Lichtenbergian Precepts: Ritual, part 6

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We’re ending up an extended discussion of the Lichtenbergian Precept of RITUAL, looking at each phase of RITUAL in order. We’ve looked at

  • INVOCATION (acknowledging our need to Make the Thing That Is Not);

  • DRAWING THE CIRCLE (preparing a time and place to Make the Thing That Is Not);

  • TAKING THE PATH (setting out on the journey); and

  • NUMEN/CONNECTION (listening to the Universe and paying attention to the outside)

Today we look at the final two stages of RITUAL, BREAKING THE CIRCLE and BENEDICTION.

The whole point of RITUAL is to find a time and place that helps you get to work, and to protect that time/place. Just as INVOCATION and DRAWING THE CIRCLE prepare that time and space, BREAKING THE CIRCLE and BENEDICTION help us close that time and space and leave it ready for our re-entry.

What does that mean in practical terms?

For BREAKING THE CIRCLE, it means deciding on a stopping point. It means saving your work and closing out. It means tidying up your work space. (A good rule I recently read says “Organize your tools; leave your materials messy.”) It means setting a timer and obeying it. It means turning out the lights..

It also can mean leaving in the middle of work. Many authors say that they stop writing while they still know what comes next. That way when they re-enter the circle they can get right to work, rather than finish up on Monday and come in on Tuesday to face a blank page and a blank mind. (Afraid you’ll forget what you were going to work on next? That’s what your WASTE BOOK is for.)

BENEDICTION, just as in a religious service, means finishing with an acknowledgment of your work, assessing your progress (even if it’s negligible or even negative), and offering up a bit of gratitude for the opportunity. Not to get all hippie-woo, but creativity — like the human brain it comes from — is a mystery, and it’s just as well to thank the Universe for it.

And after all this deep, fuzzy discussion about RITUAL, what does it all mean?

shape of ritual.jpg

Find a way to get into the circle where we work. Make a time and space to create. Protect that time and space.

Easy enough, right?