My evening rituals, a Tarot card for evening, and some book recommendations.
RITUAL rit·u·al /ˈriCH(əw)əl/ A ritual is a ceremony or action performed in a customary way.
I look at evening as reflection time, downtime, and relaxation time. It’s when I let the events and inspirations of the day root in and become meaningful through integration.
Tarot Card to consult for making an Intuitive Evening Ritual: Three of Wands
A woman gazes out over the ocean from a high vantage point. Three living wands are planted in the ground behind her, indicating a well-executed idea in progress.
When you see the Three of Wands, it’s an ideal time to reflect on your current work. You are far from finished, but it’s going well. When you step back, the big picture becomes more clear to you. Consider your next moves and continue to manage your project with patience and care. Evening routines can be ideal times of reflection and pause.
My Evening Routine
My evening routine definitely includes an intuitive ritual (or two!). While the below is frequent, I don’t do it every night, sometimes we’re socializing, kids need extra help with a project, or some other random thing comes up. But I will do some ritual part of the evening no matter what.
Wrap Up
Wrap up my work day, evaluate my progress, and make a schedule for the following day. If I didn’t finish everything, it’s OK, I just figure out why, and then reschedule accordingly.Make + Eat Dinner Together
My husband often makes dinner but I love to cook too and I especially like to cook with him! (this could also be a ritual depending on how you feel about making dinner) So one or both of us will cook, and when we have the kids, we always have a family dinner together. (a blended family means that some days of the week, they are at their other parents’ houses) It’s the time when we can all talk and discuss the day and joke around and generally come together as a family.Neighborhood Walk
I take a walk by myself or with my husband while the kids wash dishes. I’ll listen to podcasts and enjoy the landscape if I’m alone, and if my husband walks with me, I’ll enjoy time with him :)A Hot Bath
This is my most favorite ritual and I don’t miss it. Almost every night, I take a bath with lavender epsom salts, where I will read a good book and/or watch a show. Lately I’m reading these books and highly recommend them: Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange, All Fours by Miranda July, and The Work of Art by Adam Moss. I also bring in a huge glass of water and some chocolate. I realize this is decadent but the kids are teenagers now so it’s possible! I do remember a time when there were young children when it wasn’t possible, so if you are there right now, know that things shift quickly, and for now, do something else calming for yourself that works for this moment in time.
Make Your Intuitive Evening Ritual
Try what works for you but make an effort to add at least one non-negotiable evening ritual into your routine. It can even be different every night—the habit is that you do a ritual.
During this time, you’ll be able to reflect on your day and tap into that magical place of wisdom that puts it all into perspective. It’s why we do ritual—to take us to that place out of time where we can see more than what’s there. Suddenly, you don’t feel as “busy” and you feel more relaxed.
Reminder: Tarot makes a great gift for yourself or others
Check out the SparkTarot® Deck and my Intuitive Tarot E-Course.