RITUALS AS AN ACT OF REBELLION
Rituals are an act of rebellion against a society that profits from our disconnection from what truly matters.
— RHIANNON ANDERSEN, FOUNDER
When practicing rituals today, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the history of rituals — not only to honor the rich history and symbolism of the act but to deeply appreciate them for what they’ve persevered through over the centuries.
Humans, in every known society, have been practicing rituals since the beginnings of mankind. Rituals have taken on many different forms of practice and affiliations over the centuries. No matter where you are geographically, religiously, culturally, or spiritually, rituals have always had one main, major thing in common — to connect your body and surroundings to a higher power. To gain strength, peace, or clarity by tapping into divinity.
What ancient rituals have in common is that they require a deep level of personal reflection, but they also involve the whole community in celebration and/or in prayer. Not only do they nurture personal growth and reflection, but the intended results are for the greater good of society.
Another force that has occurred over the past few centuries, in particular, is mass consumption and capitalism. Meaning, there were/are people who are committed to taking rituals away in the name of profit. Societies becoming more industrialized has resulted in a massive of priorities from rituals to work.
“Rituals promote order and stability under unpredictability conditions,” according to ScienceDirect. While capitalism and politics certainly have been beneficial in modern societies, the downside is they’re gaining more influence and power from a level of fear and unpredictability.
Could it be because of the decline of organized rituals in modern society?
This is exactly why we need rituals now more than ever. Control what you can control and start with yourself. After all, the revolution begins from within.
