Newsgroups: alt.pagan
From: lmactire@efn.org (Liath Mactire)
Subject: repost of creative rituals
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 1994 01:12:59 GMT
This is a repost of the Creative Rituals post of a week or so ago. I
have received 4 requests for it by e-mail because it apparently expired
on alt.pagan before people had a chance to deal with it.
I still would like to make it a more effective workshop so any feedback
or insights would be very helpful.
bb
1. Define Ritual, pg 117 of Pagan Rituals
Ritual is the systematic working procedure dedicated to
achieve a particular aim or effect on individuals or groups.
a. Purpose of ritual
transitions, turning points, life movement,
worship, formalizing meaning.
b. The need for ritual -
Rituals deepen the psychic and spiritual
awareness. Our inner selves - subconscious if you like
- needs ritual and ceremonial behaviors in order to
mark and acknowledge significant events. Rituals are
an expression of the human need to belong.
3. Define the differing groups that practice ritual and their
characteristics
A. Solitary
B Circle
Small core groups with visitors. Usually has a fairly
set format. Visitors may be asked to participate in a key
role. Circles come and go and are seldom static for any
length of time.
C. Coven
Committed group with a identifiable spiritual basis.
At least in intent they are long term and constitute a
community.
D. Gatherings
Has many of the same elements as circles but are often
one time or special event functions organized by a
group of temporary leaders.
E. Festivals
Often use theater as ritual.
To mark the ritual -- that is, to acknowledge the value
of the ritual in the mind of the participant -- the entire
process must be moved from the mundane to the "special" or
sacred. Whoever is leading the ritual has a responsibility
to guide the group so that the physical, psychic, and
emotional attitude of the group members is in some way
altered.
Without these alterations, a ritual may become shallow
or even meaningless. It is the responsibility of the leader
to provide:
Permission, Protection, and Potency (leader, structure, subject)
POTENCY:
The potency of the leader is not a matter of charisma.
Rather, leadership potency comes from the leader being prepared,
knowing what they are doing, and being familiar with the
structure that is being used.
Hurried or last minute ritual preparation leaves everyone
floundering. A well-planned, well-formulated, well-thought-out
ritual gives everyone permission to truly involve themselves in
what is happening. In effect, the entire ritual becomes more
meaningful when the H.P. knows what they are doing.
PERMISSION:
We live in a society where we are, by necessity, required to
wear masks. When we involve ourselves in a spiritual ritual, we
in some way, loosen those masks. If it is a group ritual, those
who are participating allow their neighbors to see a little way
beneath the masks. Although it can be a scary process, the
loosening of the personal masks is a necessity. It is a lowering
of the wall and boundaries that we all carry around with us.
We all have inhibitions and they are necessary in our
society. The fewer inhibitions we carry into a ritual the more
powerful the ritual will be for all concerned. In order to put
those inhibitions aside for awhile,
there must be:
trust
freedom
honesty
openness
How do you encourage those qualities?
Option Exercise
SCENARIOS
1. Open circle -- Full Moon
You are regular H.P.
Four regular members
Two visitors
2. Open circle -- Full Moon
Rotating H.P. You're it!
Four regular members
Two visitors
3. Closed circle, Newly Formed -- Full Moon
Eight Members
You are the H.P. because of a game of hot potato
4. A CUUPs Gathering
23 people for a full moon
Very eclectic group
PROTECTION:
All groups have boundaries
(circle, arrow drawing)
Once the structure has been established, any intrusions from
outside the groups are viewed with a certain degree of hostility
by those inside the group. Even if it is not expressed, the
hostility is there and can interfere with the purpose of the
ritual.
The small the group, the more intense the psychic and
emotional states of the group, the more they will feel threatened
by any outside influence.
It is my belief that the H.P. and the significant members of
the circle have the responsibility to see that level of
protection is adequate for the type of ritual being celebrated.
Ritual Outline, pg 118 Pagan Rituals
1. Establish intention
2. Construct ritual outline
3. Set up temple
4. Cast Circle
5. Invoke Higher Forces
6. Invoke God and Goddess
7. Perform work.
8. Thanksgiving
9. Close Circle
10. Reconstruct Temple.
ELEMENTS of RITUAL
A statement of intention - a group contract of a sort, eg:
We are here to celebrate the Full Moon, lend our energy to
healing Mother Earth, sink the Spanish Armada
How this statement of intention is made is a matter of
individual style, but it should be done out loud prior to
getting to the meat of the ritual.
The Statement allows everyone to focus on why they are a
part of the ritual. In some cases, you may find that the
circle members have other ideas than the leadership.
When formulating the statement of intention, keep in mind:
a. why you are here
b. what you intend to do
c. how you will do it
d. who will do what
e. when you will know that you have accomplished your
purpose.
Know your time frame
PREPARATION:
Information on the ritual format should be supplied to the
participants before the ritual starts. If it is a consistent
groups, such as a closed coven, then it doesn't hurt to, at
least, give the general form out a week ahead. If a coven member
is to do something special or out of the ordinary, let them know
well ahead of time.
Don't keep secrets -- the mysterious will take care of itself!
All H.P.'s, all circles and covens develop their own style
of preparation. There are some groups, particularly druidic
groups, that begin the accumulation of materials and psychic
preparation at least a week ahead of the actual ritual. In
effect, this concentration on the preparation of the various
aspects of the ritual focuses the intent of both the individual
and the group. It allows the psyche -- the subconscious -- to be
prepared and is, therefore, more effective in carrying out the
intentions of the ritual.
