In this episode, we explore ritual as one of humanity’s oldest technologies for care, meaning, and belonging. Long before productivity and self-optimization, ritual existed to mark transitions — births, deaths, initiations, losses, endings, and new beginnings — so we were never meant to move through important moments alone. Drawing from yoga philosophy, astrology, and depth psychology, we look at why ritual is essential for the nervous system, the psyche, and the soul. Ritual slows time. It creates a container when life feels uncertain or overwhelming. It signals to the body that something meaningful is happening — and that support is present. Through an astrological lens, ritual mirrors the cycles of the planets, the moon, and the seasons: beginnings (new moons), growth and devotion (waxing phases), release and closure (full moons), and rest (dark moon). Without ritual, transitions blur, grief lingers unfinished, and new chapters begin without grounding. With ritual, endings are honored, thresholds are held, and beginnings are consciously entered. This episode also speaks to the quiet loss of ritual in modern life — and how reclaiming even simple, personal rituals can reconnect us to greater forces: nature, lineage, spirit, and the unseen rhythms that shape our lives. We close by reflecting on ritual as an act of devotion — not performance — and an invitation to live in relationship with change, rather than rushing through it. Did you know you can subscribe to this podcast so that it automatically downloads the next episode for you? You can check out our respective websites and social media here: Becky: www.instagram.com/therosealmanac Laura: www.soulsanctuarystudios.com www.lauraclaytonwellness.com
