The Fire-Walking ritual of Anastenaria takes place every year between May 21st and May 23rd in Northern Greece. Thought to have Christian and Pagan roots dating back to the Middle Ages, participants dance around the fire on the final day of the festival before walking through it barefoot.

As the man interviewed in this short video suggests, the ritual builds community and gives meaning to life through the act of being part of something bigger than oneself.

While fire-walking may not be your thing, rituals have the power to bring people together and inspire them to do things that they may not have the strength or courage to do alone.  What rituals have inspired you to be bolder, look beyond yourself, and connect in community? Do you feel held back in some part of your life? How might a ritual help to give you the strength to move forward?