|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:39 am
Are there any things you do, for ritual or basic worship or prayer or what-have-you, that are in themselves formal and "right practice"? I find myself interested in the small formalities that are present even in a laid-back and informal feeling ritual.
For example, I know for many Hellenes it is important to wash, even before prayer if one has the chance to do so. In some religions you cover your head, in others you remove your shoes.
What are the things that you do in your practice? Do you still have to think about these things, or are they second nature now? Are they required as a part of the system of the religion you joined, or are they things you've come up with yourself that you favour or feel are required? Can you share your reasons for doing these things - are they signs of respect, or...?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:16 pm
I've been thinking about this for a couple days. I don't have a lot of formalities in my personal practice, because of the formality of my coven practices. I'm not going to talk about my coven practices, but within those there are multiple levels of cleansing and preparation, not just of myself, but my ritual wear and tools, and the ritual space itself. But while my personal practice is more casual, there's still a few things.
I center and ground myself. It usually isn't something I think about. I just do it. I pretty much always do it. I try not to come to my Gods off-kilter if I can avoid it - there are spaces for that but I try not to have my home be that space.
If I feel 'dirty' on a physical or spiritual level, I clean/se. With my Gods, there's not the same kind of need for purity as some cultures had - but I definitely don't drag yuck around on my person, either. I do have a sacred water shrine, so sometimes I will cleanse my head, my heart, and my hands with that before I do something. Other times I smudge and then do a self-blessing with oil.
I don't like to come to my Gods empty-handed. Even if it's just a candle to light, a stick of incense, a song, a small offering of found objects, or food and drink, it's something. They are the cherished guests of my home, and I give them the best of what I have. When I have nothing, they understand that, and know that when my fortunes change so will what I bring to them.
To the best of my ability, I don't bring things the Gods dislike into their presence. Some are more insistent about that, than others.
I tend to hold my hands in front of me loosely cupped open, facing upwards, and slightly apart, when I address the Gods. I don't know why or when I started doing this, but I do it for all of my more formal prayers.
I don't tend to do a lot of other prep, except for tidying spaces and making sure I have what I need there at hand. I prefer to hallow spaces, make them ready for work, since I don't necessarily believe I need to move myself between realms every time I approach a shrine or ritual. A lot of what I do and need has its' basis here, in the physical plane, so it seems really pointless to move myself from there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:13 am
It's important to approach the Gods clean in all aspects. Showered, clean clothes,and then before any ritual I have do a cleansing prayer.
Some rituals I have to have my head covered, some I don't.
It is bad to cross your fingers in prayer, hands must be palm up or down depending on the deity the prayer is for.
In fact, all body movements are done for a specific reason during a ritual.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
