The Act of Self-Grounding Night Rituals
By AnneMarie Vivienne
“Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there.” ―Meister Eckhart
All too often we are either rushing or dragging ourselves to bed without acknowledging the healing and creative power of night, of darkness. Nighttime is usually simply a time to shut off the checklists, the constant mind chatter, and lofty ambitions that tomorrow will be better than today’s hot mess. Right? Morning will come, and we’ll be kinder, wiser, braver, and happier—magically, with just six-ish hours of sleep.
Nighttime is certainly magic if we can find our own way to acknowledge the passing of what was in order to welcome what could be. Darkness is where creation happens—a womb for gestation. Plant yourself deep in the night to tap into your core self—to remind yourself that you are truly made of the earth and stardust. Of course, tomorrow will be a new day, but first you must acknowledge the coming of night and the rest it brings. Deliberately plant your heart in the dark of the night, and watch to see what grows.
The Rituals:
Washing
Not only is a womb a dark place, but also it is full of water. Just like the sea, our waters are affected by the night-sky queen: the moon. Wash away the day’s dirt every night. Wash your face with cold water, or soak in a bath if you have some time to spare. Listen to the sound of the water as it runs from the tap and you splash it on your face. Water will crack open the seed you have planted, and feed the roots that must take hold in the dark before the leaves reach for the sun.
Candle Lighting
1. Greet the Night | Light a Candle
As you inhale, say, “Welcome, night.”
As you exhale, say, “I enter rest.”
2. Embrace Loss | Mantras for the Dark
As you inhale, say, “I accept loss.”
As you exhale, say, “All things must end.”
3. Let Go | Blow Out the Flame
As the smoke ascends and a few glowing embers dance in the dark, remember that things are being minded–that you, thankfully, don’t have any control. Let things go, so you can let them come. Allow yourself to sit in the dark, in silence for a few breaths.
“I need to be silent for a while, worlds are forming in my heart.” ―Meister Eckhart
Photography: Britt Chudleigh | Model: Blaire Wachter | Art Direction: Allie Kesler | HMU: Gabby Gabbitas | Prop/On Model:Lauren V Brady