Ritual

What does ritual mean?

Do you think of some long-lost sacred act that has been forgotten? Do you picture religious ceremony or even voodoo or witchcraft?  Or do you have rituals that are a part of your life?  Maybe even your daily life?

I think about ritual a lot this time of year.  I think about letting go of certain energies at the end of a year and focusing on other things as the new year beginnings.  There are other times of the year that ritual may be important for people – holidays, the solstices or equinoxes, anniversaries, birthdays.

Sometimes I think mainstream culture has gotten away from ritual and is letting go of tradition.  What role does ritual play in your life?  Do you have a process for mourning or grieving?  Is there something special you do as the moons or months change?  What role does ritual play in your relationship?  How do you celebrate your anniversary?  Do you have a ritual for greeting your partner at the end of each day?  Is there a sacred sexuality ritual you practice?

Ritual can be a lovely way to make an event more sacred.  It can be a way to connect with others.  It can also give physical expression to an internal process.  It might also be something that is handed down generation after generation.  There can be comfort in that kind of ritual, it brings with it the knowledge that other people have gone before you and done this very thing.

Here are some ways you might use ritual in your life -

• Create a monthly women’s circle.
• Write down a list of fears that have been taking up energy and attention, burn that list and watch the smoke rise up into the sky.  Imagine release your fears with that smoke.
• Create a ritual for your anniversary.  Talk about the highlights of the previous year and create plans for the next year.  You can even recite your vows or enjoy some food or cake that makes you think of your wedding.

Here are some resources for creating your own rituals.  If you are looking for meaning or connecting in a deep way, ritual can bring powerful energy into your life!

2 Responses to “Ritual”

1. Sacred Sex and the Sacre-Coeur Says:
   May 28th, 2011 at 9:42 am

   [...] way to make your sex more spiritual or sacred is to add some ritual. Take a shower or bath with your partner before making love. Bring in a certain scent or some [...]

2. Listen to that little voice inside Says:
   September 13th, 2011 at 11:56 am

   [...] and finish my day music-less.  This morning I was writing in my journal, going about my morning ritual and I thought, “Hmmm, I should really turn on some music.”  I got up and made my way [...]