The Captains Lady

'Lilith'. John Collier, 1887.

     'Creative Ritual!' gives you powerful information for creating your own private prayer rituals at home, or anywhere!

You're going to learn about...

...how to set up

a personal alter for ritual,

learn yearly rituals and their origins,

find meanings of herbs, oils, stones, colors,

planets, smudging, fragrances, salts

and incense, flowers and plants, how to

make Solar and Lunar Water

and more!

Most importantly, you'll learn to perform rituals safely!

When Should You 'Practice' Prayer?

I am not speaking of the daily 'heart to heart' talks you have with God. I am speaking of ritualistic prayer here, the gathering of your tools for specific purposes, such as some of the ideas below.

What Rituals Are Good For

Symbolizing an ending or a new beginning.

Refreshing a dwelling, or hotel room.

Harmonizing and boosting the energy in your home.

Clearing out the energies of a guest. 

Realeasing your home from energies of illness, or death.

Attracting more positive energy into your life. 

Are you ready?

    "Don't worry, no black magic here.

Only love and light!"

What is a Ritual?

The first thing you may think of when you hear the word 'ritual' is of horror movies where someone, or something, is sacrificed for the greater good of all, whether for good or evil. This is not what I am referring to, at all. There are many types of rituals. A wedding ceremony is a ritual. Blowing out birthday candles on a cake is a ritual. Baptism is a ritual. I am sure if you give it some thought, you can come up many everyday rituals. Even brushing your teeth and combing your hair in the morning, after getting out of bed, is a form of ritual. Think of ritual as a physical form of thought, or prayer. It is something that you can do in the physical and material world that parallels, and symbolizes your intentions.

You don't have to believe in ancient gods and goddesses, or change your spiritual viewpoint, in order to enjoy and find value in rituals. There are no rules here, except perhaps one. And that is, "To harm none." Rituals are powerful in their own 'rite' because of the intentions, or energies, that fuel them. Our thoughts, or intentions, go out into the universe as energies. Everything we think, say and do effects ourselves, and others, either positively or negatively.

One of the most popular rituals you can perform is the ritual of exercise. Most do not think of exercise as a ritual but it is, and a very powerful one, in that it heals your body, mind and soul all at the same time! Although 'Creative Ritual!' has more to do with spiritual rituals, it may help you to stay on your exercise program to incorporate some of the following devices into your exercise routine. With all of this in mind, whenever you involve yourself in a ritual, do so with an attitude of hope, love and gratefulness!  

The 8 Major Festivals of the Year

Samhain (pronounced 'Sow'-in), or Halloween, on October 31st.

Mid-Winter Solstice: Yule, or Christmas, practiced on December 31st.

Imbolc, or Ground Hogs Day, on February 2nd.

Spring Equinox: Eostre or Easter on the 3rd Sunday in April.

Beltane, or May Day, celebrated between April 31st and May 1st.

Mid-summer Solstice: Litha, or First Day of Summer, on June 21st!

Lammas, or Lughmass, or First Harvest celebrated August 1st or 2nd.

Autumn Equinox: Mabon, or Thanksgiving , which used to be celebrated between September 21st and 22nd.

Ritual Tools

Those who practice rituals on a regular basis usually have some common ideas about where things are to be placed on their Alter, or Ritual Tray. Does that sound scary? It shouldn't. It is no different than designating your dishes to the dish rack once cleaned. Is it necessary to have an alter or tray? No, of course not. But you may want to have some special place to put the things that you will be working with and it helps if that something is portable just in case you want to move to another room. Most of the things you will be using are beautiful and can be placed as lovely decorator items in the home. A dresser top, fireplace mantle or small cupboard will usually do for storage. Imagine a coffee table with beautiful river rocks, a copper bell from India, scented candles and incense in a lovely container. Add some fresh flowers and Chakra music to the environment and who would ever guess that a half hour ago you were deep in personal ritual, tapping on your drum, placing sea salt in the corners of your home to reduce negative energies or planting a prayer note in a flower pot! And the few drops of water on the carpet, do you think they will guess that it is Stellar (star) Water?

The following lists will direct you in the placement of tools, the meanings of some colors, stones and flowers! I'll also give you some ideas on what tools to use. Some people like to be dazzled by the preciseness of everything, I am not one of those people. Too much information and I am on automatic overload! I like simplicity and convenience. It is enough for me to just to know what color, or smell, I might want to use in my celebration of life and to offer up my prayers to God. But if you are one who loves details, then I encourage you to do more studying on the subject of rituals by, perhaps beginning with the study of Symbolism or Mythology!

