Something that marks our modern society as different from those before us is that in our state of change and growth we have left behind many traditions, rituals and celebrations (for example, most of us in western society no longer celebrate a harvest or a change of seasons or impending parenthood in a meaningful way).
As a consumer society, many of our celebrations consist of purchasing packaged items that don't have a lot of love and meaning impressed into them. Of course, a gift may be chosen and given with love. To amplify this love in an intentional way, a ceremony, use of candles, music, the spoken word (wishes and blessings from participants) and more can make the occasion more special and heart-felt.
Celebrants are not always necessary for many of these ceremonies - the important thing is to hold the ceremony and celebration in a way that reflects your values and intentions and is right for you. Celebrants may be used where you want someone to officiate and make the occasion more formal. The choice is yours. |
  Motherhood
The journey into motherhood is a life-changing occasion, whether your first child or your latest child. With modern technology, we have been able to glimpse the baby in the womb smiling, sucking its thumb, crying and opening and closing its hands. Our wish as mothers is to surround our baby with love and blessings, with kind friends and helpful mentors. A beautiful way to celebrate motherhood is with a baby shower before or after the birth, and perhaps a baby naming. Leesa and Gemma based in Brisbane have put together a beautiful kit to help you celebrate motherhood - you can visit their website by clicking on the image. |
|
Fatherhood
Fatherhood equally is a life changing experience. More and more resources for men are appearing on the web and in our communities, to give them support in their journeys as men and as fathers. |
Click here for fatherhood resources. |
New and blended families
Families in our society are not always made up of birth mother and birth father and siblings of those two. We have single parent families, by intention or by circumstance, we have same sex parent couples, we have blended families with step-siblings, half-siblings and step-parents and natural parents, we have birth parents who co-habit with the other birth parent and their partner. Often these families miss out on some of the ceremonies and celebrations that bond families together. A step-parent joining the family may have missed out on the early tender moments of birthing and nursing a child. A same sex couple may have been unable to have a traditional christening of their child. Single parents may wish to mark the adoption of an "aunt" or "uncle" for their child, a mentor and someone to help the parent with the important and difficult task of raising children in a material world. Ceremonies can mark an intention to bond as a family, to affirm the place of each person in the family and create a consciousness of love and respect and acceptance. Again, the form of the ceremony is up to you and a celebrant is available for baby namings and family commitment ceremonies. Or you can hold a private ceremony to bring your family together, in the company of those who will support and surround your family with love and respect. |
|
Menopause or Croning Ceremonies
An important time for women, a ceremony can give you that boost you need to pass through this transition. Just as we gather around a new mother, one of the stages of woman, we can gather around a woman entering menopause, to offer her support and love and nurturing, as she embraces this wisdom stage of her life. Free of the prospect of child bearing, a woman can move into a more active role in society and in her community. |
Click here for an article on the Spiritual View of Menopause
Click here to read more about Croning Ceremonies |
Pre-marriage Ceremonies
Instead of the traditional "hens night" and "bucks night" celebrations, you may like to have an alternative ceremony that honours your transition from single status to married status. The bride still has her closest female friends and family with her to celebrate "secret women's business". The bridegroom has his closest male friends and family with him for "secret men's business". You can use this ceremony to affirm the importance of the feminine and masculine energy in your life, to honour the family and friends who provide that role in your life and for them to honour you and give their blessings to your new partnership. What this ceremony includes is up to you - you may like to express your intention to maintain your relationships with friends and family after marriage. Your night of wisdom, ritual and sharing empowers you to enter your marriage as a strong supported individual - retaining your own identity while fully honouring your relationship in marriage. |
|
Pet Funerals
In many families, a pet is a member of that family. So just as you welcome a pet into your family, you may wish to farewell your pet with a funeral ceremony. |
|
Acknowledgement of Country
From weddings to funerals and all in between, it adds a further healing touch to your ceremony to include an acknowledgement of the traditional owners of Australia, in the spirit of reconciliation.
Reconciliation Website |
"In keeping with the Spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we are conducting our ceremony today and the important role indigenous people continue to have in this land and our community." |
| |
|
Heart2heart Ceremonies...for your heart and soul 
