Open Public Rituals - What do you like to see?

[LisaT4P]

I am planning an open public ritual for Mabon this year. I'm hoping that at least 50 attend it. Planning larger rituals is a challenge, especially when you don't know the energies of those who are coming. It tends to be chaotic, but lots of fun.

My question is, if you were going to attend a ritual like this (or if you have attended public rituals before) what are some of the things you'd like to see? What works well and what doesn't? What did you enjoy about the ritual(s) you attend(ed)?

Thanks for the help!

[Zephyrstorm]

The big thing in my book is to make sure that everyone's involved. You want them to be active participants. :) But take into consideration individual needs. One year, we had a group of ladies who couldn't participate in any of the dancing, so we gave them the drums. It was a lot of fun.

Believe it or not, it helps to look into stage directions: because you want to make sure that everyone can hear you, and a lot of theatre planning is based on making sure of just that.

I'm sure it's going to a be a great ritual.

Oh! and make sure that someone can check those who are new to open rituals get greeted, and that someone makes sure they get grounded afterwards, even if it's just shoving cookies and juice at them. :)

[RunningRiot]

Good luck! I'd like to see something that really has meaning for the ritual!

[LisaT4P]

For anyone else who might be planning, Rites of Worship by Bonewits is an EXCELLENT resource. I've taken alot of my cues from him when planning. :)

[LisaT4P]

Good luck! I'd like to see something that really has meaning for the ritual!I know what you mean. I hope we can acheive that. I really do. The hard part is, how much can all the participants give of themselves. "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" is all fine and dandy, but not very likely to happen in a circle with people you've never met before. My first thought was that it would be lovely to do a bit of shadow work, but that is very personal and also very individual and so, not very suited to a "public" ritual.

The best I'm hoping for at this ritual is that everyone walks away happy or at least content and that we have a chance to give back to the pagan community and the community at large. Part of what we are planning is to make this a canned food drive. :)

[LisaT4P]

The big thing in my book is to make sure that everyone's involved. You want them to be active participants. :) Yes! I totally agree. I don't like going to rituals where I feel like I'm part of the "audience" and not part of the "ritual". ;) One of the ways I like to avoid that is by using Litanies (call & response prayers). I'm going to try to make as many of the essential parts of the ritual (quarter & deity calls, etc.) call and response as I can.

I love the idea of the drums. We are planning a drumming circle, but I don't think we had planned any dances. We certainly won't stop peolpe if they do dance though! :abanana:

[Sage Rainsong]

First of all I must say that I love your Eris avatar. Anyway I would be prepaired to plan for potential problems. I have a bit of a horror story. I was in a circle and a pregnant woman became ill. She wasn't a witch but there for the curiosity. She was nice though. Anyway, The high priestess ( who was very rude about it) was very angry that she had to leave without cutting a doorway. I suppose vomiting on the circle would be better! Anyway I am not accusng you of anything but my point is that problems can happen and one should try to plan for things that could go wrong.

[Zephyrstorm]

Sage,
how awful for that pregnant girl!
It's hard enough to be pregnant - you never know what your gonna get. to have a HPS get upset with you for something completely outside your control like that. :(

And good advice - something will go wrong - even if you're the only one who notices.

A more humorous story: a friend of mine was hosting a circle, and he bought an incense burner just for the occasion - it was a wolf and you set the cone incense up its "butt" when it was lit and the smoke was supposed to come out its mouth...
well, he decided to set the cone just before the ceremony, but neglected to light the incense first... only to have the cone get stuck.
He was so upset - because it was all going so well until then. Thus we have the story of getting incense stuck up the wolf's "butt". heh.

Z

[LisaT4P]

That is a shame that the HPS wasn't more forgiving. Things like that happen and you can't expect everything to go perfectly. I love the wolf butt story! LOL

I think our biggest challenge will be children. I'm thinking of setting up a children's area so that they'll be occupied while the parents have ritual. Some of the people attending are breeders and some aren't. (I'm a breeder) So, I want to try to work out a ritual that doesn't cater too much to one or the other. :) I've had people say that they didn't want to "dumb down" a ritual to a child's level and while I think it's a bit harsh, I also can't help but agree.

