The time of the equinox, when light and dark are exactly the same, is a time of moving toward balance in every area of our lives where there are opposites or dichotomies. As the time of the Fall Equinox is the time of harvest, it is the perfect time to practice balance with giving and receiving, both of which are essential for a life well lived.
This is a ritual for two people. A pair of people can take turns being the “leader” or if there are more people at the ritual, it can be done in a circle, with paired people turning to one side and then the other so everyone gets to lead and respond. Alternatively, there can be one leader in front of a group of paired people, giving the directions and everyone following. This ritual can even be done with just one person going through the ritual contemplatively.
The leader stands in front of the person to respond with her/his left hand facing up and right hand facing down, and says, “In esoteric knowledge your right hand and right side represent giving forth and sending on and your left hand and side are for receiving and receptivity. Place your right hand on my left hand and your left hand under my right hand. Focusing on your right hand, tell me what you have to give to the world in loving contribution.” The respondent does this. Then the leader says, “Focusing on your left hand, what is your heart’s desire to receive from the universe?” The partner responds.
The leader stands in front of the person to respond with her/his left hand facing up and right hand facing down, and says, “In esoteric knowledge your right hand and right side represent giving forth and sending on and your left hand and side are for receiving and receptivity. Place your right hand on my left hand and your left hand under my right hand. Focusing on your right hand, tell me what you have to give to the world in loving contribution.” The respondent does this. Then the leader says, “Focusing on your left hand, what is your heart’s desire to receive from the universe?” The partner responds.
The leader, the one who has asked the questions, then brings all four hands together so that his/her left hand is on the bottom and right hand is on the top, cradling the respondent’s hands between and says a blessing of giving, receiving, and balance of inflow and outflow. “I bless all the ways you contribute and give to the world. I know that you possess unique and miraculous gifts that are made to be given out again. You do this with love and generosity. I also bless all that comes to you to nurture, sustain, inspire, and fill you. May your giving be in love and balance and your receiving be in true receptivity and harmony. May there be joy in your giving and receiving. May you live in balance now and always. Blessed be.”
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