FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions 

How did you become interested in designing sacred ceremonies?

I became interested in ceremonies after taking a class on spirituality at a women’s bookstore about 15 years ago. I was going through a difficult period of my life and wanted to explore a different option other than organized religion for comfort and solace. I became very interested in spiritual practices of Native American origin as well as ceremonies that reflected patterns of nature. A few years later I began to study alternative healing and energy healing. All of these experiences were inspirations for my book, Soothe the Spirit: Blessings and Rituals for Energy Enhancement. 

What is the difference between a blessing and a ritual?

In the context of my work, blessings are actions that acknowledge an event with reverence and gratitude, activating energy that brightens the core of your spirit. Blessing ceremonies are very easy and typically take about five to ten minutes to complete and are focused on a particular event which is currently underway within your life. Rituals are ceremonial actions that are repeated on a regular basis to guide energy toward the manifestation of dreams and desires. Some rituals also help release stagnant energy, clearing the path for new life experiences.  

How do I get started selecting a ceremony to begin?

Think about what is going on in your life right now. Is there something you would like to celebrate? Do you need comfort for some type of personal pain? Would you like to set a goal and then focus on the steps about how to accomplish that goal? What about a heart’s desire that has not yet materialized? All of these situations call for sacred ceremony. Look through the web site welcome page tabs for a subject or a ceremony that seems to call out to you. Another option is to look at the table of contents of my book. If you see something there that you are interested in trying, e-mail me and I’ll be happy to send it to you. If you have a unique situation, feel free to e-mail me questions. 

What are some ways I can design and create my own ceremony?

As you peruse the web site and see the types of ceremonial materials and actions that are typically used, jot notes about what particular things resonate within you. What makes sense to you? What actions appear to hold some meaning for you? These are clues for you in the design of your own ceremony. Try putting some pieces of those ceremonial actions together with your own affirmations or blessings, according to what your intention is to accomplish with the ceremony. Remember, each action can be unique to you. Focus on the parts of your life you would like to enhance. 

What do the four elements mean and what is their significance in ceremony?

The four elements—fire, earth, water, and air—are used in ceremonies as symbols. Fire represents transformation, earth signifies the physical form of an intention or a wish, water symbolizes either a cleansing or an emotional immersion, and air represents the intellect or the power of the mind to impact experience. In each ceremony, lighting a match with intention begins the transformation process. A candle burning seeks to hold the sacred space of the ceremony and continues the transformative effect. A small stone is used to represent the physical form of an intention or a wish, and is often imbued with the energy of the ceremony that can be recalled later as the stone is seen or felt physically. Spring water is used to sprinkle over a stone or other material in order to evoke the emotions of the dream come true, an important aspect of moving toward manifestation. In some cases the spring water is used to cleanse and clear the energetic pathway so that new experiences or new patterns of behavior can take root. Air, as it dried the water from the stone, allows the mind to explore possibilities. This adds energy to the intention and again provides a stronger path toward realizing the intention of the ceremony. 

What about ceremonies that are not listed on this web site?

If at any point you would like to try a ceremony not described on this web site, please e-mail me for information. I’d be happy to send you a ceremony for a particular occasion, or give you ideas for a ceremony if one is not yet written for the occasion. The book’s table of contents is available to view, and although it is not all inclusive, it has many more ceremonies from which to choose. To order the book, click here. 

Are your ceremonies based upon any type of religion or type of spiritual practice?

My ceremonial design is unique and is not based upon any particular religion. I have taken many ideas from Native American earth-based spirituality, which uses the four elements in ceremonial rituals to represent various ideas. My background in psychology has assisted with many of the ideas behind the ceremonies, as has my study in energy healing. Some neo-pagan persons have enjoyed these ceremonies, as have persons with a Christian, Jewish or Buddhist background. The ceremonies seem to appeal to a wide range of people, as they are not prescriptive and each individual is encouraged to develop their own unique adaptations. 

What does “May the light of your soul reflect and radiate the light of all” mean?

This is a reference to the concept of the collective soul. This is an idea that all of us are inherently interwoven and inter-connected on a soul level. The connection I am referring to here is the light that radiates from deep within each of our souls, a light that I believe is the essence of the divine. As we look into one another’s eyes, we see that even the most troubled of souls has light or the possibility of light. If we share our light, reflecting and radiating it simultaneously, then we acknowledge our shared soulfulness. This, I believe, is a pathway to peace on earth.  

What do you do for a living?

I write, create and teach in many arenas. Professionally, I work for a local school district as an autism specialist and an educational diagnostician. Most of my work is with very young children and their families, and I am blessed to enjoy my working life. I also do some private work evaluating infants and toddlers whose parents are concerned about their development. My formal education is in special education and developmental psychology. My passionate interests outside of spending time with family and friends are writing, gardening, energy healing, baking, and traveling. I also conduct workshops on sacred ceremonies and at times have offered group ceremonies for special occasions. For more information about my workshops, click here.  For more information regarding my work in energy healing and autism, visit my personal website at www.beckyburns.com.

How do I contact you to arrange for a workshop in my area?

You can contact me via e-mail or by phone to arrange a workshop in your area or to get more information on workshops. I am planning several workshops in various areas of the USA over the next year. For more information regarding the typical content of my workshops or my current schedule click here. I am happy to provide an individual workshop according to your group’s needs.