What Does Ritual Mean To You?

What does ritual mean to you? I know that the word ritual can elicit some different reactions in the body and mind, especially related to this sense of religion or obligation, something that we don't always tap into. But to me, ritual simply means something that I do frequently and with a sense of repetition. Ritual, to me, brings comfort and security and a sense that I can predict what is going to happen next. I'm Rebecca from Marigold. And I'm Roshni Kavate, also the co founder of Marigold. And today we want to explore what does ritual mean while we're grieving.

So, Rebecca, what are some rituals you like to practice? You know, to not only day to day, but also to mark important events. Especially when someone's grieving. Yeah. For me, sometimes the word ritual can make me initially feel like I have to do something that's really deep and important. And I've started to really break it down into very small actions. So lighting a candle, I really like to invoke that kind of fire essence. You know, when I'm thinking about processing something as big as grief, I feel like bringing in the transformation of fire is really helpful.

I also like to set a little simple altar for myself, especially if I'm grieving. Something specific. I'll just bring in the elements and maybe a photograph or an object that reminds me of the thing that I'm grieving or the person that I'm grieving. What are some things that you do to create a simple ritual? For me, I think of ritual as way to nourish myself and my spiritual. So for me, ritual is even on my calendar. Every Thursday, I go to this very nice, low key pilates class. Then I go to the bakery, get myself a nice tart.

So I have the whole morning to myself. It's my time for connection, self care, being in my body, doing something really nurturing and moving my body. And then having this dessert, which is, you know, just, like, special treat. And I usually sit in the sun. So it's that time of week that I really look forward to and to connect with myself so I don't have to, you know, show up for others or take care of others. It's really for myself. And I get to be, you know, like, pick whatever cake. You know, they have that.

Yeah. So it's ritual of sweetness, you know, both metaphorically and literally. So it's. Yeah, a ritual can be, you know, as big as marking a special day. It can be celebrating, you know, like birthdays, holidays. Like you're saying it can be little, bringing in little elements to, you know, give us a sense of direction or groundedness for our grief. I love that. I love that you brought up, you know, that sense of sweetness, because I was just thinking yesterday about how in my family, we've started to celebrate the birthdays of people who have passed recently as if they were still here.

And, like, we buy a cake and we sing happy birthday, and we all have a piece of that cake together, and that sense of sweetness really carries through and makes the grief not so heavy. I really love bringing that element into it. I think ritual is really important because it offers us a moment in time where we can focus our intentions or we can take in the loss we're experiencing or have a moment of reflection for our grief. So these touch points can be really important and very supportive on this journey.

Otherwise, it can feel sort of, you know, time is endless, but in this way, we can mark time. Yes. So we would love to know, let us know what small rituals you're doing for your grief and even any questions or curiosities that come up when you think of ritual and grief.