The turning of the year always carries a strange kind of softness, a hush that settles over the world just long enough for us to imagine that anything might be possible again. People speak of resolutions as if they are promises made only to the calendar, but in truth they are whispers to ourselves — to the part of us that longs for renewal, for courage, for change that finally takes hold. And while willpower plays its part, there are moments when something deeper is required: an energy that stirs the soul awake and reminds us why we began. It is here, in this fragile doorway between one year and the next, that the star Alkaid becomes a powerful companion.

Alkaid shines with a piercing blue-white brilliance at the tip of the Big Dipper’s handle. It has long fascinated astronomers for its physical intensity, but those who work with metaphysical and spiritual energies know it for something entirely different. Alkaid is a star of movement and awakening, a celestial force that refuses stagnation. Its frequency is not gentle or passive; rather, it carries the sensation of suddenly inhaling cold night air after being indoors too long — a jolt that wakes the senses and sharpens inner vision. People who attune to this star often describe a sudden clarity, an unmistakable feeling that old habits are no longer compatible with who they are becoming. Its energy is the momentum behind transformation, the spark that pushes someone from intention into motion.

This makes Alkaid a remarkable star to call upon when New Year’s resolutions are still tender and new. There is something about its light that seems to strip away confusion, revealing where our true priorities lie. When we feel lost or uncertain, Alkaid shines like a flare in the night sky, urging us toward evolution rather than comfort. Even emotionally, its influence can be provocative in the best way — it encourages honesty, asking us to confront why we stay stuck and what fears hold us back from the life we say we want. While this can be uncomfortable, it becomes a doorway to emotional freedom, because Alkaid never exposes anything without also offering the energy to move through it.

A simple candle ritual aligned with Alkaid can anchor this celestial fire into the everyday work of keeping resolutions. To create such a candle, many practitioners choose colors that mirror the star’s own radiance — white, pale blue, or silver — though any candle becomes a vessel once intention is set. They are then aligned to the energy of the star Alkaid with a ritual alignment grid

 Before lighting it, the candle is often anointed with a touch of essence. Carnelian essence works beautifully here, carrying Alkaid’s boldness and stirring the will to act; jasmine essence adds intuition and spiritual clarity; and lemon or elderflower essence brightens the mind and clears away hesitation. 

Herbs deepen the resonance, each one chosen for what it contributes to the transformation Alkaid inspires. Saturn aligned Basil brings purpose and helps steady the mind on why this resolution matters in the first place. Mars aligned Bay leaf carries the strength of follow-through, the energy of someone who sees things to the end. Pluto alinged Jasmine eases the mind during periods of discomfort, smoothing emotional resistance so change feels gentler and more sustainable. Jupiter aligned Cinnamon adds a spark of motivation — a little fire under the intention — while ginger warms the inner courage needed to face new habits honestly. Gonggong aligned Elderberry offers resilience for the long arc of the year, and jasmine opens the intuitive pathway that helps a person sense when they are drifting and gently return to their chosen path.

To perform the ritual, the practitioner sits quietly with the prepared candle, holding it as if warming their hands at a winter hearth. There is no rush. One breath at a time, the mind begins to clear. If an herb calls to the moment — a basil leaf for clarity, a pinch of cinnamon for momentum, perhaps a single bay leaf — it can be held for a moment and gently pressed to the candle or placed beside it. When the flame is lit, the ritual becomes a conversation between the self and the star whose blue-white fire burns overhead. Many speak quietly at this moment, not as a formal spell but as a declaration of becoming: a simple acknowledgment that they are ready to evolve, ready to unearth the courage they have always carried, ready to follow the path illuminated by their intention.

The candle continues to burn as the practitioner reflects on the future version of themselves they are choosing to create. It is not a visualization of specifics but a feeling — the steadiness of discipline, the relief of breaking an old pattern, the pride that comes from following through. As the flame flickers, the herbs, essences, and the star’s energy blend into one living current of transformation. The ritual does not demand grand gestures; its power comes from sincerity. When the candle is finally extinguished or allowed to burn down safely, something subtle shifts inside. The resolution no longer feels like a fragile hope. It feels rooted. Claimed. Alive.

Alkaid teaches that transformation is not only about beginning anew, but about remaining in motion long after the initial excitement fades. It is a star that keeps you honest, keeps you awake, keeps you moving toward the life that calls to you from deep within. When its energy is woven into candlelight, herbs, and quiet intention, it becomes a companion for the year ahead — a reminder that your future self is not some distant possibility but someone you are already stepping toward, one moment at a time, illuminated by a star that thrives on becoming.

Alkaid New Year Candle Ritual 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 candle (white, pale blue, or silver) aligned with the star Alkaid. 

• 1 essence of choice: we use carnelian

• 1–3 herbs from the approved list: basil, bay leaf, chamomile, cinnamon, elderberry, ginger, or jasmine

• 1 fire-safe holder or dish

• Matches or a lighter

• Optional: 1 crystal (labradorite, clear quartz, or tiger’s eye)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare Your Space
   Sit somewhere quiet where you won’t be interrupted. Place the candle in its holder.

2. Dress the Candle
   Add a small drop of your chosen essence to your fingertips and smooth it lightly over the candle from top to bottom.

3. Choose Your Herbs
   Select the herbs that best matches your intention (basil for clarity, bay for follow-through, cinnamon for motivation, chamomile for calm, elderberry for strength, ginger for courage, jasmine for awakening).
   Sprinkle the herbs around the candle base or gently rub a pinch onto the candle.

4. Set Your Intention
   Hold the candle for a moment and silently name your resolution or the transformation you want to create in the year ahead.

5. Light the Candle
   As the flame rises, focus on the feeling of becoming the person you intend to be.

6. Hold the Herb
   If using a single herb as your anchor (such as a bay leaf or basil leaf), hold it while you breathe deeply and let your intention settle into your body.

7. Let the Flame Work
   Allow the candle to burn while you sit quietly. Stay with the flame for at least a few minutes, longer if you feel called.

8. Close the Ritual
   Extinguish the candle safely (or let it burn down if appropriate).
   Keep the chosen herb or a small packet of it in your wallet, pocket, or journal as a reminder of your commitment.