One of the services I offer through Rites of Passage is House Blessing. A house blessing (also called a house cleansing) can take place when you move into a new home or anytime you want …
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Why Bless Your House?
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Rituals Build Community
Have you ever been part of a group that just didn’t seem to gel? People weren’t on the same wavelength, there were unnecessary misunderstandings and distrust? We often think of community as something that happens …
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In Lieu of Flowers
In my career, I’ve officiated close to 200 funerals, memorials, or graveside services. To the best of my recollection, there have been flowers at every single one. Some of the floral displays have been elaborate and …
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Officiating as Holding Space
“What exactly is officiating?” I’ve been asked. “Isn’t it just getting up in front of people and speaking?” Yes, it is that…. but also more. Officiating a ceremony to mark a life event does require …
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Unplugged Ceremonies
Recently a wedding photographer’s Facebook post went viral when she called out a wedding guest who blocked her shot by trying to take a photo with an iPhone. The post, which began “To the girl …
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Going Through the Motions
One well-known criticism of rituals is that it is “just going through the motions.” While that can be the case, it doesn’t have to be. A recent Patheos article considered the average Christian’s understanding of …
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Death Positivity
The movement to bring death out of the shadows and into cultural consciousness and regular conversation is known as the Death Positivity Movement. The goal of Death Positivity is to acknowledge that death happens to …
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Graduation Rituals – Cultural and Practical
The season of graduation is upon us. This weekend the University of Vermont will be awarding degrees. Soon local high schools will be playing pomp and circumstance as the class of 2019 receive their diplomas. …
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Ritual in the Simple
One misconception about ritual is that it has to be fancy. While ritual can be elaborate and ornate, ritual can also be plain and simple. On Christmas morning in my family, we share a breakfast …
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Who Wants To Live Forever?
“Who Wants to Live Forever” isn’t just a great Queen song, it’s a legitimate question. If you could, would you want to live forever? So far, humans have a 100% mortality rate, but that might …
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