Planets & Corresponding Days and Rulings

Sunday - Sun - Health & Success

Monday - Moon - Magic & Travel

Tuesday - Mars - Military & Conflict

Wednesday - Mercury - Study & Communication

Thursday - Jupiter - Luck & Wealth

Friday - Venus - Love & Beauty

Saturday - Saturn - Calmness & Spiritual Ideas

The Objects You'll Use & 'Direction' Placements  

If you would like the objects on your tray, or alter, to symbolize the four directions of North, West, East and South, you shall want to place them accordingly. Certainly there are philosophical groups who would be more than willing to give you there philosophical interpretation of where the directions lay and what elements  correspond to them, however, none of these groups seem to agree with each other. 

I suggest you use your own geographical location as the basis for direction when it comes to placing objects on your alter. For example, if you live in the north side of your city or town, you should be able to figure what direction South is, then east and west. Or, if your loved one is in the east, you may wish to place an object of love, or a picture of the both of you, in the eastern corner of your alter. I like to keep it simple. 

Perhaps you would like to use a different rendition all together. You may also arrange your alter contents in the shape of a tree (The Tree of Life) and place the objects in the order you find below. At the top of the tree would be Fire symbols, with Air below Fire, followed Water with Earth following. This represents the Four Worlds, beginning with Spirit and ending in Physicality. We came from Spirit to the world. It is our job in this lifetime to find our way back up through the Four Worlds and back to Spirit.

Fire/Spirit (Our Spirit)

You may use all blades forged in fire, red or orange stones or candles, wands from trees, gold, matches, brooms, torches and ashes. 

Air/Thought (Our Breath)

You may use a sword or spear, arrows, slings, fans, incense, a book and pen (symbolizes written thought), letter opener, feather and wind instruments. 

Water/Emotions (Our Blood)

You may use hollow horns, rings, tea and kettle, chalice, sup, bowl, wine, Holy Water, juice, Silver, sea shells, seaweed and stones with holes in their centers.

 Earth/Physicality (Our Body)

You may use animal pelts, dirt, carved bits of wood, clay, drums, roots, wheels, pentacles, crystals, stones, grain and fruit.

Color Meanings of Alter Cloths, Candles & Objects

The alter, or tray, is most often placed in the center of the room in which you will be working, unless it is in a fixed position, such as over your fireplace. You may want to place a colorful cloth on your 'work space' before you place your objects on it. Think of it as being no different than gathering together all of your manicure equipment and arranging it on a tray before you begin your weekly toe painting ritual! 

Black: Unifies physical and spirit, absorbs negative vibes. Use only when you feel negative energy surrounds you. Burn only for as long as you feel the negative energy, then switch to a color that better suits your goals.

Blue: Creates inner peace, patience, spiritual understanding, loyalty, honesty and faith.

Brown: Is grounding, heals the earth and the animals.

Green: Heals, balances, creates abundance, financial increase, eases stressful situations, persistence, fertility, growth.

Gold: Brings wealth, charisma and employment.

Indigo: Helps to enhance love to a more spiritual state between family members, and in the home.

Orange: Provides optimism, expansiveness, confidence, enthusiasm, friendship and community. Orange helps with nutritional issues and female sexuality problems.

Pink: Encourages love, attraction, affection, peace, close friendships, harmony and softness.

Purple: Adds personal spiritual perspective (as well as between friends), intuition and is calm, soothing and comforting.

Red: Represents strength, courage, steadfastness, stamina, passion, sexuality and sensuality.

Silver: Produces enlightenment during Lunar rituals.

Violet: Lends healing, better sleep, communication with higher beings.

White: Stands for purification, fidelity, transformation and love of all life. Use White when you are unsure of what other color to use.

Yellow: Helpful toward expression, freedom, playfulness, clarity, study, organization and detail.

Symbols

Circle: Wholeness, protection and perfection.

Cross: Time for decision-making, personal sacrifice.

Spiral: Cycles of Life (the ups, downs and flows). Triangle: The Divine, a third element or angle, and procreation.

Square: Balance, security, optimism.

