What is Ritual?*

Ritual is a way of communicating with forms of consciousness and beings from countless worlds. It has been one of the most practical and efficient ways to stimulate the safe healing required by both individuals and communities.

Because we are spiritual beings, our souls need ritual.

Rituals are events which call for spontaneous feeling and trust in the outcome which is different from ceremonies which are events that are reproducible and controllable.

Symbols are the doorway to ritual. Just as our bodies can’t survive without nourishment our psyches cannot sustain themselves without symbolism. Focusing the psyche to reality that extends beyond the everyday world requires symbols that maintain focus. Symbols are messages pointing to a different and higher dimension or consciousness. The part of the self that craves this reality will recognize itself through symbols.

Ritual works where people are willing to suspend for the moment their own disbelief and lack of clarity about the actual mechanics and logic. There must be openness and receptivity.

Ritual offers the opportunity to relieve tension from which words can no longer release us.

Creating the Container:

What is your intention for this ritual?

Who would you like to be present for this ritual (from this world and the other world) and what would you like each of them to do? You can call as many as you’d like.

Think of which ancestors. Think of which people who have passed that could be helpful – maybe people who symbolize what you have experienced with courage.

You can also call upon the five elements: earth, water, mineral, nature and fire. Below are the qualities of each element. Consider how they can come in and support you in your intention and write it below. When you do, be specific in your content, for example - rather than asking simply for mother earth to come to your ritual, you ask mother Earth to come in and do a particular thing for you – like nourish my soul so that my body is healed.

The Elements

Earth: nourishment – think of all the earth provides. The earth is about groundedness, support and seeing and being seen. Its color is yellow.

Water: healing, reminder of infinite possibility by its ability to change shape: gas, water, ice. The water element is represented by black or blue. It is about peacemaking, reconciling, focus, balance and serene wisdom. It is about the energy of harmony.

Mineral: bones, rocks hold memory and story and represent mineral. Its color is white. It is everything that is remembered the deep wisdom within and of the universe.

Nature: reminding us of unique purpose and ability to change with ease. Nature is about change and transformation. It is about transmutation. Nature is a joker or trickster and helps people transition or adapt. The color of nature is green.

Fire: the power, wisdom and courage within us and the power, wisdom and courage of the ancestors. The fire element is good for connecting with ancestors. The representative color is red. It helps tune with vibrations. It lets us know how things are happening.

The Invocation

The invocation is a place where you present the situation and support that you need. It is humble, and so rather than desiring an outcome, an invocation asks for simply ask for assistance and guidance.

What is your invocation?

Healing

Healing: This is the action – the gifting, the listening, the doing.

Malidoma asks that we be still enough to “hear the sound that can move us to surrender to the healing?”

There are unspoken and spoken parts of ritual. As well as there are planned and unplanned parts of ritual. People plan through the general choreography of the process however the part that cannot be planned is the part that in which spirit is in charge.

When healing takes place unforeseen things occur. Emotion may be one of these things. Another important sign of healing is moving from self-consciousness to self-awareness.

Here are some ideas to consider as you plan your action (not required just ideas to spark):

1.     Bring a symbol of what you’d like to let go of for release. How would you like to symbolize its release? Is there someone specific you’d like to assist you from the other world?

2.     Think of an action that you would do when you are in complete alignment with your purpose and add that to the ritual as a sign of you coming into a new phase of your journey.

For example, I might dance with abandon or sing loudly without worrying about what other people think to symbolize the freedom of expression I am attaining.

3.     Submersion in water allows for a kind of soul reclamation. My experience is that it requires a great deal of overcoming of fear – of looking silly in this world or of what people will do or think while ultimately connecting you with the ease and generosity of nature that is always present – though outside of the ways the collective is conscious of. This is a powerful ancient indigenous practice. Listen for a message.

Sitting in Stillness

Sitting in the stillness. After the action, take time to sit in the stillness and listen. Connecting with all that supports you.

 Closing

Closing is the final part of the ritual where we expressed gratitude for all that happened and to all that came. We close and clear the ritual space.

*These ritual steps are derived from Malidoma Patrice Some and Sobunfu Some.