Wedding #2 is Set!

Wow, this minister thing is taking off! I have 1 wedding to conduct on Samhain/Halloween, and now I have another on 10/17! Lots to do, but I'm really enjoying this so far, coming up with ideas for the brides. I couldn't have more different weddings to conduct. One is a big ol' pagan wedding, complete with casting sacred circles, blowing conch horns, ringing bells and such. The other is very simple with no mention of anything religious/spiritual at all--and maybe not even any music. Hmmm, I may have to hum something to liven it up! 

Wish me luck and lots of cool/calm nerves!

Wedding #2 is Set!

Wow, this minister thing is taking off! I have 1 wedding to conduct on Samhain/Halloween, and now I have another on 10/17! Lots to do, but I'm really enjoying this so far, coming up with ideas for the brides. I couldn't have more different weddings to conduct. One is a big ol' pagan wedding, complete with casting sacred circles, blowing conch horns, ringing bells and such. The other is very simple with no mention of anything religious/spiritual at all--and maybe not even any music. Hmmm, I may have to hum something to liven it up! 

Wish me luck and lots of cool/calm nerves!

The Wedding Is On!

Quick update--meet with my first couple on Saturday to plan their wedding! The bride is a old high-school classmate of mine that I haven't seen in 20+ years. But now she's a big ol' pagan, and it's been great to reconnect in that way.

Her wedding will be atop a mountain in a state park about 1 hour away from my home. Can't wait to blow that conch horn! Now I have to put the ceremony together based on our discussion and get their ok. I'm sure it will be fine, but I'm already nervous!

The Wedding Is On!

Quick update--meet with my first couple on Saturday to plan their wedding! The bride is a old high-school classmate of mine that I haven't seen in 20+ years. But now she's a big ol' pagan, and it's been great to reconnect in that way.

Her wedding will be atop a mountain in a state park about 1 hour away from my home. Can't wait to blow that conch horn! Now I have to put the ceremony together based on our discussion and get their ok. I'm sure it will be fine, but I'm already nervous!

My First Wedding?

Talk about weird and unexpected connections! Through Facebook, I had reconnected with a casual friend from high school. I remember her being a very sweet girl, and we had a few classes together, plus she also did some writing. But I think our strongest bond was that we were both the target of bullies in high school. But I haven't seen her since graduation, in over 20 years.

So there is she on Facebook. Now, in that particular guise that I present to the world of Muggles, I don't mention anything about shamanism, my spirit name or anything similar. There are simply lots of people out there who don't understand and make judgments, and I'm not quite ready to expose myself to the questions, etc.

But this girl somehow made the connection to the mystery school! I've never posted about it on Facebook, but there are a few fellow participants who make no secret of their path. All I can guess is that she saw some photo or something and went from there. And that's ok--I believe it was meant to be. So she sends me a message asking about it and just revealing details about her own neo-pagan spiritual path. It was a sweet note, too, about how she felt connected to me back in high school. Of course, I am so excited to find a kindred spirit, especially one of the few who emerged from our Christian school upbringing!

I emailed her back and share more about my own spiritual path. Turns out she's engaged and is looking for a minister to do a pagan/Wiccan ceremony! I mentioned that I'm newly ordained, and she wants me to do the wedding! It'll be on October 31--Samhain/Halloween--and they're hoping to hold the ceremony in a local state park. How wonderful!

I still have yet to meet with her about the details, but I'm so excited how this is unfolding. The universe can truly present some great opportunities when you put yourself out there!

My First Wedding?

Talk about weird and unexpected connections! Through Facebook, I had reconnected with a casual friend from high school. I remember her being a very sweet girl, and we had a few classes together, plus she also did some writing. But I think our strongest bond was that we were both the target of bullies in high school. But I haven't seen her since graduation, in over 20 years.

So there is she on Facebook. Now, in that particular guise that I present to the world of Muggles, I don't mention anything about shamanism, my spirit name or anything similar. There are simply lots of people out there who don't understand and make judgments, and I'm not quite ready to expose myself to the questions, etc.

But this girl somehow made the connection to the mystery school! I've never posted about it on Facebook, but there are a few fellow participants who make no secret of their path. All I can guess is that she saw some photo or something and went from there. And that's ok--I believe it was meant to be. So she sends me a message asking about it and just revealing details about her own neo-pagan spiritual path. It was a sweet note, too, about how she felt connected to me back in high school. Of course, I am so excited to find a kindred spirit, especially one of the few who emerged from our Christian school upbringing!

I emailed her back and share more about my own spiritual path. Turns out she's engaged and is looking for a minister to do a pagan/Wiccan ceremony! I mentioned that I'm newly ordained, and she wants me to do the wedding! It'll be on October 31--Samhain/Halloween--and they're hoping to hold the ceremony in a local state park. How wonderful!

I still have yet to meet with her about the details, but I'm so excited how this is unfolding. The universe can truly present some great opportunities when you put yourself out there!

Wedding Update, Plus Blessing a Friend's Home

These druids in the pic have the coolest outfits! Apparently, they're conducting a sort of blessing--which is similar to what I'll be doing next week! I'm traveling to visit a friend who recently moved into a new home on her family's farm, and I've put together a blessing ritual for her house and the land. Can't wait! I really enjoyed learning all the various ritual techniques from the shamanic mystery school, and it's so fun to put it into practice.

At one time, I thought blessings and rituals in general were silly, but that was just my twisted Protestant upbringing talking. Rituals are fun! All the pre-Christian religions did it, and the more liturgical Christian sects still do it today, such as Catholics and Episcopalians. And a lot of those Christian rituals even have pagan roots.

By the way, no word from the bride that I emailed last week about conducting her wedding. I guess she's found someone else. Oh well, there will be others!

Wedding Update, Plus Blessing a Friend's Home

These druids in the pic have the coolest outfits! Apparently, they're conducting a sort of blessing--which is similar to what I'll be doing next week! I'm traveling to visit a friend who recently moved into a new home on her family's farm, and I've put together a blessing ritual for her house and the land. Can't wait! I really enjoyed learning all the various ritual techniques from the shamanic mystery school, and it's so fun to put it into practice.

At one time, I thought blessings and rituals in general were silly, but that was just my twisted Protestant upbringing talking. Rituals are fun! All the pre-Christian religions did it, and the more liturgical Christian sects still do it today, such as Catholics and Episcopalians. And a lot of those Christian rituals even have pagan roots.

By the way, no word from the bride that I emailed last week about conducting her wedding. I guess she's found someone else. Oh well, there will be others!

I Now Pronounce You Husband and Wife...

Stay tuned, but I may have lined up my first wedding! Turns out the facilitator of those shamanic workshops was asked to do a wedding but has a conflict. So he offered it to those of us recently ordained, and so I thought, hell, why not?! I've emailed the bride-to-be last night and am just waiting for her response. Hopefully she hasn't already found someone else. I'll let ya know what happens!

I Now Pronounce You Husband and Wife...

Stay tuned, but I may have lined up my first wedding! Turns out the facilitator of those shamanic workshops was asked to do a wedding but has a conflict. So he offered it to those of us recently ordained, and so I thought, hell, why not?! I've emailed the bride-to-be last night and am just waiting for her response. Hopefully she hasn't already found someone else. I'll let ya know what happens!