Star: The Five Elements or Five Parts of Being, guidance, insight.

The Pentagram (not considered the star as mentioned above): Protection.

 Stones Mean What, Exactly?

Adventurine: Healing.

Agate: Success, happiness.

Amber: Protection, healing.

Amethyst: Compassion, clairvoyance.

Aquamarine: Harmony.

Bloodstone: Healing, physical strengthening.

Citrine: Mental clarity.

Carnelian: Physical grounding.

Emerald: Spiritual healing.

Flourite: Mental attunement, calming.

 Garnet: Physical strength, assertiveness.

Jade: Healing, wisdom.

 Lapis: Spirituality, intuition, royalty.

Malachite: Protection against negativity and EMFs,

heals tension, sleeplessness and depression, promotes transformation.  

Moonstone: Balancing, positive lunar qualities.

Obsidian: Grounding.

Opal: Emotional clarity.

Peridot: Mental and physical healing.

Quartz Crystal: Spiritual attunement.

Rose Quartz: Emotional balance. 

Ruby: Strength, health, spiritual passion.

Sapphire: Devotion, spirituality.

Selenite: Dreaming skills, intuition, meditation.

Topaz: Expansion, knowledge.

Tourmaline: Purification, healing.

Turquoise: Healing, balancing.

And now, an expanded, all new...

Stone & Crystal 'Soul-full' Therapies!

Plants, Flowers & Grains for Alter and Home!

Apple: Health and vitality.

Corn: Harvest, Abundance, fertility and blessing.

Grains: Prosperity and renewal.

Green Tea: Health and Energy

Iris: Delicate sensuality.

Lily: Purity and perfection.

Lily of the Valley: Springtime and new life.

Marigold: Joy and longevity.

Peach: Immortality, marriage and emotional tenderness.

Pomegranate: Fertility and unity of diversity. 

Rice: Good fortune.

Rose: Love.

Sunflower: Optimism and joy.

Thyme: Strengthening

Tulip: Vitality and sensual love.

Violet: Trust and tenderness.

Wheat: Abundance and harvest intuition.

Essential Oils & Incense for Space Clearing

Bergamot: Calmly uplifts.

Fennel: Warming, positive success. 

Fir: Cleanses

Frankincense: Spiritual Clarity and Will Power

Geranium: Balancing

Honeysuckle: Encourages eloquence.

Juniper: Purifying

Lemon: Alertness, alertness, purification. 

Lemon grass: Cleanses

Lime: Invigorating

Lavender: Soothing

Myrrh: Inspiring

 Neroli: Reduces stress

Orange: Uplifting

Passion Flower (herb or tea): Overcomes negative feelings.

Patchouli: Sensuous, grounding, stabilizing, wards off negativity.

Peppermint: Refreshes

Pine: Cleanses

Rose: Loving 

Rosemary: Stimulating

Sage: Purifies, Drives out evil.

Sandalwood: Releases fear

Vanilla: Sensuality and happiness.

Ylang Ylang: Comforts

When others test your patience, or endurance, combine Lavender, Frankincense and Vanilla! Experiment with your own combinations. Wear them in amulets around your neck or waist. Slip them under your pillow. Stash them in your car!

Smudging

Fire burns away impurities, while smoke carries those impurities and bad spirits away from us. When smudging, light the herbs, smudge stick (usually sage) or incense, cup the smoke and waft it over your face like you would water, keeping your eyes closed if you are sensitive to smoke at all. Smudge over your eyes to see the truth, your ears to hear the truth, your throat to speak the truth, and your heart so that it is opened. It is often safer to light the herb in a shell or fireproof dish, rather than to hold it. You can use a feather, or just your hand, to gently wave the smoke from the dish so that it is pushed into the air about the room as you walk through the house in a space clearing ritual. 

How To Make Elemental Water

You may use bottled spring water placed in a glass, or ceramic bowl, but not a metal one. Metal belongs to another element, Earth. On a bright night, when the sky is full of stars, set your bowl of water outside, or on the windowsill, for at least an hour in order to absorb the star light. Stellar (star) water is good for making dreams come true and bringing joy into one's life. You can store your water on your alter, but make sure it stays fresh and re-energize it every so often by spiraling (stirring) the water. You might also add some flower essences to the water such as Bach Flower essences, especially if you would like to use a flower in your ritual that is not readily available.

