Got questions? Here are some answers!
What is a ritual anyway?
A ritual or a ceremony is a way of marking a transition from one state of being to another.
At it's heart ritual is the methodology of how to do it. It involves establishing a specific space and/or time, declaring an intention, performing symbolic acts that fulfill the intention and formally closing the time and space that was set aside.
What if I already have a religion or faith? Why should I turn to personalized ritual?
I find that the preset ceremonies within existing religions are very general and often our needs are very specific. There may not be a specific ritual that fulfills your emotional need in the way you’d like it to be fulfilled.
Will a personalized ritual go against my pre-existing religion?
The rituals and ceremonies I create as La Padre are largely non-denominational.
They borrow from many different traditions without adhering to any one in particular.
And because the ceremonies are designed around your belief set and what you are comfortable with, great care is taken to make sure they are in no way offensive to any already established beliefs.
As La Padre I hold the purest intention of working for the highest good; I choose to think that whatever God is out there is cool with that, even if a church may not be.
What if I don’t necessarily believe in “God”?
Ritual isn’t about the Divine. It’s really a way of being together with other people (and with ourselves) that allows for a sense of comfort and security so that we can share our best selves. There are countless ways to do that, with or without referencing a higher power.
I’ll sometimes invoke the name of a god or goddess or use that imagery but it’s in no way necessary to do so. I often think of it in terms of an energy added to the ceremony rather that an actual personified presence.
A ritual or a ceremony is a way of marking a transition from one state of being to another.
At it's heart ritual is the methodology of how to do it. It involves establishing a specific space and/or time, declaring an intention, performing symbolic acts that fulfill the intention and formally closing the time and space that was set aside.
What if I already have a religion or faith? Why should I turn to personalized ritual?
I find that the preset ceremonies within existing religions are very general and often our needs are very specific. There may not be a specific ritual that fulfills your emotional need in the way you’d like it to be fulfilled.
Will a personalized ritual go against my pre-existing religion?
The rituals and ceremonies I create as La Padre are largely non-denominational.
They borrow from many different traditions without adhering to any one in particular.
And because the ceremonies are designed around your belief set and what you are comfortable with, great care is taken to make sure they are in no way offensive to any already established beliefs.
As La Padre I hold the purest intention of working for the highest good; I choose to think that whatever God is out there is cool with that, even if a church may not be.
What if I don’t necessarily believe in “God”?
Ritual isn’t about the Divine. It’s really a way of being together with other people (and with ourselves) that allows for a sense of comfort and security so that we can share our best selves. There are countless ways to do that, with or without referencing a higher power.
I’ll sometimes invoke the name of a god or goddess or use that imagery but it’s in no way necessary to do so. I often think of it in terms of an energy added to the ceremony rather that an actual personified presence.
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What do you mean by “symbolic acts”?
Symbolic acts are the activities we take part in during a ceremony or ritual. They’re called symbolic because they always represent something more than what they physically are. We may burn a smudge stick but symbolically we do it with the intention of cleansing ourselves. We may wash our hands but symbolically we do it with the intention of washing away the influence of the outside world and make ourselves more present in the circle. It’s always our intention that makes a regular “act” into a “symbolic” one. |
You talk about creating “sacred space.” Why is that so important?
Everyday life is hectic and when we’re dealing with the day to day we have a very specific mindset, one that isn’t necessarily open and aware.
When we consciously and formally set aside time and space for something special, the brain changes gears and becomes more receptive; the heart becomes engaged.
Also, through the process of creating this “time out of time” our subconscious is triggered. It recognizes that something out of the ordinary is happening and it wakes up and takes notice. Often the things we do in circle affect us very deeply and that’s in part because those things are speaking directly to the subconscious.
Why can’t I just do the symbolic act without all the extra added stuff?
You can but it won’t have the impact that it might if you go through all the steps.
When we put the energy into making a ceremony beautiful and meaningful, the energy is evident in the outcome and everyone involved ends up feeling more fulfilled by what’s been created.
Also, ritual creates a container; it holds you energetically within itself. It creates a feeling of security and comfort that allows participants to show up more fully than they might otherwise.
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Why is ritual so important? Why should I bother?
We are given this one precious life and certain events happen only once. Ritual and ceremonies allow us to make the most of these experiences. They allow us to come together to love and care for one another in a way that isn’t possible on a day to day basis. |
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Every religion in the world has ceremonies; that’s because every religion understands the necessity of not only marking the passage of time, but of doing it together.
As increasing numbers of people leave the faith of their childhoods and carve out a new spirituality for themselves, what’s lost is someone to help them come together in meaningful ways. What’s missing is someone who can not only help them create new ceremonies but also officiate them.
As La Padre it is my deepest wish to give ritual back to all the women who have gone without it for so long. To those who despaired of ever being able to have ritual for lack of help along the way. To those who may feel the longing in their deepest depths without being able to put a name on it.
It’s for those people that I do this work, with the hope that everything good that has come to me through the practice of ritual may now be experienced by them…and you.
As increasing numbers of people leave the faith of their childhoods and carve out a new spirituality for themselves, what’s lost is someone to help them come together in meaningful ways. What’s missing is someone who can not only help them create new ceremonies but also officiate them.
As La Padre it is my deepest wish to give ritual back to all the women who have gone without it for so long. To those who despaired of ever being able to have ritual for lack of help along the way. To those who may feel the longing in their deepest depths without being able to put a name on it.
It’s for those people that I do this work, with the hope that everything good that has come to me through the practice of ritual may now be experienced by them…and you.
