Letting go ritual: release the old year with three cards

The three positions of this spread create a story of release. The first card, 'What has ended', points to a theme or situation that is already complete, even if you have not fully processed it.

This could be a project, a specific relationship dynamic, or an old way of thinking you have outgrown. The second card, 'What you burn', represents what you can consciously choose to release. This is the active part of your ritual. The card might highlight a habit, a recurring worry, or a burden you have been carrying.

This is the item you will focus on as you complete the ritual. The final card, 'What becomes free', shows the space that opens up once you let go. It may suggest a new feeling, a different focus, or an opportunity that now has room to grow. For example, releasing a need for perfect planning might free up energy for more spontaneity.

The Rauhnächte, the twelve nights between Christmas and Epiphany, are a traditional time of quiet and reflection in parts of Europe. This period, seen as standing outside the normal flow of time, is ideal for reviewing the past year and preparing for the next.

This makes it a fitting backdrop for a letting go ritual. Old customs for these nights often involve cleansing the house with incense and paying close attention to dreams.

These practices are about clearing out old energy and being open to inner guidance. A release spread fits perfectly into this tradition of making a clean start for the new year.

After you draw your cards, focus on the one in the middle position, 'What you burn'.

1. Write down: Write down on a small piece of paper what this card brings to mind for you.
2. Be specific: Be specific.
3. Example: If the card is The Knot, you might write down a specific recurring problem you want to untangle. You do not need an open fire to complete the ritual indoors.
4. Release by tearing: You can release the note by tearing it into small pieces and burying them in a flowerpot or outdoors.
5. Release by dissolving: Another safe option is to dissolve the paper in a bowl of water until the ink is gone and the fibers separate.

The physical act symbolizes your intention to let go.

Sometimes a card in the 'What has ended' or 'What you burn' position suggests a process is still very much active. For instance, drawing The Wheel of the Year can indicate you are still in the middle of a cycle, not at its end. This is not a failure of the ritual, but helpful information.

• Clarification: See this as a clarification.
• Needs more time: The card may be showing you that this theme needs more time or a different kind of attention, not a forceful release.
• Understanding a pattern: If you draw The Ancestors, perhaps the work is about understanding a family pattern, not cutting it off.

Check for yourself which part of this seems true for you right now.

The third card, 'What becomes free', deserves your full attention. Letting go is only half the story.

The space that is created can be filled with old habits again if you are not mindful. This card provides a clue about what could grow in that new space.

• The Lantern: If The Lantern appears here, it might suggest a new clarity or sense of direction can now emerge.
• The Hearth: If you draw The Hearth, perhaps there is new room for comfort and security.

Think about one small action you can take that aligns with the energy of this card. This helps you actively welcome the new theme into your life, much like the thirteen wishes ritual sets intentions for the year.