To my way of thinking, rituals are nothing more than habits. Sometimes it's good to have a habit. It may be helpful to do a thing regularly so that it's comfortable and you can focus on the reasons more than the methods. On the other hand, habits can be so automatic that eventually you barely realize you're doing them or the reason is eventually forgotten. At that point I believe the power of the ritual is lost.

Rituals serve well for groups, to bring all to focus in one direction, to put them all on the same sheet of music, so to speak. There is most certainly power in numbers and a common activity done via common method is surely helpful for a group. But, for the individual, it's all a matter of what gets you in tune with the task. It is better to transform the ritual to fit your power, than to mutilate your power to fit a ritual.

I, myself, abhor ritual and habit. I like doing things in a new, fresh way, as often as possible. I like the activity of creating methods. For me, this is a way of focusing my energy, and that is the whole point. To merely execute a habit or stock ritual is death to my energy flow. If I could nearly sleep through a task, then by definition I am not fully engaged in it, and I must be fully engaged in order for my personal energy and power to be applied.

I am not recommending that all persons doff rituals. I am saying that each person should be aware of whether ritual is helpful or stifling to them. We all operate from our own natural tendencies. If you find rituals helpful and enjoy those designed by others, then by all means use them. However, if you find preset rituals to be tedious and your focus gets easily distracted, then do not be afraid to create your own. The power is NOT in the trinkets or the words or the movements alone. The power is in YOU and all the rest are simply tools to help you direct it.