Yule / Winter Solstice 2025
In lieu of a full post – given the seasonal downtime (it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas) – a few ceremony ideas gathered from those published elsewhere.
Morning Ritual
How can your morning routine become a ceremonial act of transition from night to day?
A friend shared how she often treats a simple shower as an act of daily devotion. The soap she uses, the towel hung on the radiator to warm, even the temperature of the water to give a true sense of being nurtured. Another friend has a poem hanging in her shower that she recites each day to remind her of ‘the big picture’ as she grounds herself in the physical act of getting ready.
What if this time could be time as deep self-care? Taking the opportunity to give gratitude to the new day. Thanking each part of our body for its gifts; sending love to the parts that may be struggling in some way. How might the rest of our day flow when we start with a simple, loving act?
Birthday Bucket Ceremony
Got a birthday coming up, that you’re approaching with trepidation? Or indeed, is there any looming event that you find yourself less than enthusiastic about?
This simple, and somewhat anarchic, ceremony might help shake things up and bring a whole new perspective to the occasion. I offered it as an idea to the friends of a woman reluctantly celebrating a ‘big’ birthday. Here’s the feedback: “Just to say the bucket was a huge success! A lovely ceremony which uplifted the birthday woman. Thank you!”
You’ll need two fire-safe buckets; pen and paper; and the where-with-all to safely light two fires:
Bucket 1: The “fuck it” bucket
- Write all the things you can let go of as you cross this threshold, including the stereotypes you want to reject, the limiting beliefs that might hold you back…all the ‘could haves’ and ‘should haves’ – use a separate piece of paper for each one
- Place each in the bucket (saying them out loud, if you wish)
- Burn the paper in the bucket as an act of release
Bucket 2: The “bucket list” bucket
- Write a single idea on each piece of paper, include big things you want to experience & small things you’d love to do more of – don’t feel constrained by anything practical like money or time or logistics
- Place each in the bucket (saying them out loud, if you wish)
- Burn the paper in the bucket as a symbol of your trust in the outcome
This ceremony can be done alone or with others. If you’re with others decide whether you want them to focus their bucket items towards you, or themselves. The latter would work well if you’re all at the same life-stage.
Micro Ceremony
The small things in life – and work – can also be honoured with a micro-ceremony or simple ritual. Here’s a couple of examples:
Sending an important email, card, message? Why not light a candle and sit in quiet reflection as you hit send. Go one step further and imagine the message reaching your intended recipient(s). Say a few words or read a poem to ask that it is received well.
—
Reached a mini-milestone? Forage for – or buy – some flowers; each one to represent an aspect of what’s gone in to the project or occasion in question. Be choiceful about the shape, colour, size…or be led by instinct. Spend a few mindful minutes as you arrange them, pausing to name (out loud or to yourself) what each represents. Make a gift of the water that will nourish them – leave a sip for yourself. Place with reverence with other significant items and/or in a special place.
Ring Warming Ritual
A fun and meaningful way to include all guests at a wedding ceremony is through a ring-warming ritual. Of course, this would work just as well with another item that you will cherish as a symbol of the promises you make. And, for that matter, can be included as a ritual in any ceremony…or indeed, become a ceremony in its own right.
- Place the ring(s) in a little organza bag, fix them to a cushion or simply tie together with a ribbon.
- Explain to the guests that you invite them to hold the rings for a short time, whilst holding you in the hearts.
- Once they have ‘warmed the rings’ they pass to the next person.
- When the rings arrive back with you they have been imbued with the best wishes of all your loved ones.
- This could take place while the ceremony continues or while a piece of music plays or poem is read.
Note: start early in the ceremony if you have a large gathering…and have your celebrant remind people periodically to keep the rings moving…so they come back in time for your exchange of rings and vows/promises.
Craft as Ceremony
Incorporating craft is a great way to include everyone whilst creating a beautiful centrepiece for your ceremony…and a meaningful keepsake. For today, I’ll run through how we created the mobile for my 50th Coming of Age ceremony a couple of years ago but, of course, the principles can be adapted to any installation and occasion you choose.
- In advance, construct the framework. I used three embroidery hoops, tied together in descending size with very thin metal craft/jewellery wire. This was then strung to a hanging loop with gold brocade ribbon.
- Before the ceremony, ask each guest to create a personal message. We used art pens on thin wooden strips with pre-drilled holes – I think intended to create bookmarks. I asked each participant to share something they wanted me to know or remember as I entered my 50s. Some wrote a message, some filled with pattern, others just wrote their name.
- During the ceremony, or as attendees arrive, tie each message to the framework with ribbon to build up the overall piece. Hanging at different lengths gives the piece added depth and interest.
My mobile now hangs in my office and reminds me each day of the circle of women I have had in my life and am still able to call upon. Every now and then I read the individual messages and receive a virtual hug. Sometimes I shed a silent tear of joy.
