Fall is my favorite.

The crunching leaves. Cool nights. Fire pits. Epic sunsets. Putting the garden to bed. Hoodies. It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

I love rituals, so I always do something to celebrate the season we’re in. From creating altars (more on that in a minute) to running into piles of leaves like a crazy dog:

[Tweet “Ritual doesn’t have to be something witchy or woo-y. Ritual is whatever you make of it.”]

My rituals often involve wine and fire. Because….wine and fire.

I keep plenty of water around. Water helps with too much of both fire and wine.

How do I design my rituals?

Simple.

I think of what I love. Mmmm wine and fire. I think of what’s happening in my life right now. Season is changing. Trees are letting go of leaves. I’m consciously creating room for what I want in my life. And what’s been hard lately. Changing some habits to improve my physical health. 

How does all that come together?

Red wines, especially the deliciously dark ones, are on sale right now. The fire pit is begging to be filled with wood that’s filling up the shed. I love walking with my little family, feeling the crunch of leaves under our feet. Fall is a good time to let go of our excess, the leaves that are no longer serving us. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up has helped me begin to shed layers and layers I no longer need. I have room to contribute to my life, home and wellbeing.

So, I set a date.

October 23rd of every year is my fall ritual, but if you don’t want to commit to the same date every time…don’t.

I make a plan.

I write this down in my planner: I’ll buy my favorite wine and fall foods, create an altar, stack up the wood, take the fam for a walk, and light a fire when we get home. I’ll conjure up my CDFs. Maybe write a little. Drink more wine. Give thanks, box up the things we no longer need, and shed them like leaves.

I have my ritual.

I may abandon the plan entirely and go with what moves me. That’s part of wanting to feel wildhearted.

And then I’ll give thanks (again. always.) and get ready for bed. Just like the world does, in the fall.

Once more:

Think of what you love.

Think of what’s happening right now. Season. Life. Biz. Family. All of it.

What’s been hard lately? Or…what’s been easy?

How can that all come together?

Set a date.

Make a plan.

Do it (or don’t.)

Give thanks.

Know someone who needs to create a little sacred for their fall? Share this post with them.