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 Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 6:59 pm
I have on my bookshelf several volumes about ritual.
You would think that ritual would be very specific to a path (and they often have their special techniques) but the big question is: Why do we do what we do? The motions may be different but the purposes remain the same.
This is a thread to explore the Elements of ritual.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:43 pm
Everything I say is IMO and should be taken as such....
THAT said, the whole point of ritual is to break through our levels of denial and/or disbelief and tap into a more active part of our Higher Power (whatever that is).
It's dramatics, and if you believe "this is the path I'm on and this is how they get results" then that's what you need to do; why? because you believe it (or are carried by other's belief, which is powerful in it's own right).
I like simple spells, because they're direct, and they suit my goals. I believe that nature is an active, spiritual force -so going out and making a sacrifice -to me- is powerful. But it's simple (take food I like and toss it onto the forest or into the stream along with a prayer stating my desire).
I believe that there are positive forces that correspond to angels so by lighting an angel candle, asking an "angel" to bring positivity into my life (and visualizing that angel receiving my request) is also powerful, but so simple that I didn't even realize it was magic until I put the pieces of what I was doing together.
For me, ornate ritual (eg cutting a branch off to serve as your wand and requiring only one cut) feels ridiculous ("I PUT ON MY ROBE AND WIZARD HAT") -but for other people (particularly ones working in groups or people who have reason to believe in the literal existence of their path) it's as powerful to them as making a sacrifice to nature is for me.
Both of us are using ritual to tap into a larger, more powerful force to achieve our Will.
Hopefully the above isn't too convoluted (lol caffeine).
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Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 6:20 pm
I think of ritual as a way to structure your work, whether it be devotion or the sending of your will.
To quote Rachael Pollack:
"Rituals are ceremonies done to connect us with the world around us and with the energy that flows through all existence. They can be a simple as lighting a candle alongside a photo of a sick relative, or as elaborate as a hundred people in bright costumes dancing, drumming, and singing on the longest day of the year. Ritual allows us to experience nature in intense and personal ways."
from "The Power of Ritual"
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