Rite of Thanks

It’s a beautiful, cool mornining and I’m taking it easy. In about an hour I’ll be at work, and the temperature will rise, and the sun will flare. For now, though, I am thankful. In that spirit of gratitude and contentment, I offer my first post.

When I lead a ritual in a group, or even if I only have a part in the planning, I always start off with a Rite of Thanks. It seems fitting to start my new blog off in the same way. The Rite of Thanks comes just before a ritual begins – before sacred space is created or acknowledged, before any type of grounding meditation. I’ve found that, every time, it helps participants to relax, open up, and move into the proper mindset before a ritual. Just the fact that everyone involved goes through this internal shift can really transform the energy of the place and helps to get your space ready for the work you are about to do, as well.

I will write more about Rites of Thanks later. For now, let me give you a very simple rite that you can do on your own. All you need for this rite is a stick of incense, something to light it with, and something to hold it for you after it’s lit.

Hold an unlit stick of incense in your hand. Take a breath. Allow yourself to move into a feeling of gratitude. Say, “I am thankful for…” and speak one thing that you really feel gratitude about. It can be big, like a new love, or small, like the taste of your favorite food. Anything you have been greatful for is appropriate, so long as it’s personal and specific. Please don’t say “I am thankful for everything and nothing.” Make it something very real to you,

Take another breath. Light your incense. Speak another thing which you are grateful for. It can be related to the first one, or not. Just speak the name of something that brings you happiness, joy, contentment, or safety. Allow the gratitude to ignite within you as you ignite the incense in your hand.

Take one more breath. Blow out the incense. See its smoke begin to rise and speak a third statement of thanks. Take in the scent and acknowledge that it has been released in the name gratitude. Say, “For all these things I am grateful, and truly blessed.” Place the incense in its holder and allow it to burn itself out. Each time you catch a bit of the scent, allow yourself to be reminded of that which you are greatful for.

This exercise is meant to be easy and life-affirming. If you are unable to think of just three small things which you can be grateful for, it’s almost certainly not because they don’t exist in your life! Spend some attention throughout the day looking for even the smallest things which bring you what you want or need.

What are you greatful for?

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