The Joy of Ritual: Recipes to Celebrate Milestones, Transitions, and Everyday Events in Our Lives (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "THE WORD RITUAL, DERIVED from an Indo-European root meaning "to fit together," conveys an act in which we literally join the metaphysical with the physical..." (more)
Key Phrases: healing stick, appreciation ritual, ritual reality, Native American, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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

Product Description

Ritual is a universal language that gives substance and meaning to our lives. People are eager to honor the significant moments in their lives and Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place as food for the soul through practical, easy-to-use ritual recipes that are inspiring and fun.

Rituals can enhance daily routines, enrich milestones, and guide us through difficult transitions. Whether you're releasing fear, bringing deeper meaning to a family or community gathering, or celebrating an important event, THE JOY OF RITUAL is like a wise best friend that reconnects us to our hearts and souls. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Golden Books Adult Publishing; 1st edition (March 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582380015
• ISBN-13: 978-1582380018
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,360,716 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute joy to read and put into practice!, May 8, 1999

By A Customer

I love to read for pleasure, but there's nothing better than being able to put the reading into practice. I've used several of the rituals in Barbara Biziou's book and shared them with friends, and the results have been pretty extraordinary, especially with the release ones. With the help of her rituals, I achieved closure on an old relationship and attracted a new one that took us to the altar! I also recently experienced the power of letting go and making room in my life for a new project; within weeks, I manifested what I wanted to do for a long time. The tools are very powerful, and Barbara does a great job of demystifying the "out there" aspects of ritual. The structure and language of the book are user friendly, so you can just look up a recipe for what you need in your life the way you would use a cookbook to plan your family dinner.At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I highly recommend THE JOY OF RITUAL and think it makes a wonderful gift for friends and family.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am inspired to do rituals!, May 11, 1999

By A Customer

I love this book! Through meaningful personal stories, the Joy of Ritual offers simple and practical recipes which inspire us to that which we all long for: to experience our precious humanness and experience The Divine Source of Love!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and simple guide for creating your life., May 3, 1999

By A Customer

"The Joy of Ritual" is simply a beautiful and uplifting medium of empowerment. Barbara Biziou shares herself, her fears, her longings, and then shares her knowledge. This book is elegant and quickly becomes a friend in your house. A friend you will want to "talk" to frequently. There is something for everyone in "Joy." Of the many people I know who have read the book each one is drawn to a different aspect of the rituals. This book, I think, will become like an old and trusted cookbook. It will have it's trusty place on your bookshelf. It will be there for you to pickup when you are in need of a good recipe.