Mask Burial

I recently got asked for help by someone looking for rituals to cut ties with their dead name. Specifically, I didn’t but, I meditated on it for a bit and called one down. I wanted it to be simple to follow and easily done solo or in a group. I wanted focused intention to be easily obtained as well. Now written and recorded, that gives me one less missing page. If it helps anyone else at all, I am grateful.

A week before the full moon, begin to build a mask out of anything at all. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be but, you must add to it every day that week. Before you begin to work on it, sit in front of your supplies and the work in progress and focus on your feelings. Push your intentions into this mask, which symbolizes who you were/and or what you hid when you wore your deadname. The intention to set into this mask is what are you saying goodbye to/moving on from, as you move forward to be your authentic self. The good, the bad, the emotional, things you’ll miss, and things you wish you could have told your younger self. An ode to the energy that must be put to rest. Every day think about it as you add to the mask.

On the day of the full moon, physically write that ode on paper with a pencil or a pen with blue or black ink. With the finished mask and the paper folded in half, put them together in a box or a safe dark place until nightfall. Once night falls upon you, set two white candles up(birthday candles/tealights are ok to use), retrieve your mask, and ode, setting them in front of the candles. Light the candles and read that ode out loud. If you’re doing this in a group, prior to your reading, express gratitude to your guests for joining you on that night. After reading, write/paint the deadname on the inside of the mask, writing the last time you’ll mean it when you write it. A final farewell to the past, a farewell to the mask that protected you when you were younger but, hurt you as well. Stepping out of that cloud and walking with your head up now, or trying to get there more than ever now. Feel your feelings as fully as you can. If you cry, yell out, or laugh, it’s all ok. You are meant to feel this moment. Now put the folded paper back into the mask and dispose of them both. Bury them, safely burn them, toss them in the trash, and take it outside immediately. The ritual is done. Take 3 deep breaths and clap your hands together once to wake up the room. Allow the candles to burn out on their own, which is why you’d probably want to use smaller candles.

That’s that but, eating afterward is always a good idea. Again, if you’re doing this in a group, having a meal together after the ritual could also amplify everyone's energy. Also, for those who don’t know, make sure you bathe on the day of the ritual(that includes guests as well).

The person I worked this out for, made themselves a small tombstone with their dead name on it to keep for remembrance and just to have silly fun.

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