Ritual is about bringing myth and symbol to life.
Ritual doesn’t have to be complicated. Try a few out and find a flow that you like and then stick with it for a while. You might choose one ritual way of doing things to open and close each practice. Having some consistency can be good because you really ingrain in your system that a shift is happening. You also get to know the rhythm and language and flow so that you can do it anywhere any time. Here is a general overview of how you might put a ritual together. 1. Beginning - open sacred space, 2. Middle - enliven or invite in energy, 3. End - offer gratitude.
1. Create Sacred Space
Here are some ideas:
Create an altar.
Use an Aura Spray.
Light a special candle.
Chant an invocation.
Call in the Directions.
Utilize an essential oil.
Ground/Center/Shield.
2. Enliven Energy
Choose practices that will symbolically and/or energetically meet the intention of your ritual. Examples:
Release - pair with exhalations
Abundance - pair with inhalations
What movements does your spirit animal make? Include similar in your ritual as a mudra (with hands or whole body).
Chant or kriya to match your intention.
Journey with drums to meet your spirit guide.
Cut things to release energetic cords.
3. Offer Gratitude
Acknowledge that we don’t walk this path alone. Here are some ideas:
Choose a chant or a song to sing to your guide(s)
Burn a symbolic candle to acknowledge them.
Offer herbs, food, smoke, water, alcohol.
Meet your helping spirits in meditation and thank them.
Give time or money or resources to a fund that supports you animal guide’s incarnate manifestation.
You can check out some specific ritual ideas here: Hawk + Meditative Inquiry and basics on Trance and Journeying
