We probably all have photographs and memories of those special times in our lives. Weddings, baptisms, graduations, engagements. The ones shared with the people we love, family friends.

There are also the times when we step from one period of our life into another, new school, first job, first car, new love, special birthdays.

Then there are the sad times, death of someone close to us, funeral, divorce, even the loss of a pet.

On top of these are the personal, sometimes physical, changes in our path, puberty, first child, empty nest, menopause, which apart from the last, affect men as well as women.

These are all milestones in our lives and a milestone is as much a marker of our progress as the  "26 miles to Leeds"  signposts we see at the side of the road.

Every society has its own means of marking these significant times. Though the milestones may be different in different countries they are still important to the people involved.

These days, unless you are part of a religious group or church, a lot of the rites of passage are fairly meaningless, if not ignored altogether.

Whatever your belief system these are the times that make your life significant. The memory points on your path. It is up to us what and how we will celebrate or mark along the way. What landmarks we will have to take out and sift through in years to come.

A lot of the BIG days in our lives are linked to religious ceremony in some way. What happens if you are not part of a mainstream religion? Do you have to miss out? Do you have to have a down beat impersonal event? Funeral at the funeral parlour, wedding at the registry office? NO.

If these methods feel 'civil' at best or rushed and impersonal at worst there is an alternative.

I am a Celebrant of many years experience. This means that I can 'officiate' at your celebration for whatever event you wish.

Tied By Love.

 

Leaping The Broomstick

I have conducted many Hand Fastings (non-religious weddings) in various settings and some having amazing themes. From a cosy celebration in someones own garden through a celtic/Arthurian/medieval wedding in a ruin, to a fairy themed hand fasting in a wood, and lots of ideas in between. These can be carried out either before or after the civil ceremony. They can also be performed when the couple have already been married for many years or even if they do not want to have a formal wedding at all. Obviously these can be performed for both opposite and same sex couples.It is a celebration of the couple's love and respect for each other. Some couples have this performed more than once.eg at special anniversaries.

Passings (funerals) can be as personal as you require. These can be the actual ceremony at the graveside or crematorium, or at the scattering of the persons ashes. Some people have a formal funeral and then have an alternative memorial service somewhere the person particularly loved.

The last, most requested ceremony is a naming, which is the non-religious equivalent of a baptism. Here the little one or sometimes an older child, or even an adult taking a new name and setting out on a fresh path, is welcomed into the community of people around them that love and cherish them. They are given gifts of love and spirit to help them on their journey.

 I always enjoy rites of passage for personal landmarks. A celebration of freedom, becoming an Elder of the 'tribe' (after the menopause), completing a course of study, moving into a new home. Whatever you want to celebrate, bless or mark as significant can be done.

Just think about it, what would you like to mark as significant in your life? Can I help? Contact me and we can talk it through. For prices of three main ceremonies please see "Spiritual Services" page.