Still working on all of it....

[MoonDragn]

I went to a big ritual for Imbolc one year and it was great. I think the key is to get everyone involved and feel like they are part of the ritual. Give everyone an object or token they can keep, help imbue with power etc. I loved the spiral dance that everyone got together to do and I think it is a great way to channel the energy of the ritual. Keep the beginners in mind and try to explain as much of whats going on as you can, with some background or story to reinforce it.

[skilly-nilly]

I think it's definitely a good idea to have a children's area and have an activity or a story-teller there--it's not just the 'dumbing-down' factor; having a small comet whizzzz through the circle or start commenting on the HP's attributes in a solemn moment is distracting.

The public rituals I have enjoyed all employed participation-- call-and-responce is good. Also handing something around the circle--tying a knot in a cord, adding an object to a bowl, something that emphasizes the creation of group unity. If your planning resources can stretch to giving away an object, fine. Maybe you can detail someone to collect a bunch of acorns/pine cones/seed pods/pebbles for free.

GoodWishing your ritual success!_wiz_ :huddle:

[Jenett]

The hard part is, how much can all the participants give of themselves. "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" is all fine and dandy, but not very likely to happen in a circle with people you've never met before. My first thought was that it would be lovely to do a bit of shadow work, but that is very personal and also very individual and so, not very suited to a "public" ritual.

The way we look at it is that we *don't* expect perfect love and perfect trust in public/open rituals. It just doesn't make sense to do so - you have people who don't know each other. You quite possibly have people who are brand new to Wicca or Paganism or whatever, and don't know that part of it. You may also have people who really do have substantial concerns about another.

What we go for is "Willing to set aside external concerns for the good of the ritual goal." However, this really works best when you have a very clear ritual goal, and one that different people will find meaningful for their own reasons.

We did a public ritual for Beltane this year. We publicised the general goal in the announcement (3 sentence explanation, so people had a general idea.) We talked about it more in the pre-ritual introduction, etc.

In general, here's stuff I look for:

1) Is there a reason to do X besides "Gee, it looks cool!" - the ritual should fit together well, have a clear purpose, etc. The ritual setup stuff should flow well, and not take too long, too, as it's an easy place for people to get bored, lose focus, etc.

2) Stuff that works with 10 people often doesn't work with 50 - a big issue here is something where every person does something - it just takes too long.

3) Location, location, location - a meditation or more reflective thing may not work with a lot of people outside, because it can be really hard to hear. Such things are often done better with fewer people in an enclosed space, where the sound can bounce off nearby walls.

4) Consideration for potential needs - incense allergies, mobility concerns, someone being hard of hearing, etc. all are more likely as you have more people. If it's a public ritual, you probably won't know in advance which people may have which concerns.

5) Can you hear? *Everyone* with a speaking role needs to be able to project their voice or figure out some way to make sure that what they say is heard. Otherwise, figure out alternatives, where hearing what is said is not an issue.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

1. 'Pagan Standard Time' is a slap in the face to everyone who takes the effort to be there on time. It is also hugely disrespectful to the Gods and to the people who have organized the ritual. if the notices said that it starts at 7;30 Pm, then make damn sure that it starts at 7:30 PM, not a minute later or sooner, and too damn bad for everyone who thought they could take their time to get there.
2. For the love of God, ORGANIZE. Make 100% sure that the clergy and temple staff are going to be there. Make 100% sure that you have everything ready BEFORE the ritual.
3. PRACTICE YOUR CHANT BEFOREHAND. Even if this is ten minutes before ritual starts, it helps to be sure that everyone knows the tune, metre, and words of the chant. It can also help people get in the proper headspace.
4. Kids. I've been to rituals where the kids were no problem and, in fact,m a joy to have around. I've also been to rituals where I wanted to take them, split them open, and sprinkle their blood around the altar and anoint the four corners of the altar of incense with their blood. If you can't control your kids, then don't bring them.
5. Speak loudly enough that everyone can hear you.
6. Do a practice run before hand if you've never done this particular tiaul before, or if it's complicated. It never hurts to make sure.

