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Sesame ritual to ask for a raise or a fair price

“Open sesame!”: the magic words from the tale of Ali Baba open the treasure cave, and the sesame plant, whose pods burst open by themselves when ripe to release their seeds, has long been linked to opening doors and prosperity. This ritual helps you prepare one of the hardest conversations: asking for the salary or the price your work deserves. The seeds stand for your achievements; the ritual gives you calm, and the preparation gives you arguments.

By the Cardaluna editorial team · Updated

In short: “Open sesame!”: the magic words from the tale of Ali Baba open the treasure cave, and the sesame plant, whose pods burst open by themselves when ripe to release their seeds, has long been linked to opening doors and prosperity. You need 5 simple items and 5 steps. When: During the waxing moon, one or two weeks before you talk to your manager or send a quote to a client.

When to do it

During the waxing moon, one or two weeks before you talk to your manager or send a quote to a client. Morning is best, with a clear head.

What you need

  • Two tablespoons of raw sesame seeds (or grains of rice)
  • A small white plate
  • A small cloth pouch or an envelope
  • A sheet of paper and a pen
  • Salary or rate data for your field

Step by step

  1. Look up what a job like yours pays today in your area (job sites, collective agreements, professional associations) and write down a realistic figure.
  2. On the sheet, write three concrete achievements from recent months, with facts: tasks you took on, happy clients, problems you solved.
  3. Pour the sesame onto the plate. For each achievement, take a pinch of seeds, drop it into the pouch and read that achievement aloud.
  4. Close the pouch, hold it and say: “Open sesame: I calmly ask for what my work is worth.” Then rehearse your request aloud in two or three sentences, ending with the figure.
  5. Keep the pouch in your bag or desk drawer and take it with you on the day of the conversation, along with your list of achievements.

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

Whatever the answer, note what you have learned and set a date to talk again. When you are done, put the seeds in the compost or food waste; ritual seeds are not for eating. Sesame is a common allergen: if you or anyone at home is allergic, use rice instead, and keep the pouch out of reach of children and pets. To keep opening new sources of income, pair it with the nutmeg ritual.