What is Ceremony?

Create Sacred Space 

Set Intention

Carry On

Closure

By Kimmi Moake

the Sacred

The word ceremony is derived from the Latin word caerimonia meaning “sacredness” or “sacred rite.” I spent years not thinking I was capable of creating ceremony but the more of them I’ve been a part of, the more I’ve found it’s all about intention with a foundation of mindfulness. Anything can turn into a ceremony. I can either slap lotion on after my shower or I can take the time to honor each part of my body by recognizing my own beauty. What’s sacred to you? Create space around that and you’ve got the makings of a ceremony. 

Stop. Breathe. Be Present. Welcome in Your Support out loud or through your heart. 

Maybe you light a candle. Maybe you burn some incense. Maybe you sweep the floor. Maybe you set a beautiful table. YOU are sacred and everything you create space around is as well. Honor this and know however you approach ceremony is the perfect way for you in that moment. 

the Intention

If you slowed down to create a sacred space by setting the mood, then stating your intention is like setting the outcome. What do you want out of your ceremony? What is the purpose of this ceremony? To me, intention setting is like a prayer. It’s a commitment to your energy flow. This is specifically stating what you wish this ceremony to be. 

Practice using your voice. Say your intention aloud to raise the vibration of the space. 

Maybe you say how you’d like to feel. Maybe you say how you’d like to react. Maybe you say what you want to learn. Maybe you scale up and make it one word like “joyful” or “connection.” 

State your intention and then let it go. Surrender to what is meant to be. You’ve created a foundation for the energy. Now let the energy do its work for you.

the Ceremony

This is the whole enchilada, all wrapped up and sauced up, with a side of chips and salsa. This is what you’re here for. The main course. This is why you’ve set the table by creating space, releasing your intention and connecting with the Divine. This doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. It can be one simple act or it can take hours or even days. I tried to create ceremony around writing this by making a cup of tea and taking a deep breath. My intention was to simply state my truth. 

Honor the process and pay attention to how your intention plays out. Be curious and open. 

the Closure

The easiest way for me to close a space or a ceremony is with gratitude. I thank those involved from the actual beings there to the ones I may have called in. Gratitude can be limitless but it also be a quick, yet meaningful, gesture of hands to your heart and a nod of your head. You can also just blow out the candle or clean up the space. Maybe you sweep again. Closure is what it means to YOU.

There’s no wrong way. Connection is yours and yours alone. If you feel you’ve connected, then you have. Remember imagination is just as important as intuition. Where would we be without our dreams? They’re our jumping off place to connection. To visualization. To journeying.  

Life has the potential to be a ceremony if we stay mindful. We can move, speak, dress and act intentionally. We can find gratitude in all things and know there’s always beauty that surrounds us. We can breathe. We can be grateful to have this life, even if it’s not where we want to be, it’s what has gotten us this far. 

And so it is.