Step One

What do I want to do?

This is the most obvious first consideration. There is no point in even considering a ritual if you haven't a clue of what it is that you are trying to achieve. Look into the beliefs of your religion and use the examples above as a way to steer you onto the kind of thing that you wish to do.

Remember, entering into a ritual practice is not just a dull repetition of words and actions that you have written down in advance, it is an expression of your inner self, as such, ritual is a way to adjust your mindset and use the practice to not only impact your own psychology, but also a way to leave a lasting mark on the spiritual environment around you.

If any ritual is done correctly, then the person or people doing it will be putting their energies, thoughts and feelings into the ritual, speaking from their heart and attempting to really make it mean something. Because of this, a successful ritual can't help but leave an impression upon the surrounding spiritual landscape, even if only for a short time.

So when asking yourself what you want to do in your ritual, remember to consider what that means. Once you understand that, you will have the groundwork for where the rest of your ritual is heading.