The Beauty and Spirit ofRitual

If you look at rituals written in a book, they don’t seemlike much. Black print on white paper is cold and impersonal. It isn’t untilyou actually perform them that they come to life, as solid as the earth youstand on— your breath the air, your spirit the light and the passion thatignites them and makes them live.

What makes a ritual special is the power of belief. Thespirit of the one who performs it, whether in a living room in the city or aforest glen, in the middle of the darkest night or under the glow of a fullmoon— this is what makes a ritual blossom and sparkle.

In other words … you.

The truth is, rituals are just words. But words havepower, as we all know. Think of the inspirational speeches of people like MartinLuther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln. Just words—until they are spoken by peoplewho believed strongly and felt with all their hearts. Poets and playwrights andprophets have all used words to move us and challenge us and make us think.

That is the true power of ritual. It taps into ourhearts, our minds, our souls, and helps us to create positive change in theuniverse. Through our will, our focus, and our belief , we can become thechange we desire.
Rituals are powerful tools, but they require more than just candles and incenseto bring them to their full power; they require you. What you get out of aritual depends very much on what you put into it. So take the time to allowyourself to sink into the meditations, beat the drum , and listen to the beatingheart of the world beneath your feet. Let the beauty of words move you to tearsor laughter (or both), and let the magick blossom in your heart.

Remember that, in the end, ritual is about spirit andbeauty and our own personal power . As you speak the words written on pages,you transform them … and that is magick, indeed.