Category Archives: Ceremony Ideas

Episode 38 – Funerals for Pets

Sometimes, grief can blindside. David Hooper from Build a Big Podcast told me how heart-wrenching it was to have his dog put down. Weeks later, when he felt he was managing his grief, he came home from a stressful day at work, immediately went to put food in his dog’s bowl and reality hit. He sat down and cried. I’ve been there. My guess is you’ve been there, too.  Continue reading

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Episode 37: Croning – A Ritual for a Woman of a Certain Age

  She’s a woman of “a certain age.”  Our culture thinks those words are better than saying “she’s old.” Well, I am a woman of a certain age. I am certain of who I am,  certain of what I want, … Continue reading

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Episode 34: Love Knots – A Nautical Wedding Ritual

Long ago, when sailors navigated by the stars, when seabirds carried the spirits of sailors lost at sea, and when everyone knew that the bust of a naked woman on the bow of a ship could calm rough waters, a … Continue reading

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Keys: A Ritual for Weddings, First Looks, and Personal Talismans (Episode 31)

Couples getting married often use a key as a motif for their wedding. It makes sense. The mere presence of a key indicates something of value, a treasure worth protecting. That understanding is what inspired me to create a wedding … Continue reading

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The Blessing Box Ritual for a New Home / Interfaith Weddings, Chuppahs, Archangels, Astrology, and the Four Royal Stars of Persia – Episode 29

  A Jewish bride and a Catholic groom.  As their officiant, what could I say in their wedding ceremony that would honor both spiritual paths — not only for the couple, but for their families?  In episode #29 of Ritual … Continue reading

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Episode 25 – Why Carry a Bouquet?

A pregnant bride in her early thirties didn’t want to carry a bouquet and asked me if she had to. I assured her there was no requirement that she carry flowers. I also explained why she might want to reconsider … Continue reading

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Creative Wedding Rituals: Pandas, Moths, Flours

Selecting the members of the wedding party can be so stressful, some couples don’t choose anyone. No maid of honor. No best man. After serving more than 150 couples as their wedding officiant, I’ve seen what this kind of stress … Continue reading

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Episode 15 – Unity Rituals for Weddings

You’re planning your wedding ceremony and want to include a unity ritual.  You think unity candle or sand ceremony. Both are lovely, but you do have other options. In a wedding, the purpose of a unity ritual is to symbolize … Continue reading

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Episode 14: Imbolc – Brigid, Blacksmiths, Brewers, and Bards – and Swans!

Blacksmiths, brewers, and bards. What a strange group, you might say. What could they possibly have in common? All three are favored by the Celtic Goddess Brigid. Why? Because they all create with her elements of fire and water. The … Continue reading

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Episode 13 – Steps in a  Rite of Passage For Getting Married or Competing on The Voice

Do you watch reality television? I read somewhere that the shows are plentiful because a reality show doesn’t cost as much to produce as would a show with A-list stars. But why are the shows popular? I think it’s because … Continue reading

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