THE JOY OF RITUAL: Spiritual Recipes to Celebrate Milestones, Ease Transitions, and Make Every Day Sacred - Softcover

Rituals are like containers, gently holding those profound moments and passages in life that we hope to honor, savor, or simply let go of. "They mark significant times, ease us through transitions, and--especially in times of rapid change--bring structure and stability to our lives," explains author Barbara Bizlou, who's known by many as the "Ritual Lady." In her elegant and thorough book, Bizlou offers readers specific ritual suggestions and recipes for a variety of situations, including "Moving Through Depression," "Becoming an Elder," and "Celebrating Your Sensuality." While some rituals cover familiar terrain, such as wedding preparations, many cover uncharted territories that are in sore need of rituals. For example, Bizlou notes that the experiences of miscarriage and abortion are common to many people, yet few cultures offer rituals to grieve such losses. Among her ideas for grieving the loss of an unborn child, she suggests that parents create an altar, light a candle, name the child, and write down "all the things you wished to say to the child." Although Bizlou has imaginative and compelling ideas for rituals, she emphasizes the need for people to customize rituals to fit their own lives. Thus, this becomes not only a handy resource, but also a source of inspiration for those who are drawn to the power of rituals. --Gail Hudson

"The Joy of Ritual is a roadmap to celebrating life." - Donna Karan

"There are dozens of ways to use ritual to heal...One of the best guides I've seen is The Joy of Ritual, by Barbara Biziou." - Christiane Northup, M.D., author of Mother-Daughter Wisdom

"The Joy of Ritual is a practical, empowering, warmly written guide that teaches you how to make the passages of your life sacred. Barbara Biziou is a gifted teacher. Don't miss your chance to learn from her." - Judith Orloff, M.D., author of Positive Energy

"In my Zulu culture, rituals are the language of the soul. Barbara Biziou has mastered that language....Biziou's teaching transcends gender, race, and creed." - Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo, South African Ambassador to the United Nations

"The Joy of Ritual is a book to illumine our transitions. It gives us the means to make sacred our everyday acts while adding spice and spunk to the threshold occasions and critical junctures in our lives and times." - Jean Houston, author of A Mythic Life