Spiritually we are able to focus our energies in such a way that we can work for the greater good. Repetition helps to concentrate the power we are calling on, whatever our system of belief, and is used in prayer and in mantra.
A rite is a customary form for a religious ceremony and in dreams is only distinguishable from a ritual in that it is given credence by its long usage. Such a rite would be that of baptism.
[1]Gives gender-specific: Magical ritual often concentrates on the union of two polarities – male and female, drive and receptivity. Ancient religions symbolized this in the sacred marriage and many dreams – particularly as we begin exploring spirituality – echo this. Men will most often play the role of priest and women as priestess in such dreams – that is, fulfilling their gender roles.
[2]Psychological / emotional perspective: Such rituals as getting up in the morning, because they are habits, simply have the purpose of getting us focused. Religious rituals have taken on a life of their own and help concentrate the power of the many. Magical rituals have become ‘power centres’ in their own right.
[3]Material aspects: Rituals can range from the ‘sublime to the ridiculous’. They are actions that are repeated over and over again in order to achieve a certain result. In dreams, such an action can be a comfort mechanism or a way of learning a required behaviour.
[4]You might like to consult the entries for baptism, ceremony, magic / magician, mantra and ziggurat, as well as the information on spiritual imagery in the introduction.
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