Devotionals are ritual acts and meditations that are designed to focus
your attention on a particular deity or group of deities. These rituals
express connections between you and your Gods and Goddesses. They can also
be done for Ancestors, as they often are in Shinto and other "ancestor
worshipping" religions. Rituals of devotion to land spirits are common
in folk religions like the Celtic "fairy faith."
A devotional is not a ritual that asks for something. A ritual for prosperity
is not a devotional ritual, nor is a love spell or a protection spell. Instead,
the rite places you firmly within a relationship between yourself and your
deities. Ancestor devotions are done to reaffirm your link with friends,
family and significant people who have gone into the House of Donn, as well
as the unknown and unnamed ancients who walked Pagan paths before you, and
to remind them that you are still thinking of them. Land spirit devotionals
are often done to gain a better relationship with them, and to prevent any
mischief they might be prone to cause.
Devotions to deities are performed to gain a better understanding of the
deity, and the Gods and Goddesses will often share information with their
devotees. Through the process of your rituals you will discover thigns that
the deities are associated with, what they like, and also the things that
displease them and which you should avoid. Researching and preparing a devotional
ritual shows the deities that you are actively interested in interacting
with them, and it may call their attention to you in a positive manner.
Reading and meditation are important before you begin to design your altar
and your devotional rituals. Both are necessary and will give yo uthe basics
of symbolism for setting your altar, and the names and some of the titles
by which your chosen deities should be addressed. Your work will reveal
tales and materal which can become the basis for the words of your devotional
rites, as well as the conditions and situations in which each deity is most
often encountered. A devotional can of course be done with no props other
than your intent, particularly when very little is known about a deity.
But using linking symbols, if they are available, is always helpful.
Preparation is no guarantee of instant success, but neither is sincerity
alone. Time and effort are both important ingredients for your devotional
work. The nature of spiritual work and development is slow and painstaking.
Success will undoubtedly come, but you must reach for it and put your best
effort into your workings. Always remember that what you get out of your
devotional rituals will be dependent upon what you put into them. Your effort
may be great, but your rewards will be greater.