MANIFESTATION -- The Actual Act of the Ritual
If you jump right into the opening of the ritual, you will
leave some people unprepared. Therefore, it helps if there are
some warm-up exercises -- similar to stretching exercises before
you begin jogging or working out. Warming up is a signal to the
subconscious -- the inner self, the wondrous child within us all
-- that something is about to happen.
WARM-UP OPTIONS
1. Group Ohm's - rhythmic breathing
2. Group Ha Ha's
3. Singing or Chanting (don't pick songs or chants that some
members of the group are unlikely to know.
4. Psych Contact (18" space, 5 to 10 minute dialogue) (don't
use with a new group or a group with unfamiliar members.
What other exercises? Don't settle for round robin intro's.
After the warm-ups, you need to create a sacred space.
SACRED SPACE OPTIONS
1. Meditation
2. Guided meditation - spirit world
3. Grounding - connecting to the earth
4. Centering - into one self (Pg 19, WR)
5. Some groups use the casting of a circle by the group
6. Calling Quarters
7. Some form of ceremony by H.P. or member
The ritual spectrum
theater -- individual action
In most groups, there are some formalized structures to a
ritual, eg:
cast circle
call quarters
invocation
recitation
call and response
blessing, grounding
close
You as a H.P. must discover what works for you. You as a
member of a circle or a coven may find that you need different
things. A festival is usually theater. That is, a small group
will conduct a ritual and a larger group will observe. There are
varying degrees of this "told observer to Oak's Samhain"
The small and more consistent the group, the more powerful
the ritual.
The four parts to carrying out a ritual:
1. The creation of sacred space
2. Dedication and enactment of intentions
3. Invocation of larger energies
4. Blessing and closing
1. (?) The creation of sacred space includes (what are the
elements of creating a sacred space): casting the circle, burning
herbs or incense, creating an alter. or pg 118 Pagan Rituals
I would add that any warm-ups, community building, or
exercises done before the main enactment of the ritual are also
part of the ritual. You must let the inner person, the
subconscious, etc know that this place is different. This place
is special. Different laws apply here.
Intuition
Imagination
Inspiration Preparation and creation
Clarifying the Intention
(Inspiration)
1. What is the inspiration for this ritual?
2. What type of ritual is it?
3. What effect do you want this ritual to have, and on whom?
4. Clearly state the intention of this ritual:
Planning
(Creation)
1. What symbols are you using in this ritual?
2. Write out a draft of the ritual itself.
3. Logistics: Write out dates, times, deadlines, what needs co-
ordination, and who needs to be contacted.
4. Make a shopping list of materials you need.
Emotional Process
(Deepening)
1. What feelings or issues have been brought up by the
preparations you've done so far?
2. Have any ethical questions arisen? Is there any way this
ritual could hold negative intention for anyone?
How?
3. What limitations (money, space, time) have you encountered?
4. Working through these feelings, ethical issues, and
limitations, what adjustments, if any need to be made to your
ritual plan? Physical Preparation
(Action)
1. What else needs to be coordinated?
2. What materials need to be gathered?
3. Details for arriving with helpers and checking that you have
everything you need:
4. Cleaning the physical space: What needs to be done, when,
and by whom?
Manifestation: The Ritual Itself
Creating Sacred Space
(action)
1. What objects and actions will you use to clear and bless the
space?
2. What emotions do you need to clear from yourself? How will
you do this?
3. How will you center yourself?
4. How will you ask for guidance in conducting this ritual?
Using a circle with the four directions marked, write in how you
will set up the temple sacred space, including location of your
chosen symbols, where participants will enter and stand, and
other appropriate details.
Setting the Mood
(Deepening) and
Declaration of Intention
(creation)
1. What objects and actions will you use?
2. Music, sounds:
3. Poetry and speech:
4. What will these things inspire in the participants?
Invocation (Inspiration) and
Direction of Higher Energies (creation)
1. What particular energies are you invoking, and precisely what
do you want them to do?
2. What words will you use to direct these energies to their
purpose?
3. What emotions will be touched, and what kinds of rhythms or
music will help you accomplish this?
4. What objects and actions will best represent and channel
these energies and the emotions of the participants?
Blessing
(deepening) and
Closure
(action)
1. With what gift of Spirit will the participants leave the
ritual?
2. Words or poetry you can use to name this gift:
3. Music and sounds to enhance the gift and mark the ending of
the ritual:
4: Actions and objects used to mark the ending. How will the
participants leave the sacred space?
Grounding/Completion
Breakdown of Sacred Space (action)
1. What is left to be done (blessed food or drink needing proper
disposal, for example?
2. How will you release the sacred space back to normal space?
3. Emotional completion: How will you give thanks?
4. When will you break down the circle, put things away, and
clean up? Who will help?
Emotional Process (Deepening)
1. Did you experience any strong physical sensations during the
ritual?
2. What emotions were raised?
3. What did you learn about yourself?
4. How does your emotional experience relate to the myth enacted
in the ritual?
Evaluation (creation)
1. What worked and didn't work effectively?
2. How impactful was the ritual to those involved?
3. If you were to do this ritual again, how would you improve
it?
4. What new ideas or insights did you gain about the nature of
ritual?
Integration (inspiration)
1. How were you inspired by this ritual?
2. How can you use this inspiration to create change in yourself?
3. What form do you imagine these changes can take in the world?
4. What actions can you take this week to manifest this
inspiration?