[Gareth]

1. 'Pagan Standard Time' is a slap in the face to everyone who takes the effort to be there on time. It is also hugely disrespectful to the Gods and to the people who have organized the ritual. if the notices said that it starts at 7;30 Pm, then make damn sure that it starts at 7:30 PM, not a minute later or sooner, and too damn bad for everyone who thought they could take their time to get there.


Thank you!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this 'Pagan Standard Time' nonsense as disrespectful!!

[Nitefalle]

To address the whole "I can't hear what they're saying!" issue, I would suggest printing out a little half-page or one-page "program" for the ritual and passing it around about 20 minutes before ritual starts. That way, everyone knows what the litanies are going to be, even if they *can't* hear you. Also, it lets newbies get an idea of what's going to be going on, how things are going to flow, etc. People can tell you before hand if there's something that they can't handle, such as allergies, issues with disabilities, etc. Also, I think it would be a good idea to include a little bit maybe about yourself or how your group operates or the history of the holiday. Lots of people come into a public ritual, thinking they're there for one reason, when the group directing the ritual takes it another direction (for example, some poeple think Lughnassadh is about Lugh's wedding and a group could emphasize that aspect, whereas I would think I'm coming to a harvest festival....does that make sense?).
To help include people, you could have a large amount of single-food items, such as muffins or cookies, etc., and have the circle pass them around to one another, saying something like "May you always be nourished" or something like that for the Cakes&Ale portion.
I totally agree about starting on time. MY group never starts on time and it bugs me, lol. With so many people to wrangle, staying on top of the schedule is essential. I would suggest maybe ringing a loud bell or something to signify the start and end of the ritual, something that would carry (barring a bullhorn, lol).
There's always room for humor!!! If someone flubs, forgets a line, the gods understand. If someone freaks out angrily over that, the crowd will pick up on it and the tension may ruin the energies. People will walk away only talking about that as what they remember - glossing over with a little joke or a laugh goes a long way.

That's all I can think of for now....hope this inspires.

[cheddarsox]

I tend not to like open public rituals. They are usually too PC and nicey nice for my tastes. They feel like pre-school, sing song and unauthentic.

They can be authentic, if the leaders don't mind cutting to the bone and being real.

Surprise people, stay away from the worn out, cliche', stock formulaic ritual. Go with your gut and soul.

And of course, all the good stuff the others have posted.

Keep them involved.

Be sensitive to energy, adaptable and flexible. don't rush, take it slow. don't try to control it overmuch, be a participant yourself, letting yourself really feel what is going on.

The coolest thing I've had happen when creating ritual for big groups is that when I led the ritual, I was still able to experience it, get lost in it, journey with it, and be surprised by what I felt and experienced.

Best to you,

cheddar

[LisaT4P]

Thank you!!
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this 'Pagan Standard Time' nonsense as disrespectful!!Keep complaining and you won't be invited! _wedgie_

[Gareth]

Keep complaining and you won't be invited! _wedgie_

:razz:

[Astara Seague]

I tend not to like open public rituals.

And of course, all the good stuff the others have posted.



The coolest thing I've had happen when creating ritual for big groups is that when I led the ritual, I was still able to experience it, get lost in it, journey with it, and be surprised by what I felt and experienced.

Best to you,

cheddar

these are the points I agree with
personally I am just very private, and there are so many different paths, to bring them all together is kind of weird to me

Plus I have this thing about Looky loos!! :lol:
maybe its because I m just in Utah but everyone wants to "just watch" around here! it drives me nutso!! :awilly:

[Windsmith]

One way we've found to deal with "Pagan Standard Time" is to list 2 times: a gathering time and a starting time. I'm not sure why, but people seem to do better with a range of times that are OK to show up at than they do with one moment - even if the end of the range is that same moment!

