That is, one that I put together myself.  I included casting a circle and everything.  This was a healing ritual for my brother-in-law.  I was charging a crystal to send to him to aid his healing after surgery, but also to send general healing energy to him for his surgery on Tuesday.  (If you read this, Cliff, I'm be sending more energy to you during surgery Tuesday.)

Wow, I really had no idea how tiring something like this can be.  I felt very up and energized during the ritual and immediately after.  But now that I've released the energy raised (it still takes me a while to release energy.  I need more practice at that), I'm just drained.  Although, my hands are still tingling.  I don't know if that's just the remains of the energy or the nerves are just still all excited from the energy I was trying to pour into the crystal.  Those of you who are experienced ritualists, how long does it normally take for those sensations to pass?  It's been about half an hour since I released the energy.  I know in the past when I've raised energy, it's taken a long time for my hands to stop being all tingly.  You know, almost how they feel when circulation was cut off and then restored, or when you go from a really cold temperature outside to a very warm house.  That's what it feels like.

Anyway, my first ritual.  I'm still learning not to feel self-conscious out in my yard where the whole world can see me, but once I get into the ritual, that falls away.  I'd love, though, to have a big place in the middle of nowhere, where my rituals are private except for my family and the animals.  *laughs* Having come from the south, I always expect cross burners to turn up in my yard if the wrong person sees me.

And now I'm rambling because, yeah, did I mention I'm really tired?