Ritual (2)

The cycles of life. The plants sprout in spring, come to fruit through the summer, in autumn the fruits ripen and plants begin to die back, and then they hibernate through the winter gathering energy for the next spring. Sunrise, sunset and the moon follows suit. We are born, we grow, we learn, we bring offspring and we leave this life. Every thing in life comes and goes in cycles. Our own rituals for birthdays, holidays, holy days . . . they are also part of the rhythm of our lives.

As humans, we have a self awareness that is trying to make sense of all of these cycles, these rhythms. It is good to embrace that. If the rituals of the past do not suit your current understanding and principles then create new rituals that do best represent your beliefs.

When we know better, we do better.

Generations of the past were celebrating the rituals that gave them meaning, comfort. As you reflect in this time of holidays, you may find, as I have that many of these rituals do not hold the meaning for yourself that they are intended for. And so for a long time, I ignored all rituals around these holidays. However, I found I missed the connections of shared rituals, the moments of honoring the sacred. I am now working towards creating rituals that honor what I find sacred. I am also reshaping old rituals so that they still fit and hold sacred meaning for myself. I am asking those close to me to share in my new rituals. It’s taking time for me to find what feels right and who I feel most comfortable with sharing but it is happening.

Ritual

I take a few minutes and walk out side. It’s rainy, it’s hot, it’s snowy, it’s an easy warmth and pleasant breeze. It doesn’t matter the conditions, each day I take a few moments to feel the air, feel the weather, observe the trees in my space, look for other life. Along the highway, I find a Cooper’s Hawk, I see osprey nests on the highway signs, I see a great blue heron fly over the same highway bridge almost every morning, heading east. He’s on his commute and I am on mine. Meditation, mindfulness it is sacred but that sacredness is found everywhere when you treat it as sacred.

Today, I walked the yard; walked along the woodline behind the house. Prints in the icy snow that is still in the areas of the yard that gets less light. The crunch of this melting snow beneath my feet. The crisp, icy air on my cheeks and nose. The dryness of the air. The quiet of the woods. The peep of a bird that was traveling from tree to tree. The gentle crash of snow falling from limbs.

Each day I try give myself time to be with myself for reflection and self growth.