The use and importance of ritual

For most of mankind’s history we have created rituals be they mystical or personal. Man as a species seems to need some form of mystical ritual. Now clearly that is not the case for all people. But many if not the majority of people find comfort in mystical ritual of some sort.

The reasons for this can be many. Though I agree with Anton LaVeys concept of it. He believed that rituals were a form of emotional catharsis. That when used with proper conviction and form they are a great form of emotional catharsis. That through focus and conviction you can pour out your emotions in ritual allowing for healing and release.

Some might believe that ritual can have an actual effect but for me that is neither here nor there. If ritual or “magical workings” have true impact on the real world ok cool fine so much the better. But even if they do not they still allow a safe and healthy form for strong emotions to be poured into without causing harm to anyone.

So as a way to master the self and prevent strong emotions from gnawing at us spiritual ritual is perfect. They allow you to vent and then release emotions that otherwise might cause actual harm. So in this regards I think that this could be a great tool for most Jedi if they so choose.


Moving on to personal ritual well this should be self evident. Having personal rituals such as a morning or evening can give you a sense of normality in hard times. Further it can set you into a ready for the day or going to bed mindset. Basically it can help get your mind in the right place for any event. So for example having an evening routine can make it easier to fall asleep even if you are having a rough day or are stressed.

So for those that wish what are your rituals be they mystical or personal? Does the temple have any rituals? What are your thoughts on the use of ritual as a form of catharsis.

I left Catholicism years ago, but I still find comfort in the ritual of the Mass. I appreciate the guided confession and profession that are part of each Sunday. One says the words automatically, but the thought is planted for reflection.

"I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
(strike breast) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;"

I have considered adding passages of the Mass into my routine reflection (my version of meditation I suppose). Just like a rosary, it is not so much about the words, but the thoughts that come with them.

Some random comments on this interesting post.

There are some rituals (Rites of Passage) that are observed but once in a lifetime. Some rituals do have a cathardic effect but reducing religious beliefs and practices to psychology is, I think, a flawed methodology. That said...some rituals can be one-off inventions without any religious content such as marking a divorce or finishing paying off a bank loan.

'Mystical' is not the word I would choose to describe a religious or sacred ritual.
Some personal rituals have a spiritual content.

Some rituals are reenactments of a particular myth, others are not. The textbook I'm using this semester in my World Mythology course centers on this discussion. The Myth and Ritual Theory: An Anthology Edited by Robert A. Segal.

Alan what I was speaking of was one mans view on why we keep creating ritual and what he used them for. I happen to agree with much of what he says. That doesnt change how other people can see it nor does it mean I think they are totally wrong. As for one off ritual well that was something I was not going to cover in this one as those are a totally different topic although they can be emotionally cathartic as well.
Simply put I was putting out there two reasons I use ritual in my personal life. Nothing more nothing less.

MadHatter wrote: For most of mankind’s history we have created rituals be they mystical or personal. Man as a species seems to need some form of mystical ritual. Now clearly that is not the case for all people.

Trufax. I can't even adhere to bedtime rituals. I fail Human 101 xD

So for those that wish what are your rituals be they mystical or personal? Does the temple have any rituals? What are your thoughts on the use of ritual as a form of catharsis.

I will admit that the teeny ritual we have of all gathering into the chat room to be quiet, listen to a sermon, and recite the creed is nice. Even the people I've had differences with in the past are there... I kinda feel like it might be possible for everyone to get along, even if just to respectfully listen together. So that's a smidge cathartic.

Rituals reconcile the psyche of an individual or community to the sufferings, malaise, horrors, stresses, etc. of life. All of the so called 'primitive' tribes and civilzations that had their songs, dances, rituals of showing gratitude, respect, or trying to provoke change, healing, etc., and you notice the agenda back then by the more 'evolved' Christian or other civilizations was to convert them or kill them.

It makes you wonder because when you look at the differences between the old and new, the new as in us our civilization just takes, takes, takes and rapes the earth. The old used everything, wore the animals they killed, everything was put to use and there was a corresponding ritual to symbolize that bond they had with that animal or resource.

Some even say that the collective dancing and singing type rituals actually affected the Earth's immune system, the Earth supposedly has it's own chakras where ley lines intersect. As most people think it's a bunch of nonsense, it's surprising to find that our new civilization has placed a lot of interesting things and conduct some what seems to be dark rituals in these areas and to go further gets more into conspiracy type topics.