In my experience, the 2 most important things to do in public ritual are 1) make sure everyone knows what's happening and why. Maybe every ritual your group does is set up so the spiral dance follows the passing of the cakes and ale, but for a newcomer...well, someone handed him a cup, said something weird, and then took it away again. Someone brought him a cookie, said something weird, and shoved it in his mouth. Now everyone's holding hands and dancing around! What the heck's going on here? Even if it seems perfectly obvious to you - maybe especially if it seems perfectly obvious to you - you'll want to explain it fully to the participants.

2) Give people permission to engage. Sometimes, even when the people leading the ritual say, "Now we're going to blahblahblah," ritual participants don't know if "we" means just the people running the ritual or everyone. You want people to feel welcome not just to the ritual itself, but to participate. Language like, "I invite you to..." or "As you feel called to/comfortable to..."

Giving them permisison to feel awkward is important, too. Some people, especially those new to Paganism, come to big public rituals expecting life-changing epiphanic experiences, instant unity with the divine, in a whole room full of kindred spirits who are somehow "above" those they normally see, people who are clearly spiritually aligned, psychically evolved, kind to kittens, etc. etc. And instead they sometimes find pretty ordinary people doing things that seem...kinda weird. Having the ritual's leaders acknowledge that without judging it can go a long way toward aleviating it. This includes language like, "Feel the rhythm of the drums. Feel how your body wants to respond. You may notice some people looking at you. Sway with the rhythm." Even coming right out and saying, "This might feel strange at first. If it's too uncomfortable, you can stop, but I encourage you to stay with it and see if you can find your space within it." Knowing that they're not expected to be super-human can make ritual participants comfortable with being divine.

[mtpathy]

electric bleechers and a funny little man in horns pulling the switch.

[LisaT4P]

Will you please stop reading my mind? :deviltail

[~Elise~]

One of the best public rituals I led was for approx. 80 people. It was a Community Building ritual. Leaders from 5 different traditions called quarters in their particular style.
I've seen it copied somewhat since then, but nothing even close to the first time it was used.

Even with the drumming and spiral dance, I did something unique.... people would be dancing the spiral - I would nod to the drummers and they'd stop. Everyone had to stop, introduce themselves to the people in front of them and behind them. The laughter and energy was awesome.

I have it in written form if you'd like to see it, I'd be happy to send it to you. just send me a PM.

Elise

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

The absolute best public ritual I ever attended was the WCC's (Wiccan Church of Canada's) Imbolc ritual at the Hamilton Temple. We did a processional, where the people passed by elemental altars (I was earth! Go Earth!) and then spoke to the Priestess, who was robed and veiled in white, sitting on a chair, with an immanse cauldron filled with water, and a basket of hyacinth bulbs. She was Brigid, and I mean, she WAS Brigid. The power was just pouring out of her. Guess who's my favourite imported Toronto clergy? Her ^^
Ritual tonight started promptly and ended at 8:30. It was still light out. That kind of knocked our collective socks off : "Hmmm, it CAN be done..." Needless to say, when I'm doing my Isis ritual this summer, it will start ON TIME and I have permission from our local Priestess to give our Summoner a nine-foot bullwhip.

[Ivy Artemisia]

We've done open (to family and friends) rituals, and eventually, we'll do a public ritual. We are workin' up to it. Thanks for the book recommendation, I will definitely check it out.

When we do open rituals, we usually have a gathering time and a starting time. Today, we gathered at 3, circled at 4. That way we can start on time without worrying whether or not someone is going show up late.

What I like in a public ritual is participation and explanation (because I might not practice your tradition, please let me know if Im going to face the direction of the quarters, etc).

What I don't like is when the ritual players don't take into effect environmental factors, or disabilies. For example, I once attended an outdoor february ritual. It was really cold, not too bad. But standing in one spot for 2 hours was crazy. It might have been a good idea if they had some participatory movement happen. In the cold, they read a meditation that HAD to have been 30-40 minutes long. My feet were hurting from being freezing and standing in one place, and I couldn't focus on the Brighid meditation. All I could think about was my hurting feet. Usually, we let people know that we are going to do a meditation and they should make themselves comfy. If they want to lay down, or sit... they should.. we want everyone to get the best experience they can out of it.

If you are going to say something in another language, please tell us beforehand what it means, or have someone translate during the ritual for you.

