Shh, Listen

Find your place of quiet. Set up your items and try not to think about it. If using almonds, and you are on a clean surface, gently toss them and see where they fall in relation to the other objects. Light the incense and trail a circle around you. This does not require casting a circle fully, just a small clearing of negativity and promoting positive energy will do.

Light the candles in the order listed regardless of placement while pausing to reflect on what they stand for, and what each means to you. Why do they mean this? What would you think they stood for, if you did not know anything about them? Collect the almonds from the tossed position. Place them individually where your hand plops them without thinking of it. Take your bay leaf or parchment and write your intention. I suggest keeping it clear, raw, no frills. 

Place parchment on your lap and hold the almonds. Say the following with a clear voice as many times as necessary.

"I admit to you, my mother
The Universe hears it now
I have not been listening
My filter did not allow.
This is my fault and
I shall change my way
Because every time I do not listen
It comes back, then I must pay.
Only for my aid do they come
So I welcome with open arms
Then silence the negative voice
That springs the "don't listen" alarm.
I am in control and
Destroy the barrier between
Me, myself, and I
Truth comes clean.
I am everything and nothing
Physical and no
Now we shall form friendship
Forged from within shall grow
I trust you with my life
Though know I live here and beyond
I am sorry I silenced you before
Now we shall get along.
Thank you for always being there
From then to now and tomorrow
Seen through every smile
Euphoria to sorrow.
We meld, you and I
Though deeper than before
Anytime I sense you
I will know for sure."

Take a moment to feel your inner selves. Call them. Speak to them with your mind, or out loud if it feels better. Do not worry about the sometimes silliness associated with talking to yourself, you cannot think without somewhat speaking to yourself. Do they have a name, or no? What are their distinct personalities? What senses are engaged when they speak/feel to you?

Take the leaf/parchment and recite the words. Burn with the pink candle, symbolizing a bridge of friendship and communication between you, yourself and you are. Place into small bottle or container, better if clear but a box where you can look at the ashes worked best for me, you modify how you see fit. Hold the bottle to your solar plexus. Think about the times you did and did not listen and the result. How will this change? Keep the ashes upon your alter, windowsill, desk.. wherever feels best. Look to it when you need to. Hold it and think again of past and future communication.

Take the almonds and pass them depending on the size of the candle, a safe distance to remain edible from each flame. Let them absorb the energy radiating from each. Gobble one at a time. Think of the connections. The leaf of the plant relates to what part of your body? The roots? Feel the nourishment nugget travel in your body. When all is done, thank the elementals and any beings if you called any. Extinguish flame. Let the incense continue to burn to finish.