The hottest Rituals Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Culture Topics

Happy Lupercalia

Res Obscura • 2021 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Traditions History Festivals Rituals Literature
  1. There's a special discount of 33% for subscriptions to support the publication, which is a great time to sign up.
  2. Lupercalia is a historical Roman festival linked to purification and fertility, celebrated from February 13 to 15.
  3. The writer highlights that there is no direct connection between Lupercalia and Valentine's Day, though some suggest links to other February celebrations.

England's Nazareth

The Abbey of Misrule • 525 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Pilgrimage Religious history Rituals Cultural heritage
  1. Little Walsingham is a unique village in England where Christian faith is still alive and well. It has a lot of shops selling religious icons and attracts pilgrims from all over.
  2. The village's history dates back to 1061 when a noblewoman named Richeldis had a vision to build a replica of the house where Mary was told she would give birth to Jesus. This site became a major pilgrimage destination.
  3. Despite the destruction of the original shrine by Henry VIII, the village has seen a revival in Christian pilgrimage. New shrines have been built, allowing people from different Christian denominations to come together and honor their faith.

Northern Courage Was Just Coping

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 316 implied HN points • 07 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Mythology Rituals Performance Identity Narrative
  1. Northern Courage is not true bravery. Instead, it often masks a refusal to accept reality and allows people to keep performing rituals instead of facing the truth.
  2. Collapse in society isn't loud or dramatic. It's quiet and gradual, with traditions and myths losing their meaning over time, ultimately becoming mere performances without substance.
  3. True change requires honesty and stillness rather than unnecessary action. To rebuild, it’s important to let go of old forms and allow new possibilities to emerge.

13 Observations on Ritual

The Honest Broker • 30254 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Rituals Technology Community Human behavior
  1. Smartphones are not suitable for genuine ritual as they embody restlessness, which is opposite to the stability needed for rituals.
  2. True rituals are deeply rooted in physical time and space, unlike online experiences that can feel hollow and lack genuine connection.
  3. Memes mimic elements of ritual like repetition and shared meaning but lack the depth and transcendence that true rituals provide.

The Leonard Cohen Shoe Shine Edition

Why is this interesting? • 301 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Music Fashion Rituals Literature
  1. Leonard Cohen was known for his love of fine tailoring, often wearing stylish suits. His attention to personal appearance showed he cared about looking good.
  2. While searching for his dress shoes, many images emerged of Cohen sitting on hotel room floors polishing his own shoes. This highlights his down-to-earth nature.
  3. The contrast between his polished look on stage and his simple shoe-shining ritual reflects a unique blend of elegance and humility in his character.
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The Tuesday Edition

Why is this interesting? • 422 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality History Rituals Traditions
  1. The seven-day week we use has been unchanged since at least 311 C.E., despite many calendar changes over the years.
  2. More than 625,000 days have passed without interrupting the sequence of days, showing consistency in how we mark time.
  3. Even with holidays that confuse us about what day it is, the schedule of the week keeps moving forward as normal.

🎓 On cohort-based sociopolitical systems in East Africa

Obsidian Iceberg • 119 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Traditions Rituals Governance Community
  1. Age-sets are groups formed based on age, which help organize communities in East Africa. This system allows people to learn and gain experiences together as they transition through different life stages.
  2. Age-sets contribute to peace by preventing violent power shifts and promoting cooperation within communities. When people share experiences, they bond, which can help reduce conflict.
  3. In modern times, age-sets still influence leadership and governance in some regions. Leaders are chosen based on wisdom and experience rather than wealth, showing a different approach to community leadership.

Open Thread 357

Astral Codex Ten • 3510 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Community Rituals Discussion Events Social
  1. You can ask any questions and share thoughts in the open thread. It's a space for casual discussions.
  2. There will be meetups around the world for the community, including a big event in New York from December 13-16.
  3. Acknowledgment of a sad news about Nikolas Doucet, which reflects the importance of community support during tough times.

The sins of our fathers

Becoming Noble • 3468 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Rituals Parenting Cultural Traditions
  1. Rituals play a significant role in transcending individuals into archetypes, enhancing communion and cultural continuity.
  2. Honoring parents and ancestors is deeply rooted in civilization and breaking away from this tradition can lead to societal collapse.
  3. Interfering with key rituals can result in discordance, oikophobia, and a crisis of self-consciousness, ultimately leading to alienation and narcissism.

Into the Waters of Being

Becoming Noble • 3249 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Philosophy Existence Mortality Rituals
  1. Taking risks and confronting the possibility of death can mark a transition into maturity and authenticity.
  2. Reflecting on existential concepts like Nothingness and mortality can lead to a deeper understanding of one's existence.
  3. Encountering the power and mystery of deep bodies of water can serve as a profound and transformative experience.

Calling all rooted women ...