You can do the same for Lunar (moon) water when the moon is bright. Lunar water is good for healing. It is gentle.

Want some Solar (sun) water? Do the same when the sun is bright and leave your water in the rays for at least an hour. You can even drink it if you need a lift, but make sure to have kept it covered in some way, for sanitary reasons. To sprinkle your Holy Water around the house, use a twig or your fingertips.

One way to internalize color is to drink it!

Gather together at least 7 or 8 glass jars or bottles (with covers). Colorful wine bottles will work just as well. You can wrap clear bottles in colored cellophane. You may also purchase colored filters from color therapy suppliers. Fill your bottle with pure water and place it upon the windowsill for at least one hour in daylight. Bless the water with a prayer of thanks for its healing properties (as indicated below) and drink it down!

Red Water or Orange Water...

 helps sciatica, cold extremities, anemia and lethargy. It is not for those with high blood pressure.

Yellow Water...

helps constipation, motor nerves and digestion.

Green Water...

helps to relieve head colds, allergies, skin rash and broken heart.

Blue Water...

helps with kidneys, throat and mouth problems, colitis, hot flashes and sunburn.

Indigo Water...

helps headaches, tired eyes and tension.

Violet Water...

helps with tension (also) and emotional difficulties.

Magenta Water...

helps with energy and circulation.

Rain

Use Winter rain for courage and endurance, Spring rain for love and attraction, Summer rain for playfulness and sexiness and Fall rain for thankfulness and closure, with a touch of left-over enthusiasm! One of the best ways I can think of for using rain water is to rinse your hair in it after you shampoo. Soft, soft, soft!

Sand

Use sand to bring like-minded people into your life. Sprinkle it in your plant pots and watch your friendships grow or place sand under candles as an attractive centerpiece.

Willow

Have you ever seen those wonderful curly, naked branches they have in gift shops that they hang crystals or tree ornaments from? Usually they are Grapevine branches, but Willow branches are used as well. Although dead flowers and plants can bring negative energy into you home, Willow helps us to adjust to new situations. The next time you are out for a walk in nature maybe you'll want to bring some willow home with you to place in a vase. Or, you could stand under a willow tree until you felt stronger. Tell the tree your problems. Trees offer much wisdom. Be sure to thank the tree if you pull off a few leaves!

Kitchen 'Magick'!

Honey: Luck, fortune.

Nutmeg: Increases chances of winning. Good Luck.

Nuts: Playful communication.

Paprika: Healing and Loyalty

Parsley: Purification and Other-Worldly Communications (can tone down unwanted ghostly activity)

Peanuts: Fertility

Pineapple: Friendship

Potato: Grounding

Rice: Protection

Tomato: Contemplation

Valerian: Peace

Vanilla: Beauty and Love

Wheat Flour: Financial security

Witch Hazel: Focus

Yeast: Expansion

The Use of Salt

Using salt to ward off evil may seem superstitious, but no more so than using cinnamon for prosperity. Salt is known to absorb negative energies when placed in the Southern, Western, Eastern and Northern corners of your home, or the room you are clearing. Salt is to left in place for 24 hours and then removed and discarded down the sink or toilet. Never keep the salt or reuse it and whatever you do, don't eat it!

Before You Begin Your Ritual...

...you will want to bathe in order to wash away any negative 'vibes'. It is a way of purifying yourself before the process. Consider it a part of the ritual. If you are going to 'spiritually clean your home', or environment and make sure that all the material clutter is cleared away and the garbage is taken out. Because this is so important, it may be wise to include house cleaning in your ritual plan. You see, 'Space Clearing' rituals are not just about spiritual and emotional issues. They are about cleaning up your physical space. So if you are performing a 'Space Clearing' ritual, make sure you do your 'home'-work first first. After bathing or showering, wearing loose fitting clothes will free up your personal space.

Put out a 'Do Not disturb ' Sign! Turn off all radios, televisions, washers, dryers, telephones and anything else that makes noise. Close the family pet up outside or in a separate room and do not answer the door!

Might I suggest telling your home what it is you plan on doing? I know this may sound weird, but your home has it's own energy and that energy responds to eveything you do. Make a little announcement of your intentions. If you intend to bring more love into your home, tell your home this is what your purpose is. Your home will work with you in achieving your desired results.

