A ritual is an action, or combination of actions, performed in a symbolic way that communicates something specific to you, others and perhaps even your higher power. Rituals may be secular or religious.

In this post we will look at when rituals are used, and the ingredients required to make action into ritual.

Rituals as markers of change

Rituals are used as markers of change. There are four types of change that are marked using ritual. The type of ritual you choose will relate to the change that is experienced or encouraged. Rituals are used during initiations, sacrifices, and rites of passage. They can also be designed to reinforce behavior.

Rites of initiation signify joining or becoming. They symbolize the transition from other to part of the collective. Exposure to these rituals begin in infancy and continue throughout a human lifespan.

Initiations are typically held in a particular place connected to the collective. The initiation itself supports the belief that joining the group has a desired benefit and creates some emotion in the participants.  

The idea of sacrificial rites may call to mind offering something live to a deity. This is not the case. Sacrificial rites only require an exchange, giving something up in exchange for receiving something else. One example of a sacrifice is giving up something pleasurable in the short term for a long-term gain.

Humans also honor a change in status with a rite of passage ritual. Some examples of this type of ritual include baby showers, graduation and wedding ceremonies, and funerals. Each such ritual has a traditional location and formula that supports a belief, elicits emotion, and symbolizes the change that has occurred or is occurring.

Reinforcement rituals support a change in behavior. Ideally, a positive reinforcement ritual should create an emotion that encourages the repetition of the action.

A gold star chart in a classroom offers positive reinforcement for good behavior. While it can exist solely as a display, a ritual can also be designed that could further reinforce the positive behavior.

While each of these actions can occur in an ordinary way, transforming action to ritual brings richness and deepens recognition.

Transforming action to ritual

There are four specific components in the formula for transforming action to ritual.

First, the action, or actions, of a ritual must set it apart from the ordinary. This can be done through timing, clothing, food or drink, or any other tool that creates a sense of separateness or the sacred.

Second, the action taken must inspire a feeling or emotion. This may be a sense of awe, respect, or even dread.

Third, a ritual must support a belief that you have. This can be a secular belief or religious in nature, but it must be significant to you.

Lastly, but perhaps most important, a ritual must be symbolic, representative of you and your beliefs or goals.

Consider the positive reinforcement of a gold star for a student or participant. Posting a gold start on a chart or handing one to a recipient is positive reinforcement but the action itself is ordinary. If it is not recognized by ritual, the action can lose its impact.

To transform the action into ritual, bring in the four components of:

Set it apart from the ordinary:

Set aside a time of day to honor recipients. For example, always do it on a specific day of the week and time of day.

Inspire a feeling or emotion:

Creating a ceremony to share this recognition creates feelings before, during, and after for participants and viewers. There will be feelings of anticipation as the day and time approach. The receipt or posting of the star can also stimulate a sense of accomplishment and pride. You can imagine how the audience might feel and other feelings the recipient may have.

Support a belief that you have:

The person bestowing the star most likely believes that the behavior they noted is worthy of recognition and that this recognition may also motivate the recipient to exhibit the behavior again.

Be symbolic:

The gold star is symbolic of positive behavior.  

Things to consider

Purpose should be what drives your practice. The first thing to get clear about is the purpose of your ritual, your intention.

This applies to the overarching idea of your ritual but relates strongly to understanding the belief that you are supporting. This component of your ritual can help guide the others starting with the type of ritual you are planning, i.e. initiation, rite of passage, sacrificial, or reinforcement.

Now that you know the type of ritual, consider what you will do to set it apart from the ordinary or make it sacred.

You will need to choose a day and time for your ritual. Depending on your beliefs, more on that later, consider dates, days, and times of day. This is relevant for a few reasons. Each day of the week has specific energy. Numerology shares the energy of dates and times of day. Your ritual may be best suited at sunrise or once the moon is in the sky.

Food or drink may be tied to the message you are trying to convey or bring a particular influence. Mead, sometimes known as the nectar of the Gods, is a drink made from fermented honey. It has been used in ritual to both honor and connect with deities for centuries.

Even if they do not correspond with your intentions, you may choose to share food and drink before or after your rituals.

There may already be a custom or tradition that you can personalize.

Next consider the emotion that you want your ritual to create and how you will do so.

Movie soundtracks show you how sound, or lack or sound, can influence emotions. So can clothing. Think about how costumes can transport you.

To meet the last of the criteria for a ritual, think about symbolism.

Paper and fire can symbolize sending written requests to the heavens. Knives or scissors can symbolize cutting ties. Shovels can be used to plant. Colors and the elements can also bring symbolism to your ritual.

The symbols must be representative of your beliefs. Because they may be personal symbols, you may choose to create a guide of some sort for other participants or spectators.

If others will attend, either as participants or spectators, you may choose to create some sort of guide to support their understanding.

Once you have your ideas in order, it is time to create your ritual.

Ritual creation

Because rituals are set apart from the ordinary, you will want to prepare yourself and the space you will use. You may want to create a process that you use each time to signal the change from you the everyday to you the ritualist.

Write down your blessing/clearing/invocation including the words you will say and the actions that you will perform.

Next, list the tools that you will use and the actions that you perform during the body of your ritual.

Last, get clarity and write down your closing actions and words. Be sure to include the closing of the space.

The outline that you have created for yourself will help you to move confidently through your ritual.

Do your thing

Rituals are about action and intention.

Be firmly present in the space that you have created. Move through the actions that you have outlined, using the tools that you have noted, and saying the words that come from your heart. Express gratitude to those in attendance, both seen and unseen. Close your space with intention.

After your ritual you may want to consider how it felt, what worked as you envisioned, and what you may choose to do differently next time. Make some notes for yourself. Rest.

Rituals

Rituals are actions done in a symbolic way to communicate something of secular or religious value.

Rituals can be personal or can include others.

Rituals are used as markers of change, signify initiation, sacrifice, or a rite of passage, and can be used to reinforce a change in behavior.

Rituals have 4 necessary components:

1. A ritual must be set apart from the ordinary.
2. A ritual must elicit an emotion.
3. A ritual must support a specific belief.
4. A ritual must be symbolic.

Ritual creation should come after getting clear on these components and should include a clear outline to follow.

Ritual space should be closed energetically following your ritual.

Rituals are the focus of week 1 in Unlock Your Magic – Connect with your personal power to feel calm, clear, and connected. Learn more here.

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