Retrograde Days of Elul!
- Dinah Miriam Miller
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
Chai Elul Wheel
Going Retrograde!
This week, I came across a teaching about the last 12 days of Elul, known as Chai Elul. It is a period dedicated to revisiting and reflecting on our spiritual journey over the past 12 months. This season calls for spiritual reflection from all of us. If you're interested in participating in this meaningful practice, follow the instructions below!
Shanah Tovah Metukah!
Understand the Concept: The Chai Elul tradition suggests that the 12 days from the 18th of Elul until Rosh Hashanah are for spiritual reflection and teshuva (repentance) for the preceding 12 months of the year.
Daily Review: On each day, focus on a specific month, beginning with the 18th of Elul for the month of Tishrei (the first month of the Jewish year).
Use the Outer Rings: In the outer rings of the wheel, you will find the tribe, astrological sign, sense, and sefira associated with that month, according to the Sefer Yetzira.
Focus Your Reflection: Use this information to guide your reflection on your behavior during that specific month in the past year. If you can’t remember what you were doing at this time, like me, I made a blanket statement like “may my voluntary and involuntary errors I have committed be forgiven and corrected.”
Contemplate and Improve: Contemplate your actions, speech, and thoughts from that month. Identify any shortcomings or areas that need improvement.
Make a Resolution: Resolve to improve your behavior in those areas for the coming year.
Continue Through the Month: Progress to the next day, the 19th of Elul, and review the month of Cheshvan, and so on, until the 29th of Elul, which is Erev Rosh Hashanah, for which you review the month of Elul itself.
Prepare for the New Year: By completing this spiritual stocktaking, you are preparing yourself to be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet new year.
SHANAH TOVAH METUKAH! Wishing you a Sweet New Year! from all of us at the Adamic Center of Waco!
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