Why Ceremony?
As Albert Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of
thinking we used when we created them.” In other words, we cannot change things from the
state in which they were created. Since most of our limited beliefs and patterns, were created
at the mental level in an effort to understand or cope with our perceptions, using mental
analysis to change limited beliefs and patterns doesn’t create transformation.
We may gain awareness or insight into the old and all-too-familiar story, but true change
eludes us, personally and globally.
In ceremony, we transcend the mental level and work at the level of poetry, imagery, music,
the wisdom of the body, creativity – the level of the soul. This allows us to access a
different order of reality, a different energetic level, the level of the dreamer,
our higher Self, our greatest potential.
In our modern world, many of us have lost ceremony from our lives. The power in
religious ceremonies has often become empty ritual. Birthday ceremonies have become
parties marked by getting more stuff; wedding ceremonies are designed by bridal and
fashion magazines and dominated by financial, family or religious concerns. We have
few traditions marking rites of passage for important life events. Yet we yearn for ceremony
to help us connect with a sense of community, with spirit, and with ourselves, and
our highest potential.
Despachos
Despachos are prayer bundles, or offerings, of
food items, flowers, and bundles of leaves, called
kintus, that honor the spirits and the earth, and carry
our prayers and intentions.
We blow your prayers, wishes and intention, into the leaf
bundles which are placed in the despacho.
Despachos are used all through Latin American and the Andes and are an ancient ceremony
to honor and give gratitude to Pachamama, Mother Earth, and the Apus, the
Mountain Spirits.
When the despacho is finished, it is burned to feed the earth, and release our prayers to the
universe and to Spirit in an explosion of energy.
This ancient practice is wonderful for bringing things into Right Relationship, or Ayni,
starting new endeavors, or bringing in healing and abundance.
Special despachos are available for different events, such as deaths, protection from
and turning over negative energy, and weddings.
Fire Ceremony
A fire ceremony is likely the most ancient method of ceremony
and transformation practiced throughout the world.
All religions and belief systems are honored with fire ceremony.
Fire is a living spirit being with intelligence that can assist us in
making profound changes in our lives. By bringing our desire to
change to a fire ceremony we are asking for the help of spirit however we conceive it.
We also call on the powers of Nature, Mother Earth and Father Sky to assist us.
The fire and spirit will read our hearts as we enter into the circle to be with the Fire,
perhaps with a stick or a talisman we have created. With our breath we blow our intention and
prayers into this object asking to release something that no longer serves us to step into
what we want instead.
Fires are traditionally done on Full and New moons because the veils between the worlds are
thinner then so our prayers are more easily heard. However they can be done anytime when
we want to release something with ceremony and as part of land clearing.
During the fire ceremony, we are present to the spirit of fire, the ancestors and healing spirits,
and to others in the circle, holding space with song, drumming and rattling, or in silence as
each person works with the fire. At the end of the fire, we can invite the ancestors and spirits
of the land, and spirits that need to transition to receive healing through the fire.
Fire ceremony creates an opening for healing, an opportunity to mark an energetic shift
in your life and change your behavior. These changes may occur quickly or you may see them
develop over the weeks following a ceremony.
Ceremony for Life Transitions
I will help you create personalized Ceremonies for Birth, Rites of Passage, Graduations,
Weddings/Partnership, Divorce/Separation, and other important life events. We meet
to design a ceremony that meets your needs.
I also offer workshops on Women’s Rites of Passage.
Ceremonies can held in your area. Travel charges may apply. Please Ask!