Like all the emotions we feel, grief is one in which we should approach with care, time, and validity. Whether this be your own grief, or the grief experienced by someone else in your life, it’s important that we give it the raw sadness and intensity it deserves. When our emotions are pushed away it leads to problems in the future. Grief bowls are one way you can bring comfort during this time.
We like to welcome grief in, give it the importance it deserves. Pay homage to those that have passed and allow the passing of time to be a healer.
In light and love the country lit up for baby loss awareness day on the 15th October, the flicker of candle light bringing comfort to so many. Not only remembering those that were lost but also admitting the grief, and that its ok to mourn that loss. Strength comes from facing the way we feel.
This day marked by so many has got us thinking about how grief bowls can bring beauty and comfort to you during difficult times.
What is a grief bowl?
Much like an altar, a grief bowl is a remembrance and sacred way of representing your feelings after a loss. It is a place to honour those feelings and bring beauty to a sad moment in life. To set these up is very simple and easy, setting an intention for the bowl to do the honouring. The sea salt to wash away and cleanse, and the light of the candle to bring guidance and transformation.
Traditionally grief bowls were placed in a house as a place to put your grief. It was a way of having it near, a place to acknowledge the pain and not push it away. A loved one’s name would be placed on a piece of bark, a dried flower petal, or on a piece of paper and placed in the bowl.
It seems to be a tradition that we have lost in this current world, but one in which we should pay more homage to.
What can a grief bowl do for me?
It can help to channel good memories in times of loss. To process your feelings and make sense of your thoughts. It allows you to honour those that you have lost but can also bring you healing. It’s important to treat yourself with kindness in difficult times. The benefit of a grief bowl is that it does the work for you!
Loss can affect both your physical and emotional wellbeing. If you can create a routine, a special ritual, or ceremony for your grief it will serve you well in your healing journey.
What can I add to my grief bowl?
Find a bowl that speaks to you A bowl that you know fits with your grief. It will look empty and hollow at first, this is a ritual in itself. Realising your grief can look like this. Fill the bowl with things that represented the person in life. Photos, flowers, memories, it becomes a living vessel of joys, sorrows and lived moments.
You can simply use a black bowl, filled half with sea salt and top up with spring water. Light a candle and let it work. Setting your intention helps the process. Whats key, is the bowl does the work allowing what comes up to be cleansed and washed away in harmony. Add a candle if you like to bring light and transformation. (Select from our wide range of altar and tea light candles).
Allow your mind to take in the sorrow but see beyond that to the gratitude of joy that was had. We also like to add dimensions to the bowl with scent and sound and light. These can all represent a part of the person. Perhaps a sound or scent you associate with them. Bringing light to the bowl (and this can be fairy lights it doesn't have to be candles) brings hope. Hope that you will forever hold them close but that you can make peace with the loss.
We hope this has helped to bring you more insight into grief and how a grief bowl can bring comfort.
As always we are here to offer guidance and advice on any of the practices we mention. We bring these ritual to our lives here at Sacred Essence and would never recommend something we didn't whole heartedly place within our own lives.
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