Other Ceremonies & Rituals: The personal

What other ceremonies are there?

Life has many stages and transitions, wonderful & joyous ones or sadder more challenging ones. We deal better with these changes, with greater acceptance, if we have a meaningful ceremony or ritual marking these feelings, experiences or events. We communicate better with each other, process and transform, make meaning, some healing, unify our communities and show our love.

There are a wide range, with common ones described in other parts of this site e.g. Baby/Child namings, renewing of marriage vows, commitment ceremony or celebrating turning thirteen or graduating.

But other life transitions or experiences can be more private, personal and intimate:
e.g. going through a divorce, beginning a new life, retirement, children leaving the ‘nest’, becoming a ‘wise elder’, home ‘cleansing’, a forgiveness ritual, self-compassion, grieving, the process of dying… all these times can be honoured, enabling us to process, feel a sense of purpose, self-worth and legacy through them, if they are significantly delivered.

Simple to elaborate, these can range from just yourself: a ‘one to one’ ceremony/ ritual for you alone, as part of a transition in your life; with a friend , family, small group. Their content – Secular ( non-religious ), spiritual, religious, seasonal, creative, reflective of your values and what you see as significant.

I draw upon my training and experience as a Celebrant, counsellor, Interfaith minister, Pastoral carer, social worker with experience in many ritual traditions from a range of backgrounds – simple meditation, blessing, walking labyrinth, lighting a candle, Jungian, Goddess approaches, secular seasonal nature ceremony e.g. Spring Equinox, to develop a ceremony or ritual meeting your needs.

For all ceremonies or rituals, I offer flexibility, bringing sensitive, person centred approaches for whatever you have been or are experiencing. I draw upon mine and your creativity & the senses & symbols e.g. nature based, water cleansing, music mantras, sage cleansing, casting circles, use of symbols, art, poems, prayers, flowers, smells, balloons, stones, candles. We can work together to develop a ritual according to your needs. As an example, I have undertaken a ritual of burning photos with a person, to symbolise the end of a relationship.

It can be at locations with the setup of your choice:- Outdoors, in a park, garden, beach, an art setting, a labyrinth, in nature, your home.

I work with you to develop what you need & want and I would be pleased & honoured to offer my input.

Definition of ceremony/ritual

A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, and objects, performed in a sequestered place and according to set sequence.] Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community, including a religious community. Rituals are characterized, but not defined, by formalism, traditions sacral symbolism, and performance.

Rituals are a feature of all known human societies. They include not only the worship rites and sacraments of organized religions and cults, but also rites of passage, atonement and purification rites, dedication ceremonies, coronations, marriages, funerals and more. Even common actions like hand-shaking and saying “hello” may be termed as rituals.

Ceremonies contribute to psychological stability, identity, reassurances of life’s purposes, and the personal sense of self worth. There is a mysterious cultural power of quality ceremonies which can lead our society along an honourable and ethical path. ‘The level of civilised behaviour in a society is directly linked to the practice of ceremonies and Rites of Passage’. – J. Campbell

To quote David Oldfield:
Rituals and ceremonies are an essential and basic means for human beings to give themselves and others the necessary messages which enable the individual to stay human.

They communicate acceptance, love, a sense of identity, esteem, shared values and beliefs
and shared memorable events.

Every ritual contains tender and sacred moments. In those moments of sensitivity, we are taken out of the normal flow of life, and out of our routines.

We are then in an event that is irreplaceable and sacred. In ritual we participate in something deep and significant.

They are moments which move our heart and touch our spirit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceremony