from: Wyrmwood
Many
pagans around the world tend to work personal rituals - sometimes due to lack of
available people to work ritual with, and sometimes due to preference. For
whatever reason, personal ritual can play a large part in the spiritual path of
many pagans.
So my question to you: what personal rituals play a part in your life? What do you achieve from them? What aspects of your personal ritual would you like to share with us?
For me, personal ritual currently plays only a small part in my life, but at a time I was going through a rough patch, they played a large part. At this time, almost daily, I did a small personal ritual outside, usually at night, where I opened myself up to the love of the universe and the guidance of the gods. I asked for their strength in helping me through the darkness, their guidance as to the best way to pick my way through this part of my path, and acknowledged that the difficulties I was experiencing was in order to teach me, and the best thing I could do was learn the lessons. I found the personal rituals very empowering, allowing me to make the tough decisions with confidence, and looking back, I am glad I took the path I did.
My personal rituals are not usually formal, set out in a particular way. I do not regularly practice magick, and so only cast a circle if I feel the need for some extra protection. The casting is done in my mind; where I imagine a white shield of energy, created from my solar plexus, and surround myself with it in a spherical shield. The main part of my personal ritual is to open myself up to the universe, which involves opening up the Chakras, allowing the energy there to flow, and to lift the veils from my mind and the walls from my heart imposed on them due to societal pressures. Once I am open, buzzing with energy, allowing the energy to flow freely, I am ready to listen to my (higher) self and my guides. I am not one of the gifted who hear their guides clearly or concisely, but find that if I make myself more receptive then I will get a better indication of where I am going or the path I should take.
I have in the past taken part in regular group ritual, and found it extremely empowering. However, there is a lot to be said about taking the time out to connect with your own spiritual being. It is, after all, your path, and ultimately, we walk our path alone.
blessings,
Wyrmwood