On the Eleventh Day of Winter Solstice…

… witch named brandee gave to me

11:11, Make A Wish!

1 is a powerful sign in numerology and is often associated with manifestation. It represents leadership, individuality, beginnings, & creativity and when it shows up in a group of four like the time 11:11 or on November 11th (11/11), this number can remind us to focus on the things that will truly ground and center us. 1111 is sometimes associated with the Four of Wands in Tarot both because it reduces to 4 and because the numbers grouped look like the card.

There are benefits to wishing for things you want, but it may look a little different than some folks say. Many people take issue with the concept of wishing for what you want, arguing that it excuses the person from having to be realistic and work for the things you want to achieve. There likely is some truth to that. I’m sure we all know someone who wishes for things to be different, only to behave in the same way. I’m sure we’ve all also been in that position where our actions and words do not match up. This is where manifestation can help, especially when used as a whole process.

Manifestation is a tool used by many mystics to align themselves with the things they want. By practicing gratitude and positivity, you can become a vibrational match for those higher goals you’d like to achieve. The truth is that you don’t have to be any specific thing, you can change your circumstances. Of course, it will take some work to get there, but you have to start somewhere so why not your mindset?

To make manifesting work, you will have to do some steps on your end. The very first step is saying thank you for what you have. Even if you feel you only have yourself at this moment, say thank you. The very best way to show your spirit team that you are ready for what you’re asking for is to show gratitude for what you already have. Then, be clear about what you want and why. Take some time to sit with your goal. Is this the thing that will make you feel more whole? Is this wish for you or are you trying to fulfill someone else’s expectation? Does this feel right for me? Journal about it, talk it out with a trusted friend, and note what the challenges could be.

Next, when it feels right, spend some time visualizing what achieving your goal feels like. Here is where your wishes will come in most. Notice when 1111 shows up, for example, and use that moment to imagine what it would be like. The last step, do everything you can on your end. The manifestation process is a co-creation with the divine, after all.

Let’s look at someone who may want to start a yoga studio, for instance. Likely, you’ve already found some joy in the practice of yoga itself and believe it can bring benefit to others. Saying thank you may look like a daily gratitude list, a morning routine including some asanas, or a book learning more about yoga. Gratitude is a practice, make it a habit. Next, you take some yoga classes and see what else is out there. Maybe you take note of who is already offering yoga in your area. Ask yourself what niche you could fill and if you feel comfortable in that space. Talk to owners of other spaces, pay attention to the things that are hard. Through this step your job is to just notice. Spend your time learning. Save some money here, take a business course there. And, of course, wish it in those small moments of vulnerability. In those places where you would ordinarily lament not having the studio you’re wishing for, try to instead visualize what having it looks like. Imagine the colors, the textures, the people, the problems. Hopefully you can see how this could bring value to your goal-making. This whole process is to set you up to get what you want. Wishing is one part, the practice is your part.

While there is little to no scientific evidence that wishes truly work, there is an increasing amount of research showing that a positive mindset does help bring about more success. There is a lot of confirmation bias at play in these situations. It’s clear that when we have bad expectations, we notice more bad things and confirm what we set up. This also means, however, that by adding more positive outcomes to our worry list we can start to recognize the beautiful things already in front of us. I’m not a fan of positivity to the exclusion of other feelings. You have depth to your emotional experience — the sad, angry, and dissatisfied feelings deserve to be felt as well. Instead of shutting those pieces out, you can bring kindness, light, and understanding to those difficult parts. Rather than forcing yourself to stay positive when you’re not feeling that way can be alienating. Welcome these sides of you in and allow yourself to see the reality of who you are and what you want. By seeing the truth of your experience, you’ll be able to ask for what you want and allow it to come to you.

So next time you see 11:11, do make a wish and make it one that you’re working on. Take the moment to remind yourself what your goals are and what is already making you feel whole. Take a deep breath and imagine the thing you want, it’s already yours.