Here are some basic steps to preparing yourself for a ceremony of any kind.

Get clear on your intentions
What is my call to this shift, change, transformation, healing?
Who have I been?
How will I feel/be different after the ceremony?
Who am I ready to become?

Journaling can be very supportive in this process. Keep it by the bed and jot down what you would like to seek through your dreamtime, then record what comes through in the first moments after you wake.  

Purify your mind and body
Make space in your self for the shift to come through.
Whatever practices support you to be present and open to accepting all you have been and are: Meditation, breathwork, yoga, dance, tai chi, music, ice baths, swimming, walks in nature, gym workouts, running/jogging, etc

Drink water mindfully and often.
Limit, or totally avoid if you can, consumption of coffee, alcohol, and anything else you feel you have a habitual use of. Also consider eating only fresh, organic plants and stay away from highly processed or heavy foods.
We would suggest a minimum of 24-48 hours of this pre-ceremony. In most traditional approach, the dieta would be adhered to for at least a week leading into, during and out of, ceremony including a period of full fasting.
Work with the ceremony facilitator for their guidance on this.

Gather yourself a nest worthy of your intentions
Make space and time to consciously gather whatever you will need in the ceremonial space. We cannot stress it enough – the nest you make your self to surrender into your process is so important – not just to comfort and nurture your body, also to nurture and magnify your intentions.

Pack for the season, and pack layers of clothing that can easily be put on and taken off, as body temperature can rise and fall rapidly when we are deep in our process.  

Select a few special items that hold significance for you that can be placed on the central altar or kept in your nest – photos, crystals, sacred objects, feathers, etc.

One item we have realised over the years that is essential for all ceremony is a hand fan. It can feel like the absolute life saver to be fanned during ceremony and have the choice to move the air and the energy around as you need to. Not to mention in Summer during long shares, your fan will support you to stay present and cool and keep the bugs at bay.

 

Everyone is nervous
The nervousness we feel as we lean into what needs to shift and evolve in ourselves is a very healthy sign that we have respect for what we are doing. Fear is not the villain, though it can sure feel like it, it does not need to be burned out of us, made to suffer. 

Fear is the question – are you ready? 

It is a powerful catalyst that is waiting to activate all our other sacred super powers – courage, acceptance, compassion, etc.

Breathe into this nervous energy, with gratitude, and ask yourself the question.

Am I ready for the next step on my journey?