Next, you will want to choose your tools based on your intention, or ritual purpose, and the kind of 'vibe' you wish to create. If you want to create and atmosphere of love and invite more tenderness into your home, you might wish to use different shades of pink in your cloth, candles and flowers. You might choose Rose Flower Essence in Lunar (Moon) water, a feather for Air, a chalice for Water, a Rose Quartz for Earth and a piece of gold jewelry, or incense (Ylang Ylang), for Fire. And, you might perform your ritual on Saturday. Put on some soft background music (no lyrics) and you are almost ready!

Blessing Your Ritual

This is very personal. There is not way I could presume to tell you what to ask for and how to ask for a blessing from our Creator. This is between the both of you. At the same time, I mention blessing your ritual because you do want to be in a state of love and grace during your ritual and protected from any negative forces. Therefore, a moment of spoken prayer, whether silently or verbally spoken, is necessary, I feel, for peace of mind and for focusing on one's intentions. It is also a good way to signify your ritual's beginning. Remember, ritual is a prayer in action. It only goes to say that you must make your intentions known.

A Little 'Blessing' Trivia! 

The Wiccan saying, "So mote it be.", mote means, 'must'.

The Hebrew word, "Amen", means, 'so be it'.

Abracadabra comes from ha bra chah da brah (Hebrew),

meaning, "Speak the blessing".

The Ritual...

...as I stated before, you may perform a ritual without ever making a sound and without using anything other than your hands! Your own body, internal voice and thoughts are enough! You can use your hands to perceive negative energy. How? Rub your hands together until you feel them warm up. Then, cup your hands as though you were holding an invisible ball. Your fingers should be about and inch away from each other at the tips. When you pull your hands apart you'll feel less energy between them. When you close them over the 'ball' you will feel more. The feeling is subtle, but it is there. Your hands can work the same way to feel the energies in your home by reaching high and low as you flow through your rooms, sort of like a psychic barometer. Many times, what your hands don't tell you, your spirit will. Something just doesn't feel right. When you run across an area in your home that feels heavy, or negative, during a Space Clearing, you can clap your hands to break up the congestion, rather than use a drum or bell, and then sooth that area with your hands just the same way you would pet a cat, with soothing downward waves of your hands.

After Your Ritual...

...you will want to give a prayer of thanks to your Creator. Perhaps you could thank him for loving and protecting you and your loved ones, sharing your life experiences with you and bringing good things your way. Again, whatever you say in your 'closing' is very personal and I would not dream of telling you what to say to your Higher Power. But remember, a happy heart is an open one and gratefulness is a cure for many ailments! As ritual is a prayer in action, you'll want to say your 'Amens', at least.

It is time to go wash your hands, up to your elbows, shake them dry and breathe happily. What you are doing is getting grounded again after your spiritual experience. And not only that, but cleaning up as well!

Be Safe!

Make sure the salts that were used during the ritual are thrown out within 24 hours, Holy water can be left in glass containers around the house, but don't ever let the water stagnate. And, never leave candles unattended. You can let them burn all the way down, and you should, but make sure you are in attendance. I use votive candles because they burn down in a reasonable length of time, come in many colors and fragrances. Flowers can be left out as a symbol of beauty for as long as they are fresh.

Some Fun Ideas! 

Plant a Prayer!

Write your prayer to God and plant it in a houseplant so it can take root! (Hey! Don't knock it until you've tried it!)

Paint a Marking Stone for Protection!

Take a rock or two and paint a symbol of protection on them. Place them by each door of your home to ward of negative energies.  Don't know what symbols to use? Try painting a fish symbol or a cross! Write PAX on one, or just the word, 'Peace', because that is what it means. Put some paint on your hand and place your very own paw print on your rock to indicate to all negative spirits that this is your space and to clear out!

Put Salt in Your Pockets!

If it works for the home, it will work for you! Just remember to dump it down the sink after 24 hours!

All Natural Product Links!

For those of you out there looking for your ritual supplies, check out Mystic Wonders at www.mysticshoppe.com (Lakewood, WA) for all of your Metaphysical shopping needs! This store is blooming into a rare rose. Mystic Wonders is located in Lakewood, WA. (Previously located at the B&I on South Tacoma Way).

Crescent  Moon, another Metaphysical shop at www.crescentmoongifts.com/info.html,  is at Freight House Square (Tacoma, WA). Beautiful!

May All Yours Prayers Come True!

- Mari