Creating Effective Ritual and Ceremony
Opening Sacred Space |
- Intention is the first element of effective ritual and ceremony. Without a clear intention or desired outcome, the energy created in the ritual or ceremony is poorly structured with little or no direction. This intention may be a new vocation, better health or world peace;
- The creation of sacred space. Sacred space is that territory that we enter for spiritual and inner work. Preparing sacred space shifts our awareness from ordinary waking consciousness to a more centered, meditative state and structures a boundary that separates the sacred from the ordinary and profane. There are no rules or restrictions governing this process, although tradition suggests that you begin by smudging. Smudging is the burning of herbs for cleansing, purification, and protection of sacred space. Consider setting up a centerpiece or altar that is appropriate for your reason for coming together. Although an altar is not essential, it provides us with a focus to pray, meditate and listen. An altar is any structure upon which we place offerings and sacred objects that have spiritual or cosmological significance. It represents the center and axis of your sacred space;
- Invocations welcome and invite the archetypal spiritual energies of the seven directions — East, South, West, North, Up, Down, and Within. Calling the spirits is an ancient shamanic rite that is practiced cross-culturally to access and honor the powers of creation. Inviting their presence, participation and assistance not only aligns us with their power, but also is a way of giving energy that helps revitalize these primal forces. The specific words of your invocation to the spirits do not matter. What matters is that your prayer comes from the heart. You must show the spirit world you have passion and heart. At this point, the process becomes either a ritual or ceremony depending on the intention;
- Altered states of consciousness are induced through intense rhythmic stimulation such as drumming, chanting and dancing. An altered state of consciousness is any state which is significantly different from normal waking consciousness. Altered or trance states produce deeper self-awareness and allow us to view life and life’s problems from a detached, spiritual perspective not easily achieved in a state of ordinary consciousness. This process allows us to connect with the power of the universe, to externalize our own knowledge, and to internalize our answers;
- The closure of sacred space. It is important to conclude the process by closing sacred space. When you close sacred space, you again address the archetypal elements and spirit helpers, thanking them for their help, healing and wisdom during this sacred time. After expressing your gratitude to the spirits, send them off, releasing their energies to the seven directions. The event may be followed by a festive potluck meal in which the people rejoice that the spirits have brought the blessing of greater power to the community. To learn more, look inside my Shamanic Drumming Circles Guide.
Shamanic drumming is considered one of the oldest methods for healing and accessing inner wisdom. The Shamanic Drumming Blog is an online journal devoted to news, events and commentary related to shamanic healing, music and arts. http://shamanicdrumming.blogspot.com/
Source: http://shamanicdrumming.blogspot.com/2015/03/creating-effective-ritual-and-ceremony.html
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At a very young age, 5 or 6, when I discovered that bunnies and birds didn’t go to heaven because they didn’t have souls, I began to sour on religion. Every Sunday, I was reminded that I was destined to burn in Hell. Sunday school; burning in Hell. Nuns; burning in Hell. Yada, yada; burning in Hell.
Rites and Ceremonies imply mysteries to which the laity are not fully privy and are really processes that psychologically prepare a victim for submission to a “knowing” authority. Rites and Ceremonies are designed to remove individuality and promote membership in a “herd” that is answerable to the perceptions of an authority. If you think of it, we spend our entire lives, secular or ecclesiastic, essentially aping the goose that’s flying just ahead of us!
There is really only one anser – the one leading the flight: the authority.
barebones…..God loves his animals…..he created a bunch of ‘em. Scripture implies animals in spiritual form…the Lion lays with the lamb, and children can play on a viper’s nest.
We really only have conjecture, as to what the reality of “the presence of God” will be. It could be different for every individual….much as it is now. We all get exactly what we build for ourselves, In Christ’s name, during our one life on earth. If you’re building a place in your heart for animals, you’ll still have that love in heaven….and love is the building blocks of our reality. I don’t believe that will change…ever.