D is for Daily Devotional

D is for Daily Devotional - Pagan Blog Project - Week 8

I know some of you cringe at the idea. When I say daily devotional, I’m not talking about a Christian prayer book or pamphlet, though I’m sure they can be just as effective. I’m referring to a few minutes set aside each day to commune with our deities or guides – a reminder of the things that are important to us, but often get lost in the shuffle of our busy, everyday lives.

I’d always wanted to be one of those committed sorts who actually walked the talk when it came to spiritual and religious beliefs. I don’t think I truly understood what that meant. For years, I dreamt of a daily practice in which I’d be continuously and fully connected to the divine. I don’t aspire to be a nun, though I have dreamt of a school of priestesses, think Mists of Avalon, in which each day is spent in study and practice in an ever evolving understanding of self and the divine. This may sound wonderful to some, boring to others, but the idea just isn't practical in this day and age. With such an integrated and all-encompassing routine, we cannot remain grounded. While I feel that a strong connection is important, I also feel that it’s crucial to form and cultivate strong roots in the here and now. We need to come back down to earth every once in a while - eat, bathe, make love and so on.

                What can we do to insure a constant connection while continuing to be dedicated to school, career, family, and all the other rigorous commitments of human existence? We can begin a practice of daily devotionals. Most of us don’t have time for a spell a day or extensive meditation, but I think the majority can set aside a few moments to communicate with our gods and guides.

                The daily devotional can be an elaborate affair, done before your altar and complete with an offering of sorts, or it can be as simple as a few words of recognition and gratitude whispered during your daily commute. You can fancy it up with a formal recitation, or take a simple walk around the yard and let them know how you’re feeling that day.

                I constructed a hearth altar a few months ago. I consider it the heart of my home. It contains important statuary, protective and cleansing stones, a few tributes to the elements, and a photograph of my boyfriend and me. This is where I perform my daily devotionals. I've written a rather lengthy speech which I recite each night. This is a formal “thank-you” for the many blessings in my life. I have spoken the words so many times that much of the beginning of the recitation comes directly from memory. If I find myself trudging through the deed in the monotonous drone of a high-school student forced to read in front of the class, I stop, remind myself of why I’m performing the task, and begin again, “once more with feeling”. This portion of the devotional serves two important purposes – an offering of gratitude to my gods and guides, and a reminder on some occasions, that while I may have had a bad day, things are really not that damn bad.

                The second part of my devotional consists of healing work. I ask for aid in channeling healing energies to myself and to the people whose names are in my healing basket. I take a few moments to guide that energy, focusing on immediate issues and then allowing it to flow where it is best needed.

                On a normal day, I would end the devotional by lighting a red candle for my matron, another for my boyfriend’s spirit guide, and a stick of incense in offering to both. I change things up a bit when circumstance calls for it. I may throw in an extra thank-you for additional guidance received, or unload if things have gotten too heavy. I also tend to use that time to ask for aid in tarot readings or any other small working I indent to do outside of circle.

                The point of this exercise is to strengthen your connection. It’s a small reminder, each day, of the path you walk, and why you do it. It’s perfectly permissible to tailor fit a devotional to the needs of your guides, and of course, yourself. While I feel that it is an important part of my day, I don’t want it to feel like a chore. Be flexible, and don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or two. Whatever you do, don’t give up. You may find yourself enjoying and actually looking forward to the practice.