can't get into rituals or magick

[writitive]

As a new pagan, I’m doing a lot of reading and thinking. I’m trying to figure out where I fit in, and finding that I tend more towards the eclectic than any particular path. I am having some problems, though.

The thing is, I was raised without any religion at all. Since I’ve never been involved with any religion, I’m having a very hard time bringing myself to do or feel comfortable with the idea of rituals or magick. To put it bluntly, it seems kinda silly. I’m starting to understand that I don’t have to do rituals or magick, but it seems like most people do, and I’m wondering if there is anybody else out there who feels this way. I’m also wondering what I might be missing out on by not doing it. By limiting myself this way, won’t I impede my personal growth? Am I alone in this? How can I get past this?

[mol]

You dont have to do anything you dont want to do. Including Magic and Rituals.

[Ben Gruagach]

Rituals are just planned actions that tend to be repetitive, following a meaningful sequence with loads of symbolic layers to it. Eating a meal can be a ritual, as can getting ready in the morning before you head out for the day. Putting your child to bed each night can be done in a ritualistic way: having some quiet time to talk with your child, perhaps reading a bedtime story, tucking them in, saying goodnight in a familiar pattern which you repeat each night.

Religious ritual just means deciding to do some things in a very conscious, planned-out way. It doesn't have to be complicated or overly choreographed, although some people do like that and make their rituals into big productions. Religious rituals can be very simple. And in some Pagan spiritual paths (such as followers of Eris for instance, or some Wiccan groups) humour can play a large part in ritual practice as well. Religious ritual doesn't have to be all about being serious; a lot of the rituals are more about celebration more than anything.

Following a spiritual path, for many people anyways, is more about having a life-philosophy which makes sense to them, which inspires them to better themselves, and hopefully helps them to lead lives rich in personal meaning. Rituals are really just tools we use to remind ourselves of our philosophies, our mythologies, our history, our identities. They are ways for us to set aside special time to focus on spiritual issues, and also ways for us to try and bring our spirituality into our daily lives in a meaningful way.

You'll probably discover that you do have rituals which you practice, personal ones like having special clothes which you might wear for certain occasions, specific books you pull out to read at certain times or when you feel specific ways. It might be a useful exercise to think about these types of rituals, consider if they have any connection to your life-philosophy or spiritual aspirations, and maybe decide if you can practice those rituals in ways that encourage more growth and fulfillment in you.

A couple of standard places people start when devising their own rituals and meaningful events is to think about important milestones in life, such as becoming an adult (or turning 20, or 30, or 40, or whatever.) Starting a new job is another turning point in most people's lives, as is starting school. Celebrating anniversaries, whether for friendships, or romantic relationships, or when you made important decisions. And another very common cycle of rituals people use is based on the changing of the annual cycle: in Wicca, we call them the Sabbats.

There is a lot that has been written about the value of ritual in a religious setting. Some Pagan books talk about ritual and the meaning behind them (some books better than others). But when it comes to your own practice, particularly when you practice as a solitary, the decisions on what to do and exactly how to do it (and even if you should do it at all) is really up to you. And as things change, as you grow, you might find that your decisions change, you might find a need for more or less ritual in your life. That is perfectly normal. It means you're growing.

[Rain Gnosis]

I’m starting to understand that I don’t have to do rituals or magick, but it seems like most people do, and I’m wondering if there is anybody else out there who feels this way. I’m also wondering what I might be missing out on by not doing it. By limiting myself this way, won’t I impede my personal growth? Am I alone in this? How can I get past this?

In a Wiccan context, rituals are done by people for people - to connect with the Divine and to remind oneself of the Gods. Wiccans will do Sabbats, for example, to ritually mark the turning of seasons and thus remind themselves of the God/dess in nature.

What are you missing by not doing it? You're missing the opportunity to focus on the connection between you and the Divine that always exists - the opportunity to reaffirm your connection, to spend time in a spiritual way, to consider your beliefs and dedication to the Gods. Will it impede your personal growth? Probably depends on your view of the Divine. Is the Divine in nature for you? If so, then why not just go sit outside for half an hour at night? Ritual needn't be flowery or ceremonial.

I've never been one for structured ritual myself - if anything I just go sit outside and meditate, or cast a circle inside and sit in it for half an hour thinking and writing. Maybe later you'll decide to do more rituals and spells, or maybe you'll always just be more "natural" about it - either way is ok.

