Well, another day another dollar.  Long day in the bakery today, with the slicing and the sampling and the standing/bending/reaching, in that order. Who knew that there was so much involved in the baking and serving of your specialty breads.  At any rate the day is done and I can get down to the business of living.  What is necessary here is a blessing from the Goddess to help get through the Monday blues.  For anyone who has had a bad day but wants to thank the Goddess for another day to complain about just the same, try this out and let me know how you feel afterwards: I like to call this Banish The Blues 

1.  You will need to obtain something black, I prefer a black candle but it doesn't have to be a candle at all.  You could use a piece of black cloth or maybe a black stone or marble.  If you use a candle you get the added element of ambiance (ooohhhh).

2.  You will need an herb, either yarrow or basil.

3.   You will need your element of earth, try salt (preferably sea salt or kosher salt).

4.  A cauldron or other fire safe vessel.

5.  A candle snuffer if you use a candle.

6.  An essential oil (something light).

7.  An open mind.

Now the fun part, take a bath using an essential oil like lavender or rose (avoid using sandlewood or peppermint as they make you less likely to relax and more likely to be a bit "Randy" Grrrrrrr!).  Do not dry off after the bath but kneel before your candle and light it or hold the black object and stare at it while concentrating on your breathing.  When you feel lighter than when you started light the charcoal brick (you will hear crackling and see sparks, this is normal).  When the brick starts to grey sprinkle your herb (I use yarrow) and as the smoke begins to waft, cup your hands and offer this to the sky.  Do this for as long as you feel the need.  Offer the Goddess a thought or word of thanks for this day and all others.  To close the ritual, sprinkle the salt over the coal to cool the heat and to ground yourself.  Snuff  the candle using the snuffer or your thumb and index finger.  Never blow out a candle as it scatters all of the energy that you have gathered.  You should feel calm and relaxed.  Thank the Goddess and the elements.

You can certainly perform this ritual with a partner.  Of course the close of the ritual with a love partner calls for the performance of an act of love (not necessarily physical).  You and your partner may hold one another and talk or simply lay next to one another silently. Do what you will, harm none.  Give this a try and let me know how it works for you.

Goddess Bless.