Rituals

I just returned last week from a MELT retreat Rest and Ritual at the Beautiful Sagrada Wellness Retreat Center in Central California. While I’m still assimilating all that I experienced, one of the things that I’ve been thinking about is ritual. I’m including some pictures of some things that have become ritual in my life.

When I think about ritual, one of the things that stands out is my morning and evening beverage. In the morning I make a coffee like drink (but not coffee, I’ve been caffeine free for a couple of years). I burn some incense, say a prayer for my day and set an intention for the day. I finish with 2-3 yin shapes to help. I’m going to add in some yin shapes. This retreat has me inspired to add more yin or slow down into my life.

In the evening, I make a tea latte and put it in a mug that was my mother’s. It’s my way of bringing her into my evening. I turn on my lamps and no overhead lights. Once I’m ready for bed, I curl up with a book until my light is so dim I can’t see. I have a sunrise alarm that has a sunset option. I use that when I’m going to sleep.

Ritual doesn’t have to be fancy and can be a way of starting and shutting down our day. Sometimes the simplest things can become ritual for us. Rituals can help keep us centered for our day.

Pictures: my evening tea latte, the alter space in my house, a rose of Jericho on my alter in it’s various stages, some cards a the retreat.