ABSTRACT
Like all folk art forms, Neo-Pagan ritual has a well-defined set of aesthetics that operates within the community. Different ritual artists also have their own recognizable styles. Because Neo-Pagans are such a diverse group, not all agree on every aspect of ritual aesthetics. Good ritual does not just happen. It takes organization and artistry, as Toraine suggests, to achieve just the right mix of spontaneity and planning that allows for good ritual to happen. In many ways, ritual is a collaborative performance between the director or facilitator and all of the participants. The highly participatory nature of rituals is possible largely because most Neo-Pagans have internalized a similar ritual grammar or structure, and this structure underlies nearly all rituals. Skilled ritualists recognize this tripartite structure and often articulate it as "beginning, middle, and end". Other traditions may include practices such as meditation, focusing and sending group energy towards a particular purpose, or the giving of thanks.
