Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with rituals

GoAway Parties- Launching the kids into new adventures...

lois1950 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:15:32 -0800

Party up ahead. Humbly requesting ideas for ritual activities; can range from high concept to downright soppy. Two couples leaving (launching), one to law and physical therapy schools and one couple with a 3 year old going to live in Bhutan for 6 months. All family, all leaving on the same day. You won't be able to swing a cat and not hit a road-map or inflatable globes, maps and old photos but I'm searching for memorable and heck, maybe even meaningful activities (and food and drink, and speeches, and songs and skits.... ) there's a lot riding on this so please let me thank you in advance for your generous additions. {Both couples in early 30's.}

Workplace or professional rituals

flutable — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:27:08 -0800

What rituals do you have in your profession or job? A friend's son - who works in the construction industry - told me about "topping-out parties" once a building's top floor and roof structure have been completed. Now I'm curious about what other professions do. Not so interested in religious rituals though. As an example, I recall a BBC documentary on shipbuilding, and a ritual that takes place in the bowels of the ship once the lower hull has been completed. And of course there is the ship-naming ritual with the bottle of champagne.

I'm interested not only in graduation rituals (such as graduates from a military academy throwing their hats up into the air) but also things either celebrating something - like the topping-out party, with the company lifting entire trees (!) in pots, via crane, up onto the roof for the party - or rituals performed as part of a job, such as a massage or alternative therapies practitioner "centring" him/herself prior to working with a client.

So, what rituals are there at YOUR workplace?

How to say goodbye to someone already gone?

beautifulcheese — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:18:46 -0800

In the next month an important anniversary of a loved one's suicide will be coming up. I have never until this year dealt with the feelings involved with the death and the emotions involved in the loss. I have very little memories of the actual funeral involved (I was 13) but it has been suggested to me (by therapist) that maybe I may like to do some sort of memorial or ritual signifying it. I like this idea. I just have no idea how. (I will ask my therapist about any ideas she has at our next meeting in a week or so so that topic is covered)

Other family members are not interested in being involved (and think the entire thing silly and overly dramatic) so this would be something I would do on my own either in the house when they have left or somewhere outside.

I don't know where to look or even where to start. I want it to be a way of saying goodbye to my brother and that I love him but no longer need the pain involved just to be true to him. A sort of way of ending 20 years of delayed mourning.

Are there religious phrases or rituals that involve that? Ideally I would make it personal so I really am just looking for a jumping off point. I don't want to offend anyone if I'm just picking and choosing from the best of the best of their religion either. I have no experience with religion whatsoever.

Otoh I'm not very um "hippy dippy" and into smudge sticks and magik (no offence) but if there are phrases/routines that have let you put something behind you I would like that as well.

I guess what I am asking for in a long meandering way is what words or actions have you used or suggested to others to you put a landmark down on a period of pain. To say to yourself and to the beloved one I love you, I have let you go and I will move on without forgetting you.

Fluorescent flat caffeine lights / It's furious balancing

goodnewsfortheinsane — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:40:39 -0800

What online reads can you recommend on the subject of circadian rhythms and rituals, preferably from an anthropological and/or historical point of view? I'm especially curious about examples where norms differ markedly from established contemporary western ones, e.g. "In Victorian England, it was customary to have five meals every day" or "To this day, tribes in Snarkania appoint night watchmen who stay up through the night and sleep during the daytime" (examples completely made up and intentionally oversimplified). Articles - science, journalism, blogs, anything - on contemporary western sources are welcome, too (compare this one from the NYT).

Feather my bookshelf

LoriFLA — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:38:34 -0800

After a run of reading somewhat serious, oftentimes depressing fiction and nonfiction, I'm looking for something more domestic. Have any suggestions? I'm in the mood for fiction or entertaining nonfiction that mentions the rituals of housekeeping or cooking, or both. The last book I read that follows this idea is Anna Quindlen's One True Thing. It's not the best example I'm sure, but the heroine's mother is a natural at cooking and crafting. Detailed descriptions of handmade needlepoint pillows and blue ceramic pie plates and the process of making lunch for the monthly woman's group, etc.

Contemporary titles or older works, all suggestions appreciated.

Help me officiate friends wedding

healthyliving — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 21:56:40 -0800

Recommendations and creative ideas for being the officiant at your friends wedding? My friend, whom I've known for 14 years, has asked me to officiate at her wedding in a few months. I am absolutely honored and want to do a fantastic job. They've left it up to me to create though they will have the final say. I need some suggestions based on the clues written below, as google hasn't provided me with what I want.

The couple
- are non religious though would probably consider themselves spiritual
- are of puerto rican, english, and german descent ( & a little scottish and welsh)
- want meaningful/unique, not like something you hear at every wedding
- are open to nontraditional vows
- would like audience participation if possible

I believe that part of the reason they want me to officiate is because my wedding has been the favorite ceremony they've been to. This is what they loved about it and may want to include, or want a spin off of some sort...

- Calling in the four directions, above, and below with what each direction represented while drumming
- The audience sang a song to us (4 short verses on back of the program)
- We acknowledged our ancestors and specifically gave reasons about what we appreciated about our parents
- Wrote our own vows
- Did a celtic hand fasting
- Asked everybody to take deep breaths

I'm looking for rec's for sites, books, vows, quotes, rituals, what you did, ideas, questions that may stimulate creative responses within them that would help me write something, etc.

Other details - There will be about 200 people, and I'll have a mic attached to me. It's outside.

Thank you, thank you!

Movie sleep rituals

kk — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 14:54:20 -0800

A very bright acquaintance of mine, personable, well adjusted, loving dad, relaxes by watching the same short scenes from a favorite movie (LOTR, Matrix, etc.). He'll watch the same scene every night for months. He says that when the line is delivered, he feels complete and can go to bed. Is this common? Does this behavior have a name?

Hannukah Rituals

bonaldi — Fri, 19 Dec 2003 09:11:43 -0800

Can anyone enlighten me as to Hannukah rituals? I've googled about, but only find the technicalities of ceremony. I need to know the things that people take for granted - whether presents get wrapped, if they get increasingly expensive across the days, what sort of things are usual to give and do. Everything.