Entering into a new year is an important transition, and many believe that the way you spend New Year’s Eve sets the tone for the coming year. While our culture places a huge emphasis on doing something special on New Year’s Eve-champagne, fancy outfits, the ball drop- many of us are looking for a more profound way of honoring the space between old and new.
If you’re ready for a different kind of New Year’s, why not try a ritual? New year rituals are perfect for those seeking more spiritual connection and fulfillment during this transition time. Whether you’re spending New Year’s Eve alone or with others, I’ve created some rituals that will help you honor the current year and welcome the new year with the right energy. A ritual is a customary series of actions that typically holds deep significance. Rituals affect our consciousness on both subtle and energetic levels. These changes to our consciousness can manifest as thoughts, choices, emotions, and physical sensations that often ripple outward into the world around us. Rituals also have practical physical benefits, having been shown to reduce anxiety, increase confidence, improve attention, and increase emotional stability. A ritual does not need to be long or complex to be powerful and effective. Any of the rituals can be modified to suit your individual needs or desires or combined for greater effect. Experiment to find which combination works best for you, and may you have a peaceful and profound New Year’s Eve!

Move-
In order to receive abundance you must be open to it. So, let’s ditch the slumped over shoulders and rounded spine and start by getting your body in touch with the abundant energy of the universe with some heart opening poses.Try this heart opening ritual to get grounded and open. (Think of opening your heart center as dis-armoring yourself and allowing in all of the gifts you wish to receive.)

In a seated position (cross-legged on the floor or in a chair), imagine a golden thread of energy traveling through your body, your seat, and into the core of the Earth. Feel grounded and weighted to the Earth.
Take 3 deep breaths here acknowledging how grounded you feel. In each breath that you take feel your spine elongate. Imagine that the air you’re breathing in is expanding the discs in your vertebrae and making you taller from the ground up.
In your next inhale bring your shoulders up by your ears, and as you exhale draw your shoulder blades down your back. Repeat this three times.
On your last exhale place your hands on your thighs, gently squeeze your shoulder blades together on your back to broaden your chest, and feel your spine expand and open in your heart center.
Take several breaths here. Feel the expansion in your heart center while simultaneously acknowledging how grounded you are to the Earth. Welcome any feelings and ask for openness.

Set and reset your intentions with the moon-
I’m sure you’ve set intentions for the New Year before, and come March they’re a distant memory. I’ve been there too. The phases of the moon are a potent tool for goal setting, abundance bringing and manifesting. (Check out https://www.moongiant.com/ for all the upcoming phases.)
Here's a quick guide I use for using the moon's phases to bring my intentions to actualization:

New Moon: Focus on your intentions. This is a good time to focus on some of the smaller steps you need to take to get to where you want to go.

Waxing Moon: Take actions towards your goals-You gotta do the work!

Full Moon: Let go of things no longer serving you. Leave that negativity behind you!

Waning Gibbous: Be grateful for any gifts that have come your way as a result of your work in the previous phases. Thank the spirits and the Universe around you.

Waning Crescent: Rest, renew, restore-time for nourishing yourself and spirit.

These small actions can have a profound affect on your year to come. You deserve all of the gifts the universe has to offer- but you have to ask! Open yourself and your heart to the gifts you want.

Meditation-
One simple yet potent way to end one year and begin the next is to do so in a deep state of meditation—either alone or alongside friends. Simply choose the type of meditation that brings you into the deepest state of peace and tranquility and decide how much time you want to devote to it. Light some candles and incense and plan to end your meditation at (or after) midnight. As the clock strikes twelve, be sure to relish the peace and harmony you are feeling.

Fire-
A puja is a devotional ritual to welcome the Divine into your home so that you may freely receive blessings and prayers. One specific type is a fire puja, which also incorporates the element of releasing negative energies. It is a powerful way to let go of things that no longer serve you and make space for your New Year’s intentions and goals. Your fire puja ritual can be as simple as journaling, or you can use slips of paper to write down ideas you wish to release, then burn them in your fireplace, fire proof container or in a bonfire.

Altar or sacred space-
Create a special altar dedicated to your new year’s resolutions. Include at least one item, image, sigil, or quote to represent each goal you’ve committed to. Spend ten minutes every day, or once a week visualizing yourself as the person you are after you’ve achieved all your new year’s resolutions. Bask in the energy of your best self, living your ideal life.

You can keep this altar up all year, or use a special box to keep these items in. If you don’t have these items in plain view, make sure you set aside time on a regular basis to take the box out and look at your items. You can do this every new moon, or once a season. Discard any items that no longer resonate with you, and add any items you’d like to bring into your life.

No matter what you do to welcome in the new year, make sure you celebrate yourself and your growth. Honor your spirit with joy and love. And enjoy the day as well as the upcoming year!!