All ceremonies are a form of transition. The end of one phase of our life heralds the beginning of a new one, and even though change is an inevitable part of life, it can be scary. Sometimes we hang on to the part of our life that is passing, and that can lead to feeling stuck.

Having been through this in my own life, it is a real passion of mine to use ceremony and ritual to help others pass through these transitions smoothly and embrace the new phase with confidence.

I am happy to work with you on a ceremony for any transition you would like to recognise, the only limit is your imagination!

You may want a ceremony to help you move through a challenging time, including:

• coming of age – recognising a special new phase for girls and boys
• house blessings/cleansings – saying goodbye to a loved family home or saying hello to a new one
• divorce – letting go and moving on
• empty nest – celebrating the freedom of a new phase while acknowledging feelings of loss
• menopause – defying the negativity surrounding it, celebrating the freedom and acknowledging the wisdom that comes with age
• retirement – looking ahead to new possibilities

Some other examples of popular transition ceremonies are:

• naming ceremonies
• vow renewals
• pet funerals/memorials
• seasonal rituals

See below for more information on how these ceremonies can be helpful and meaningful.

Contact me if you would like to arrange an obligation-free first meeting, or if you have any questions.

Naming ceremonies

Many parents choose this option as an alternative to having their child christened, as they want to be able to welcome them into their family in a way that is special and unique to them.

By giving older siblings an active role in the ceremony it can be very helpful in minimising sibling rivalry, and is also a wonderful way to make an adopted child feel they are a cherished part of the family.

Adults sometimes choose to have a re-naming ceremony for themselves, if they are choosing to be known by a different name and want to celebrate their identity.

Marriage vow renewals

At some point in your marriage you might feel a desire to re-dedicate yourselves to each other.

This can be because you’ve reached a milestone anniversary, or have gone through a challenging period of your lives and come through it with your relationship strengthened.

Vow renewals are also great if you have got married overseas and want to celebrate again with Kiwi friends and family, so that everyone can be included and share in your happiness.

Pet funerals/memorials

Our pets are important members of our family, and our grief at their passing can hurt every bit as much as losing a human member of our family. Saying goodbye and honouring their life, and the part they played in our lives, can be an important part of the healing process.

Your children may also find that being involved in this kind of ceremony helps them come to terms with loss.

Seasonal rituals

Modern life seems to flash by at a blistering pace, and many people feel like they have lost touch with their connection to the natural world. In New Zealand we have a unique identity, and many people want to celebrate the seasons in a way that is true to our own culture but also embraces elements of other cultures.

Seasonal and nature rituals are a fantastic way to combine the elements of different cultures which have a significance for you, including the way nature is celebrated in Maori, Celtic and Asian cultures.

If you’d like me to help you create and implement an actual ceremony, I am happy to do so. If you’d prefer to simply get some guidance and inspiration which you can then put into practice yourself, I am happy to help with this for a nominal fee.