How to Stop Smoking by Using a Pagan Ritual

Altar to Goddess

Taking the life-affirming step to stop smoking requires courage. Committing your intentions in a pagan ritual is a loving way to assert this decision and ask for assistance through communing with the Earth spirits and the Goddess. This is a guide to get you started, but as with many pagan practices, your ritual will be strengthened by adding your own personal experience to it.

Things You'll Need

• Altar space
• White or red candle
• Incense, sage or salt
• Paper and pen

Instructions

1. Choose an appropriate time for your ritual. Make space in your schedule to fully devote yourself. You may ask for alone time in your home, or choose to travel to a favorite outdoor forest or beach where you can experience solitude and privacy.

2. Create an altar space specifically for quitting smoking. Your altar can be as simple or as complex as you like, but it should at least include a white candle to represent purification or a red candle to represent physical health.

3. Cleanse your body. Before beginning any ritual, take a long bath or shower to help focus your mind on beginning a healthy, new direction. You may also want to anoint yourself with a comforting oil that is infused with lavender or eucalyptus.

4. Purify your space. You may do this in any number of ways. Some people light incense---frankincense and myrrh are good for purifying. Others like to "smudge" the area with a lit sage bundle. Scattering salt around the prayer area is another method to use. Also, if you are inside, make sure the space is cleared of dust or debris by sweeping or vacuuming.

5. Invoke the spirits. In your chosen space, whether indoors or out, light your candle and ask the Earth spirits to come into your circle and help you. In turn, face the North, East, South, West, Sky and Earth, and ask the Goddess of those realms to please attend your ritual. You may choose to do this silently or out loud. The importance is in the asking.

6. Set your intention in writing. Write out the reasons you are quitting smoking and what the benefits to your life will be once cigarettes are no longer a part of your routine. Fold the paper and place it on your altar. This is an act of turning over your intention to the Goddess so She can aid your commitment.

7. Meditate on the act of quitting smoking. Spend some time sitting quietly and reflect on your desire to quit smoking. Breathe deeply and take in the healing properties of fresh air. Feel your body center and ground in this sacred space. Feel the healing energy you have brought forth in your invocation of spirits and the in the sacred space you've created.

8. Release your intentions. Turn your desire to quit smoking over to the Goddess. Bury or burn the piece of paper that you wrote your intentions on. If burning, be absolutely sure you are using a safe vessel for burning and be sure to have water handy as a precaution.

9. Close the circle and thank the Spirits for attending your ritual. In reverse, face the six directions and thank the Goddess for attending your ritual. The words you use may be anything you desire as long as they are sincere and involve a message of thanks.

Tips & Warnings

• When lighting incense or candles, always use an appropriate holder and never place these items near a source, such as a window curtain or cloth, that can catch fire.

References

• Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner; Scott Cunningham; 2002
• Candle and Color Meanings

Resources

• Library of Pagan Rituals