Deconstructing Rituals - Toward a Psychology of Religious Ritual

Blessed Be.

My Spiritual world has taken a haphazard bunch of turns recently. I liken it to floating aimlessly at sea in a comfortable well stocked vessel. I have been enjoying the aimless floating and gathering lessons from what takes place around me. I have gained some dominion over fears, and have become more confident in my abilities and really learnt some amazing things.

However, it is time to move....some where. The thing about being in the middle of the ocean so to speak is that there is no "right" direction. Especially if you have no destination. Its like seeing several island off in the distance and being so indecisive that I just remain floating there.

I need to pick one and go exploring.

In that light, recently I just decided to "Pick" something to read in depth and opened up a whole library of knowledge and a labyrinth of direction I could go in one area of my life.

In doing so, I stumbled upon an interesting document that I believe is relevant to understanding ritual; and the effect is has upon our minds.

http://www.body-mind-unlimited.com/PDF/ReligiousRitual.pdf

Great stuff to read.

Update: 14th May 2023. I did go somewhere. I did pick something. and I am calmer and more content with the word, and feel more equipped to share my knowledge.

Mad-capped Witch - Witchcraft for anxiety

Hello Everyone......I am Celtic Crystal....just thought I'd reintroduce myself. Celtic Crystal is an alter ego which allows me to explore this side of myself without having to face the wrath of family member in this tiny island I live on. Such explorations, if made public, may result in uncomfortable circumstances for me and my family. We are a very superstitious island, and there is the possibility of being rejected, kicked out of schools and losing jobs...as it will be perceived that we practice "obeah" or are in league with Satan.

What is the attraction to me? Well the chance to be exposed to mind expanding concepts and other aspects of esoteric culture...if there is such a thing.

This path has taken my mind, uprooted me from the boring closet reality and given me tools to cope with quite a lot of today's issues. Because of witchcraft, Western mystery traditions and all the other etc's that I delve into; my ability to cope with life's challenges is like a balloon bobbing through the air observing all that goes on around me. 

I still get panic attacks, I still have mood swings, but now I have the tools to recognize them, and to stop them in their tracks!

A very very great coping mechanism this has been.

I must point out though....I get bored very easily, and as soon as I recognize the patterns in a topic, it quickly becomes stale...and I need to move on.

Still on the theme of Witchy-ness I shall begin to explore new types of " Witchy Living" in the realm of home decor and housing...... because my journey is soon to take me to a new abode...and I am going to have to create my space.

Call it research into visual imagery.....

Hope you will continue the journey with me.

Yule Reflections- a winter period

Yule Father....by Dan MIller

I would love to direct your attention to a story I read in Witchvox that prompted this line of reflection. Click here to go to it : http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=ussc&c=holidays&id=14874

The story tells of a winter, and of singing for hope that the happy days will soon return. At least that is what I got out of it.

 For the last six month I have been experiencing a "winter" in my life. Yeah yeah yeah...I live in the tropics....we see no winter, and never see a cooler temperature than 25 degrees Celcius. The winter I refer to is a metaphorical one. Since doing the Uranus Magick, and being jettisioned so to speak from my career, and from my home. I have been living a winter where things were scarce...I had a lot of reorganizing my mind as to what is important to me and..... with all the fears and worry....I pulled through. The solstice is upon us....and already I see signs of my Earth waking up!

Yule Ornament on my tree. A rare find on my island...wish I could find more.

This Yule, I shall celebrate with a clearing ritual first. All things that are past...are past. I shall then create a ritual to sing out my hopes to the future. To focus my mind on the good things to come, to speak of gratitude for these trials I have been through, this winter of my life. I know that such periods test the character of the individual.
Again, I did the Magick that prompted this life change. I create Uranus Magick, these are the things I requested:

1) To be removed from the high level management job that took up all my time and energy.
2) To find a part time flexible job that would free up my time
3)To be able to work on and build my career in art so that that artistic life would be the source of my income.

All of this was the aim of being a better me... less stressed...less grumpy...more fulfilled, and more family time.........
My Magick is working....for this I am grateful....now on to my ritual.