[FlyingBear]

Back in the day when I started out, I felt the same way. I had no idea what I was doing, if I was doing it right and certainly no clue if I had magic or a sense of ritual.
Someone suggested that I take a few steps back and start reading up on the whys of it all. I read anything I could get my hands on. Heck, still do. Subjects like Sociology, geology, anthropology, psychology, dreams, theology,sysmbolism, mythology, history. Also grabbed up any title relating to being a pagan that made me go " Hmmmm.....", depsite people telling me the author was terrible or not. Getting a sense of the human condition and our relationship with nature, the Gods, and ourselves. And I took notes the whole time, finding more and more corrections, more and more of it made sense.
I find that having a real strong root base gives you strength to branch out, if you'll pardon the tree pun. Especially when some hate monger gets in your face and starts up about how evil you are. You'll be able to defend yourself, and still be standing.
Luckily, it's all about choice. IMHO, you'll get out of it what you put into it. It's not a path for the weak willed, and often enough playgans and hollywiccans leave because they find out that it *IS* work.
But such wonderful, exciting, blessed work it is! :D It's addded so much to my life and I'm grateful for it.

Just give yourself lots of time and patience. Each person discovers their magic in time, in their own way. Nothing is written in stone and you will find your own path.

[writitive]

Thank you all very much for your responses. I guess you all really said what I already knew, but I really wanted to hear it from someone else. And I really liked the suggestions about turning daily habits into rituals, ie that morning cup o' coffee. And sitting outside for a while, just to think and write, is my favorite way to spend time. Thank you!!

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Try thinking of it this way...

Not everyone who goes to church is a Priest. Just because you pay homage to certain Godforms, you don't have to conduct the ceremonies. I have a student, wonderfully gifted in memory, but cannot connect with the energies around him. I still have coached him in lore, and herbalism, but we really can't delve into the deeper aspects of things. He is able to feel nothing when we have a Festival Ritual, but he is content to just pay homage to the Gods and Goddesses that he follows.

I hope that helps in some way.

Myrddyn Emrys

[DixieWitch]

I've been studying since I'm 15 or 16 (I'm 26 now). I have a BOS, I have an altar. I don't do rituals, but I have them in my BOS. I don't do spells all the time--but I ahve done them and I have them in my BOS. I tihnk I will probably start my official year and day study and dedicate myself then.

I think all the advice given here is great stuff. I am so glad that I found this forum. The people here are great and helpful and you can find valuable information here. Just follow what's in your heart--I've seen that said so many times, so obviously someone knows what they are talking about!!! Do what you feel is necessary and right for you. This is about you, no one else.

~~Rowan

[tensen]

Okay. I'd like to talk from my perspective.

For the most part, I practice Wicca as the religious aspect. Not really dealing with magick. Yes, I can do magick, reiki, play with crystals, tarot, whatnot. But mostly I do prayers, and acts devoted to the Lord and Lady.

In my own home, when I am alone or with my mate.. our "rite" is pretty much spontaneous.. not any majorly planned activity, and we rarely use full ritual behavior. It is more of prayer.


I do however use full ritual when dealing with a group. The reason for this is, that through the practice of ritual the group begins to act together, and any prayers are offered up as a whole. Not as a single individual. Otherwise your communion together ends up being quite chaotic.

[Ben Gruagach]

Okay. I'd like to talk from my perspective.

For the most part, I practice Wicca as the religious aspect. Not really dealing with magick. Yes, I can do magick, reiki, play with crystals, tarot, whatnot. But mostly I do prayers, and acts devoted to the Lord and Lady.

In my own home, when I am alone or with my mate.. our "rite" is pretty much spontaneous.. not any majorly planned activity, and we rarely use full ritual behavior. It is more of prayer.


I do however use full ritual when dealing with a group. The reason for this is, that through the practice of ritual the group begins to act together, and any prayers are offered up as a whole. Not as a single individual. Otherwise your communion together ends up being quite chaotic.

I suspect your experience is like a lot of Wiccans. I know it's a lot like mine, and a lot of the other Wiccans I know personally and have worked with over the years.

Within groups I have participated in some really moving rituals which were completely spontaneous. In those cases, though, the participants were all very comfortable working together and had a lot of experience working together as a group. I'm not sure it would have worked if we were less familiar with each other and with working together.

One thing that I like to keep in mind about Wicca is that it says in the Charge of the Goddess: "All acts of love and pleasure are My rituals." So that means there's a lot of room for variation, so long as it's meaningful and uplifting in some way.

[Edited to remove a redundant redundant word.]

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Okay. I'd like to talk from my perspective.

For the most part, I practice Wicca as the religious aspect. Not really dealing with magick. Yes, I can do magick, reiki, play with crystals, tarot, whatnot. But mostly I do prayers, and acts devoted to the Lord and Lady.

In my own home, when I am alone or with my mate.. our "rite" is pretty much spontaneous.. not any majorly planned activity, and we rarely use full ritual behavior. It is more of prayer.


I do however use full ritual when dealing with a group. The reason for this is, that through the practice of ritual the group begins to act together, and any prayers are offered up as a whole. Not as a single individual. Otherwise your communion together ends up being quite chaotic.
I agree wholeheartedly!

Myrddyn Emrys