EN

✯ Most popular

First star ritual to make a wish

Wishing on the first star of the evening is a very old custom that lives on in nursery rhymes in many countries. That first light appearing in the twilight sky is often a planet, such as Venus or Jupiter, but tradition still calls it a star. This ritual invites you to step outside, look at the sky calmly and turn a wish into a clear intention, together with a concrete step that is up to you.

By the Cardaluna editorial team · Updated

In short: Wishing on the first star of the evening is a very old custom that lives on in nursery rhymes in many countries. You need 4 simple items and 5 steps. When: At dusk on a clear day, ideally during a new or waxing moon, when the sky is darker.

When to do it

At dusk on a clear day, ideally during a new or waxing moon, when the sky is darker. Go out a few minutes before nightfall.

What you need

  • A balcony, a window, a terrace or a safe outdoor spot
  • Warm clothes if it's cold
  • A small notebook and a pen
  • A small torch (ideally red or dim light)

Step by step

  1. Go to your chosen spot once the sun has set and keep your phone in your pocket. Take three deep breaths as the sky darkens.
  2. Look for the first bright light to appear in the sky. When you see it, gaze at it quietly for a few seconds.
  3. Softly make a wish for yourself, phrased positively and in the present, as if it were already beginning: "I am finding a job I love".
  4. Using the torch, write the wish in the notebook and, underneath, one small step you will take this week to move closer to it.
  5. Thank the night, go back inside and leave the notebook open at that page on your bedside table until the next morning.

Safety first

These rituals are symbolic. Do not ingest herbs or oils, ventilate the room when burning incense or herbs, and never perform a ritual to harm or control anyone.

To finish

Repeat the ritual every month and reread your earlier wishes: you'll be surprised how many steps you have taken. If you go somewhere dark, take someone with you or tell someone where you are, and never look directly at the sun at sunset. To close each stage well, pair it with the calendar ritual.