21 rituals to make your life better
Our ancestors knew the value of rituals. Anthropologists have documented the rituals of the ancient ones across cultures. In our modern day, psychologists who have studied the impact of rituals on people, have found rituals can impact our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Rituals give us confidence when faced with a challenging situation. Rituals help us during mourning the loss of a loved one whether by death or absence. Rituals help us celebrate important milestones in our lives like graduating from high school or college, a wedding, or other rites of passage. Rituals help us move to higher levels of our lives and deepen our spirituality.
Rituals even help us move through those times of transition when we have left the known to travel through the unknown before returning to a new known.
Following are 21 rituals (in 6 suggested categories) that you can do alone or in a group. Many of these rituals are interchangeable. For example, a ritual for Healing from loss can also be used for Looking for answers or Healing anger or disappointment, or rituals To celebrate also work for rituals To help you feel better, and visa versa. You can also adapt these rituals to best fit your needs and life.
Energy renewal
The more you become aware of energy and its impact on you, the more you will need to cleanse the energy.
- Stand on Mother Earth and shake off energy after being around others. You can do this after work or time at the grocery store. Of course, always ask her permission. If she says no, move to another spot. That spot is healing.
- Before going out among people imagine the Divine Light of Love coming into the top of your head and surrounding your body. As you move about feel the oval of light around you and a few inches out from you.
- Shower. While the water washes over you, let go of any energy that is hindering you.
Healing from loss
- Write a letter to the loved one to express your feelings.
- Allow yourself to receive a letter from a loved one who is gone. Without judgment, simply write what words come to mind, then go back and read what you have written.
- Take a warm bath and allow yourself to bask in the water’s soothing warmth. As the water fills, allow your emotions to come forward. Let the tears flow. As the water recedes, allow the emotions to go down the drain with the water. As you stand, feel your new strength that the water has given you.
Looking for answers
- Light a candle. Write down the question, then sit in silent meditation for a few minutes. Follow your breath as it moves in and out until your thoughts quiet. Once your thoughts settle, pick up a pen and paper and write out the answer.
- Use the glass of water trick. Here’s a link to my video that explains this ritual: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOl1CziWvws
- Use muscle testing. Here’s my video of three muscle tests you can use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoVjeVtbsRI&list=PLeQCCQwRvvvUKfSeht9Vrdeig4vgF69j2&index=4
Healing anger or disappointment
- Draw a picture of your anger or disappointment. Use crayons or colored pencils. Put your anger/ disappointment into the picture. Once the feelings dissipate, burn the picture, letting go of any anger/disappointment residue. Give the ashes to the sky’s clouds and Mother Earth.
- Walk and talk. While walking, talk to yourself about why you are angry or disappointed. If another person is involved, speak both sides of the story. Walk until you’re able to release the emotion. It’s best if you can walk in nature.
- Change the energy between you and the other person. This video of mine will walk you through how to do so: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GABcO7KJfqI&list=PLeQCCQwRvvvWlYAt-iuDzY91g5Pwka0ed&index=18
To help you feel better
- Dance to a song that touches your heart.
- Pick or buy a bouquet of flowers and put them where you spent time.
- Scream at the top of your lungs until you start laughing. Only do this if you won’t be heard or scare someone.
- Call a kvetch buddy. This is a person that you’ve both agreed will listen without giving comment when you want to just get it out.
- Write out what’s bothering you in a journal. Keep writing until you feel a release.
- Laugh. Just start laughing. It’s not always easy but do it anyway. If you can’t do it on your own, this video of Daisy and me might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mCu0-4iMQ8&list=PLeQCCQwRvvvXtIt1jUv3n1CEG-N889ort&index=2
To celebrate
- Sing at the top of your lungs a song that celebrates you.
- Call a friend to tell them and have them celebrate with you.
- Tell the night sky how excited you are for you. Then the next day, tell the sun.
Before performing any ritual, state your clear intent. Wishing alone won’t make it so. A clear intent, following by action will.