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2935 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Rituals Folklore Beliefs Spiritual Practices
  1. The post highlights the focus on ancestral ties and the upcoming book 'Hearth', emphasizing the importance of place and heritage in storytelling and creativity.
  2. The author shares insights about the North Sea, childhood memories, and the inspiration that nature and history provide for her work on folklore and traditions.
  3. There are exciting updates about the upcoming 'Rooted Woman Oracle' and an online event 'The Descent', showcasing the author's exploration of myths, rituals, and empowerment through storytelling.

Traditional Methods of Black Magic

Traditions of Conflict • 26 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Anthropology Traditions Magic Folklore Rituals
  1. Many cultures believe in using things like hair or personal items to harm others through magic. This idea reflects a common practice of using what's connected to someone to affect them.
  2. Supernatural beliefs may persist because people start to feel sick or anxious after hearing they’ve been cursed, which makes them believe in the power of magic more strongly.
  3. There’s a connection between these beliefs and how humans think; people often mistake coincidence for causation, leading to a cycle of magic, fear, and belief.

The Deaf Girl and Her Whistling Tea Kettle

Holly’s Newsletter • 1071 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
📚 Literature Creative Writing Rituals
  1. The author describes the comforting ritual of coming home and warming up halfway up the stairs, associating it with the Danish concept of 'hygge'. It's a sensory experience that brings deep comfort.
  2. Rituals are highlighted as calming and grounding. They help relax the part of the brain that deals with constant anxiety and serve as a way to connect with the present moment.
  3. The post discusses the author's journey from being addicted to Coke Zero to finding solace in the ritual of preparing and drinking hot tea instead, despite previous attempts with coffee.

The Case for Pro-Democracy Rituals

The Garden of Forking Paths • 1670 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Rituals Authoritarianism Protest Movements Patriotism
  1. Pro-democracy movements can benefit from utilizing the power of rituals to build strong social connections and a shared sense of purpose.
  2. Rituals have the ability to create a feeling of collective effervescence, fostering unity and a sense of belonging among participants.
  3. It is important for progressive and pro-democracy movements to embrace and develop rituals that celebrate inclusive values and community engagement in order to strengthen their causes.

The Ancient Occult Roots of the Fabian Society, Cybele and the Mysteries of Eleusis (part 4)

Matt Ehret's Insights • 845 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Occultism Mysteries Beliefs Rituals
  1. The Fabian Society, outwardly materialistic and socialist, was actually elitist and tied to ancient mystery religions.
  2. The name 'Fabian Society' was based on Roman tactics and indicated a revival of ancient rituals.
  3. The cult of Cybele-Attis introduced to Rome in 205 BC and the Eleusinian Mysteries played significant roles in ancient occult practices.

Holy Snax: Losing Our Religion

Snaxshot • 339 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Spirituality Beverages Religion Wellness Rituals
  1. Food and beverage trends are evolving to offer a sense of spirituality and divine experience through products like beverages infused with spiritual uplift claims and chocolate infused with healing frequencies.
  2. Millennials are leading a shift away from traditional organized religions, but there is still a strong inclination towards seeking spiritual connections and experiences, whether through food, substances, or rituals.
  3. The intersection of food, beverages, and spirituality is becoming more prominent, with unique experiences like sensorial cafes and the commodification of wellness and spiritual benefits in consumer products.

Why can’t we just skip the ritual?

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 03 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Rituals Social Behavior Human Psychology Self-Expression Community
  1. Hypnotism is not magical; it helps people express what they want to do but don't usually allow themselves. It’s like getting permission to be silly and enjoy life.
  2. Many people drink alcohol to socialize, but it's more about feeling free to be open rather than because they need it. Alcohol acts as a permission slip for some to act more social.
  3. You can be fun and social without alcohol or any other crutch. The ability to connect and play is already within you; you just need the confidence to let it out.

The Wintering Sky

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1178 implied HN points • 03 Dec 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Rituals Mythology Connection Nature Poetry
  1. Winter brings the gift of the night sky, which holds importance and rituals for the author, celebrating the return of darkness and stars.
  2. The author values ceremonies that emerge naturally and mark the rising and setting of the sun during the winter season.
  3. The author shares research on stars possibly being 'minded' entities, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the sky and the cosmos around us.

Sunday at home with a king

Disaffected Newsletter • 939 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Pets Lifestyle Rituals Community Humor
  1. The writer has a special morning routine with their cat named Shredder. They share a moment each day over coffee, even if Shredder prefers not to drink it.
  2. Shredder is a 15-year-old cat who weighs 16 pounds, showing that older pets can still have their own little rituals.
  3. Subscribing to the newsletter helps support the care and feeding of Shredder, highlighting the bond between the writer and their pet.

