During this beautiful time of year we enjoy our friends and family with a feeling of happiness and warmth, which will create memories for years to come. It’s also the time of year when we have an opportunity to reflect upon what has transpired during the past year, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Above all, people can re-examine and contemplate every situation, and emotional upheaval that has brought them to this very moment, and maneuver change based upon the knowledge that has been gained through contemplation.

What I love about reflection is that it gives each and every one of us an opportunity to create a strategy for growth - short and long term. The benefits in doing so can bring about a solid foundation for new habits if you are wise enough to “see” the opportunity that is in plain sight. Individuals can re-program how they think about themselves, and everything that is a part of their reality. Cleansing of the mind, body, and spirit come into play, not just by taking “spiritual” baths but by concentrating on aspects of the inner self; consciousness is the most important aspect of spiritual existence!

Since ancient times, individuals have cleansed elements of their conscious and subconscious mind in order to prepare for different aspects of spiritual work to enhance its alchemy. It has been taught by elders of many ancient cultures that before an individual can even attempt to cleanse the outer aspect of self, one must cleanse their inner world. The fact is, all alchemical processes of spirit happen through consciousness, and not the reverse.

Through my own experience, taking a “spiritual” bath is not enough if our consciousness is not in balance; what our consciousness can create it can also destroy. Through the old guard of elders in ALL shamanic traditions, it is clearly understood that true cleansing starts in the mind before one call upon the guidance of other tools from the earth such as baths, and ebos. If the mind is negative the ebo has already been destroyed due to lack of faith, and or belief.

Emotional reflection can sometimes be tough because it stirs up areas that an individual would rather keep buried, but in order to truly heal thy self, one has to face the deepest aspects of self. There are many different tools that an individual can use to move negative emotional baggage that can block greater cleansing work. One of the best tools I have used thus far is journaling. Writing can be used in many different ways to release what has been held inside the physical frame of existence. The purpose of writing is to give your conscious mind the opportunity to disengage what would otherwise be ritualized over, and over again, hence manifesting the opposite of what is to be desired.

Human beings on planet Earth live in two worlds; one of mind and one of physicality. Most people are unaware of the constant chatter that occurs in their inner world because it is constantly “running” 24 hours a day, hence becoming common place; habitual. The consequence shows up unconsciously through their belief system of self, and others which effect, progress in their life. Mind chatter is how the conscious mind copes with the stress of reality; the conscious mind is always feeding the mind the good, the bad, and the ugly. That being the case, people hold the latter in their awareness, which is then fed to the subconscious. Even though this occurs, we do have the power to release, and change those habits.

Here is a list of journaling exercises that I have used throughout the years that have been extremely helpful in my spiritual growth.

Journaling to Clear Emotional Clutter

1. Write a letter to someone that you need to forgive, this includes forgiving self
2. What was your saddest memory this past year, and why?
3. Write a list of the individuals in your life who added positivity, then do the same
     for individuals who added negativity. How did that make you feel?
4. What are the positive/negative aspects of negative people staying in your life
5. What are the positive/negative aspects of positive people staying in your life?
6. How do you deal with anger?
7. How easy is it for you to forgive others who have caused pain in your life?
8. What is the dominate emotion ruling your life right now?
9. What emotion makes a rare appearance in your life?
10. How have you emotionally hurt yourself this year? (this deals with one’s mind
      chatter)
11. What emotional situations bring up emotional seeds from your childhood?

Journaling to Gain Positive Emotional Habits

1. What makes you unique?
2. What are you really good at?
3. We all have good character traits, what are yours?
4. What positive character traits do you need to work on?
5. What would you do if money was not an issue?
6. If you could become an expert at anything what would that be?
7. If there were no consequences what dream would you live out?
8. If you could ask for three wishes what would they be?
9. If you couldn’t fail at anything what would you accomplish?
10. If you could travel for a year, where would you go, and why?

Remember journaling is not just a mindless act; it has the potential to reveal many, many things about the deepest aspects of self. Journaling is also a brain exercise that can propel you towards a different way of thinking about self, and your life. Many positive changes can occur if your heart remains open and receptive to empowerment. If you don’t work the muscle it won’t change, and grow stronger!

Happy journaling in the New Year!

Here is a list of tools that I have use over the years to cleanse my space, and the essence of my spiritual self as I plan for the New Year. Enjoy!

Aura Cleansing Bath:

One Quartz Crystal
One gallon of whole milk,
One gallon of goat’s milk,
Powered egg shell,
Coco butter
A slash of white rum
White Daisy petal’s (9) Using petal’s only
White Roses (9) Using petals only
Carnations (9) Using petal’s only
A generous amount of organic honey
Florida water
Azucena (A perfume that you can get at your local botanica)
One white 7 day candle

Take over a period of 9 days. Mix all of the ingredients in cold water, after the bath is made put the quartz crystal in the bath. Soak for 30 min. Air dry, and wear white when going to bed.

Broom Cleaning For the Home:

Get a brand new broom, and soak the broom in salted Florida water for 24 hours. Then sweep your floors from front to the back. When finished, dispose of broom.

Dia Nunez is a Lukumi priestess of Yemaya. She is also the founder, and host of an internet radio station The H20 Network.

“H2O seeks to explore and engage in truthful dialogue regarding human life, and WATER is the conduit. Water impacts every aspect of our existence: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In today’s connected world experience, access to information is almost limitless. Let us share our insight, broaden the spectrum of understanding, so that we can move forward enlightened, hopeful and willing to participate in all human affairs”