◇ Friendship
Kite ritual to celebrate freedom in friendship
In many parts of the world, from China to Guatemala, kites are flown to celebrate, to send good wishes up to the sky or to remember the people we love. Flying a kite takes teamwork: one holds it, another runs, both look up. This ritual is an excuse to spend an afternoon outdoors with your friends, decorate a kite together with wishes and laugh when the wind won't cooperate. It doesn't matter how high it flies, only that you do it together.
In short: In many parts of the world, from China to Guatemala, kites are flown to celebrate, to send good wishes up to the sky or to remember the people we love. You need 5 simple items and 5 steps. When: On an afternoon with a gentle breeze in autumn or spring, during a waxing moon.
When to do it
On an afternoon with a gentle breeze in autumn or spring, during a waxing moon. Check the forecast: with strong wind, rain or storms, save it for another day.
What you need
- A simple kite (shop-bought or made with paper, canes and string)
- Coloured permanent markers
- Paper or fabric ribbons for the tail
- A small notebook and a pen
- A snack to share outdoors
Step by step
- Choose an open, safe place such as a beach or a wide meadow, away from power lines, tall trees, roads and airports.
- Sit in a circle and have each person write or draw on the kite a wish for the group's friendship: a trip, a tradition, something you want to keep sharing.
- Tie one ribbon to the tail for each friend present and, while tying each one, say out loud one thing you are grateful to that person for.
- Take turns flying the kite: one holds it up, another pulls the string. Once it's in the air, say together: "May our friendship fly free and always come back".
- Reel the kite in calmly, share your snack and note in the notebook the date, the place and one sentence from each person.
Safety first
These rituals are symbolic. Do not ingest herbs or oils, ventilate the room when burning incense or herbs, and never perform a ritual to harm or control anyone.
To finish
Keep the kite at one friend's home and repeat the ritual every year, adding new ribbons for new friends. Never let go of the kite, take all the string and leftovers home with you, and never fly near power lines. To keep looking after the group, pair it with the puzzle ritual.