What was the first thing that you did today? As soon as you woke up and gingerly stepped out of bed to face the world, what was the absolute first action you took? Whatever it was, be it going to the bathroom, washing your face, etc., I"m sure it felt familiar and safe. Although it does not seem like it, you have just participated in a ritual. The comfortable feeling that you received from this action is due to the fact that you probably have performed it in the same exact way dozens, if not hundreds or thousands, or times before. This phenomenon of ritualistic, habitual action can be found in other realms of reality and life as well. Performances are also ritualistic in nature, combining elements of the rehearsed, and therefore, ritualized action with presentation. The course packet states: .
Performances - whether in the performing arts, sports, or everyday life - consist of ritualized gestures and sounds. Even when we think we"re being spontaneous and original, most of what we do and utter has been done and said before - by us even. (Schechner 45).
Understandably, the human race incorporates many traditions and ritualistic customs into almost everything we do. After attending a candlelight vigil in memory of the 9/11 tragedy, it was easy to see many elements of ritualized habits taking part at the ceremony. These rituals were designed to create a feeling of familiarity, so that participants would have something to identify and feel comfortable with.
One of the many traditional customs that stood out to me at the memorial gathering was the mass use of candles. A time-honored ritual, the use of candles can be found in many rituals and religions around the globe. The Catholic religion is well known for its use of candles in ceremony and prayer. I have visited a Catholic church with hundreds of votive candles available for visitors for a blessed prayer. The Wiccan religion also use candles extensively in their practices.
