Releasing guilt, regret and shame

As the Solstice brings us to the beginning of the return of the light, it is important to release baggage from the past.

This Solstice ceremony will focus on releasing guilt, regret and shame.

Preparation:
Start making three lists:

  1. What do I feel guilty about. Is there something I need to do to make “things right” or is this guilt that I have taken on from others.
  2. What do I regret.
  3. What do I feel shame about. Did this shame arise from my internal moral compass or was I shamed and took this on.

These are big topics / issues and we could do a workshop on each of them. So you may want to start with some longer lists and then focus in on one or a few key issues. 

Write or depict your key issue(s) (draw, etc.) on a material that will burn.

Session:
Circle
Briefly share the preparation work you did for the session with the group and what you have chosen to focus on and release.

Sound session: 35 – 40 min
In the sound session go deeper into what you want to release. Sit with it, see how it might shift and deepen.

At the end of the sound session blow / sing the guilt/regret/shame that is in your body, mind or emotions into the material you have recorded your list on.

Circle
Share your experience of the sound session and debrief.

Ceremonial Fire:
Lighting the fire and preparation.
Rattle / chanting around the fire.
Each person comes to the fire to burn their material and release.

Sharing of food and community