By Rev. Amari Magdalena
It’s at that point in the wedding ceremony when I begin, “and now as these two lovely people have
exchanged vows and rings of promise, by the authority granted me by the State
of Washington, I now pronounce you…….” that I begin to choke up or tear up.
There is something so very sacred about being involved in such a moment of joy
in people’s lives. It cements, for me,
the importance of rituals and ceremonies for bonding communities together.
Each new moon, each full moon, each equinox or solstice,
whether I’m alone or with a group, I acknowledge the passages of time and their
meaning. In groups, large and small, I
am often witness to the power of ceremony to bring together a group of people
in deep unity. Total strangers are
hugging one another and feeling a deep peace and connection with other
humans. A shift takes place that I
experience more powerfully than in any other time and place.
For me it is a great shame that as organized religions moved
away from heart-based traditions to more head space/mental experiences, most chose
to eschew much of the tribal ceremonies and rituals of eons, labeling them
Pagan! So much was lost and what was
kept seems only approximations of what was and could still be.
Perhaps what transpires is a sense of the importance of
other kingdoms that we share this small planet with: Animal, Mineral, Plant,
and Human. The awareness of the
elements: Air, Earth, Fire and Water add another dimension of togetherness vs.
aloneness. In circle, as we touch hands, our own vulnerability and need for
affirmation is recognized. Since the
many years ago when I had an entire Unity congregation stand and hold hands
while we listened to Carlos and Johnny sing “Holding Hands,” I’ve seen
transformation in minutes.
Why then would we choose to participate in ceremony or
ritual? Community is a big component: we
find common ground and purpose as we celebrate.
Our dividing differences can, for a time, melt away in the feelings of
connection. The greater reason is
perhaps the overriding feeling of Oneness: we lose our separateness as we hold
hands in ceremony and we enter the precious moment of Now.
The memorial service
of John McCain was a huge example of community coming together in a ceremony to
honor and bridge differences. My own
sister Leanne’s memorial, in a packed large church in Thornbury Bristol
England, was a testament to her influence in the city and love of those whose
lives she touched.
Another purpose of ritual or ceremony is to quiet the chaos,
still the noises-outer and inner and to surrender to something greater than our
small individual universes and to, in the suspended sense of time, enter into
magic! And what I know to be true is: “Evolution will, not in my opinion, wait
for us to find time to participate. It
will roll on. In the direction that the
planet is currently headed, that may breed disaster for humanity. Thus, I feel it is so imperative for us to
make that time and space to gather together with intention of facilitating our
individual and planetary upliftment.” 1
Wherever you are, I implore you to create Peace Circles as
we did in the 1990’s. Gather with your
friends and neighbors in a circle. Focus on the world you wish to live in. Hold an earth ball or an imaginary one, turn
it around feeling the oceans and land masses.
Acknowledge all the diversity of each of Earth’s kingdoms. Chant,
“Peace” and “Planetary Harmony.” Close,
holding hands, and sing for one more time, Imagine along with John. You will
feel better and that energy will encircle the planet, much as our jet streams
do, yet with a loving energy.
“When humans participate in ceremony, they
enter a sacred space.
Everything outside of that space
shrivels in importance.
Time takes on a different dimension.
Emotions flow more freely.
The bodies of the participants become
filled with the energy of life,
and this energy reaches out and
blesses the creation around them.
All is made new; everything becomes
sacred.” Sun Bear
1. Blue Moons and
Golden Suns: Meditations & Celebrations for Aligning with Natural
Rhythms.
