Rituals.

I love rituals ... they are spiritual. And as I am writing this I see, that they have been part of my life since the beginning ... probably from the time I was baptised ... growing up as a Roman Catholic, I was subjected to them.

There were statues and pictures we prayed to, and Rosary beads - there were magnificent glowing candles in church, and ceromonies with incense. The priest would swing the little silver container around( my young brother called it a 'billy can'(very Australian!) The smoke, and pungeant but exotic smell, would waft over the congregation ... hopefully I thought, ridding one of the misdeeds of the week before.

Then there were the prayers each had to say night and morning without fail. I practised this religiously for many years, until I came to a new awareness, and a new understanding ... now I have open communication, and it is two ways.

I talk of rituals in my story 'White Balloons'; these are only some of those that I have performed ... there have been many more, and most I realize ... were done subconciously.

I have little use for rituals now; I have been given what I need, and I clearly see that which is beautiful around me ... in all its shapes, sounds, colours, and perfume.

                                                                                                                               Jo St. Claire