My first ritual!

[Emaleth]

I've just done my first ritual!:boing:

I'm proud of myself for having the courage. I've meant do do a ritual several times, but always something went wrong and I wasn't able to or changed my mind.

But... I didn't feel quite the way I expected I would. I didn't feel magick, I felt a bit like I was making some show, like it wasn't real, I felt a little bit stupid, I don't know how to explain it. Have you had similar experiences? I hope with time and practice this will change.

Blessed Be

[Haedis]

Yeah when i first started out I kind of rushed things and just went through the motions of the ritual. I knew what I had to say and do and I just did it and got it out of the way. Not that I didnt enjoy what I was doing...I just didnt realize that its important to slow down and to really feel and understand every single component. So I'm not sure how well it will work for you but the way I remedied that was by getting myself in the right mindset (by meditation, and being in a "magickal environment" meaning outside at night) and just going through things slowly and having plenty of time to feel it through and to improvise whenever i felt like it.

[MammaStar]

That's great Emaleth! I'm sure in time, with practice and the proper mindset, you'll feel it. Just let it come naturally.

I was lucky my first "official" ritual was a group thing and I remember leaving the area later on that night like I was forever changed.

But everyone's experience is a different one. :cool:

[Flaire-FireStar]

Way to go Emaleth! :thumbsup:

Yeah, I feel rather silly when I do rituals - still, sometimes. Probably because it's like I'm talking to myself, mostly since I'm in my room when I do rituals. I'm sure it would feel different if I were outside, actually feeling the elements. (Although I do usually have my window open so there's a breeze coming in) :)

[Rubi Waters]

(((Emaleth))))) way to go...yes it feels a little strange when you first start out, but then as you relax things become easier and you "feel" more back.

[cherrywind]

I think everybody sort of feels the same way during their first ritual. I know I felt a little silly because it was like talking aloud all to myself (as Flaire said ;)). As you get a little more used to the feel of things it comes much easier and you really start to feel the energies surrounding you.

[jelly.belly]

yay Emaleth! :boing: :boing: :boing:

Like they said, it becomes easier with time... everyone feels a little weird at first (well... I know i did...), but it gets better! :)

[Emy]

Try to design a ritual yourself, if you haven't already, 'cause that often makes it feel more real. Also the first times you often feel a bit stressed, like in a hurry, try to take it really slow, let things come natural, draw energy from the ground, that often helps...

To make yourself feel more comfortable in a circle one can always cast a circle and then just invite the elements and the Goddess and God and tell them what you are there to do, and sit down and meditate, make sure you bring a notebook into the circle. So you can write down whatever you are experiencing.

:)

[Emaleth]

What I did was, I actually used several rituals that I found in books and on the internet, combined them, added something so that it seemed the best for me.

Yeah, it was strange because I was talking to myself (why do I feel strange when I'm talking to myself and not when I'm talking to my dog, for instance?;) )

Not to mention I was in a rush, cause I didn't know when my family was going to be back home. It's really difficult when you're in the broom closet, you have to wait for the moment when you have a few hours to yourself. I can't imagine what their reaction would be if I went out in the night:) And if I were performing a ritual outside I think I would be afraid that someone could see me...

Anyway, thanks for support! I'm so happy that finally I can call myself "a practicing pagan":D

Blessed Be

[Sequoia]

oooh congradulations!!

When I first started working with energy and such. . . I couldn't belive any of it. I thought I was just using my imagination, and was going through the motions for my teacher. . . turns out I must've been doing something! *chuckles*

You feel it more, the more you do it.