❖ Friendship
Key ritual to open up to new friendships
Making new friends as an adult is hard, and it is fine to admit it. In this ritual, a key you no longer use stands for the door you choose to open. It does not try to make anyone like you: it helps you go out and meet people with curiosity and a concrete plan.
In short: Making new friends as an adult is hard, and it is fine to admit it. You need 4 simple items and 5 steps. When: At the new or waxing moon, after moving to a new city, when you change jobs, or whenever your circle feels too small.
When to do it
At the new or waxing moon, after moving to a new city, when you change jobs, or whenever your circle feels too small.
What you need
- An old key you no longer use
- A small yellow candle in a stable holder
- Paper and a pen
- Your keyring
Step by step
- Place the candle on a non-flammable surface, away from curtains and papers, and light it. Hold the key in your hand.
- Write three things you would love to share with new friends (for example: walking, reading, cooking) and three places where you could meet people like that: a club, a class, a volunteer group.
- Turn the key in the air as if opening a door and say: "I open my door to sincere friendships and I take the first step."
- Pick one of those places and act right now: look up the schedule, sign up or send a message asking for details.
- Put out the candle with a snuffer and hang the key on your keyring as a reminder every time you leave home.
Safety first
Never leave a lit candle unattended. Place it in a stable, heat-resistant holder away from curtains, paper, children and pets, and put it out with a snuffer.
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
Go to that first meetup even if you do not feel like it, and say hello to one new person. Friendships grow from showing up: go back a second and a third time.