‘One of the best things you can do for your spiritual/ritual practice is honor the moments when you’re disconnected from it.‘
Dust & Debris
My altar is dusty.
No, not in a metaphorical sense, but literally. There’s a layer of dust that has settled because over the past many months, I just haven’t engaged with it… at all.
While this isn’t ideal for me, I am recognizing that maybe it is what I need right now. Taking a break and giving myself some space is not a punishment, it’s not bad, or being done with any malice or judgment; my practice just wasn’t working.
How we got here
I’ve been thinking back to when I had a very structured ritual practice. I had specific tarot readings I would do with specific decks on specific days over the week, Sunday night rituals for the week ahead, and Friday releases to brush off the week come to pass. Each sabbat brought a ritual; holidays, anniversaries, and milestones were all commemorated. I posted most of it online and that was how I kept myself accountable. I figured if I told other people what to expect from me, then I had to do it. I would pressure myself into a regular practice because I thought that was the only way I would be consistent.
At some point, it became more about the posting than about the practice and I got lost in the middle of it all.
Forced Vacation
Gradually, over the last 10-ish months, it all came to a stop. It had to.
Everything felt forced, I wasn’t enjoying it, and I felt phony posting about work I wasn’t doing in good faith.
I’m coming to the realization that this break from my practice is not only what I need, but also a piece of my practice itself. Resting and restoring is not only physical, it is emotional , mental, and spiritual. I have come to the following conclusion:
Breaks in your practice are as necessary as the practice itself.
This Moment
One of the best things you can do for your spiritual/ritual practice is honor the moments when you’re disconnected from it.
(That’s where I am right now.)
Taking time and space can be a healthy way to evaluate your priorities and intentions when it comes to your practices. If you’ve lost touch with why you are engaging in rituals and rites, they simply will not have the meaning or impact you’re looking for (if you even know what it is you’re looking for to begin with).
Step back and look at what you’ve been doing as if you were evaluating a stranger’s practice. Resist any judgment and simply look for:
- What was working
- What was not working
- What needs to be released
- What needs to shift
- What could be grown more
- What might be missing
Your practice will change over time. That is ideal because you will also change over time!
Reconnecting
I went to a workshop over the weekend and had a great time but it didn’t reignite what I had hoped for… at least not yet. This might partially be because I’m not sure what I even want to be focusing my attention and intention on right now. While I know taking this step outside my current comfort zone and inviting ritual back into my life has opened some doors, I might not be able to see them just yet.
For me, the next step is to sit with myself and be fully honest about what it is I’m looking for. Whether that is something very specific or an overall condition, I need to make sure I articulate exactly, clearly, and with certainty what that is. Any ambiguity on my part is only amplified when I engage in rituals without a clear direction and purpose.
Here are some journaling prompts to consider:
- Why did I start a ritual practice?
- How important is ritual to me?
- How often can I realistically engage in rituals to the fullest extent?
- What kinds of rituals do I want to practice?
- Is there something I need to learn/research before I can jump back in?
- How do I want to feel when I’ve completed my rituals?
- How do my rituals contribute to my growth/advancement?
Deep reflection on why you are engaging in rituals at all is foundational to re-engaging with your practice. Being uncensored with yourself about your motivation and intention is the only way to truly set a path forward. Journal it out, talk to yourself in the mirror, listen to a guided meditation, do whatever you have to do to allow your inner voice to speak and be heard.
If you are looking for a guided way to engage your inner voice and intuition, I highly recommend the 10-day intensive, The Safe Unknown.
Baby Steps
There’s great merit in microdosing your way back to your practice and rituals. Once you have clarity on where it is you want to go, you only need to take the very first step forward. In fact, that step might be in itself figuring out what your first step actually is.
Give yourself the time and space to have a clear vision and be fully ready. Start where you are without any judgment or expectation; you are the only person your practice is accountable to.
Examples of first steps to re-engage may include:
- Cleaning your space – starting with a fresh space, free of dust and debris, can set the tone for the energy you engage with.
- Organize your tools – storage bins are great but when they become a catch-all with no organization, the energy is going to feel as chaotic as the space.
- Release something – make a donation, discard, or recycle things that are not serving you or the practice you are working to create.
- Tell someone – letting a supportive person in on what you are doing can be wonderful, especially to organize your thoughts or talk through any feelings of being stuck or overwhelmed.
- Rip the bandage off – do the thing! Just one thing, big or small, to really get started.
The Takeaway
Going full speed, constantly, is the best way to burn out. The alternative? Take a break!
Honor the disconnect and choose to move through it. On the other side is a door to exactly where you want to be.
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