Although Circle is in no way required for Ritual, its equitable and center-focused nature lends itself to Ritual and empowers it. -- Tom
Most Ritual involves going deeper in some way, often in a contemplative, meditative, or worshipful way, but even just a stepping out of the flow of ordinary life to notice and appreciate the fact that it (or some dimension of it) exists. -- Tom
Similar to group culture, context and history shape what is possible and appropriate for a ritual.--Tree
It is very important for Ritual power to have at least one person Holding the Space within which others can flow with the activities and meaning of the Ritual. -- Tom
Rituals often don't come off exactly as planned. And if a ritual is too rote, it will not be alive. --Tree
Part of what makes something a ritual is it being repeated over and over. --Sue
Rituals may invoke Spirit, Magic or Nature, and often use artifacts from these other patterns. Ritual is a mode that can be shifted to, to open, transition, close, or shake up thinking. - Wiki
The Presence of the person Holding the Space has a profound impact on the Ritual, as is the presence of everyone else involved. This pattern also covers the Presence of that which is greater than us, which often shows up in Ritual space. Presence is a major part of Ritual, on all counts. -- Tom
You may want to do a ritual now, but is the group ripe for it now? -- Tom
Set a clear intention for your ritual. --Tree
Silence creates a space outside of ordinary space, where ordinary affairs can be set aside and deepening can occur. -- Tom
Often Ritual involves the telling of a group story of the sharing of stories from group members or others, mostly to invoke a sense of connection, shared being or meaning. -- Tom
Almost all Ritual, by its nature and definition, involves a shift from ordinary reality and affairs to a perspective and reality that is deeper, broader, or transcendent. This can be a simple "time out" shift or a profoundly transformative one. -- Tom
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