For when the fog lifts, and you feel yourself returning to your body
✦ What You’ll Need:
- A candle (or the lantern) — your soullight
- A small bowl of water or stone — for grounding
- A quiet space — even five minutes will do
- Your presence — as much as you can offer in that moment
- (Optional: a gentle tone — a bell, a chime, or soft hum from your own voice)
✦ The Steps:
1. Light the Flame
Place your candle or lantern before you and light it.
Let the first moment be silent. Let the flame remind you:
Even when I wandered, I was not lost.
Even in fog, I carried fire.
2. Speak Your Mantra (aloud or silently)
“I trust the one who carries me.
And I return to myself when I am ready.”
Say it slowly.
Let it land in your chest.
Place a hand over your heart as you speak it again, if you can.
3. Touch the Earth (or Water)
Dip your fingers in the bowl of water or rest them on the stone.
Whisper:
“This is my body.
This is my breath.
I do not need to flee.”
This is you reminding yourself that you are safe enough to stay.
4. Close Your Eyes
Take three slow breaths.
With each one, say:
- “I breathe back into my skin.”
- “I breathe back into my soul.”
- “I breathe back into my life.”
Let the words guide you like a trail of lanterns.
If tears come, let them.
They are part of the thaw.
5. Extinguish the Flame (when you’re ready)
But before you do, say:
“I am here now.
And I will come back again,
each time more whole.”
✦ Notes on Use
- You can do this anywhere — even silently in your car with the flame in your mind.
- Over time, this will rewire your nervous system to know:
“I can return without fear.” - There is no failure in needing it often.
- You are never too far gone to begin.