Ritual is a quintessential ingredient to the cook book of modern pagans. It imbues significance, symbolism, power, and intention into every act. It makes us mindful of what we’re doing, and strengthens our connection to our past.

Wicca, from the beginning and to the present day, has emphasized the importance of ritual. Whether it be a simple (-ish) spell or a sacred rite, all is performed, ritualized, and intimately involved.

Wicca here reflects an indeed (well-speculated but difficult to pin-point) ancient practice that modern pagans can learn from, and granted, most do partake in.

Many of us often enjoy “seclusionary” work, simple gestures, and small, solemn acts. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this; it’s the overwhelming majority of my own practice. That being said, I’ve realized my trend towards preference for the non-ceremonious has made me deviate from my vision of an authentic practice. Wiccans are not far off in emphasizing the importance of ritualistic performance, and as I moved away from Wicca a lost sight of that.

Our ancestors very likely endowed great importance in the doing more than the believing of their faiths, holding that the act did something — not just symbolically or spiritually, but tangibly as well.

Take Seidr, for example. The Norse believed wholly in the power of a Seeress’ ritualized trance to affect the outcome of a battle or change the fate of someone’s life.

The performative act of giving offerings, prayers, or celebration thus held significance in strengthening relationships with gods, spirits, and the ancestors.

If we think of it like spending time with a friend: when we commune in ritual with the gods and ancestors, our performance is our spending time, our enacting — physically and spiritually — their importance in our lives and enforcing our bonds. That’s not to say just the time is the essence of the ritual, but just as engaging in mischief with your friends forms strong bonds, so too does ritual communion with the gods.

Not every prayer, praise, nor offering must be ritualistic, but practicing in this way not only honors the past and how our faith was once practiced, but I think can go a long way in forming and maintaining relationships with the gods, the spirits, and the ancestors today.