5/24/2019 0 Comments HealingDear Fertility Sister, Welcome to the tribe of women whose bodies have been poked, prodded and cut in the seeking of new life. Surgical and other invasive medical procedures, while intended for your health and well-being, can often be experienced as traumatic if you are the one going through the procedure. It is not uncommon to experience a sense of loss, whether it be a loss of control, loss of a hope or dream, loss of a body part, or loss of identity as a healthy and whole person. Meaning can be difficult to come by in the face of this kind of grief and disorientation. Medicine has its origins in religion and spirituality but over time has become more and more disconnected from where it came. Rituals are often seen as archaic and having no place in the medical field, yet may serve an important role in the journey from illness to health. A ritual can be defined as, …actions done in purposeful ways that symbolize something much more than the acts themselves. Rituals are made up of actions that represent ideas, thoughts, myths, or beliefs about a particular thing. Rituals give purpose to action and always serve to connect us to something else, generally something greater than our own solitary selves (Karla Helbert). A ritual after a traumatic event can help to make meaning in the face of chaos and aid in the reorientation process, the adjustment to a new reality. Whether there is an obvious surgical wound or bleeding as evidence of an internal procedure that has taken place, an incision or puncture is often necessary to investigate the inner realm and remove or heal damaged tissues. While this may be experienced as invasive or traumatic, a ritual may help to heal by shifting the meaning attributed to the procedure or the scar. In some cultures, physical alterations of the body and permanent scarring are even seen as rites of passage. One way to understand a wound is as an opening or gateway to transformation. Ritual is not a magic cure, but may be a helpful marker along the way. There is no right or wrong way to honour what has happened. Be gentle. Be bold. Be creative. References: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/altars-and-icons-surgical-suite-sacred-ritual accessed May 23, 2019 https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/creating-rituals-to-move-through-grief/ accessed May 23, 2019 Ideas for Healing Rituals Preparation:
A possible structure for ritual:
Ritual action options:
Ritual word options:
The path before me: may I walk it in peace. The path behind me: may I leave it in peace. And the path within me: O God, may it be peace indeed. -Jan Richardson, In Wisdom’s Path Facing North (symbol of stone or crystal): I call upon the Great Goddess of Earth and the powers of the North I am Earth woman. Powerful, strong, embracing woman. Earth grounds me, feeds me, and roots me in her embrace. Facing South (symbol of candle): I call upon the Great Goddess of Fire and the powers of the South I am fire woman. Hot, passionate, purifying woman. Fire touches me and teaches me to leap in my now. Facing West (symbol of seashell or vessel of water): I call upon the Great Goddess of Water and the powers of the West I am Water woman. Fierce, tranquil, ever changing woman. Water quches me, washes me, and drowns me in rainbows. Facing East (symbol of feather): I call upon the Great Goddess of Air and the powers of the East I am Air woman. Fresh, light, soft, gentle woman. Air bends me, shapes me and fills me with peace. -adapted from https://www.hysterectomy-association.org.uk/alternative-health/ritual-for-an-operation/ When the light around you lessens And your thoughts darken until Your body feels fear turn Cold as a stone inside, When you find yourself bereft Of any belief in yourself And all you unknowingly Leaned on has fallen, When one voice commands Your whole heart, And it is raven dark, Steady yourself and see That it is your own thinking That darkens your world, Search and you will find A diamond-thought of light, Know that you are not alone And that this darkness has purpose; Gradually it will school your eyes To find the one gift your life requires Hidden within this night-corner. Invoke the learning Of every suffering You have suffered. Close your eyes. Gather all the kindling About your heart To create one spark. That is all you need To nourish the flame That will cleanse the dark Of its weight of festered fear. A new confidence will come alive To urge you toward higher ground Where your imagination Will learn to engage difficulty As its most rewarding threshold! -John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us We call upon all that we hold most sacred, the presence and power of the Great Spirit of love and truth which flows through all the universe, to be with us to Teach us, and show us the way. -http://www.mysticmamma.com/new-moon-goddess-gatherings/ I let go of all emotional hurts and negative energy connections, and breathe in love and beauty into my womb. I let go of all guilt and mental pain, and breathe in love and joy into my womb. I let go of what has been and the things I no longer need, and breathe in purity, goodness, love and peace into my womb and into the world. -http://www.wombblessing.com/docs/Archetype-docs-2018/ENG-Archetype-Maiden-2018.pdf
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