Some of the oldest rituals transcend time because, when words can no longer express our deepest needs, we turn to the art of storytelling by imagery. This allows deeply significant symbolism to embed into our psyche. It’s akin to dropping an archetypal-rich anchor deep into an artesian basin to draw up ancestral wisdom and […]
As a specialist in handfasting ceremonies, I find it hypocritical (at best) and moneymaking (at worst) for humanist celebrants to officiate wedding ceremonies which include the ritual of handfasting. Why? Firstly, humanists denounce a belief in anything connected to deities. They are, in short, self-identified atheists or agnostics. A handfasting is a beautiful and ancient […]
In ancient times, a ceremony was such a significant expression of a rite of passage ~ a life-changing initiation into a new way of life ~ that oftentimes they lasted for days. Such ceremonies were acknowledged by the whole community, and all daily busyness ceased so everyone could witness and participate in the ceremonial rites. […]
Training students to be Heart-led Celebrants is, in some ways, a bit like the variety to be found in the life of a working celebrant. Just as every ceremony is different and unique, so too are my students. While I am aware of all the material we need to cover during their time with me, the direction […]
Do you remember that power ballad by Bonnie Tyler called Holding Out For a Hero? She sings ‘where have all the good men gone?’ Those lyrics went through my head as I lay awake most of last night and the night before, tossing and turning like a volatile tornado ripping through buildings. One of the […]
As we descend into the darker days and nights here in the Northern Hemisphere, that tendency to go into hibernation mode is amplified. If ever there’s a word for change, it’s Autumn. The expansive vibrance of long, stretched-out Summer days and evenings has now long waned into the Turn of the Wheel… How […]
Silence is golden, my mother often used to say to me. I see now that it was code for the fact I talked too much as a child! Kahlil Gibran, the Lebanese poet, wrote in his book The Prophet: “You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts; And when you can […]
As the rise of celebrant-led ceremonies grows in the UK, more people are coming across a celebrant at work, and if the celebrant is good at what they do, then the observer may be inspired to pursue that career path. Fortunately, there are many training organisations available. However, it is important that you […]
“So many people have commented on how lovely it was, and how amazing you are. It was everything we hoped it would be and more.” ~ Fiona and Paul When Paul and Fiona first made contact with me, we chatted about all the options available to them with a celebrant-led wedding. As Paul is […]
This week I had the pleasure of officiating a ceremony for Michael and Victoria. They chose a bohemian-themed, personalised, celebrant-led wedding at Watermillock, Cumbria. Their ceremony included a communal ring blessing and a Celtic handfasting. Thank you for choosing me as your celebrant, Michael and Victoria! Here are a few images from this […]