This is part of an ongoing series on a Ritual Template. Check out my introduction post, and my posts on Preparations, Creating Sacred Space, Invocation, and Purpose!
Gratitude is an essential part of any spiritual practice, whether it is in the context of a ritual or not. It is a part of a reciprocal relationship with the Divine – an energetic exchange with the universe that can cultivate deeper connection.
Gratitude within a ritual can be for many things, and can feature in several parts of your ritual. In general, you will want to extend your thanks to any energies you have invoked or called in to be a part of your ritual. This can be a separate declaration of gratitude after the main purpose of your ritual has come to a close or it can be incorporated into another aspect of the ritual.
Gratitude to Deities
Personally, I usually thank any Deities that I have called into circle at the conclusion of my main working. My words may incorporate some of the same elements as my invocation, including naming, epithets, spheres of influence, gratitude specific to the request that was made, and a concluding statement. I will also include a statement oriented towards the future or specific to the working – What I hope to carry forward as a result of the ritual.
I make it a point to never “dismiss” Deities from the circle or from my presence – that has always seemed kind of rude to me, and I typically want the Deity to hang around in some form or fashion, even if it isn’t in as active of a role as within the ritual. So, I always say “Hail and Blessed Be” instead of the usual “Hail and Farewell” that you will more often see.
Using the example from a Ritual for Fierce Love, Radical Acceptance, and Divine Surrender, here are the parts of the Gratitude to Aphrodite:
– Naming of the Deity/Energy/Spirit (Purple)
– Inclusion of Epithets and/or Spheres of Influence (Blue)
– Gratitude for Request (Orange)
– Future Statement/Ritual Result (Red)
– Concluding Statement (Green)
O Glorious Aphrodite,
Goddess of Dawn and Dusk,
Goddess of Love and Emotion,
We thank you for your blessings.
O Far Shining Goddess,
May we carry your fierce love with us
Every day of our lives.
Hail and Blessed Be.
Gratitude to Elements
My gratitude to the Elements is generally a little less formal than my gratitude to Deity. I include it in my release of the quarters when I am taking down the circle/sacred space. I always try to tailor it specifically to the ritual, much like my elemental invocations to set up the sacred space. I will give thanks for the particular qualities/attributes that the Elements have brought to my ritual. I also do include a more direct “release” of the Elements, typically saying “Hail and Farewell.”
Here are some examples from the Ritual for Fierce Love, Radical Acceptance, and Divine Surrender:
West
Element of Water, Guardian of the West, thank you for your blessings of healing. Hail and Farewell!
South
Element of Fire, Guardian of the South, thank you for your blessings of passion. Hail and Farewell!
East
Element of Air, Guardian of the East, thank you for your blessings of inspiration. Hail and Farewell!
North
Element of Earth, Guardian of the North, thank you for your blessings of strength. Hail and Farewell!
Other Notes on Gratitude
As with all other aspects of your ritual, it is important to feel gratitude on a deep level. Don’t just say the words – embody them, linger over them, pause and really feel it.
You might also want to think about other ways to express your gratitude beyond words. This could be something as simple as a physical gesture, like a bow or inclination of the head, or something more complex, like an offering. The entire purpose of your ritual could be gratitude! I’ve done a few rituals like that – where the ritual itself was an offering and celebration.
Going beyond rituals for a moment, gratitude is also just a great everyday practice to have. It has mental health benefits and can help shift you to a more positive thinking pattern. On the spiritual side of things, giving gratitude outside of formal ritual to the Deities/Spirits you work with contributes to cultivating a deep relationship with them. Just like you enjoy hearing appreciation from others frequently (and unrelated to them wanting something from you), so do the Gods.
Gratitude isn’t limited in form or scope – Use your imagination and follow your heart to what feels right for your particular ritual, for the particular Deities you are working with, and for you. You may write a devotional poem, choreograph a dance, or sing a chant. Or maybe none of those things fit you – and that’s okay! Gratitude needs to be sincere, so if you are expressing it in a way that doesn’t resonate with you, it won’t have the same meaning.
If you’re struggling to identify what to express gratitude for (sometimes life is hard and there doesn’t seem like much to be thankful for), start with something simple. It can be the Deity’s presence in your ritual or your life. For their blessings in their sphere of influence (for Aphrodite – Love, Pleasure, Beauty, et cetera). For their help in your magickal working. Your gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated – it just needs to be heartfelt.
Next up in the Ritual Template is Returning to the Here and Now!
Priestess of Aphrodite 