I really like the idea of everyone coming away with something to take home. We do this periodically... involving candles, seeds, etc. somehow and then inviting people to take theirs home to their altar. Today, we had a nature scavenger hunt to win stalks of wheat to take home (our ritual was at the park- we had a picnic and played games).

I learn something new everytime we host an open ritual. Today, I learned that next time, we'll make programs with the call and response part and I'll explain the parts of ritual a little better. Sorry that this was the longest post ever!!

[LisaT4P]

She was Brigid, and I mean, she WAS Brigid. The power was just pouring out of her. I love it when people draw down during a ritual. I had suggested doing this for Mabon, but I think we might hold off on it for another time. We did our first one like that for Imbolg too, I loved drawing down Brigid. :) She's so ..... I don't know. She's just Brigid. :D

[LisaT4P]

I learn something new everytime we host an open ritual. Today, I learned that next time, we'll make programs with the call and response part and I'll explain the parts of ritual a little better. Sorry that this was the longest post ever!!I love making programs! LOL I make them with pretty pictures, lots of color and nice borders. I try to find beautiful fonts too. I want the program to be something that the attendees will WANT to take home and put in their BoS.

I was also thinking this time of using little index cards with the call & response stuff, so they aren't holding great big pieces of paper. I thought I'd let the kids in the coven do them, put pretty stickers & such. Get the kids involved. :)

I feel the same way about meditation in large group rituals. Unless it's a quicky grounding ritual, I try not to do it. Especially since we'll be outdoors and there will be too many distractions. Meditations are rather personal anyway, and I want people to interact with each other!

[Sage Rainsong]

Unless it's a quicky grounding ritual, I try not to do it. Especially since we'll be outdoors and there will be too many distractions. Meditations are rather personal anyway, and I want people to interact with each other!

Oh Gods I went to a ritual with a very long and confusing meditation. It was rather strange i couldn't help but laugh afterwards. I don't know, there was something about a crane and a flaming wheel going into pool with crystals in it. I'm still pretty confused. Anyway Issac Bonewits has an interesting grounding meditation where everyone visualises themselves as a treee and their roots are supposed to connect with each others. It's suppose to promote unity for the ritual. Have you come across that at all?

[Lolair]

I am planning an open public ritual for Mabon this year. I'm hoping that at least 50 attend it. Planning larger rituals is a challenge, especially when you don't know the energies of those who are coming. It tends to be chaotic, but lots of fun.

My question is, if you were going to attend a ritual like this (or if you have attended public rituals before) what are some of the things you'd like to see? What works well and what doesn't? What did you enjoy about the ritual(s) you attend(ed)?
Hi Lisa,

I think the most important thing about hosting a public ritual is that it is organized. If you are singing any chants or reciting liturgy make sure you make photocopies for everyone attending. Before the circle is cast give a brief overview of how the ritual will proceed; liturgy, chants, spiral dancing, a mystery play, offerings, wishes... it allows for those with disabilities to sit aside if they can't participate in dancing. I agree with many others here that including everyone somehow in the ritual is important - and have a purpose or theme for the ritual. Generic rituals without purpose always leave me feeling hollow - and that we bothered the elements and gods for no good reason.

For children definately get some volunteers or teenagers to sit out the ritual to look after the children --well away from the circle. You may love your children, but not everyone thinks it's cute to have children running in and out of the circle screaming, or tugging on mummy's robe every two minutes. Same thing goes with dogs, some may frown on your doggy running amuk and barking during the ritual.

Most important for large public rituals - get volunteers! Or voluntell some people into calling the quarters, babysitting, performing parts of a mystery play, passing around the cakes and ale, bringing supplies... A good end to a ritual is a good feast. For Mabon get everyone to bring a potluck dish with a harvest theme, make sure you get a wide range of main courses, desserts, salads, snacks... Perhaps give a list of example dishes/themes that would be appropriate. Lol and lastly make is clear that there is no Pagan standard time for you ritual - it starts as a specific time and if you miss the start of the ritual then you're sitting out or playing with the kids in the back room.

Good luck, may it be a wonderful ritual!!