Incense, Coffee & Tools of Survival

⏰ 2 minute read

Morning bathroom ritual with the family.

Cats. Incense. Coffee. Oracle decks. Books. Plants. Podcasts.

I don’t know how I will survive without them. My life has been such an absolute godsend of cozy chaos and purring wisdom because I have found a rhythm and presence in my life that allows me to operate at ease, in safety, warmth and comfort. If I had to pick the most important elements in my life into my suitcase and live out of it, it would be all of the above.

Chilled Coffee & Bathroom Rites

I love my morning rituals, especially one that starts with a chilled mug of coffee that I sticked in the refrigerator the night before. People who have stayed with me find it amusing to see cups of leftover coffee in the refrigerator because I sometimes forgot I left them there. But it’s an incredible feeling to wake up in the morning to discover that you have ready made chilled coffee to start the day! This magical chilled cup of coffee will follow me through out the house as I complete my rituals.

I’d have the coffee in the bathroom after I had a warm shower. And while I put on my face for the day, Sasha will sit on the toilet seat cover and the latest Next Level Soul podcast by Alex Ferrari will play in the background. Once I’m cleaned, dried and dressed, I make my morning rounds to the plants. Did you know that the plants can feel your intentions if you speak to them? I sometimes stroke the stem of my plants gently because I believe they can feel our touch too. It’s a small little gesture of attention from us, but it ripples through their cells in magical ways. I can see them thriving when I give them daily attention instead of living them alone.

Incense, Cards & Symbolic Synchronicities

Out in the living room, the incense will be lit in two different rooms. The incense is such an energetic reset. I love, love it. The oud amber (agarwood) is my favourite. It is musky, woody, and honey sweet with a vanilla note. I will then pull a card from each of my tarot and oracle decks for an intuitive read. I love symbolisms and totally believe in the magic and hidden messages of synchronicity. Ace of Air is a card of clarity, Ace of Cups is a new love, and Hanged Man may simply be a reminder to stay in patient stillness and trust in divine timing. Oracle messages are more direct and will add to the layered meaning for the spread.

It’s more than just superstitions. It’s a way of weaving intentionality and reflection in your life. Every movement, intention and sequence of activity becomes a constellation of manifestation. The cards are just prompts for the day to help you pause and reflect on the different experiences you may have throughout the day.

I sometimes do a second round of incense lighting and card pulling in the evening as I settle in for the day.

Altar of cosmic goodies…

Kitties, Feeding and Frenzied Cuddles in the Kitchen

Then in the kitchen, I tend to the kitties’ needs. There is something wonderful about having the kitties surround you while you prepare their food in the morning. Their unmasked joy and excitement is so pure and full of reminder of the impact you have just by existing. It will be an especially beautiful morning if it drizzles or rains because it means everything in the world will slow down a little bit. I love that the rain washes away the remnants of the lived life here on earth, and it heralds in a new chapter.

Sasha would be inspecting my routine, her tail upright and buzzing with electric excitement. I would hear her rare meows as she circles my feet. Mooxie, the calm Goddess of the Moon as I call her, will wait quietly for her bowl to be refilled.

This is magic, and it’s everything.

The little power of rituals

My small morning rituals anchor and help settle me into my body and state of mind. My day never truly starts until I have lit an incense, cleaned the litter box, had time to digest a podcast or two, and moments to tend to my home space and feline needs.

And I believe these rituals, when done with joy and intentions, are more than just routine. They are survival tools to help ground us before the day’s flurry of events start. They are little reminders of the home we know we can return to - our cats, loved ones, the home, plants and the spiritual life that keeps us balanced. In this perspective, they are also our survival tools to help soften the various distractions and disharmony that may emerge throughout the day.

You probably have your own little rituals that keep you sane.

These may look like cleaning, temple visits, cooking or just having furkids that meow or bark.

But whatever they look like, they are little bit of magic that the universe sent us to keep our inner light strong.