Imbolc 1997 Newsletter "Solitaires are Us"

An oldie but a goodie
Q: How many solitaries does it take to change a light bulb?
A: (If someone actually asks "how many", drum your fingers and wait for them to grasp the obvious)

Designing a ritual for one

When I started to write this article, I was faced with a difficult decision. Do I write something that is "simplistic" and generalised, or do I write an article with a great many specifics of a particular tradition? After much thought I decided to do something for people who are following a solitary path and may not have had the opportunity to yet work with others. Therefore this article is very generalised, and is intended as a starting point from which to add your own information and ideas. If there is someone out there willing and able to share elements from their tradition, please send them to me.

Ritual can be anything from meditation, walking in nature or such "basic" practices, to elaborately costumed events with all the paraphernalia and pomp of the Olympic Ceremony. There are as many rituals as there are individuals to think of them. We all have our own sense and feelings when it comes to what we want to see in our rituals. The guide below is a very basic outline of things to consider when designing a ritual for one or for many. These points are only meant to spark your own creativity.

1. First start with the goal of the ritual, eg. healing yourself, or the Earth, celebration, thanks, seeking strength, reconnecting with the earth or divine, relaxation and renewal or seeking enlightenment. The list is as long as your imagination and aims.

2. If you have a comfortable and established pantheon that you work with, decide who in and in what form they will be invoked. What are you aiming to achieve? If you are appealing to the Goddess or God, what form are they taking and which aspect are you talking to?

3. Where and when will your ritual take place? Depending on your space available you will need to design your ritual around this space. If you intend to dance or have a fire do you have the room and privacy you require? Timing may depend on the phase of the moon, planetary aspects or simple factors such as the kids being asleep!

4. How will you express your ritual? Will you speak from memory, will you read from a book, sing, dance, use movement or a combination of these? Will you be casting a circle, or working in your mind in meditation?

5. What elements will you need to bring to the ritual? Incense, candles, flowers, food, drink, clothing? Will you be using traditional associations or your own in respect to colour, shape or smell?

6. Put all this together into some form of coherent "plan". Then follow through with the confidence that you have designed and carried out your very own ritual. You may like to celebrate this fact by a feast of sorts afterwards.

As you begin to explore ritual design and enactment it is important to remember that ritual is not reading "light two orange incense sticks and one green candle" and then following the instructions. The real power of ritual comes from you. Once you stop actively thinking about what you are doing, you might as well be doing any mundane activity, such as brushing your teeth. Ritual need only be meaningful to be effected. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ring or drop me a line.