The Art of Setting Intentions

“INTENTION is more than wishful thinking.

It’s willful direction.”

Jennifer Williamson

Setting intentions is the process of creating a clear, concise mental or emotional desire for a specific outcome or goal. It is consciously directing your energy, thoughts, and emotions toward a desired goal. The use of intentions can greatly increase your success.

They are used to help manifest the future you want. Using physical, emotional, mental, and magical work and energy. This is also the basis for spell work. Therefore, setting intentions is the foundation for creating effective spellwork. It doesn’t matter if it is small (such as for the next day or week, etc.) or large (such as for the year or years or lifetime).

Remember our subconscious mind really runs the show and it believes what we tell it. So, intentions are like affirmations for creating the life we want. We are using the intentions to create the pathways in our subconscious. When our subconscious believes that are intentions are not only possible, but who we are, our subconscious along with the universe find a way to make them happen.

• Being specific and actionable – Try to be as specific as possible. You do not want your subconscious to be able to misinterpret what your intention. You also want to be able to take actionable steps towards your intention in the mundane.

• Make sure it aligns with your values and your authentic self. Your intentions should align with your core values. If they do not, your subconscious will struggle with it and cause you to sabotage yourself. Be clear about what you want to accomplish, and why. Even if this is a step on the path towards a larger goal or intention. What result do you want from this intention?

• Focus your mind, emotions, energy and physical actions. When working towards an intention you want to align your mind, emotions, energy and actions towards the intention.

• State them and picture them as if they have already happened. You can state your intentions either our loud or in writing. The wording of your intention should be in the present tense. As if it is already here and happening. Visualize it as if you have already succeeded in realizing your intention. Speaking your intentions aloud or having them in writing helps keep you more accountable.

• Follow up with a practical plan. It is not enough to just put the energy out there. You have to do the work as well. Make a plan with small tangible step that help you make small consistent progress.

• Be clear about WHO you have to be to make your intentions come to fruition. Goals are about doing. Intentions are about being. So, who do you need to be to achieve our goals?

• Keep your intentions positive. Remember when we talked about affirmations we discussed how the subconscious mind does not understand negatives.

• Keep them simple and concise.

• See yourself achieving your intention. Feel it. Use as many senses as possible.

• Work on clearing and healing any limiting belief you may have that might sabotage your intention.

• Repeat or reinforce regularly.

• Once you set your intention free into the universe you must let the universe have free rein on the how and when. Do the things but let the universe take the reigns.

Use meditation or the ritual mindset to get past the ego and speak directly to that still small voice of your higher self. That is the best place to plant seed of intention.

Spell work is really concreting and raising energy towards an intention. Here is a simple ritual you can use to set intentions. It can be done within a formal circle or on its own.

Simple Ritual for Setting Intentions

• Find a place where you can be free from distractions. Where you can let down your shields and be you most authentic self.

• Take a few moments to check in with how you are feeling. Notice your emotions. Is there any stress coming up for you? Where and why?

• Do a scan of your body and do your best to release any physical tension.

• Ground and Center

• State your intention! (You may want to repeat it or chant it a few times). You may want to talk about the why and the emotions behind it. You can ask the Universe or God and Goddess to help manifest this intention.

• Take a few moments to meditate on the intention. See yourself having manifested the intention. Use as many of your senses as possible to “visualize” your intention. Feel how it will feel to have manifested the intention.

• Take a few moments to acknowledge with gratitude some things the universe has already blessed you with.

• Say thank you for the help you are about to receive in achieving this new intention.

• So mote it be!

Some examples of intentions

· I will allow myself to take up space and be myself.

· I deepen the connection in my relationships.

· I choose to trust my feeling and intuition.

· I move my body in ways that feel good.

· I hold space for my emotions.

· I only say yes to things that make me light and give me joy.

· I invite joy, happiness, and love into my life.

· I release what no longer serves me.

· I intend to go with the flow as the universe provides for me.

· I intend to see Divinity in everyone.

· I intend to move into a positive cash flow quickly, magically, easily and joyfully.

· I intend to create the most loving relationship possible with my partner.

· I intend to develop friends with whom I’m emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically and cosmically compatible.

· I intend to work with like-valued people, who I enjoy immensely and feel greatly supported by.

· I intend that my physical body is one hundred percent vital, healthy, and filled with energy.

· I intend to keep my body weight at the range of ___________ with ease and elegance.

· I intend to deepen and strengthen my loving relationship with God and Goddess.

· I intend that my home is loving and transformative places for us and the people in our lives to grow, love and heal.

· I intend that those who do not add to the positive resonance of our homes are not drawn to visit or work in them.