Ceremonies
Please contact me to discuss your specific needs. I am happy to speak with you about crafting a custom ceremony for yourself or for a family member or friend.*
Possible ceremonies include: Menarche (Girl's Coming of Age) Youth Coming of Age (Boys) Handfasting Ceremony Mother Blessingway Fatherhood Blessingway Welcoming & Naming of a Baby Loss of a Loved One Choice of Releasing a Pregnancy Renaming Ceremony Dedication to a Spiritual Path *Costs vary according to time involvement & any travel and accommodation needs. |
Ceremonies are ways to acknowledge and celebrate our transitions through life - also called Rites of Passage. Birth, coming of age, marriage, parenthood, elderhood, and death are some of the pivotal points in life that herald a change in identity and relationship to ourselves and our community. There are many more, including starting a new career, dedication to a vocation, initiation on a spiritual path, letting go of a relationship, and releasing old patterns or habits that no longer serve us.
Butterflies are beautiful symbols of rites of passage, because of the amazing transformation they undergo in their chrysalis stage. Gateways also symbolize rites of passage, as we approach the unknown, gather our courage and step across the threshold, then begin integrating all of the changes that come with a life transition. While we each need to step across our own thresholds, our community can support us by offering encouragement, gifting stories from their own lives, witnessing our process, and celebrating our journey. One of my passions is helping to create ceremonies that acknowledge and celebrate rites of passage. I have crafted and facilitated both small and large ceremonies, from small coming of age groups and individual menarche celebrations, to mother blessingways and large spiritual dedications. You may want a simple gathering of your immediate family members to help hold you and usher you into your new life stage. Or you may want a more elaborate ceremony with members of your community who can help witness and encourage your journey. I can also provide support and guidance along the way to assist you in stepping through your threshold and integrating the transformation. |
"As a mother of a pre-teen daughter, I spent a lot of time wondering about the transition to womanhood, and how to honor this special time in her life with reverence and respect. I knew I wanted to do something special, something that would mark this transition as sacred, rather than something to simply endure. I spoke with Raina about her work in facilitating Rite of Passage ceremonies for young girls. I was so inspired by her perspective, we went straight to work creating a ceremony for my daughter marking her 14th birthday, and her transition into womanhood. Raina facilitated an absolutely beautiful and meaningful sacred circle. Space was held by women whom my daughter respected, and who would become her circle of safe and trusted advisors. My daughter was moved, and in awe. There was a palpable shift in her presence as she entered that circle, and in the days following. She was heard, supported, and ultimately celebrated as she moves gracefully and cautiously away from childhood.
As a facilitator, Raina brings a strong and deeply steeped spiritual presence, while also being warm, and embracing. She undoubtably is doing the very work that she was brought here to do.
I wish for all young women an experience such as the one Raina created for my Daughter . What a profound and lasting effect it would have on our young girls, to mark their transitions with such sacred attention. To give them the confidence to fully step into themselves, and in turn impact the world around them." ~Jennifae Coburn
As a facilitator, Raina brings a strong and deeply steeped spiritual presence, while also being warm, and embracing. She undoubtably is doing the very work that she was brought here to do.
I wish for all young women an experience such as the one Raina created for my Daughter . What a profound and lasting effect it would have on our young girls, to mark their transitions with such sacred attention. To give them the confidence to fully step into themselves, and in turn impact the world around them." ~Jennifae Coburn