Walk into any apartment building on the first of the month and you might catch a faint, spicy scent lingering in the hallway. It isn't always oatmeal or a late-morning latte. Honestly, it's more likely that your neighbor was just standing at their front door blowing a handful of brown powder into their living room.
People call it the first of the month cinnamon ritual.
It sounds a bit "woo-woo," doesn't it? But over the last few years, this specific practice has migrated from niche occult circles and TikTok's "WitchTok" subculture into the mainstream consciousness of people who just want to feel like they have a handle on their finances. It’s a manifestation technique. A tradition. A psychological reset. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a powerful way to shift your "money frequency" or just a nice way to make your entryway smell like a Cinnabon.
But why cinnamon? And why the first of the month?
The History Behind the Spice
Cinnamon isn't just for toast. Historically, this spice was so valuable that it literally shaped world maps and fueled bloody wars. Ancient Egyptians used it in the embalming process because they believed it had preservative, almost eternal qualities. In various folk magic traditions—from Hoodoo to European herbalism—cinnamon is categorized as a "hot" spice. It’s associated with the element of fire and the planet Mars (or the Sun, depending on the tradition), which basically means it's used to "speed things up."
It’s an accelerant.
When you look at the first of the month cinnamon ritual, you're seeing a modern adaptation of these old associations. The idea is that the spice’s high vibration acts as a magnet for prosperity. It doesn't just sit there; it pushes energy forward.
Most practitioners will tell you that the timing is just as vital as the ingredient. The first day of the month represents a "fresh start" effect, a psychological phenomenon documented by researchers like Katy Milkman at the Wharton School. We are statistically more likely to pursue goals at "temporal landmarks" like Mondays, New Years, or the first of a month. By combining a physical action with a specific date, you're anchoring your financial intentions to a recurring calendar event. It turns a vague desire for "more money" into a monthly habit.
How to Actually Do the First of the Month Cinnamon Ritual
You don’t need much. Just some ground cinnamon and your own front door.
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First, grab a small amount of cinnamon in the palm of your right hand. Why the right? In many spiritual traditions, the right hand is the "giving" or "sending" hand, while the left is the "receiving" hand. You’re putting your intention out into the world.
Go outside. Stand at your front door, facing inside your home. This is a crucial detail that people often mess up. You want the abundance to come into your space, not be blown out into the street.
Take a second. Breathe.
Actually think about what you want. Maybe it’s a specific dollar amount, or maybe it’s just the feeling of not being stressed when the electric bill hits your inbox. Some people like to say a phrase out loud. A common one is: "When this cinnamon blows, abundance comes to stay. When this cinnamon blows, prosperity is on its way."
Then, just blow the cinnamon over your threshold and into your house.
What Happens to the Dust?
Here is the part where people get annoyed: the mess.
You’re supposed to leave the cinnamon on the floor for 24 hours. Don't vacuum it up immediately. Don't mop. Just let it sit there. The tradition suggests that the spice needs time to "settle" into the energy of the home. If you have pets or a very neat spouse, this is usually the biggest hurdle. After a day has passed, you can clean it up normally. The intention has already been set.
Is This Scientific or Just Superstition?
Let’s be real for a minute. Blowing spice on your floor isn't going to make a check for ten thousand dollars magically appear in your mailbox by noon. Life doesn't usually work like a cartoon.
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However, there is a very real psychological mechanism at play here. It’s called Selective Attention.
When you perform a ritual like the first of the month cinnamon ritual, you are essentially "priming" your brain. By focusing intensely on prosperity and abundance for those few minutes at the door, you're signaling to your Reticular Activating System (RAS)—the part of your brain that filters information—that money and opportunity are important to you right now.
Suddenly, you might notice a freelance gig you would have normally ignored. You might find the motivation to finally cancel those three streaming services you never watch. You might feel more confident asking for a raise because you've spent the morning telling yourself you deserve abundance.
It’s a placebo, sure. But placebos work because they change how we behave.
Experts in environmental psychology often point out that our physical surroundings deeply impact our mental state. When your home smells like cinnamon—a scent frequently associated with warmth, comfort, and "home"—it can lower cortisol levels. A less stressed person makes better financial decisions than a panicked person. That’s just facts.
Common Misconceptions and Mistakes
Not everyone gets the first of the month cinnamon ritual right.
One big mistake is using cinnamon sugar. Please, don't do that. You will get ants. Ants are the opposite of the energy you’re trying to attract. Stick to plain, ground cinnamon.
Another mistake is doing it with a sense of desperation. In manifestation theory, "lack" attracts more "lack." If you’re blowing the cinnamon while crying about your bank balance, you're arguably just reinforcing the feeling of being broke. The goal is to do it with a sense of "knowing"—basically acting as if the prosperity is already a done deal.
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Also, don't worry if you miss the exact moment the sun rises. Some purists say you have to do it at dawn, but honestly, as long as it’s the first day of the month, you’re fine. Life is messy. If you do it at 3:00 PM between Zoom calls, the "universe" (or your brain) still gets the message.
Why This Ritual Matters in 2026
We live in a weirdly volatile world. Inflation is a constant headline, the job market feels like a moving target, and everything costs more than it did five minutes ago. When things feel out of control, humans look for rituals.
It’s why we blow out birthday candles and throw salt over our shoulders.
The first of the month cinnamon ritual is a low-stakes way to reclaim a sense of agency over your life. It costs about $3 for a jar of spice that will last you a year. It takes two minutes. Even if it does absolutely nothing on a metaphysical level, it’s a moment of mindfulness in a world that is increasingly loud and distracting.
It’s a tiny, spicy rebellion against the feeling of being powerless.
Practical Next Steps for Your First of the Month
If you want to try this out, don't overthink it.
- Check your spice cabinet today. Make sure you actually have cinnamon. There’s nothing worse than waking up on the first and realizing you only have cumin. Cumin is for tacos; it’s not the vibe we’re going for here.
- Set a calendar reminder. Put it for 8:00 AM on the first of every month. Label it "The Cinnamon Thing."
- Clean your entryway. Before you blow the cinnamon, sweep your porch or the area inside your door. You want the "energy" (and the spice) to land on a clean surface, not a pile of old mail and dirty shoes.
- Pair it with a tangible action. Since you’re already focusing on money, use that 24-hour period to do one "real world" financial task. Check your high-yield savings account, move $20 into an investment fund, or look at your budget.
The ritual is the spark, but you still have to drive the car.
Wait for the first. Stand at the door. Blow the cinnamon. Then, go out and do the work to make that abundance happen.