The Rituals We Crave & Need!

From Ireland’s Samhain to India’s Diwali, Rani Sheilagh explores how rituals, the ancient and the everyday, are critical to help us reconnect to meaning, presence, pleasure and joy, both in life and at work.

By Rani Sheilagh - Cyberpsychologist | Wellness & Lifestyle Futurist

The Rhythm of Change

At this time of year, something ancient (and often playful) stirs in all of us.

It is more than fancy dress and candles; it is our deep human love of ritual.

Halloween originated here in Ireland long before pumpkins (in Ireland, it was originally turnips)  and costumes. It started as Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. It is a time to honour the rhythm of light and dark, endings and renewal.

It reminds us how much humans love ritual.

The candles, shared meals, and gathering in the dark in the northern hemisphere.

Or in the southern hemisphere, the beginnings of spring and brighter days.

It is ancient, playful and deeply human.

We mark the turning of the season together.

We invite light to the transition.

Global Conections & Celebration of Light and Life

And it is not just here.

Across the world, this time of year sees many cultures celebrate the same idea of light meeting shadow, endings giving way to new beginnings.

The list of traditions is long, diverse, and beautifully rich across the globe.

In India, Diwali is celebrated as the festival of lights.

In Mexico, there is Día de los Muertos, honouring ancestors through colour, food, and remembrance.

In Japan, the Obon festival brings loved ones together to reconnect and reflect.

Across Africa, harvest celebrations such as the Yam Festivals of Ghana and Nigeria are filled with gratitude, storytelling, and shared meals that give thanks for abundance.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Māori Matariki festival marks a time for reflection, remembrance, and renewal.

Different traditions, rich cultures, one shared truth.

We all crave moments of meaning, belonging, and connection.

Everyday Rituals Shape Us & Enrich Our Experiences

But here’s a thought.

What if we treated our everyday rituals, such as cooking, eating our dinner, taking a walk, or even scrolling through our phones, with the same reverence?

Rituals and intention help us arrive in the moment.

They help us feel connected, rooted, and part of something larger than ourselves.

Rituals at Work: Presence in Practice

And this applies to the workplace too.

We often overlook how small moments in our workspaces can become rituals that strengthen connection, create a positive work culture, and foster well-being. A shared coffee, a lunchtime stroll, a mindful pause before a meeting, even a daily check-in  (whether in person or online) are all opportunities for  rituals to promote thriving and bring a little more joy in the work we do.

In fast-paced environments, rituals remind us that we are not just colleagues, we are humans navigating life together. When leaders build in moments of presence, workplaces become more compassionate, creative, purposeful, connected, and joyful!

YUMMIE TAKEAWAY

Presence and Intention turns everyday habits and moments,  at home or at work,  into modern rituals that help us to feel human in the best way possible.

So… How are you marking the shift in season?

What small rituals make your day or your workplace feel more human?