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✐ Friendship

Travelling notebook ritual to keep a friendship alive

With work, moves and busy days, even the dearest friendships can shrink to the odd message. The travelling notebook is a lovely custom: the same notebook passes from hand to hand, and each person writes, sticks or draws something before sending it back. In this ritual you open it with an intention of affection and turn it into a bridge between you that grows page by page until it becomes a shared treasure.

By the Cardaluna editorial team · Updated

In short: With work, moves and busy days, even the dearest friendships can shrink to the odd message. You need 5 simple items and 5 steps. When: At the new moon, to start something together, or on a Sunday afternoon.

When to do it

At the new moon, to start something together, or on a Sunday afternoon. Also on a birthday, before a trip or whenever you feel a friendship cooling.

What you need

  • A small notebook with sturdy covers
  • Coloured pens or markers
  • A printed photo, a ticket or a cutting that reminds you of something you shared
  • Decorative tape or glue
  • A padded envelope if you are going to post it

Step by step

  1. On the first page, write both your names, today’s date and a welcome line, for example: “This notebook keeps our friendship, page by page.”
  2. On the second page, stick in the photo or keepsake and explain in a few lines why it makes you smile.
  3. Write three things you admire about this friendship and finish with a question for your friend to answer, such as “What would you like us to do this winter?”
  4. Close the notebook, rest your hand on it and say: “May these pages bring us closer every time they travel.” Give it in person or post it.
  5. Agree to send the notebook back every few weeks, each time with a new page written, drawn or decorated by whoever has it.

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

It does not matter how long it takes to come back: the lovely thing is that it is always on its way. When it is full, leaf through it together over tea and cake and start a second notebook. If there are children at home, put the scissors and glue away afterwards. To celebrate your friendship in person, pair it with the shared bread ritual.