Name givings
Big and celebratory or small and intimate, with a spiritual foundation or not at all - your name giving ceremony can be what you want it to be. What matters is that you have the moment to welcome your child into the world in a way that feels authentic, meaningful and right.
Photo by Leila Al-Baldawi
Commitment Ceremony
Name givings can become a type of commitment ceremony, where all the adults involved (parents/caregivers, relatives, appointed God/guide parents etc) are given the opportunity to reflect on what it means for them to follow a child through life. What the commitment they are making means to them and what intentions and wishes they have for the future. It can be an incredibly beautiful and moving moment, taking the time to consciously mark and honour the moment of welcoming a new life into ours.
Photo by Leila Al-Baldawi
Water
The use of water in name giving ceremonies dates back further than Christian baptism, with both the Celtic and the Norse utilizing it for its cleansing and life giving qualities.
When working with water, there are many choices we can make to consciously make the most of this “first medicine”. Where the water is from, how we fetch it and the quality and mineral constitution of the water are all things we can consider when choosing water for a ceremony. Our relationship to the water source as well as its qualities all carry into the ceremony and become part of the energy and intention.
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Ceremonial water can also be infused with flowers or herbs that hold healing properties or specific symbolism that we wish to bring into the ceremony.
Spring water with fresh, wild rose petals. Basking in the sun, creating a flower essence for a naming ceremony.
Rites of passage
Photo by Leila Al-Baldawi
Rites of passage have existed in traditions all over the world. There seems to be something inherently human about wanting to mark transitions and initiations into different phases of life. Coming of age, becoming a parent, regaining health after prolonged illness, changing name, transitioning gender identity, moving house, leaving home, stepping into a new job, work era or retiring are all examples of occasions that hold transition and growth and which can be made into a rite of passage.
The reason to do such a thing is to really hone in on the present experience and its teachings, to go through it consciously and to honour ourselves as we do. So much power can be found in attention, intention and choice that these moments of our lives can offer great shifts and growth for us if we decide to work with them. Rites of passage are also a way to simply honour and mark a development that is already taking place, welcoming the new chapter about to unfold.
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Trial or celebration, initiation or intention setting – there are no rights or wrongs! Send me an email with your idea and together we'll craft a rite of passage that's perfectly right for you.
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