It would be an honour to work with you to create a ceremony
woven with earth-based elements and spirituality
woven with earth-based elements and spirituality
Nature-based ceremony elements can be part of any type of ceremony; I’ve included them in:
- Baby Blessings
- Weddings
- Celebrations of Life
- Divorce Ceremonies
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At a pagan wedding I did which included a handfasting, and used an athame and chalice for a ritual drink, afterwards, one of the partner’s grandmothers told me: “It was different, I tell ya! But it was fantastic!” |
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Choosing these types of ceremony elements might be a good fit for you if you are a:
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So what can earth-based nature elements in ceremony look like? Here are some ideas!
Location: |
choose a natural space that inspires you, grounds you, or that you have a connection to like on the banks of a lake or river, around a fire, on a beach, under a tree, in a garden, in a forest, on the bluffs.
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Timing: |
time the ceremony with certain times of day (sunrise, sunset), on auspicious days (full moon, certain astrological significance, numerologically significant days), on holy days like Beltane or Samhain.
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Ceremony Space: |
mark the ceremony space using a ring of crystals on the ground (like rose quartz) or a circle of flowers, include an altar, mark the directions, bring in sacred plants, include candles, include symbols or objects associated with the deities you are connected with.
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Supports: |
call in the suport of ancestors or certain deities, welcome the four elements of earth, air, fire and water.
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Grounding: |
invite loved ones to notice and ground into the sights, sounds, or feel of our surroundings. Ground through smoke clearing or hand washing to cleanse and prepare for ritual.
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Handfasting: |
wrap and knot cords, rope or fabric around partner's clasped hands to symbolise how the strength of their partnership is like the strength of the knot.
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Planting: |
plant trees, flowers or shrubs in memory of a loved one, or give seed cards out to guests, as a reminder of the cycle of life, death and rebirth. Plant a tree to honour the arrival of a new child in a family—as the tree grows so does the child. Plant a tree or fruit bush as part of a wedding--just as you tend to a plant to encourage its growth, so to do we tend to a relationship to help it thrive.
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Fire Rituals: |
fire is a powerful teacher on the spark of passion inside each of us, and is also a wise teacher in transformation and letting go. This can look like candle lighting, creating and releasing items (like paper or wood with words on it) into a fire, building a fire together to celebrate partnership.
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Stone Rituals: |
The steadfast, grounding nature of stones can be used a multitude of ways. Remembrance stones can be released into water or a forest as an act of goodbye for loved ones who have died. Wishing stones can be warmed and infused with good intentions at weddings and then held as a keepsake by partners.
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Water Rituals: |
The cleansing, flexible nature of water is instructive in many ways. Water pouring rituals can remind us to let the tears of our grief run free. Water is a common element to bless and welcome new children into families.
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Photo by Sara Monika
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My own spiritual home is in earth-based spirituality, drawing largely from the Celtic Pagan traditions of my Irish ancestors. So when I create ritual and ceremony for myself, it feels meaningful to anchor the ritual practice in the wisdom, guidance, and support of nature.
As a white settler of Irish and Greek ancestry, I have greatest access to doing rituals from traditions stemming from European pagan traditions, or which draw on universal nature themes. It’s important to me to avoid appropriating another culture’s sacred traditions. For example, I would not do a smudging using white sage in an abalone shell using an eagle feather—that tradition belongs with specific Indigenous lineages. I can instead do a smoke clearing using a mix of regional herbs. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate on the ceremony with Elders, Teachers, or practitioners of the specific traditions you are part of in order to include practices from within those traditions.
As a white settler of Irish and Greek ancestry, I have greatest access to doing rituals from traditions stemming from European pagan traditions, or which draw on universal nature themes. It’s important to me to avoid appropriating another culture’s sacred traditions. For example, I would not do a smudging using white sage in an abalone shell using an eagle feather—that tradition belongs with specific Indigenous lineages. I can instead do a smoke clearing using a mix of regional herbs. I welcome the opportunity to collaborate on the ceremony with Elders, Teachers, or practitioners of the specific traditions you are part of in order to include practices from within those traditions.