Lately, I’ve been thinking about what makes something a ritual versus a habit or routine. Maybe each morning you drink a cup of coffee while reading the paper. Is that a ritual or a routine? …
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What Makes a Ritual?
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Holiday Ceremonies
The basic definition of ceremony is, “a formal event held on a special occasion.” The word ‘formal’ is a little misleading. A ceremony doesn’t have to be formal in the sense of it being a …
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Caring for Yourself as Caregiver
In my work, I’ve seen the challenges faced by caregivers. Caregiving, which is often a 24-hour job, can lead to burnout, fatigue, and mental and physical illnesses. Yet the job of caregiving does not usually …
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Why Bless Your House?
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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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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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 …