Evidence for global cultural diffusion

Vectors of Mind • 393 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Mythology Rituals
  1. There are strong similarities in cultural elements around the world that suggest global diffusion of ideas.
  2. Themes like the Seven Sisters, snake mythology, and matriarchy myths can be traced back to a common root.
  3. The Gravettian and Mal'ta Buret peoples from 20-30 kya show signs of practices that spread globally, like dog domestication and initiation rituals.

On The Art of Dying

Castalia • 439 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Death Philosophy Rituals
  1. Death can be seen as an art and part of the journey of life. Just like a movie’s climax, it shapes our experiences and how we live.
  2. In the West, many people tend to deny or fear death, leading to a busy life without confronting real issues. This 'active laziness' stops them from truly understanding life.
  3. Reflecting on death can lead to a deeper appreciation of life. Saying goodbye and being grateful for experiences can help us live more fully and peacefully.

The long, slow slide

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 818 implied HN points • 01 Jul 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Poetry Rituals Meaning-making
  1. The author shares insights on her recent trip to London, the cities vs countryside dynamic, and the concept of urban environments having their own 'dreaming'.
  2. The 'Hagitude' program focuses on exploring vitality, creativity, and vision in the second half of life for women, with a unique mythopoetic approach.
  3. A reading recommendation for the novel 'Sea of Tranquility' by Emily St. John Mandel, offering a story of time travel and parallel worlds.

Foreskin’s Comment

escape the algorithm • 239 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Rituals Online Interactions Community Creativity Meaning
  1. Rituals are significant online; a user on Youtube demonstrated a unique and meaningful daily commenting ritual that garnered community engagement.
  2. Repetition in rituals builds grounding in life, from daily habits to practices that span generations, connecting to nature's rhythms and the passage of time.
  3. Rituals in online spaces like daily commenting on a video can foster community, resist typical online norms, and access a sense of the sacred through unique, repeated actions.

Build rituals, not habits

Insight Axis • 217 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Rituals Habits Intention Consciousness Mindfulness
  1. Building rituals is more impactful than building habits. Rituals carry conscious intention and awareness, making them more potent than habits.
  2. Ritualizing technical work, like coding or mathematics, can improve focus and clarity. Slowing down and being intentional in these tasks can lead to better outcomes.
  3. Debunk the belief that intentional actions are effortful. Being fully present in your activities, from the mundane to the complex, can bring aliveness without strain.

Achilles' Wicked Deeds

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classics Mythology Grief Rituals Sacrifice
  1. Evaluation of epic actions requires understanding ancient cultural context and avoiding anachronism
  2. The sacrifice of the twelve Trojan youths by Achilles in the Iliad highlights extreme grief and excessiveness in the narrative
  3. The depiction of human sacrifice in the Iliad serves to characterize Achilles as an individual separate from traditional, civilized society

Ecstatic Contact with the Cosmos

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Rituals Transcendence Consciousness Mythology
  1. Many people yearn for a deeper meaning in life and feel disappointed when they can't find it. This desire for something more has been ignored in modern culture.
  2. Traditional societies had rites of passage to help individuals find their purpose and transition to adulthood. Modern civilization lacks these, which has led to feelings of alienation and chaos.
  3. Crises or disasters can bring people together and awaken a sense of community and love. We can choose to connect with each other now, rather than waiting for a catastrophe.

Rituals & Technology in the Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 22 May 24
🎭️ Culture Rituals Technology Cultural norms
  1. Rituals, whether religious, personal, or societal, have been crucial to human survival and continue to play a role in our integration of technology like Artificial Intelligence.
  2. In both secular and sacred settings, rituals help bind groups together and provide a sense of meaning, purpose, and shared values.
  3. Forming rituals around technology is a way to understand its importance in our lives and societal structures, and paying attention to cultural differences in rituals can enhance the appeal and effectiveness of technology products.

The Norse Afterlife Part I: How to Get to Valhalla

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 39 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Afterlife Rituals Gods Beliefs
  1. Dying in battle does not guarantee entry to Valhalla, as there are exceptions in Norse mythology where individuals who died outside of combat still ended up in Odin's afterlife army.
  2. The idea of giving oneself or being given to Odin through rituals involving spears or other means is a recurring theme in Norse beliefs, possibly indicating a form of dedication or initiation necessary for entry into Valhalla.
  3. The concept of who gets sent to Valhalla or Hel is complex and not solely based on dying in battle, with various factors like dedications, rituals, and individual circumstances playing a role in determining one's afterlife destination.

The Healing Power of Temazcal (Sweat Lodge): Q&A with Abuela Gloria Nanantzin Atekokolli

Tripsitter • 39 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Rituals Healing Prayers Guidance Tradition
  1. Temazcal is a traditional, sacred ritual with physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits practiced widely across the American continent.
  2. The temazcal structure symbolizes the womb of Mother Earth and reconnects individuals to creation, birth, and the universe.
  3. Roles of a temazcal guide are vital, requiring preparation, sensitivity, love, and understanding to provide a safe and meaningful experience for participants.