An ordeal ritual is a painful experience that requires courage and strength of will. It is a trial one sets for oneself. A rite of passage and a quest for personal power, Ordeal rituals can fill a void missing in our modern world. Ordeals have been used by cultures and religions throughout history. Many are now enacted in more secular ways, although some prefer to mix some spirituality into their rituals.
Learn why ordeal rituals have been used in the past and why they are still relevant today. As kinky people, we are no strangers to pain, and many of us choose to engage in activities that intentionally push our limits. Ordeals take this to the next level. While they may look different to each person who chooses to engage in one, an ordeal is always a test of the spirit, the inner strength of that person.
This class will not teach you how to do a specific Ordeal; it will teach you the foundation that Ordeals are built on. We will discuss the historical and cultural contexts of these rituals and how they are missing in our modern world. I will talk about my own journey and the various ordeals I’ve engaged in, as well as why you might also want to challenge yourself in a similar manner.
While we may draw inspiration from other cultures when considering Ordeals, we need to talk about cultural appropriation. Your culture may have a rite of passage that you will want to recreate, and that’s awesome! However, we shouldn’t try to “recreate” rituals from cultures we don’t belong to.
We will look at different types of Ordeal rituals and how to create one that suits you. Finally, we will look at the psychological effects of engaging in a pain trial and the prospect of failure. By the end of this class, you will be able to move forward in creating your own pain trial.