A Body Blessing RitualIt is not your body's fault if you hate it.Your body didn't create society's attitudes about its shape, size, or appearance; it didn't start the Cult of the American Stick Insect. Your body is the result of millions of years of careful design and redesign, and it is uniquely suited to house your spirit. Without it, you would not be able to learn through experience; you would be formless, drifting, with no senses. Nothing you think or desire can manifest without its help. Whatever its color, size, or shape, your body has done its job. Whatever you may think about Creationism vs. Evolution, you have to admit that the probability of something as complex and elegantly formed as the human body "just happening" is pretty outrageous. The body is a living miracle, millions upon millions of cells in perfect concert, each with its own function, performing a ballet of countless operations from second to second. Whether the product of eons of gradual change, the act of a Greater Being, or both, your body is steeped in the essence of Divinity. How you treat it, talk to it, move it, and feed it are reflections of your attitude toward Nature and your gods. That in mind, set aside your criticism and turn off the endless tape of "not-good-enoughs" that society and media have heaped on you since childhood. Try to make peace with the little animal you live in. The following ritual isn't very complicated, but it can have profound results; its aim is to reconnect you with your body, to remind you of the amazing things it does every day without the help of your intellect or approval. A full Moon is ideal for this ritual, but not imperative; you can perform it once, or as often as you like. You will need to prepare a bath-turn your bathroom into a Circle, with incense, candles, and music (color, scent, and sound are all entirely up to you; I recommend something that feels sensual and earthy, or if in doubt I'd say white, sandalwood, and Loreena McKennitt). You will also need to have your altar in its usual setup, however you like it. The only tools you need are a bottle of anointing oil and a bedsheet, robe, or other garment that is easy to remove. (A note on the oil: a suggested recipe follows, or use anything you have that isn't a skin irritant; plain olive oil will do) Begin by taking a ritual bath. Treat the bath as if you were a god/dess stepping into a sacred spring to renew yourself, much as Artemis was said to do to once a year to reclaim her womanhood from the world of men. Add scent to the water if you like; now is a good time to break out those overpriced Whole Foods bath salts you got for Yule. You may even want a special soap for this purpose, preferably something natural in an evocative scent (though if Irish Spring gets your mojo workin', more power to you). As you wash each part of your body, visualize all the negative beliefs and feelings you've had toward it dissolving under the soap and into the water. Move your awareness through skin, muscle, and bone, feeling for a moment what your body feels when you malign it or when you treat it with reverence. Meditate briefly on the work each part has done for you in this life. How far have your feet carried you? How many loved ones have leaned on your shoulder? How many songs have passed through your lips? Think of something positive for every area, something you admire about each part. Even "My toes look really cute in sandals" is fine, though try to avoid going only on appearance. When you are finished, get out of the water and dry yourself carefully, paying attention to your skin, the great protector and guardian of your physical form. It is what makes you a distinct creature on the Earth, what holds you apart as an individual. Dress in your chosen garment, and carry the incense with you from bathroom to altar. Stand before your altar and let your garment slip to the floor. (Keeping the blinds closed might be wise if you live in the city.) Raise your arms and call to the Lord and Lady in whatever words you like, or using the following invocation: Lady of
the Moon, Lord of the Dance As in your bath, consider one part of your body at a time, and anoint it with oil. Say, aloud, an affirmation of that body part's sanctity, such as, "Blessed are my feet." You could also expand the affirmation to include more specific attributes: "Blessed are my feet, that walk the path of truth and beauty." (If you have ever attended a ritual involving the Five Fold Kiss, this format should be familiar to you) That done, you have further options. You may feel inspired to dance, grounding your awareness in your body even further; you may want to meditate, raise energy to earth into yourself, or share a libation with yourself and the gods. Do whatever you feel moved to do before bidding the Lord and Lady farewell and ending the rite. The important thing is, in the following days, become mindful of your body as an instrument of healing and positive change in the world. The God and Goddess manifest through us, and so our flesh is holy; remember that when faced with magazines full of supermodels and ads for diet pills. Remember that when deciding between a platter of grilled vegetables and a chili dog for lunch. Remember that when you look into the mirror--you will see the Goddess looking back.
Blend the following essential oils in a 1/4 ounce bottle of sweet almond or jojoba oil. If the scent isn't strong enough feel free to double the listed amounts; none of the ingredients should be irritating. You can also tweak the amounts if you really love a particular oil and want to downplay another, or if you're running low on sandalwood and can't take out a loan to buy more. 4 drops Sandalwood
(can't afford it? Leave it out and double the frankincense) There are many anointing oil recipes out there in books and on websites, most of which are perfectly fine depending on your personal taste. However, all blends must be diluted in a carrier oil, since only a handful of essential oils are skin-friendly. Also, many recipes will include musk, civet, or ambergris oils; these are all made from animals such as the musk deer and civet cat. Ambergris comes from whales. Often the harvesting methods for these oils aren't terribly humane. You might want to seek out a well-made synthetic if you want to try these recipes; it's your call.
Copyright 2006 Dianne Sylvan. All rights reserved. |