Each of us has the capacity within us to create sacred ceremony.  Wherever we are, indoors or out, in crowded cities or out in the vast expanses of nature, ceremony and ritual are an important part of shamanic practice. It is the way in which we make sacred contact with our Creator, the one I like to call Great Mystery. Many ceremonies and rituals have been carried out for thousands of years, such as our celebration of Christmas and various other holidays. While the present day rituals around the ceremony celebrating Christmas may have changed somewhat is the past 2,000 years, the foundation of this holiday lay in even more ancient festivals that had the common theme of celebrating the return of light. It is through these ancient ceremonies and our present day rituals that we return momentarily to co-create with Great Mystery.

From weddings to funerals, from fasting to ecstatic dancing, throughout history humankind has attempted to contact Great Mystery via various ceremonies and ritual. By paying tribute to important life events, it reminds us that we are connected to the Life Force and all that it encompasses.

Sacred ceremony can help us to release attachments to people and situations that are no longer serving our life experience. Or, it can aid us in calling in that which we find missing in our lives. By participating in ceremony people often find themselves in a rapturous state, experiencing a profound and ancient knowing at a soul level. By tapping into our collective memory bank, through sweats, song, dancing and fasting we are able to find a common ground with all of humanity. Sacred ceremony helps us all to heal the fundamental spiritual wound—illusion of separateness from the Creator and Creation.

A ceremony may be created for a specific healing, or to honor an ancient tradition. It can be as simple or as elaborate as needed for the person(s) involved. Ceremony provides Spiritual assistance in times of need, to facilitate growth, or to commemorate important events such as weddings, personal achievements, or death. It is also a wonderful way to become more in tune with Mother Earth and the natural rhythms of the seasons, or changing moons. Ceremony allows us to step out of the “rat race” that is our human condition at this point in time, and step into a sacred and timeless space to honor our transitions.

While some ceremonies may have very elaborate customs, others can be as simple as lighting a candle and saying prayers. It is not the form that the ceremony takes that is important; rather it is the intent behind the ceremony and the open hearts of participants that make a ceremony sacred.

It requires some dedication, intention, humility, and a willingness to listen to Spirit’s guidance. Ceremony does not have to be performed in a “perfect” manner, as long as there is impeccable intent by those participating. We are not “casting spells” that are mere recipes laid out by others, we are co-creating with our Creator that which we want in our lives.

Ceremony, or Ritual?

Both ceremony and ritual are attempts to invoke Spiritual presence and blessings through action. However there are some important differences. Rituals tend to feature a repetitious sequence of actions that must be carried out in a prescribed manner to achieve the desired results. A good example of this would be working with prayer beads or saying your rosary. Ritual can also be seen in the mundane, such as happens when a batter comes up to bat and goes through a series of motions before stepping up to the plate. He is performing his “batting ritual” to ensure a good hit on the upcoming baseball. So we can look at ritual as performing a particular sequence of actions with a required list of materials and ingredients for successful results.

Ceremony also requires some structure and follows certain prescribed guidelines, yet it also allows room for spiritual direction and guidance. It is unlike ritual in that we are not looking for a predetermined outcome, we are instead asking Spirit to help create our hearts desire in a form that is in alignment with Great Mystery’s purpose for our lives. We invite the power and actions of Spirit, but do not expect it to come through in a predetermined way. Although we may desire certain results, what we achieve is in alignment with the will of Spirit.

How can I bring Ceremony and Ritual into my life?

Begin with sincere intent. Determine the reason behind the event. It might be a new way of celebrating an old holiday, such as Christmas, or it could be the celebration of a new stage of your life, such as a Crone Ceremony. Will this be a private ceremony with just you and perhaps a significant other, or will it be bolder and forth coming with a large circle of friends and family? What elements need to be gathered for the ceremony; what preparations are necessary? Who will perform the ceremony and how will it proceed? What Spiritual elements will you call on to help you? These are the questions we need to begin to ask. As the appointed time and place the ceremony begins….the magic and beauty of the ceremony can be breath-taking, or just a simple reciting of heart-felt prayers. As the days and nights that follow your ceremony precede watch your dreams, take note of the changes that come to your life…you might want to keep a journal during this time. You might also go to your alter and say your morning or evening prayers each day, bringing a meaningful ritual into your life. This is how you begin to bring ceremony and ritual into your daily life. Ceremony can be created around any event to honor your life experiences.

Cycles of the moon and seasons of the year are wonderful events to begin to bring ceremony into your life. Many books are available to help you such as Women’s Medicine Ways by Marcia Starck or The Art Of Ritual by Renee Beck & Sydney Barbara Metrick (check my resources list for more book titles).

Circles

Ceremonial circles and drumming circles are another expression of ceremony and ritual. The circle is the basic element of all life, from Mother Earth herself to the circle of the seasons, our life revolves around circles. When we gather together we form a sacred circle. A drumming circle vibrates with the power of life. Is it any wonder this is a form our gatherings take? Gathering together in a drumming circle you can bring healing to your life and your world. For ideas on how to develop a drumming circle you might want to read is Sacred Circles: A Guide to Creating Your Own Women’s Spirituality Group by Robin Deen Carnes & Sally Craig.  Many people are becoming so involved in drumming today that they purchase their own drums, rattles, and other percussion instruments, or have drums custom made and decorated with their own symbols.

Altars, Mesas and Altar Cloths

An altar is a place to hold your sacred items, things that hold meaning for your ceremony. Alters can be set up for a special occasion, or can be left up for a long time.  Items that set on an altar are representations of our prayers. When you make your prayers light a few candles and burn incense. The smoke will help to carry your prayers and the sight of the candles and scent from the incense will continue to remind you to walk in balance with Spirit.

Again as with ceremony, your altar can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. In my practice I have my home altar on a beautiful cabinet. When I travel I use a type of traveling altar also know as a mesa. A mesa is generally a special altar cloth which is laid on the floor or ground upon which a few of your sacred items and a candle can be placed. When your prayers or ceremony are finished the items are then bundled into the altar cloth and securely tied.  I have collected many beautiful altar cloths from my world travels, and offer some for sale in Shaman's Shadow Gallery.

Ritual Tools

Tools are objects which have been "charged" for special purposes, which are usually set aside for special occasions and viewed as "sacred" by the users. Tools for use in rituals may be purchased or hand made.  Some believe that tools made for an individual with intent and in a prayerful manner carry more energy for the work they will be doing.  Pictures and examples of a variety of tools (rattles, drums, fans, herbs, altar cloths, prayer beads, spirit dolls, fetishes & totems, and other accessories are displayed in Shaman's Shadow Gallery.  Some are available for purchase.