Trust your intuition: Ultimately, the best way to choose a WOTY is to trust your gut. Choose the word that feels right for you.
Resources for Choosing a Word of the Year (WOTY)
While choosing a WOTY is a personal journey, there are resources available to help you brainstorm and narrow down your options:
Online Resources:
One Little Word: Ali Edwards, the creator of the One Little Word project, offers a wealth of resources on her website, including blog posts, videos, and workshops. (aliedwards.com)
Pinterest: Search for "word of the year" or "WOTY" on Pinterest to find lists of words, inspiration boards, and creative ideas for using your WOTY.
Community:
Word of the Year Facebook Groups: Several Facebook groups are dedicated to the practice of choosing and using a WOTY. These groups offer a supportive space to share ideas, ask questions, and connect with others on a similar journey.
One Little Word Community: Ali Edwards hosts an online community for participants of the One Little Word project. This community offers a wealth of resources, support, and inspiration.
Remember, there's no right or wrong way to choose a WOTY. The most important thing is to find a word that resonates with you and inspires you to create the life you desire.
Using Your WOTY
Once you've chosen your WOTY, there are many ways to incorporate it into your daily life. You can write it down and post it where you'll see it often, such as on your bathroom mirror or in your planner. You can use it as a mantra during meditation or visualization practices. You can even create a vision board or altar dedicated to your WOTY.
The most important thing is to use your WOTY as a tool for focusing your intentions and manifesting your desires. Whenever you feel lost or uncertain, simply come back to your word and let it guide you.
In July, when I reflect on my year so far, my phrase still fits. I’m sticking with it for the second half of 2024. I’m going to repeat my first of the year ritual to reinforce it and recommit to it.
WOTY Ritual for Setting Intentions
This ritual is designed to help you connect with your Word of the Year (WOTY) and set intentions for the remainder of the year. It's best performed during the waxing moon, a time of manifestation (now!).
Materials:
A candle in a color that represents your WOTY to you (I used yellow for “nourish” because my kitchen is yellow, and it’s the heart of where we nourish ourselves, literally. This year, I used blue to think about “health.”
A toothpick or sharp object to carve into your candle (or make a sticker like I do!) and any other objects you’d like to use to decorate or “anoint” your candle
A pen and paper
A quiet space where you won't be disturbed
Steps:
Create a sacred space: Take a few deep breaths to center yourself. You may wish to cleanse the space with sage or another herb. Rosemary is in abundance right now, and it smells fabulous.
Prepare your candle: As you can see in the image above, I sometimes decorate my candles a lot (sticker, knotted string, charms, etc.). You can simply “carve” your WOTY in the candle. If you do decorate, make sure to practice fire / candle safety so that you can light your candle before the next step. (You can use battery powered candles if it is your preference—as always, you do you.)
Connect with your WOTY: Close your eyes and take a few moments to reflect on your WOTY. What does it mean to you? How do you want it to manifest in your life?
Write down your intentions: On your piece of paper, write down three to five specific intentions related to your WOTY. These intentions should be clear, concise, and achievable.
Charge your intentions with energy: Hold the paper in your hands and visualize your intentions coming to life. Feel the energy of your WOTY flowing through you and into your intentions.
Release your intentions to the universe: Speak your intentions aloud or silently to yourself. Visualize them being carried away by the wind or the smoke from your candle.
Close the ritual: Thank the universe, your guides, or any other entities you invoked for their assistance. Extinguish your candle (if using) and take a few moments to ground yourself.
Additional Tips:
You can perform this ritual as often as you like, especially when you feel you need to reconnect with your WOTY. If you began the year with a WOTY, now’s the perfect time to evaluate and recharge it.
Consider incorporating other elements into the ritual, such as crystals, essential oils, or music that resonate with your WOTY.
Keep your written intentions in a safe place where you can refer to them throughout the year. I put mine in my planner.
Example Intentions:
If your WOTY is "Abundance," your intentions might be:
I am open to receiving abundance in all forms.
I create financial abundance through my work and investments.
I nurture abundance in my relationships by giving and receiving love freely.
I am grateful for the abundance that already exists in my life.
Remember, the power of intention is a potent tool for manifestation. By setting clear and focused intentions with the help of your WOTY, you can create the life you desire.
If you need the science behind manifestation, you might check out Why Woo Wooks (by David R. Hamilton). You can read my review of it here.
Glad you all are on the mend!