The rhythm here is rather Masonic, just because that's the flavor of ritual I know best; different communities of ritual practice will want to adapt the wording and concepts to their own style.
+1.
The big thing that jumped out at me is how hierarchical the above ritual is. It strikes me as something well-suited to a church, or community center, or (with adaptation for scale) a convention; and less well suited for peer-to-peer reconnection.
I would want something very different for "two individuals/household-groups who have not seen each other in person since the pandemic meet again". In that context, there's no pre-existing Community, and no Officiant per se (though having a leading speaker may be useful for practical reasons); it would by necessity have to be reciprocal / symmetrical. (I've seen such things work well, so I'm sure it can be done.)
In that context, I suspect some key things to touch on are: * It has been long since we saw each other. It has been hard. * Now we see each other. It is a good change (perhaps w/acknowledgement of awkwardness / may not be easy) * We move out of the past into a new world. We will be able to see each other.
Basically, acknowledging the difficulties of the past, the mixed joys and challenges of the present, and the anticipation of a better future.
Also, since it's a small thing one would do many times with various other groups, it should be pretty concise.
Very rough first-draft below.
Structure: For each line below, one person states it first, then in turn (what order?) all others echo it, either literally or in sentiment. For those who find ritual intimidating, just echoing back the last little thing said will work fine.
A: "It has been long since we were together. We have had to hide ourselves from the world. It has been hard." (Others, in turn): "(......) It has been hard." A: "Now, we break down the wall between us and come together. It is a change. We stand together again. (Others, in turn): "(.......) We stand together again." A: "We move out of the past into a new world. We will be able to see each other when and where we please. The future brings joy." (Others, in turn): "(.......) The future brings joy."
Possible changes: * I think it wants one more bit in there reminiscent of the "are you shielded" bit from yours, or else to incorporate that into line 2 * Not entirely satisfied with 3rd line, esp. ending. * It might be easier to just formally structure the non-main bits as echoes of the final phrases.
no subject
Yay!
The rhythm here is rather Masonic, just because that's the flavor of ritual I know best; different communities of ritual practice will want to adapt the wording and concepts to their own style.
+1.
The big thing that jumped out at me is how hierarchical the above ritual is. It strikes me as something well-suited to a church, or community center, or (with adaptation for scale) a convention; and less well suited for peer-to-peer reconnection.
I would want something very different for "two individuals/household-groups who have not seen each other in person since the pandemic meet again". In that context, there's no pre-existing Community, and no Officiant per se (though having a leading speaker may be useful for practical reasons); it would by necessity have to be reciprocal / symmetrical. (I've seen such things work well, so I'm sure it can be done.)
In that context, I suspect some key things to touch on are:
* It has been long since we saw each other. It has been hard.
* Now we see each other. It is a good change (perhaps w/acknowledgement of awkwardness / may not be easy)
* We move out of the past into a new world. We will be able to see each other.
Basically, acknowledging the difficulties of the past, the mixed joys and challenges of the present, and the anticipation of a better future.
Also, since it's a small thing one would do many times with various other groups, it should be pretty concise.
Very rough first-draft below.
Structure: For each line below, one person states it first, then in turn (what order?) all others echo it, either literally or in sentiment. For those who find ritual intimidating, just echoing back the last little thing said will work fine.
A: "It has been long since we were together. We have had to hide ourselves from the world. It has been hard."
(Others, in turn): "(......) It has been hard."
A: "Now, we break down the wall between us and come together. It is a change. We stand together again.
(Others, in turn): "(.......) We stand together again."
A: "We move out of the past into a new world. We will be able to see each other when and where we please. The future brings joy."
(Others, in turn): "(.......) The future brings joy."
Possible changes:
* I think it wants one more bit in there reminiscent of the "are you shielded" bit from yours, or else to incorporate that into line 2
* Not entirely satisfied with 3rd line, esp. ending.
* It might be easier to just formally structure the non-main bits as echoes of the final phrases.