A Candlelit New Moon Ceremony with Carole Makie: Releasing, Manifesting & the Magic of Reiki
Recently, we had the privilege of joining a transformative new moon ceremony in a beautiful home in Surrey, guided by the radiant Carole Makie—crystal Reiki master, author, and priestess, known to many as @myreikistar.
Before the ceremony began, I lit all four scents from our Aja Botanicals candle range—Dreams, Hello I Love You, Walk on the Wild Side, and Into the Mystic. I wanted to bring all of the fragrances to the ceremony, as each has its own special presence. The power of the flames gave energy to our intentions, and as their natural, beautiful fragrances mingled in the air, the space became even more elevated, creating a sense of calm and clarity.
Honouring the Elements: Earth, Air, Fire & Water
Carole invited us to connect with the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—each one representing a vital force within and around us.
- Earth grounds us, reminding us to root into the present and feel supported by the world beneath our feet.
- Air inspires clarity, breath, and new ideas, helping us to let go of mental clutter and invite in fresh perspectives.
- Fire is transformation itself, burning away what no longer serves us and igniting our deepest passions and desires.
- Water brings flow, cleansing, and emotional release, allowing us to move gracefully through change and nourish our dreams.
By consciously honouring these elements, we called in balance and harmony, both within ourselves and in our intentions for the new moon.
Gratitude & Nourishing with Cacao from Nourish & Glow
We began the ceremony by writing down everything we were grateful for, setting ourselves in a positive frame of mind. As we reflected and wrote, we sipped on warm cacao from Nourish & Glow—a heart-opening ritual in itself. Cacao is much more than just a delicious drink; it’s revered as a plant medicine, known for its ability to gently open the heart, elevate mood, and deepen connection to self and others. Rich in magnesium and antioxidants, it helps us feel calm, centred, and receptive—perfect for setting intentions and dreaming boldly.
Releasing, Manifesting, and the Power of Ritual
Next, we turned inwards, reflecting on the beliefs and burdens we wished to release—those old stories that no longer serve our soul’s purpose. With honesty and compassion, we wrote them down, ready to let them go. Carole explained that this act of release, especially under the new moon, is a powerful way to create space for new beginnings.
With our hearts and minds clear, we moved on to the most magical step: writing out our visions and dreams as if they were already here. This is the key to manifesting—speaking and feeling your dreams into being, aligning your energy, words, and actions to the life you desire.
The Power of Reiki Healing
Throughout the ceremony, Carole held the space with gentle reverence, weaving Reiki healing into every moment. Reiki is a form of energy work that originated in Japan. At its heart, Reiki is about channelling universal life force energy—an invisible but deeply felt current that flows through all living things. A Reiki practitioner acts as a conduit, allowing this energy to move through their hands to the recipient, clearing blockages, balancing the body’s energy centres (chakras), and encouraging deep relaxation and healing.
A Ritual of Scents and Sisterhood
As the ceremony came to a close, we gathered around the firepit to release what no longer served us, burning our written burdens and limiting beliefs—creating space for our true soul purpose to emerge. There’s something deeply special about coming together in this way: supporting, releasing, manifesting, and dreaming as one. I really look forward to hosting more of these ceremonies with Carole, and I can’t wait to see where these shared intentions lead us next.
A Note on Manifesting Beyond the Ceremony: Vision Boards & Letting Go
While this particular ritual didn’t include vision boards, I’ve recently been inspired by the practice and wanted to share it for anyone looking to deepen their own manifesting journey. Creating a vision board is a playful, creative way to show your mind—and the universe—the direction you want to go.
I’m also really enjoying Marisa Peer's classes on Mindvalley. She teaches that it’s vital to clear any limiting beliefs you may have picked up from others—negative suggestions or old programming handed down by family or friends. Marisa suggests a great visualisation that I loved: picture yourself gathering up all those limiting beliefs, packing them into a suitcase, and returning them to their original owners.
Once the old is cleared, you can fill your mind with new, empowering visions. Vision boards work because our minds are drawn to what we see, what we imagine, and what we focus on. And if you can imagine it, you can create it—just take one step at a time, and don’t let any fears try to hold you back. After all, what’s the worst that can happen?
Would you like to try your own new moon ritual?
Find a quiet place, take some deep breaths, sip some nourishing cacao, and trust in the magic you invite in. Relax, light a candle, and take three pieces of paper. On the first, write everything you’re grateful for; on the second, what no longer serves you; and on the last, your dream life—dream big and bold, and keep it to look at again. Make sure to burn the paper with what no longer serves you.
