Taking a tea light candle out, putting it in a holder, and lighting it on a daily basis may not seem like a big deal. However small rituals, no matter how insignificant they seem, play an important role in our daily life. For me, it's a way to start my day. I take a tea light and place it in the holder. I light it, taking a moment to think about those to whom I'd like to send some warm and healing thoughts, whether it's global conditions or people I know personally or just anyone who needs a bit of a boost. Then, I light a stick of incense. With my altar set, I then sit down to the computer to work on the daily chores. It's a small ritual. But to me, it's an important one.
We all have small rituals like these in our lives. It could be something like always putting our keys in a specific location, or more detailed as a prayer said before meals. Rituals help us get through our day. Though the ritual described above is spiritual, they don't have to be religious (or spiritual rituals). If they are, however, most people, myself included, find that they add a bit of calm to an otherwise hectic day.
It's hard to pin down exactly what these rituals do for our lives. Depending on the actual ritual it's purpose may be several-fold. For me, the lighting of a candle and burning of incense helps to focus me. I can choose incense for the qualities I want to nurture, such as "inspiration" or "creativity." This helps me to focus on these items, and perhaps, work just a bit harder at them.
I didn't know how important these rituals were to me until I stopped doing them. Things got crazy. Work. Life. Personal issues intruded. For whatever reasons, I stopped. My life got crazier, things more hectic. It wasn't until I consciously realized that I'd lost my daily rituals that I knew their power in my life. For a few moments every day, I'm calm and focused. It's a serenity I can carry with myself throughout the rest of the day. I only have to catch a wisp of fragrance from the incense, or see the flickering candle flame out of the corner of my eye to remember the calmness I felt and bring it back into my life once more.
Cougar passed into Bast's arms at 6pm, Saturday, September 29, 2007. Mom believed his age to be around 22. All I know is that for as long as I remember, Cougar has always been a part of our family. I had taken him in a couple of years ago when mom had moved and couldn't keep him. We already had five cats, had wondered how adding a sixth would work. However, Cougar eased into our home, an elder statesman, with nary a twitched whisker. Now that he's gone, there's a hole, and suddenly, five cats seems so much less than six.
His passing was for the best. He had an ear tumor and although the vets said if we had the money ($600-$1200) they could do surgery, but really, didn't know what his quality of life would be afterwards. And given his age, and the fact that he had a heart murmur, didn't even know if he'd survive surgery. So we brought him home. His follow up appointment was at 9 am on Friday morning. We never expected not to have him by Saturday night. However, the goddess had her own plans, and apparently she needed a huge loveable kitty to trip over in the kitchen when she was cooking, and who bashed his head against her ankles for attention. He's with Bast now, getting his reward. We hope that he finds old friends.
Intellectually I know this isn't an ending. The cycle of life turns, death, birth, death, rebirth. I hope if I'm lucky that I'll get to see Cougar again. I take comfort in the Rainbow Bridge. I take comfort in the fact that he's no longer in pain. And I take comfort in the fact that I know there is a higher power and that she does have a plan for us.
That's not to say grief is easy. There's still pain, loss, the emptiness that we feel now that his earthly shell is gone. I'm working through it. I'm doing better. And when things start to get too tough, I find solace in the goddess.
Blessed be, Cougar. Make sure they treat you right up there.
Though this picture was taken in November 2005, long before we knew of the medical troubles awaiting us in this household full of geriatric cats, it shows the two patriarchs (then and still) of our household.
Cougar (left) and Tigger (right).
As the eldest, Cougar's age is somewhere around 20-22. It's hard to tell really, for although he's been a part of our family for many years, he was a stray before then, and difficult to know his age for sure. Tigger, the younger, is about 16-17. Yes, we have old kitties in this house. :)
Recently, Cougar was diagnosed with ear polyps, possibly the "c" word. Tigger lives with diabetes, receiving insulin shots twice a day. Of course I give them medical treatment. I have a great relationship with my vet. However, I also give them reiki.
Why? Because I believe Reiki can help. Not only is it an excellent way to reduce stress and promote healing, but it gives me an opportunity to deepen my bond with these elder statesmen of the household. By working on all their levels, I can be sure that my intention to provide them with good care that keeps their quality of life high is reached. They may not understand English, but they do understand love.
To me, reiki is a very powerful tool to help me and my pets. Even when an animal isn't ill, sending reiki to it helps to deepen our bonds. It's a quiet moment in a hectic day. Some peace and comfort for both of us.
I cannot be sure of what will happen in the future. But I know that by providing reiki to my pets, I'm doing everything I can to help give them the best life possible.
And don't forget to check out our incense sale. Another new shipment just arrived today! Look for it to be listed within the next day or two along with our new organic soaps!
To celebrate my new storefront and shopping cart and the fact that I have most of the incense in stock I'm holding a sale!
That's right. From now until the end of September, please enjoy an additional 5% off my already low prices for all incense in the store. Have a scent you've always wanted to try? Maybe need to stock up on an old favorite. Well here's your chance.
Visit http://www.jupitergardens.com/catalog and see what we have to offer today.
