Rites of Passage
Rites of Passage:
Life Transformations
by Janneke Koole
We are gathering invaluable stories of lives transformed, grief healed, birth celebrated, and aging embraced with power and grace. Let me share with you a few moments from within these rites.
Imagine a circle of women of all ages gathered to honor a young maiden as she enters her season of monthly bleeding. She sits on a decorated chair, fresh as the morning’s dew and innocent as a spring flower. Her grand aunt comes forward to offer her a delicate silver necklace. She tells how her mother had given this to her just before she died. Tears flow down the cheeks of everyone there as the young maiden’s mother steps forward to read a poem she wrote for her daughter. Woman after woman tells the young maiden the joys of being a woman, the inner resources she carries to meet any challenge, and the strength of the sisterhood to support her when needed. They reflect her beauty and empower her journey. At the end of the ceremony, the women are jubilant and pour into the kitchen where a proud father has prepared a delicious meal.
Imagine a grandfather, just turned sixty, surrounded in the sweat lodge by his wife of thirty-five years, his children and grandchildren, neighbors and friends. Their prayers are a litany acknowledging how this man has touched their lives. They thank him for how he protected them, provided for them, and guided them on their journeys. They honor him for how he continues to inspire them. They pray for his wellbeing as he steps into being an elder within his family and community. Next, it is the elder’s turn to speak and he shares how he learned to become the man he now is. He receives an “elder name” and is forever lifted up to a wholly other level of being human.
Imagine a circle of young adults in their early thirties gathered around a mesa containing reflections of the five archetypes: lover, hero, warrior, king/queen and priest/priestess. They sit across from each other, woman reflecting to man, man reflecting to woman the stories of their life experience. Deeply listening to each other, they share moments of being utterly natural and uniquely individual. Each reflection builds self-acceptance and self-appreciation. At the end, they walk out into their lives strong in their inner knowing of self-worth. They enter the most productive years of their lives with confidence and courage.
I could go on and on. The rites of passage are precious beyond compare.
In July 2009, we will offer rites of passage for families and individuals of all ages at a very special retreat and training camp in Arizona. Fully trained and certified guides will offer ceremonies to anyone who requests a rite of passage to assist them to integrate a life event, a critical learning period, or a significant experience in their life’s journey. At the same time trainers will work with the next generation of SMSD leaders interested in obtaining this certification. Also, the leader of the Lodge of Initiations is exploring the possibilities of such a camp in Germany.
Anyone interested may contact DTMMS at dtmms@dtmms.org.