I would say it works best if you work with ritual writer and invoke appropriate gods/goddesses...

I've seen belly dance used with either recorded or live (drum) music

I wouldn't say that all rituals think about incorporating dance or bellydance so there may be a need for writing a special ritual by group(s)

I have incorporated both dancing and ritual together not so much bellydance but i am on the path of using bellydance as i learn more about it. From what i understand bellydancing was used by preistess as their form of ritual to the Gods. They way i did it was very simple. First with any ritual you have to have a purpose. What is the purpose of the ritual. Dance in pagan rituals are very important as they are used to raised energy. So if have to learn about raising and releasing energy. Once you have your intent work up the energy with dance. Use music with no or little words as words invoke certain feelings and emotions tied to the song. Use ritualistic movements that you can use with the ritual. Symbolism your going to have to research on your own as symbols as magick are on a personal level. So once you have all that figured out then let the dancing begin, light some candles set the altar (stage) bring offerings and work that magick. If you want I'll post ritual format for basic pagan rituals but the rest is up to you. Hope that helps. To me music and dance are very important aspect of ritual and very effective.

RITUAL FORMAT:

(Basic Ritual Structure)


· Purification of Self and Space
· Set up the Altar
· Cast the Circle
· Call the quarters
· Invoke the Goddess and God
· Chant Goddess and God songs
· Ritual Observance
· Raise Energy
· Chant/Sing/Dance
· Release the Energy
· Earthing the Power
· Thank the Goddess and God
· Thank and say goodbye to the Elements
· Close the Circle
· Ground yourself
· Clean up the altar

Hi Katrien!

I have used bellydance many times in ritual, especially personal ones. As others have said, dance is perfect for raising energy, but I also use bellydance to invoke the elements/directions and the Goddess. I match my belllydance moves to the elements--do slow flowing arm movements for air, sharp percussive hip movements for fire, bodywaves and snakearms for water, hip circles for earth, and combos for invoking deity. Do whatever feels right to you!

Bellydance works great for group rituals, too, especially large ones around bonfires--ecstatic dance is my favorite form of divine communion!

Blessings,
Zivah