the ritual "props" thread

[asherah]

So, do you use ritual objects, clothing or jewelry?
If so, why? What do they mean to you?

I will start:
I use objects of various types to focus intent or power.

Do I think they have power in and of themselves?
No, not until I GIVE them power.. by.. say.. charging a ritual candle.

Do I think they are absolutely necessary?
No, I am sure there are those who can tap right into the divine without a darn thing. But I am not one of them. For me, the purification of space, casting of circle, and use of ritual objects helps me step out of the mundane world and into sacred space.
The objects help me get in touch with the energy I am using or the diety I am working with.
You could take them all away and I'd still have my religion, though.

I don't wear robes or any other ritual garb... though I do understand that those who do are also trying to leave behind their "mundane" persona and tap into the sacred.

I wear several pieces of meaningful Jewelry (though not all at once lol).. not so much for ritual.. as to remind me every day of my beliefs. My pentagram bracelet is sort of the Pagan equivilant of one of those "what would Jesus do" bracelets lol.

[Arduinna]

I'll come post when I have more time.

great thread idea!!

[tracymom]

Okay, you didn't specify pagans, so I'm going to put my unique twist on things as always. :)

So, do you use ritual objects, clothing or jewelry?

When I pray or meditate I use a candle and focus on the flame as part of my preparation for meditation and prayer as well as while doing it
As a choir member in my church I wear a robe and a sash during services
I have a stone that a psychic/intuitive counselor gave me that I use sort of like a worry stone in my pocket for focus during stress when I want to focus on Spirit.


Do I think they have power in and of themselves?

No.


Do I think they are absolutely necessary?

No. However, the candle helps me focus on divine power and trying to step into the light and touch the divine. It tends to keep me focused on Spirit as opposed to my own mundane concerns.
The robe, though required wear, seems to help me step above myself to try to use my voice as public prayer. It helps me try to become part of the larger group and to submerge my individuality in the collective voice for corporate worship.


Thank you Asherah, this is a great idea for a thread. I hope you don't feel I hijacked it or meant any disrespect. I thought it would be interesting to consider from diverse perspectives.

[tricia80]

I am Pagan too... so this might be a tad bit repeating....

do you use ritual objects?clothing or jewelry?If so, why? What do they mean to you?


Yes I do...

I do have jewlery but I do not adorn any when i am in cirlce.. i have yet to find a piece of jewlery that is significant for me to bring into a circle... altho i have charged and cleansed a few pieces of jewlery to wear everyday...

I also do not wear any ritual garb... i come before my deities in circle clean and without anything that holds me to this world... and my mind and body are free to open to whatever my deities need to me to be open to... (if that makes sense)

I use different objects to focus my attention and to give my ritual beautiful symbolism. I use candles to symbolize the Great Goddess and God and look into the flames for meditation... To me the objects i use in ritual mean alot.. it makes me feel like i am closer to the Goddess and her consort... and also mentally prepares me for the ritual work i am about to do....

Do I think they are absolutely necessary?

No, and I have done ritual that I have not cast a circle but have lit a candle and had a conversation with my deities and it felt just as meaningful as perferming a full ritual with all the "props"

Do I think they have power in and of themselves?

No not until I have charged them or stated the intent to which they will be used...

[asherah]

Tracymom- non Pagans are welcome to post here as well.
In fact, I am interested in what objects non-Pagans use in ritual.. or prayer or whatever.

[stafl]

Okay, I'll bite...

During labor, the purple candle and bead necklaces from my "blessingway" were very deeply meaningful to me. It was a concrete example of all the people who were thinking of me and rooting for a successful vbac. I truly felt like all those people were there with me in spirit. I used those objects to focus my thoughts on that feeling. It brought me an incredible sense of inner peace, and was a source of strength as well.

I often focus on my wedding band when DH is away (his is exactly the same but a larger size), and I feel closer to him.

Working in my garden is very therapeutic and meditative for me. When I'm gardening, I can un-focus on the mundane and connect with the Divine.

My DH comes home after a long motorcycle ride (either on the street or in the woods, depending on time of year) feeling very calm and refreshed and usually he has found answers to anything and everything that has been bothering him. He calls it "being in the zone" - but it is definitely the same sort of thing I get from meditation and prayer.

[singermom]

The early Quakers took a somewhat dim view of religious symbols, clothing that distinguished one class of people from another (because all people are equal in the sight of God), and things like that. In the present day world, this at times manifests itself through Quakers not wearing wedding bands (because it is a "symbol" of a relationship), academics participating in a graduation or other formal ceremony wearing every day clothing rather than their academic robes, and students not pledging allegience to the flag. But like most things within Quakerism, there are few absolutes, and we are encouraged to look for God's Truth wherever we can find it.

I have found power in objects, passages of the Bible or other readings, and in music. I don't think they harm the worshiping process, but at times, I do see them as getting in the way. It all depends on what space I am in.

Thanks, great thread!

Mia

[KoalaMama]

*bump*

[Aura_Kitten]

So, do you use ritual objects, clothing or jewelry?
sometimes ~ i do have a supply of ritual items that i use when i feel they will enhance the ritual or spell. no jewelry, and no clothing though ~ at the beginning of ritual i strip myself before the Divine and leave my covering behind. the few times i've performed rituals outside, i wear my cloak that i made.

What do they mean to you?
most are things i've made myself, or were given to me by friends / loved ones, or things i found in nature. so, they all have their own personal meanings as well as their place in ritual. a few things are "just" tools (like my censer), although all have been purified + consecrated.

Do I think they have power in and of themselves?
no ~ it is my belief in them that gives them power, and my own energy that i have charged them with, as well as the energy i have given them through ritual...

Do I think they are absolutely necessary?
absolutely not.