This is a ritual you can do after a pet has died. Obviously, you’ll need to make changes based on the type of pet you had, how they died, and so on, but you can use this ceremony as a starting point. If the pet belonged to the entire family, you might turn this into a collective rite.
Things needed:
- Salt
- A pink candle (to represent your love for your pet)
- Incense of your choice (for a cat, for example, blend catnip, valerian, and mint)
- Water
- A stone to represent your pet
- A stone to represent yourself
- 4 matching crystals/gemstones
- A small tray, plate, or dish
The setup:
To depict the four elements, arrange the salt, incense, candle, and water in a circle (or in any other manner you traditionally use). With each, place one of your four matching crystals. Light the candle and the incense. In the center of the work area, place the stones that represent you and your pet in the dish.
Spend a few moments silently meditating on the two stones in the center. One is you, and the other is your animal companion. They should be touching each other in the same way that you and your pet did in life. Take both stones and grasp them securely in both palms. Remember the wonderful and happy memories you have of your time with your pet as you do so.
Say the pet prayer:
Pass the stones over the salt, and say:
with the energies of Earth, I am with you in spirit. Your memory will always remain with me.
Pass the stones over the incense, and say:
with the energies of Air, I am with you in spirit. Your memory will always remain with me.
Pass the stones over the candle, and say:
with the energies of Fire, I am with you in spirit. Your memory will always remain with me.
Pass the stones over the water, and say:
with the energies of Water, I am with you in spirit. Your memory will always remain with me.
Talk to your pet about how much you’ll miss him/her:
Replace the two stones in the dish in the work area’s middle. Add each of the four coordinating crystals/gemstones to the dish as well. As you do so, express your gratitude for being able to be a part of your pet’s life and how much you will miss him. If you include family members, such as children, have them each place one of the matching stones in the dish and tell the pet one thing they’ll miss about him.
*There are a variety of crystals related to animal magic that you can employ. The key element is to choose four identical pairs. Use all-purpose healing crystals like quartz, turquoise, amethyst, or sugilite, which is related to death and crossing over.
If you had to euthanize your pet, make sure you explain why so he realizes how awful it was. This is a good opportunity to express your feelings, such as recognizing that prolonging your pet’s suffering would have been selfish.
Close your eyes and think about how your life has changed as a result of your pet. Now is a wonderful time to cry, scream, or yell if you need to. Don’t be stingy with your words.
Finally, pass the dish containing all of the stones to everyone who participated in the rite. Allow each individual a brief minute to hold it and feel the energy of you and your pet in the stones.
Finish the ritual:
Finish the ceremony in any manner your tradition dictates. Place the dish with the stones in a favorite position of your pet’s—a sunny spot on the floor, a warm corner in the bedroom, or a bright warm windowsill—once you’ve done so. Allow the dish to sit there for a few days. Say hi to your pet as you pass by and let them know they are remembered.
After some time has gone, keep the stones in a safe place, such as a drawstring pouch or a special box, so that every time you think about your pet, you can see the stones and remember him. You may even build a necklace out of one of the stones or give them to family members for their personal comfort.
