Ritual for Regrouping and Healing

     In preparation, the leaders and remaining members of the group should meditate on the things which they value about each other and about the group as a collective whole. Members might wish to select and bring along tokens and decorative materials which they could add to a representation of the group’s collective identity – these might be pieces to be added to a group banner, or objects for a kinetic sculpture such as a webwork.

• Invite all of the remaining members of the group to participate.
• Create sacred space or open the ritual according to the group’s usual customs.
• Consider having members enter into the sacred space with a great deal of fuss and celebration -- welcome them in, and make clear by your collective welcoming that the group values all its remaining members.
• The leader or other intermediary should make a clear and respectful statement concerning what is known of the circumstances of the missing person or persons’ departure from the group. If nothing is known, say so. If certain matters were shared in confidence, respect that confidence.
• Hold discussions in rounds, using a talking-stick or similar object if you wish. Avoid the temptation to denigrate the character, or impugn the motives, of the person or people who went missing.
• Ritual blessing and sharing of food and drink together. This might best be done in silence.
• Open discussion and sharing of ideas, including lessons learned from the preceding events.
• Reclaim, repair, and perhaps rearrange the group’s collective symbol.
• Joint blessing and empowering of the group’s symbol.
• Whoever opened the ritual should close it in their usual way.