Blueprint for a Ritual for Endings

[I have put these practices in a particular order and given suggested amounts of time for them that work for me. Mix and match, discard, add-in whatever works for you.

This is just a jumping-off point.[1]]

Setting The Space:

Do you need…

·      An altar?

·      A candle?

·      A particular scent?

·      Tarot cards?

·      Something to eat?

·      An intention?

·      Sound?

Call in whom(what)ever you want to invite into the space with you…

·      Elders

·      Cardinal directions

·      Spirits

·      The memory of someone

·      Protections…

[there is no right or wrong way to do this – however, pulling from your own history and knowing the sources that you’re pulling from is useful in grounding your practice [2]

Repetitive Physical Action Practice: 

·      Choose a repetitive and physically exhaustive action that you don’t have to use analytical, front brain thinking for [this could be shaking, walking/running backwards, doing one motion on repeat and observing how it changes…]

·      Set a timer (or choose a piece of music) that is at least 20 minutes long – do your chosen action for non-stop for the duration of your time.

Transition (out of physical action practice):

·      When you reach the end of your timer, stop your motion, observe your reaction, and give yourself a few moments to respond in whatever way arises [this could be lying still, moving, documenting in some fashion…]

Still/Slow/Meditative Practice:

·      Choose a still/slow/meditative practice [this could be moving as slowly as you can imagine, a meditation practice, a breathing ritual…anything sustained and slow that feels right]

·      Set a timer (or choose a piece of music) in the 10-20 minute range and begin your chosen practice.

Transition (out of still/slow/meditative practice):

·      Open your eyes (if they were closed)

·      or take some deeper breaths

·      or place your hands on different parts of your rib cage and try to move them with your breath

·      or slap your skin to wake it up

·      or…

Sensorial Practice (to attend to the present moment)[1]:

[these are shorter explorations. I like to observe the thing for 30 secs and then move from/write/draw for 30 secs. Use the amount of time and setup that makes sense for you.]

·      Visual: choose something you can see. Observe, and then respond to this object/color/shape/etc. in whatever way you like [I do these all through movement, creating a sort of movement “document” of the moment in time and space where I find myself...you might prefer a different kind of “documentation.” Repeat for at least 2 more rounds.]

·      Auditory: same as above. Except observing and responding from something you can hear. (at least 2 rounds total)

·      Sonic: same as above. This time observing and responding from sound you make yourself. If responding in movement, you may want to do both the observing and responding simultaneously. (at least 2 rounds total, letting the sounds that emerge be different each time).

·      Tactile: working from something you can touch. (at least 2 rounds total)

·      Smell: working from something you can smell. (at least 1 round)

·      Taste: working from something you can taste. (at least one round – this can be something you intentionally brought into the space with you, or as simple as the inside of your mouth)

Closing:

This could be…

·      a song/lullaby you sing to yourself

·      a reverence

·      a body scan

·      bowing

·      a word

·      a prayer

·      a mantra

·      writing

·      drawing

·      documenting

·      sitting

·      settling out

·      a short meditation

·      pulling a tarot card

·      scanning the horizon slowly

·      ringing a bell

·      a single clap…

[1] Folks who have had an influence on the development of some of these practices for me (whether they know it or not) are: Keith Hennessy, Jennifer Monson, Mauriah Kraker, Carly Campbell, Marie Garlock, Baba Chuck Davis, Jess Curtis, Nicola Bullock, Lisa Dixon, Kathleen Hermesdorf, and Annie Dwyer. Thank you for teaching/questioning me about creating spaces, presence, sweating, and finding closure.

[2] and in not being an appropriative asshole