Traditional Rituals

What exactly is a ritual? A ritual can be defined as aThey spark the emotions, by triggering feel­ings
cere­monial or formal solemn act,of mourning and remembrance. These particular rites
ob­servance, or procedure done inof passage can be very therapeutic for the
ac­cordance with a prescribed rule or custom.liv­ing because it helps to set up feelings of
Now that's a broad definition that can certainlyacceptance, and lets them continue-with their own
encompass much activity, but most rituals are meantlives. It also helps dissolve any feelings of guilt.
to induce change, or reflect a change that is alreadyMost traditional rituals make use of candles, in one
taking place. Many rituals are in reali­ty, nothingway or another. In many Christian ceremonies, the
more than rites of pas-sage. Some examples of thiscandles are symbolic of Christ, as being the light of
are bar mitzvahs, baptism, marriages, and funerals.the world. One non-Christian us of candles in ritualistic
Traditional events that are ritualistic in their verycelebrations, is the birthday cake. Light the candles,
nat­ure. These so called rites of pas-sage aremake a wish, and blow them out. Your wish will
just changes from one form to another. They arecome true. In traditional rituals, as with any kind of
very analogous to celestial changes that are notedritual, candles are used as a symbol to focus ones
by ritualistic celebrations. Festi­vals in honor ofattention, and aid in the total concentration of the
the Spring and Au­tumn Equinox, or the Summermind.
and Winter Solstice, do commemorate the changingThe cross is another symbolic tool used in traditional
from one season to another. Every December 31strituals. The custom of making the sign of the cross is
we all cele­brate the dawning of a New Year.an instant way to a-waken, and activate the spiritual
Traditional rituals slow down the rush, and chaos ofspark within us. The cross is not specifically a
daily life. They present to us glimpses ofChristian symbol. It is a universal symbol, and can be
e­ternity, and show us where we are in thefound in all theosophies, in one form or another. In
midst of things. One thing that a ritual like a weddingmany ways the cross is an obvious manifestation of
does is freeze the clock against our most formidableour whole world. It represents the four seasons of
opponent, time. At a wedding we have the parents,the year, the four elements, the four direction- all
who inwardly wind back the hands of time. Visions ofpoints of the compass, the four cardinal points in
the child's first steps, school plays, and first datesastrology, even the four Archangels. Many different
parade through their minds. The elderly in attendancespiritual rituals are found to be based upon the
reflect up-on their marriages, and the changes theypowerful symbol of the cross.
have seen within that union. They ponder on all thatTraditional rituals help us to deal with the inevitable
they have seen through the years of their marriage.changes in our lives, and present a chance to stop
The younger ones cast themselves in the role of theand take a good look at our lives, see were we have
betrothed.been, and where we are going.
Funerals and wakes are rituals that honor the dead.