ABOUT
BLESSINGWAYS • with Elizabeth Theriault
I mohala no ka lehua I ke ke’eke’ehi ‘ia e ka ua.
Lehua blossoms unfold because the rains tread upon them.
All life needs nurturing to reach it’s full potential.
Ceremonies,
Art, and Healing Tools for Life Transitions and Celebrations
At one time, not very long ago, major life transitions
were honored fully with rites of passages and rituals to
celebrate and acknowledge change, and to offer support
through witnessing with community……that is family, friends,
villagers, nature, and Spirit (God). As we get more separated from our communities through our
very busy lives we can feel isolated, confused, uncertain,
or empty as change happens in and around us.
The Following Activities and Ceremonies were created and
designed to acknowledge, re-connect, celebrate, support,
and strengthen the individuals’ processes through life
transitions.
Basic approaches are initiated from cross-cultural universal
practical traditions. All materials and processes are highly
inclusive with Hawaiian perspective and knowledge.
All Ceremonies and Celebrations can be individualized to
the person, family, and community for authenticity, integrity,
comfort, and fun.
Please feel free to contact me with any inquiry and questions.
Mahalo and Blessings to you for all Good Things,
Elizabeth Theriault
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As an example, you will find below, a ceremony
that was created in Ohio for a new friend
as she herself prepares for her oldest daughter to
go off to kindergarten, and to begin an ongoing practice
of blessing ways in her parenting, to acknowledge the
beauty of transitions as a poignant and respected part
of a full and healthy life.
Creating Ceremony and using ritual is simple,
easy, and profound….. and can be immensely powerful:
This practice is about creating a safe space
for moving with change and supporting healing or transformation. In
doing so, it is important to have structure including
grounded preparation, an opening, the heart or essence
of the ceremony, and a closing in order to contain
the experience as an entity or gift onto itself.
A good and strong vision with intention will
allow the sacred to be felt, realized, and held in
a way that can be revisited and drawn upon over a period
of time.
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AN EMPOWERMENT CEREMONY (sample)
Leaving the nest…. Miri goes off to Kindergarten -
August 2011
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Preparations…..Creating the space….
All Miri’s art work saved to this point, surrounds the
room tacked up to the walls.
A center altar is created with baby items, hospital blanket,
baptism water, pacifier etc.
The basket of egg rattles, previously created sit in readiness.
An empty school box sits in waiting.
A silent chime created hangs as a prayer flag…..driftwood,
feathers and beads.
The room is smudged….
The small gathering of trusted adult friends arrive, 7
total, invited by Mom (Michele).
Ceremony and Rituals:
Miri sits on Michele’s lap (nest) to begin
*Opening Acknowledgement of the space we hold and are being
held in (including calling in of directions)
*Heart shaped items or paper note blessings from attendees
to offer the alter basket (school box) accompanied with
words/story for Miri about the item
*Michele, Drumming- over our hearts w/ Beautiful
Miri Song
*Transition from lap (nest) to "branch".
*Miri receives heart locket on cord and a bowl of beads
(sustenance) representing family/community/women
of support
*Miri Strings Beads around locket representing her
supportive community
Open story sharing during this.
*Once the beaded locket is done, it is placed around her
neck in loving support.
*All attendees stand in circle with Miri in the inside
space.
Miri gives everyone an egg rattle from the altar basket.
*An empowerment song is shared with Rattle as Miri mimics
flying, adults share in this with arm motions…(perhaps
this will become a daily departing song from school for
her)
When the day is over and all the work is done…we’ll
fly away home.
When the day is over and all the work is done….we’ll
fly away home.
Fly away home, to dream land…
Fly away home….
Fly away home, to dream land…
Fly away home.
Closing the circle:
Spoken affirmation, acknowledgment, gratitude, prayer,
and releasing the directions…. while holding hands.
Refreshments and Celebration.
