As humans, we are the species that operate with symbols. Other
animals use familiar signs, landmarks and gestures given by us,
or act purely on instinct. Like humans, they too have rituals of
gathering food, procreation and even death rituals. Our normal
day-to-day rituals include a shower, combing our hair, brushing
teeth and preparing for work.
Early in the morning, take ten deep breaths in appreciation for
awakening on a brand new day, under a brand new sky with opportunities
to start again with a different attitude—one of gratitude.
Every action that you perform in ritual has a deep meaning and
impact. Although you may not perceive it on the physical
level, it does have astral power. There are many unseen forces,
whether earthbound or angelic, participating with you upon invitation
and invocation. They are there, always watching and participating
when the intention is right. I always call on the forces or angels
of Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
The subconscious mind understands and accepts symbols and ritual
as very real and will mirror that reality on the physical level
in your experience. The purpose of ritual is to strike a balance
in spiritual attainment—whether psychic development or achievement
of Christ or Cosmic Consciousness. Only you can achieve and master
perfection of your spiritual goals. Prayer, chanting, meditation
and ritual are ultimately performed to achieve unity with the Divine.
For true spiritual growth, practice is the key and so is persistence.
If you are a Christian this week and Wiccan next week, then “Houston,
we have a problem.” Why? Because rituals and symbols fueled
with action and belief must be consistent for them to be actualized.
If you read the sacred text of the Bible, you find that Jesus declared
often, “Be it done unto you according to your faith.” What
a tremendous example of Divine conduct, discipline and unconditional
love Jesus was, through his use of rituals, symbols and prayer.
When ritual and symbols became too theological and extreme, he
rejected the priests of the day and placed importance instead on
right action—the ultimate ritual.
Unfortunately, many well-meaning “religious” folk in
traditional faiths have become spiritually shipwrecked by one-sided “my
way only” belief systems.
Prayer is a ritual and “link” to the Divine. Buddha,
too, rejected fussy, intensely cerebral ritual of the Hindus during
his time, replacing them with his EIGHT-FOLD PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT:
1. Right View
2. Right Aim
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Thought
8. Right Contemplation
Find the religion and ritual you feel the greatest comfort with.
Don’t judge yourself. God knows who you are and will assist
you in your search. No religion works for personal growth unless
right action is intended. You cannot love God and hate your neighbor.
Divided kingdoms do not last. You cannot hate the sinner and love
the sin or judge anyone. Unconditional love is the key
In my studies of Wicca, or “Craft” of the wise, I found
that it is an amazing belief system, which out of reverential respect
for nature’s beauty, consistency, and color—in the
sunshine, moon, storms, stars and rivers—evolved into the
varying aspects of God (gods), or Divine aspects of God. There
could not have been God without Goddess, or the Great Mother. Many
of the great religions on earth have been greatly influenced by
Wicca, including Christianity. For example, there is a statement
in the Bible which stipulates “As Above, So Below.” That
is an ancient Wiccan saying. I saw a bumper sticker and repeated
it to several Wiccan clients which reads, “Christianity has
Pagan DNA.” Wicca is a peaceful religion that respects
life and nature. Anything that does not promote peace, balance,
love and respect for all sentient beings and one’s self is
not a good practice to be in.
Ritual is necessary to awaken deeper levels of your own consciousness.
You use everything—sense, sights, chants, fragrances or any
number of cues that you evoke to deepen your own awareness and
contact your levels of knowing to make change occur in yourself
and your world. Rituals are not mere mindless exercises to effect
change. You must be consciously aware and disciplined for change
to occur. There is a thin veil or membrane between physical life
as we know it and spiritual reality.
It should be our mutual goal that despite our differences and affiliations,
we should provide combined, positive sources of spiritual energy
and inspiration to renew our lives on the planet for everyone in
spite of our differences.
From the esoteric perspective, ritual is designed to successfully
impact spiritual growth, understanding and commitment to God while
in your body on the planet. Ritual is to remind you of your integral
part in the mysterious continuum of life, which is much larger
than this reality. Your organic self-observation of who you are
permits you to participate in ritual only on that level. However,
you will bridge and accelerate reality on the astral plane, with
practice, to eliminate the barrier or restrictive falseness between
yourself and what we call God.
God loves you whether the ritual is a simple prayer or an advanced
exercise in magick or Wicca. It is your intent. As a human, it
is difficult to achieve mastery in every part of your life. But
please master the daily ritual of a thankful heart, a loving smile,
a greeting to a neighbor and a song to the Universe.
Ritual brings us into alignment with the power of God—the
ultimate awareness. Once alignment is attained, there is a breakthrough
of understanding on all levels and you will evoke material transformation
in your character. We all have that ability and are linked on the
Pathway of Energy to who God is, whether through salvation, mediumship,
meditation or telepathy—it is up to you to find it, and you
will.
Dr. Regginald Johnson is a nationally known teacher, mystic, radio
psychic and author. He is available for Soul Coaching at The Inner
Space 404-252-4540.
