So, if people in your group expect 'throw your troubles in the cauldron and let them go', for example, based on what you say here, then it might be good to address that somehow - either by letting them know *before* the ritual that it's not going to be there, or by incorporating something similar in your ritual, even if it's not the main thrust of what you're doing. (For example, a brief personal time for reflection and meditation with that as a suggested thing to focus on, or something.)
I made the comment about the "troubles in the cauldron" ritual because it's so similar to many Pagan rituals I have been to that left me cold. It's starting to feel like the "generic" Pagan ritual to me. I'm not saying it can't be done well, only that I want to do something that I find more meaningful. I honestly think that my friends will be expecting something more unique, with more depth than a simple spell. Typically, the rituals we do meet the following format: 1). call quarters, invite deities join us. 2). do a guided meditation of some form 3). raise energy, direct it toward some intention. This usually involves rhythmic chanting. 4). Dismiss quarters, thank whatever deities have joined us.
As I said, this is very
loosely Neowiccan. Sometimes we use traditional tools like chalices and athames, but most of the time, we don't.
Right now, what I want to put together feels like a lot of disconnected elements and I'm not sure how to put them together into a cohesive unit. For one thing, I wrote a poem that another member of the group really liked. I'm feeling too shy to post it at the moment, but I'll probably put it on TC somewhere once it's less rough. It's very contemplative and solemn, sort of an underworld journey into autumn, but it ends with a re-emergence into the warm aspects of the season, re-integration with friends, family and the things about the season that draw us together. My friend was thinking we could do it as sort of a call and answer thing, and I really like that idea, but I'm worried that would make things scripted and forced. We usually a lot more about spontaneity, but we've also done more scripted rituals and pulled them off really well. My hesitation to use this poem might have something to do with the fact that I'm just horribly shy about my writing.
I've also been tapping into something interesting, recently, and I'm not really sure what it means for me yet. I've had experiences where I feel like the air is absolutely thick with spirits, and all of them seem like they want to have a voice. Like, they have something important to say, and nobody is listening anymore. I don't know what they are. Forgotten Akhu? Nature spirits feeling displaced by Boulder's encroaching condominiums? I don't know. It's entirely possible that I've gone insane(er). But this feels important. It's not just the ancestors we personally remember that need to be honored. That's a realization that's hitting me in a really big way.
A friend told me a couple of weeks ago that it seemed like I was grieving along with the Earth, and that maybe the Earth actually needed someone to do that. It made sense to me. (This seems to be related to my recent fascination with Nebt Het.) This is a strongly nature-based circle that I'm working with, and I think that the whole theme of grieving along with the Earth would resonate with a lot of people. I guess the one thing I don't know what to do with is Magic. There is always some kind of raising of energy, and I'm not sure what kind of energy I want to raise. I don't want to be disruptive to the contemplative aspect, but at the same time, I don't just want to leave everyone crying and have that be the end of it. Next year they'd all be saying "okay, let's not leave the Emo Kemetic in charge of Samhain this year!" In all seriousness, I want there to be a purpose. I want us to send each other some strengthening energy of sorts. I do
want magic. I just want this whole thing to be seamless, and all I've got is random disconnected bits.
So We are doing two things to honor our ancesters. We are doing everyone light a candle for their loved ones and then we are doing a ribbon type of "spell" while doing some chants as a personal rememberance for our loved ones that have passed
Would you mind giving me some more details about this "spell", and what kind of intention you put into it? Sounds very interesting.
Sigh. I get so stressed over priestessing.
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