Solitary Ritual can provide an important contribution to your spiritual growth and connection with Divine. Here is a ritual with a very basic format that can be performed nearly anywhere, including the public park. Weather permitting, I almost always recommend ritual outside... this isn't always possible, but I consider it to be preferable.
First, find a location for your ritual. What level of privacy can you get outside? If you can be reasonably assured of a quiet corner of grass (perhaps spread a picnic blanket under a tree), then try to arrange your ritual there. Most public parks have a shady corner where the quiet people spread a blanket and read a good book. (Hint: You probably won't be very happy with screaming kids and frisbees flying over your head, so if this is likely, go indoors or find a better location.)
Tools: Gather together items that symbolize for you the five elements. (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit). Common tools might include: A pretty rock or ceramic/clay dish of soil/salt for earth; incense, leaves, or a feather for air; candles or images of flames for Fire; a vessel of water or shells for Water; and whatever you want for Spirit, including crystals or God/dess images. If you get creative, you can have all elements represented and still have it look like you're having a picnic.
I will now describe a "picnic ritual" as I might perform one. Feel free to modify it as needed for your circumstances and comfort level.
I spread my blanket under a large tree with sweeping branches. I first pick up any trash or garbage that has found it’s way to my chosen spot, and put it in a small trash bag I carry for such purposes. (Leave things better than you found them.) While doing so, I also clear the ground of twigs and rocks, to make a comfortable surface for sitting. I lay my feathers and incense holder on the Eastern side of the blanket. (stick incense works well outdoors, since you can stick the end into the soil) I set up my candle (a votive with a holder to protect it from wind) in the South. I place my bowl of water and seashells in the West, and my favorite rocks and crystals in the north. I then walk clockwise around the outside of the blanket muttering "notice-me-not, notice-me-not, notice-me-not" under my breath, while visualizing a bubble surrounding my space, making eyes slide past it. This is one way to protect my circle and activities from prying/hostile eyes. (yes, this works!) After I've walked the circle several times, I step inside and sit down in the center of the blanket facing East.
Lighting the incense, I blow some of the smoke over my head and shoulders with a feather. (This is known as 'smudging', and it cleanses the aura.) I begin to concentrate on the energies of the East: The fresh breeze, the rising sun, new beginnings, clarity of thought. I visualize a fresh dawn breeze that heralds the sunrise. When I have connected with the energies of Air (allow as much time as necessary, usually between 5-15 minutes), I send smoke around the inside of my circle, envisioning the circle filled with the energies of Air.
Replacing the incense in the East, I turn and face South. I light my candle while concentrating on the energies of Fire: The heat, the passion, the action to accomplish goals, the noonday sun. I visualize a bonfire at noon, and envision myself dancing around it, building up heat and energy. (You can literally dance, if you wish. *Great* way to raise energy!) Once I have connected with the energies of Fire, I pass my candle around my circle, filling it with the powers of Fire. Turning now to face the west, I stick my hands (or fingers, depending on the size of your vessel) into my bowl of water. Swirling the liquid over my skin, I concentrate on the energies of Water: The emotions, healing, the setting sun, it's cleansing power. I visualize the sun setting over a body of water (usu. a lake), and envision myself totally immersed in the water, cleansing me. When I have connected with the energies of Water, I sprinkle water droplets from my wet fingers into the circle, cleansing the space and filling it with the energies of Water.
Facing North, I hold my favorite rock in my hands. I envision the moon rising at twilight over a mountain. I picture a cave in the mountain that would give me shelter. I concentrate on raising the energies of Earth: the grounding, healing, life-giving energies. When I have connected with the powers of North, I pass my rock around the circle, filling it with Earth energies. (You can also use rock salt, and sprinkle salt in your circle. Just don't use much since it can kill grass.)
Next, I lay on my back, staring up into the branches of the tree. I concentrate on summoning the energies of Spirit: that indescribable connection to Divine. As above, so below. I lookup at the branches of the tree reaching up into the sky, and I feel the roots stretching deep into the Earth below me. I feel the energies of the elements swirling together and joining within me. Closing my eyes, I mentally travel up the branches of the tree and up into the sky. I travel down the roots of the tree and sink myself deep into the Earth. I feel my body become a pillar of energy that connects myself between the two. I try to feel the pulse of the earth, Her heartbeat. I allow images to drift into my mind, and follow them where they lead me.
After some time, I open my eyes and sit up. I sit quietly in the center of my circle and feel the beauty of the day.
Whenever I'm ready, I begin taking down my circle. I pick up my rock (now charged and humming!) and mentally (or out loud) thank the energies of Earth for joining with me. I take my bowl of water and loving pour it at the base of the tree as a libation. (The water is now charged with healing energies, so if you'd like, you can bring a small bottle to take some home.) I blow out my candle (or snuff it) and feel the flame still burning within me. I then put out the incense, if it's still burning. (BTW, your candle might blow out if you're doing this outside, but don't worry... it's a symbol) I fold up the blanket and stuff it all back into a backpack.
At some point, either while still in circle, or when you get home, I would strongly suggest writing down your ritual, and what your perceptions of what happened were. Write down what you did, how you felt, what you liked, and what just didn't seem to work for you. Write down any thoughts that occurred to you during ritual, especially the part where you drifted on any images that came to you. Write it all down. This probably won't take you more than 30 minutes or so, but believe me, you won't regret it. 24 hours later, you will probably have forgotten all of the beautiful, subtle forces that you felt during the ritual. (You can remember them, but they take on the quality of a dream...) Having your initial impressions written down while they are still fresh is invaluable. Get yourself a notebook or something where you can keep track of these things. You won't regret it... honestly.
Brightest Blessings!
~Flame RavenHawk