How long do you (solitary) rituals last?

[Faery-Wings]

I understand that they will vary depending on what kind of work you are doing. A Sabbat celebration or magick will take longer than a simpler ritual. I just was wondering if I am in the ball park or if I am not doing enough or taking my time. This is not something I have been able to find about in my readings so far.

This was only my second circle so I am keeping it very basic. I set up my alter, placed candles at the quarters. Took a ritual shower with Dead sea salt and lavendar oil (mmmm). I did some deep breathing at my altar and then cast the circle. I welcomed the God and Goddess. Then I did some visualization of the elements and called them, lighting the candles at each direction. when I was done witht hat, I did a visualization of letting unnecessary fears and doubts leave my body (I really *felt* that too- it was amazing!! I could feel them flowing out of my upraised hands!!) Then I meditated a bit more and that felt so good. When I felt "right" I released the elements and opened the circle.

The whole thing only took a half hour though. I had no concept of time while I was doing this and I was really surprised that such a short amount of time had passed. Is this OK? And did I leave anything out that I should have not?

Thanks from a Beginner!:) :) :)


Chris

[Mairwen]

Greetings!

Well, I'm a Gwyddon, and Gwyddon rituals by rule are very simplistic, to the point, and short ~ no matter what you do do elongate them. The longest I've ever done/been in/performed lasted 1/2 an hour, and that's because There was a Great Day (Solar Holiday) in conjunction with a Full Moon wherein we also performed an Inititation and an Elevation.

It all depends on your Tradition and/or personal style.

[Xois]

it depends...it can last anywhere from a 10 to 30 minutes...depends on my mood, how much privacy I have and such...

Xois

[Rick]

At the risk of sounding flip, your rites take as long as they take, & end when they're over. In other words, don't sweat the small change. There is no definitive answer to "How long does it take you to commune with the Divine?". And if you're bringin' a stopwatch, don't expect to be invited to any of my rites, unless you're bringin' the mead & the chocolate chip cookies, too. ;)

[SeekerSandy]

General trend here seems that it takes as long as it takes to feel right, which you have already discovered. Don't be so concerned about doing it 'right.' You already know.
But, if you are doing it with one or more other Solitaries, might take longer, might not. We used to do all ours alone, now we do many together and each is different. Often 15 minutes or so for a full moon, unless we are raising some magick. A new moon might take longer if we are working some healing or protective magick.
Beltaine took us a little longer as we each had a little request and some thanks to relate.
The beauty of the Craft is that you can make it as complicated, or simple, as you wish---so long as your heart and thoughts are pure and connected. After too many years in organized religion, I am happy with dieties who appreciate non-liturgical complications. Don't you?
ENJOY!

[random]

umm.. well, mine usualy last between 30 min and an hour.
sometimes shorter.

But, my siblings want to watch me preform my rituals (which i DONT want) so i keep them short, sweet, and to the point.

christy

[Young Oak]

I have found that my rituals last longer when I am anxious about them.When they have a relaxed tone, they are flowing and last a shorter time.......

[Earth Walker]

Welcome to our family Young Oak :sunny:



Why fear ye the Dark Queen, oh men?
She is your renewer.
--Dion Fortune

[Vinga]

Did you count the shower into that half hour? I'm one of those people who are physically incapable of having a shower under 30min *LOL*, so if I were to count a shower into my rituals they'd last at least an hour...without a shower, anywhere from 3 minutes to as long as it takes. I'm new to this too, so perhaps the rituals become longer the more practice I get.

[Faery-Wings]

The beauty of the Craft is that you can make it as complicated, or simple, as you wish---so long as your heart and thoughts are pure and connected. After too many years in organized religion, I am happy with dieties who appreciate non-liturgical complications. Don't you?

Yes! After I read the responses and thought about this some more, I think I was unconsciously comparing it to the hour-long masses I was used to where a preset "recipe" needs to be followed. It is slowly sinking in that this can be done the way I feel best and that there is no right way. I love that!

Vinga~ I did count the shower but I didn't do my hair. Then it would have been a 30 min. shower and an hour long ritual ;)

Thanks for all of your responses. It is wonderful to have a place to kind of check in, just to make sure you on not too way off.

BB!

Chris

[bluecat]

Originally posted by Young Oak
I have found that my rituals last longer when I am anxious about them.When they have a relaxed tone, they are flowing and last a shorter time.......


Young Oak,

WElcome, pull of one of Kaylara's comfy couch/chair thingies and have some lemonade. We are a diverse group and the discussiona are often quite good.

Blue :cool: