Many of today’s ritual styles adhere to a ‘controlled’ format. The circle is cast, purified, the elemental quarters are called and deity is invited. The structure is methodical and rhythmic but it is not ‘ecstatic’. This does not mean, however, that ecstasy cannot be achieved in rituals such as this, however, as the energy is raised differently.

Before the controlled ritual format was perfected, human beings celebrated in a myriad of ways.  Energy was raised through drumming, dancing, consuming alcohol and the ingestion or application of psycho-tropic drugs*, to name a few. Used singly or in any combination, these stimuli assisted the individual in his or her ability to raise energy and to free themselves of the bonds of the ‘rational’ world.

Irrationality, hypnosis and trance states are key elements to ecstatic ritual, but they are by no means the only aspects.  During invocatory rites when deity is present and fully manifested, ritual structure cannot and should not be tightly controlled. Deity will direct the energy of the ritual; therefore it is imperative that the participants be in tune with his or her wants, needs and desires.

Understanding that the term ‘drunkenness’ has many meanings is a good foundation for comprehending the ecstatic ritual experience. One can be ‘drunk’ with joy… overcome with the energies that characterize the deity that is called.  Primarily, this experience can be rather unnerving. For those of us who are used to being in control, it is a humbling and somewhat daunting experience to have such carefully maintained control removed.

Goddesses such as Hathor for example, have jubilant aspects. It is in their very nature to be joyful, to dance and to sing; at the very least, they expect that of those who have come to pay them homage. Dancing, sharing wine, food, singing, drumming are all appreciated forms of participation. They involve risk –the risk to let go of the bonds of ‘decorum’ and release one’s self into the heart of the deity’s energy. The freeing of the soul and the self can be achieved by taking such risks.

It should be noted and remembered that passive participation will not help the attendee achieve ecstasy. While many of us who were raised in a Judeo-Christian environment are used to being observers in ritual,  individuals participating in ecstatic rites for the first time  may find it difficult, with the difficulty being finding the courage and the willingness to let go an to involve one’s self with the energies of the rite.

During an ecstatic rite, one does not need external ‘permission’ to actively participate  - only one’s own ‘permission’ is need and wanted to take that first step.

Safety Factors

Here it must be said that the ritual will be contained within the sacred space of the temple and will not be permitted to spill over to other parts of the building. Those who wish to ‘take a break’ may leave the temple proper and go into the other designated areas of the building.  Those who may be experiencing some difficulty need only to ask the one of the Priesthood conducting the ritual. They are there to assist.

Any other groups wishing to hold rituals of this type should keep in mind these safety rules and are advised to adapt them to suit their specific temple space and group membership.

How to prepare?

Research. Familiarizing one’s self with the deity to be called ahead of time can make a world of difference. Understanding the culture, the music, the food, for example can help you set the mood before you step inside the temple.  Such preparation will help you immerse yourself in the energy raised.

Meditating with an image of the deity and lighting an appropriate coloured candle to help set the mood is one good method.  A ritual bath with the candle and incense will also assist you in gaining your personal awareness of the God or Goddess prior to the rite. It is also important to remember that fear is a great inhibitor. Trust in the fact that the priesthood conducting the ritual have prepared the rite so as to make it enjoyable for both the deity and the participants.

The End Result

Is highly personal but it will be cathartic. There are no words to describe the experience of being able to come face to face with a deity within his or her own environment. How much you participate and in what fashion is left to your discretion but the results are relative. The more you give of yourself, the more you will receive both during the rite and after.

Disclaimer

* Though this essay mentions the use of psycho-tropic drugs as one historically accurate method of achieving ecstasy in ritual, it must be said that it is NOT the position of The House of the Blue Nile to condone such use nor do we expect that anyone else who has read this short essay to believe that the use of such drugs is a necessary part of any ecstatic ritual.

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