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Life Change Ceremonies are as unique as you are.

Your input is an important part of the process as I create a ceremony that will be personal and meaningful to you. I can also lead the ceremony if you would like.

As you read the following descriptions, keep in mind that there are many possibilities and only some are listed. I would love to hear from you to discuss your ideas and answer any questions you may have, without obligation.

(For a non-traditional ceremony to honor someone who has died, please explore the Remembrance Ceremonies section, which includes Alternative Goodbye and Belated Goodbye ceremonies.)

Name Change
Changing Careers
Starting a business
Closing a Business or Leaving a Career
New Home
House Blessing
Divorce or Permanent Separation
Pre-Surgery or Healing Circle
House/Community Leaving
Fledging Offspring or Empty Nest Observance
Farewell Gathering
Others

Name change. Acknowledge the transition which brings you to your new name. The decision to take a new name is usually the result of personal introspection that has resulted in the identification of newly matured aspects of yourself. With or without naming these out loud, a ceremony can be created to allow the people close to you to celebrate this milestone. BACK TO LIST

Changing careers (at-home parenting can be considered a career). If this life redirection is done with intent, there are usually important reasons to honor. This change can be a bridge you step across, leaving your old self behind, or simply a new direction, continuing your life's journey. BACK TO LIST

Starting a business. The decision to start a business begins long before the Grand Opening. If your new business is an outgrowth of your deeper self — such as a service business or something that springs from strong conviction — you have much to celebrate. Call your friends together and ask for their support as you work to make the world a better place. BACK TO LIST

Closing a Business or Leaving a Career. Explore the change of identity that happens when your work life takes new direction. BACK TO LIST

New home. Moving into a new residence can mean anything from new freedom to putting down roots. Celebrating this Life Change can be as simple as a House Blessing or as complex as a multiple-stage ceremony exploring what brought you to this point. BACK TO LIST

House Blessing. This can be anything from a short cleansing ceremony you do by yourself to an afternoon or evening of celebration with friends. I can help you create a ceremony for you or a dear friend to lead, or I can lead it for you. BACK TO LIST

Divorce or Permanent Separation. Leaving a partner means change in many aspects of both your lives. Whether based in sadness or joy (or, more likely, some of each), it's much easier to move ahead when you have acknowledged the change. Your circle of good friends will witness your ceremonial statement about this significant life change. Note that this ceremony can be for one or both members of the couple! BACK TO LIST

Pre-Surgery or Healing Circle. Call your friends together to remind your deepest self that you are loved and supported. Assure your body that the surgery — even though it may feel invasive — is in the service of healing. Without surgery, this would be in support of healing being undertaken by the person being honored. BACK TO LIST

House/Community Leaving. This might entail thanking a place or community for what it has given to you. Through ceremony, this can be accomplished with or without representatives of the place or community present. BACK TO LIST

Fledging Offspring or Empty Nest Observance. These ceremonies may include sadness but they always incorporate hope. Other aspects to be addressed might be emptiness, freedom, new starts. BACK TO LIST

Farewell Gathering. When you know that the remainder of your life is measured in weeks or months instead of years, you may want to gather the people you care about. This can be a very casual event or something more structured. You can limit it to certain people or open it to anyone who wants to come. I can work with you to write a tribute (or a "roast," if you'd rather) which can be delivered by me or someone else. If you'd like, I can also act as Master of Ceremony so all your friends can relax and be guests. In addition, I can act as an Event Planner to coordinate the entire affair. BACK TO LIST

(I am not licensed to perform weddings, but may be able to refer you to a colleague, depending on your location.)

Life changes are opportunities to explore your life and ask your community to celebrate and/or support you. Any meaningful milestone or transition in your life can be honored with a ceremony.

Please contact me to talk over your ideas, without obligation.