The Use of Ritual to Clear Emotions

By Grace Hubbard

What is the difference between a ritual and a habit? How do we incorporate each one in our lives?

The first cup of tea or coffee in the morning, the quick perusal of the sports page, the invigorating morning shower are all activities with elements of ritual. We complete the event with the same items, in the same order, and at the same time of day. Yet, seldom do we complete these activities and routines with an awareness or conscious intent. We go through the motions while pondering any number of thoughts for the day ahead. These habits assist us in transitioning from one part of our day to another; they serve to bring a sense of comfort, familiarity and continuity. It is exactly the mindlessness with which we complete these activities that is comforting.

Ritual is different from habit in that it asks a conscious intent, a clear awareness of purpose. Ritual is a set of activities that occur as a result of a specific intention. This focus allows us to create ritual that expands our consciousness. Ritual may occur in many forms-the unchanging sequence of liturgy, the chosen birthday meal, the hosting of Christmas. Elements may shift in small or large degrees across people and years while preserving the intent of the ritual. Ritual can be used for many purposes: connecting with others, enhancing creativity, prayer and meditation, ushering in something new, honoring something lost, and healing. The purpose of ritual discussed here is that of promoting healing.

Ritual is a powerful tool to assist with transforming emotion that no loner serves us. This transformation creates an energy that assists us in moving forward. The wounding effects of anger, the numbing effects of grief and the crippling effects of guilt can be transformed with the power of ritual. It is the energy inherent in our intention, the choice of symbols, and the sequence of activities that build the power of the ritual. Ritual provides a vehicle for the transformation of energy. Through the energy inherent in ritual we expand our consciousness, thereby raising our vibration. This higher vibration transmutes the lower vibration of anger, fear and guilt.

When using ritual for emotional clearing consider the following:

an intense feeling state that has existed for many years has a stronger vibration and will likely require more than one level of transformation.

One ritual exercise may not be sufficient;

clarity of intention brings more power to the ritual;

it is not necessary to understand how the ritual is working for it to work;

a few steps of preparation result in a greater receptivity to the energy of the ritual.

Preparation of yourself and your space initiate a momentum for the ritual. You are adding action to your intention. This builds the energy of the ritual. Preparation includes the following steps:

determine your intention;

establish a day and time that will allow an unhurried completion of the ritual with no interruptions;

collect the symbols that will be a part of your ritual;

determine the order of activities within your ritual

clear the area of in which you will conduct your ritual of clutter or debris.

Your ritual can be as simple as lighting a candle, invoking the Source and focusing on your intent. A ritual can also be more complex in the number of activities you design within the ritual and the number of symbols you use to express your intention. The symbols are items that represent meaning that cannot be, or do not need to be expressed in words. A single object can create and express many meanings. The actions we take within the ritual represent the larger events in our life.

Ask for guidance as you design your ritual. Ask for guidance in choosing the number of activities within your ritual. Ask for guidance in choosing the symbols. Ask for guidance in determining the day to hold your ritual. Wait for a “knowing” for how to proceed. Allow yourself a period of time (10 minutes, one hour, one-half a day, etc.) to re-enter your life after completion of your ritual.

The framework below for designing your ritual includes a range of suggested activities. Use your creativity to design a ritual meaningful for yourself. Fully design and plan your ritual before you conduct it. Collect all your items to be used as symbols. Think through your activities. Again, wait for a sense of time, for when it feels right to conduct the ritual. Less planning is required for a simple ritual. If you feel guided to use more elements in the design of your ritual, a greater amount of planning is required. The complexity of the ritual is totally an individual choice.

The elements of ritual may include all or any combination of the following: (the activities with an asterisk are recommended every time you conduct a ritual)

*1. Identification of your purpose
What do you want to achieve with this ritual; what is your goal? Explore your emotions to gain clarity.

*2. Set your intention
Use your clarity to form a statement expressing your intention.

What do you want to create?

3. Determine the sequence of activity

*A. Open ritual space by an invocation of your spiritual source. Invoke with:

a statement
a prayer
scripture
poetry
or, lighting a candle

B. Establish the body of your ritual with activities that address your intention. Use your creativity to choose or design symbols that reflect your intention.

1. Is the intention to release or let go of an emotion or belief?

2. Is the intention to build momentum for something?

3. Are you transforming an emotion or event?

4. What actions or behaviors express your intention? (for example, burning something, writing a passage that describes your intention, releasing a balloon)

C. Meditation and silence create a space to set the energy of the activities performed and allows reflection on the intention.

silence and reflection
deep breathing
conduct a meditation of your choice
read written passages that are meaningful to you

*D. Close ritual space by releasing your spiritual source through:

1. a statement
2. a prayer
3. “Amen”
4. “Thank you”
4. Choosing symbols

Any item that represents your emotion, belief or intent can be a symbol. The meaning of the object may be established, such as a cross; or you can choose an item and designate its intention. (examples of items include candles, fire, water, crystals, pictures, flowers, words, feathers, leaves)

Upon completion of the ritual, allow a period of integration. The energy of your intention will align with the energy inherent in ritual to transform your previous levels of perception. Remain open to the experience and allow the process to work. You may notice a big shift in your perspective, or you may gradually realize a greater sense of peace over days and weeks. Your consciousness has expanded.

Grace Hubbard is a practicing counselor/coach and Reiki Master/Teacher. Visit her website for more information at www.childandfamilyempowerment.com

Online exclusive at InnerchangeMag.com, December 2006