The Role of Ceremonies and Rituals in Re-invent-uring

Blog author: Karen Kendig

“That, I think, is the power of ceremony. It marries the mundane to the sacred. The water turns to wine; the coffee to a prayer.”

― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

When it comes right down to it, Re-invent-uring is an autonomous process. If you have a support

system in place or intentionally create a support system during the process, you will have people to exchange ideas with, carefully provide you with positive and negative feedback, and ask questions of you to facilitate your introspective thinking. However, in the end the choices and decisions you make are yours and yours alone.

During those times that demand introspection and emotionally draining decision making, joining a community that fosters empathy, a sense of oneness, and a connection to the divine and incomprehensible will deeply enrich your journey. Ceremonies are one way such communities support one another and acknowledge the unique, yet universal paths we all must take throughout our lives.

Ceremonies are special occasions that mark a milestone, beginning, or end of a journey. They provide a time to connect with yourself and others, which can result in a sense of internal and external belonging. Ceremonies are an intentional coming together in reverence to reflect, heal, motivate, express emotion, and create and sustain a sense of identity.

Rituals are an integral part of ceremonies. They are mindful actions performed within a ceremony for their symbolic value. The problem with many of our rituals today, is that we have lost the connections to their symbolism. During many of our beloved ceremonies, we simply repeat the words or actions habitually without thought, instead of ritually with mindful intention and introspection. Rituals are meant to cultivate interconnections and authentic power. When we sing, dance, pray, light candles, breath incense, break bread and drink wine, what we ask for ourselves, we ask for all.

If you do not have a community of support, create one. Invite friends and family who you feel comfortable with, those who are humble, respectful, non-judgmental, and open. Create your own ceremonies for Re-invent-uring, focusing on the symbolism of the seasons. Below are just a few ideas to get you started.

Fall is the season of change as observed when leaves turn colors, daylight shortens, and temperatures fluctuate between warm and cold. Crops harvested in the fall are a symbol of bounty, abundance, and gratitude. All of these portend an ending that requires an acceptance of the unknown. Nature walks to observe the changes and embrace the decay can become a ritual built into your fall ceremonies. Asking participants to bring food to share is a way to express our gratitude for our abundance.

Winter symbolizes death and pending rebirth. The shortest day of the year is the Winter Solstice, usually around December 21 in the northern hemisphere. Candles and twinkling lights symbolize the light within us that must shine through the darkness. Fires are a necessity in winter for warmth, but they too symbolize light as well as the disintegration of the old. Burning a Yule Log of old wood wrapped with pinecones or ribbon can be a symbolic ritual for letting go of the old. Have your guests write on small strips of paper any habits of mind and body they want to extinguish for the new year. Stick them between the ribbon and the log then burn the log in your fireplace or outdoor fire pit as you guide a blessing or meditation.

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal. Flowers, colored eggs, baby chicks, new beginnings are all symbols of the season. This is a time to nurture yourself in those tender and vulnerable stages of transformation. Ceremonies during this season should be outdoors, if possible, amid the new growth in nature. A meditative walk to focus on the excitement and challenges associated with the creative process would be beneficial. One ritual might be to decorate eggs with pictures or drawings to signify the creative energy and process you are going through. Or you might decorate small clay pots as you would the eggs and then plant seeds to signify the metamorphosis that occurs during new beginnings. Another ritual might be to have everyone bring one or two flowers to the ceremony to create a sisterhood bouquet.

Summer brings us longer days of sunlight. Your inventure has been born into an outward adventure. This season symbolizes energy, power, positivity, and clarity. Support that energy and power through yoga, walking, hiking, swimming, and outdoor games and activities. One ritual might be to have a scavenger hunt for specific items in nature with the focus on observing with fresh eyes as if this were the first time your eyes could clearly see the world. Give people time to enjoy the benefits of the sun and share the adventure they are living now with the group.

No matter the season of life incorporate ceremonies and rituals into your days, months, or years to foster a sense of connectedness with yourself, your community, nature, and the spiritual source of all that is.

Daily Meditation

Use this meditation this week to help you open yourself to the changes around and within you.

Grant me the patience and desire to seek the divine beauty in all that is around and among me.