When you have worked hard at something, this ritual
is a way to honor yourself and your work. Witches strive to respect
themselves and to have healthy egos. Sometimes its hard to see
the merit in what we accomplish. We affect false modesty, and
don't give ourselves the nurturance of ego-feed.
Witches know that without a healthy ego, people
fall back on a false ego, a false pride. With low self-esteem
they often try to bolster their false ego by buying the "right"
car or wearing the "right" clothes. In making these prestige purchases
they try to fill a gap that can be filled only by self-respect.
Tools and Ingredients:
*A candle of any color. You might want to use an orange one; orange
is a good ego color because it is proud and almost calls attention
to itself, saying, "Aren't I something?"
*An incense that is very lovely and pleasant to your senses. I
enjoy amber or rose.
The Rite Itself:
As you light the candle, say "The Honoring Chant":
I light this fire in praise and recognition
of myself.
As it sends its heat to the heavens,
It honors my work,that which I have done
And that which I am doing,
and that which I will do.
Light the incense and say "The Honoring Chant" again.
Take a moment to contemplate this song of praise,
and anything else upon which you want to reflect. While you do
so, you might be able to hear the candle flame and incense smoke
sing your praises!
Go about your day, washing the dishes or getting
dressed for work. From time to time, should the candle catch your
eye, take a quick moment to honor your work. For instance, its
sufficient to tell yourself, "I did a great job!"
Burn the candle until the flame is gone. If you
are going to bed or leaving home, put out the honor candle. When
you are home again, relight it. You needn't repeat the chant unless
you want to.
While you are doing this rite, if you have a self-praising
thought, don't follow it with negative remarks like "Yeah, well,
anyone could have done this" or "Well, it really wasn't that much
to accomplish." Such remarks invalidate any praise we give ourselves,
and thus sabotage our self-esteem.