manifesto: “a statement published by a person or group of people… in which they say what their aims and policies are.”

~ Collins English Dictionary 2020

1. Ceremony is a Human Right

Since our ancient ancestry, humans have created places and rituals to express their understanding of the World and their place within it.

What began with stone circles, earthen barrows and the gathering of tribes has evolved over time into the traditions of birth, marriage and death we know today.

However, systems of dogmatic religion took ownership of most ritual and ceremonial practise during their inception, as a form of control over the masses. Today, this leaves many of us with the unfortunate belief that all forms of ritual and ceremony are one of two things:

a) religious and therefore foolish, pointless and/or none of our business if we are not religious ourselves

b) a form of oppression and control that contravenes our modern values and ethics

But we can not deny that when we find ourselves in a ceremonial setting and taking part to some degree in intentional, symbolic action, we feel a sense of deepening connection and presence. From complex neo-pagan rites of celebration to the simple act of blowing out candles on a birthday cake, we are hardwired in our ancestral subconscious to respond to symbolic acts and words.

Something in us recognises the power and pleasure in taking control of our own rituals and celebrations. It is the same sense of control and understanding our ancient ancestors cultivated by worshipping the seasons and the Sun. Choosing to actively engage with the flow of our lives reaffirms our place in the Web of Life and reminds us just how integral, how capable, and how empowered we really are.

2. Ceremony is Sacred

Ceremony is a place where you choose to reveal your heart; an act of deep vulnerability between you and whoever you participate with.

It can also be a courageous act of public vulnerability; offering the truth of your heart to be witnessed by your community.

This makes every ceremony I create, as a Celebrant, sacred.

Without the religious connotation, ‘sacred’ means that which is worthy of deep respect, care and love. It also invites a mindful presence and awareness to every action and word.

My ceremonies are heart-centred and built to reflect the truth of who you are and what the event means to you. I work consciously to create a container in which you feel safe when expressing your heart, and provide further holding for your guests to bear witness and experience their own emotional responses.

I heartily encourage your ceremony to be sustainable and (if outdoors) leave no trace. I will gladly aid and encourage you to make choices and take actions that ensure your ceremony is conducted with a deep respect for Nature and the wild surroundings.

Whether through creating a sacred circle, smudging and calling in the Four Elements, or simply, quietly holding that knowing in our hearts; together we will create a space and a ceremony that is sacred in every way that matters to you.

3. Ceremony is Intentional

Wedding ceremonies, Naming ceremonies and the like are not simply an excuse for a Big Party.

All these incredible days do deserve a wonderful celebration afterwards and I am constantly blown away by the amazing shindigs created by some of my imaginative and inspiring clients.

But the reason for that party is the ceremony that precedes is. The ceremony deserves just as much energy, focus and imagination… if not more.

Ceremony and ritual have been used, since time immemorial, to mark moments of transition and transformation; we leave a Wedding ceremony or a Naming ceremony different than when we entered it.

When you choose to commit yourself to another human in love and spirit, or to name a special Guideparent for your child, you are making a conscious choice for your/their life’s journey. This takes energy and creates energy; thus it has the potential to create real and lasting change in us, if we open ourselves to it.

By skipping past the intentional quality of ceremony (because the vulnerability it requires makes us feel uncomfortable or strange) and focusing on the known part (the Party) we miss the chance to deeply and fully take part in our own life.

As your Celebrant I will support and encourage you to be brave; to step into that place of vulnerability and discover the true needs and desires of your heart. I will use all my skills in script-writing and ritual practise to embody your intentions clearly, in a way that resonates for you and for anyone lucky enough to be invited to watch.

4. Ceremony is Bespoke

If the purpose of ceremony is to speak the truth of your heart then it must, must, must be personalised to you.

Traditions are wonderful things and it is the beauty and gift of ritual actions (such as ring exchanges or handfastings) that they can be utilised again and again to express a personal truth whilst still resonating with their ancient meaning.

However, traditions enacted for the sake of legality or the expectation of others can destroy the power and sacred beauty of any ceremony, replacing your heartfelt intention with someone or something else’s.

Which is why every ceremony I create as a Wedding Celebrant or Naming Celebrant begins as a blank page. Only when we have uncovered the truths and intentions sitting at the heart of your ceremony will I begin to give it shape.

Sometimes that shape may be very reminiscent of a ‘traditional’ wedding ceremony; other times it will be drawn almost entirely from imagination and shared ideas. I can guarantee that the content will resonate truly with you, your heart and the intentions that uphold them all.

5. Ceremony is Valuable

If ceremony is a sacred expression of our heart’s truest intentions and a way in which we honour and reclaim our power and place in life and in the World, then to say it is valuable seems almost unnecessary.

What could be more valuable than to stand in connection with ourselves, our loved ones and the World to honour the truth of our heart?

Yet, through the mainstream prevalence of civil wedding ceremonies and ‘one in/one out’ funeral ceremonies, we have come to see ceremony itself as the thing that must be swiftly endured in order to get to the stuff that resonates with us afterwards. This, inevitably, leads to the devaluing of ceremony and ritual within our society.

But there is deep value in putting the time, money, energy and effort into creating a ceremony that truly means something to you; for all the reasons cited above.

And if you still aren’t convinced, I urge you to speak to someone who has had or been present at a Celebrant Wedding or Celebrant Naming Day or Celebrant Funeral (often referred to as ‘Humanist’ though not all Celebrant’s are!). The feedback from Celebrant-led ceremonies is almost always effusive, excited and emotional; because the experience has been consciously crafted to reach everyone involved at that deep emotional level.

As a Wild Celebrant, it is my honour and privilege to do just that.

~

Words from happy clients…

Thank you for being open and respecting the way we wanted to make our promises. Thank you for the thoughtful and honest words you wrote, and for making us feel comfortable to make changes if we wanted to. And thank you for meeting and welcoming our family and friends with such ease and joy. We couldn’t have wished for more. Your love for writing and holding ceremonies that are truly personal and meaningful is a beautiful thing!

Meg & Louis, 2019

 

If you’d like to know more about the ceremonies I can create get in touch here or email kelitomlinceremonies@gmail.com