From the joy of naming a child or blessing a home to the sadness of ending a marriage or the dignity of a simple funeral, here are the words and settings needed to value and commemorate life's transitions and milestones. "Rituals for Life, Love, and Loss" provides rituals and meditations for today's world, for times of celebration and commitment, for new beginnings, and for periods of grief. Dorothy McRae-McMahon, internationally renowned for her work with ritual, has created meaningful ceremonies for all people, regardless of their faith. Presented in three parts -- Celebrations, Changes, and Letting Go -- these rituals are comprised of simple, direct language and include guidance for what to say, suggestions for music, and ideas for group participation and incorporating symbolic objects. "Rituals for Life, Love, and Loss" is for everyone who wishes to mark and honor those significant occasions along life's journey.

Rituals mark life's momentous and symbolic events: from special birthdays and holidays to personal affairs such as a child's first day of school or the death of a beloved pt. Over time, and as people and circumstances change, some rituals become merely habitual, losing their significance and creating a hunger for more meaningful methods of celebration. In THE ART OF RITUAL, Renee Beck and Sydney Barbara Metrick explain the power, relevance, and need for ritual, describing the various types of rituals and their myths, symbols, and history, as well as how to: Prepare, perform, and complete rituals; Integrate the five elements into ritual practice; Craft and consecrate ritual tools; Make and use altars. This revised and updated edition also includes a new healing ritual for small groups and a series of self-exploration exercises that assists with the integration of ritual into daily life. Presenting a multitude of ways to create ceremonies for healing, growth, and change, Beck and Metrick will inspire you to honor each rite of passage in a truly personal way.

If you're like the many couples that have needs and desires that cannot be met by conventional ceremonies, I DO was written just for you. Whether you're celebrating an interfaith or intercultural union, a second or third marriage, a same-sex marriage, or a commitment ceremony, you can make your special day a walk down the aisle less traveled. Drawing on the author's experience designing and performing wedding celebrations, I DO is a creative, accessible guide that helps you devise a ritual that is as unique as you are. I DO explains the traditions behind the well-known elements of a wedding-the bridal veil, the exchange of rings, the cake, the vows-and then offers inspired alternatives drawn from a wide range of cultures including ancient Greece and Persia, pagan Europe, and Elizabethan England. Step-by-step instructions and planning guides are included to help you create your own personal event that incorporates the symbols and words most meaningful to you.

Loss is an inevitable part of life. The loss of a job, a home, a loved one, or a cherished pet can have a devastating impact. Ritual and creative expression offer ways to process grief and honor the value of that which has been lost. CROSSING THE BRIDGE examines the wide range of responses to loss and guides the reader through the five stages of creating a healing ceremony: intention, planning, preparation, manifestation, and incorporation. Personal stories and examples illustrate how grief may be addressed and transformed. By understanding loss, the rhythms and cycles of living can be embraced and our lives attain a deeper meaning.