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Spiritual Orkney
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Helen & Mark Woodsford-Dean
Craigielea, Harray, Orkney, Scotland, KW17 2JU
Helen & Mark Woodsford-Dean
Craigielea, Harray, Orkney, Scotland, KW17 2JU
+44(0)7749 934617 (mob) / +44(0)1856 761133
Please email or text prior to telephoning, thanks
Relationship Blessings
Ceremonies to Celebrate Relationships
Our unique and bespoke rituals are designed to celebrate relationships at every stage, whether you are just starting out together or marking a significant anniversary. The ceremonies we provide include betrothal and engagement ceremonies, blessings & handfastings, renewals of vows rituals, and the honouring of anniversaries. For each and every celebration, we create and perform a fully tailored ceremony which perfectly reflects the unique love which you have for each other.
Hold your ritual wherever you want
The choice is yours
Your ceremony can, in effect, take place anywhere you want: a stone circle, a beach by moonlight, a dappled woodland … you are NOT restricted solely to set locations or buildings. A commonly shared theme for many couples is a reverence for nature, so a ritual at an outdoor site with particularly stunning views, in a liminal or threshold place, or with archaeological or historical interest, can really enhance the sacredness of the occasion.
Popular sites for holding ritual in Orkney
Orkney is the perfect place to hold a ceremony to honour your relationship. A group of islands just off the north-east coast of Scotland, Orkney is full of ancient sites which resonate with the power of the ancestors, enigmatic historic ruins, and some of the most stunning natural environments in the world.
A popular choice is The Ring of Brodgar – the third largest stone circle in Britain, about 5000 years old and situated between the lochs of Harray and Stenness, and studded with purple heather – a very peaceful site, with just the call of water-birds and the lapping of the lochs as background sound.
There are woodlands, beaches of clean sand which are often deserted, wild moorlands, windswept hills, and cliffs that are usually full of nesting sea-birds. All of these venues are suitable if you would prefer a natural environment. If you choose a seashore setting, you will probably have an audience of seals all curious to see what is happening!
There are also plenty of superb indoor venues which we would be delighted to advise on. In the event of stubbornly poor weather it is possible to decide on the day, or even at the last minute, to move to an indoors venue – so please don't worry about getting drenched!
Never been to Orkney?
If you don't know Orkney too well, then simply describe to us the type of site you dream of holding your ceremony at, and we’ll advise you on what’s available … why not start by browsing the photographs on this site for inspiration?
Is anywhere not available?
Please don't ask us to conduct a ritual anywhere that is unsafe or where access to the public is generally denied. We are happy to advise on this.
We are not able to obtain permission to perform ceremonies at sites which are owned or managed by other religious faiths. Likewise, out of respect to other religious faiths, we will not ask to perform rituals in any site owned or managed by them; although we are honoured if ever invited by them to do so. Please note that this specifically means we are NOT able to conduct ceremonies in the Italian Chapel and / or St Magnus Cathedral.
Your ceremony can, in effect, take place anywhere you want: a stone circle, a beach by moonlight, a dappled woodland … you are NOT restricted solely to set locations or buildings. A commonly shared theme for many couples is a reverence for nature, so a ritual at an outdoor site with particularly stunning views, in a liminal or threshold place, or with archaeological or historical interest, can really enhance the sacredness of the occasion.
Popular sites for holding ritual in Orkney
Orkney is the perfect place to hold a ceremony to honour your relationship. A group of islands just off the north-east coast of Scotland, Orkney is full of ancient sites which resonate with the power of the ancestors, enigmatic historic ruins, and some of the most stunning natural environments in the world.
A popular choice is The Ring of Brodgar – the third largest stone circle in Britain, about 5000 years old and situated between the lochs of Harray and Stenness, and studded with purple heather – a very peaceful site, with just the call of water-birds and the lapping of the lochs as background sound.
There are woodlands, beaches of clean sand which are often deserted, wild moorlands, windswept hills, and cliffs that are usually full of nesting sea-birds. All of these venues are suitable if you would prefer a natural environment. If you choose a seashore setting, you will probably have an audience of seals all curious to see what is happening!
There are also plenty of superb indoor venues which we would be delighted to advise on. In the event of stubbornly poor weather it is possible to decide on the day, or even at the last minute, to move to an indoors venue – so please don't worry about getting drenched!
Never been to Orkney?
If you don't know Orkney too well, then simply describe to us the type of site you dream of holding your ceremony at, and we’ll advise you on what’s available … why not start by browsing the photographs on this site for inspiration?
Is anywhere not available?
Please don't ask us to conduct a ritual anywhere that is unsafe or where access to the public is generally denied. We are happy to advise on this.
We are not able to obtain permission to perform ceremonies at sites which are owned or managed by other religious faiths. Likewise, out of respect to other religious faiths, we will not ask to perform rituals in any site owned or managed by them; although we are honoured if ever invited by them to do so. Please note that this specifically means we are NOT able to conduct ceremonies in the Italian Chapel and / or St Magnus Cathedral.
Hold your ritual whenever you want
Your choice of date and time
We offer complete flexibility as to the timing of your ritual: couples can choose WHEN they want their ceremony to take place – from before dawn to after sunset, any day of the week! We do, however, ask our couples to agree and commit to a date and time in advance, if possible at the time of booking please, even if this is just a provisional time and date.
What about the weather?
We appreciate that many people seeking a ceremony of the type which we offer will probably want an outside venue and we may be able to adapt so that your ceremony can take place during a suitable 'weather window', even if it requires a little waiting around on our part (depending on any other commitments on the day). The weather is constantly changing in Orkney – it just sometimes needs a little patience, but to ensure the best possible weather, we perform a Skull Splitter libation.
Please note that popular dates do tend to get booked up well in advance (Beltane, at the beginning of May, and the Summer Solstice are always very popular, as are Saturdays in summer). But we will always try to accommodate last minute requests for rituals, so please do ask.
We offer complete flexibility as to the timing of your ritual: couples can choose WHEN they want their ceremony to take place – from before dawn to after sunset, any day of the week! We do, however, ask our couples to agree and commit to a date and time in advance, if possible at the time of booking please, even if this is just a provisional time and date.
What about the weather?
We appreciate that many people seeking a ceremony of the type which we offer will probably want an outside venue and we may be able to adapt so that your ceremony can take place during a suitable 'weather window', even if it requires a little waiting around on our part (depending on any other commitments on the day). The weather is constantly changing in Orkney – it just sometimes needs a little patience, but to ensure the best possible weather, we perform a Skull Splitter libation.
An
indoor, back-up, location is advised as 'insurance', especially during
the darker half of the year (October through to March inclusive).
Our whole day dedicated to your ceremony
Normally we reserve our entire day exclusively for you and your ritual. This means that you can change the time of the ceremony at short notice, if you need or want to.
Please
note that experience has taught us that changing the times of a ceremony
at short notice becomes more of a practical challenge with larger
numbers of invited guests.
Popular dates
Please note that popular dates do tend to get booked up well in advance (Beltane, at the beginning of May, and the Summer Solstice are always very popular, as are Saturdays in summer). But we will always try to accommodate last minute requests for rituals, so please do ask.
Hold your ritual however you want
What can be included?
Your ritual really can take the form of your choice: from the very simple, to the highly ceremonial. YOU can provide as much input as YOU want ... here are some ideas ...
Handfastings
A handfasting ritual often included the practice of the couple grasping each other's hands, sometimes through a stone with a natural hole (such as at the Odin Stone near the Standing Stones of Stenness - sadly no longer standing), and then having their held hands lightly bound. Some traditions state that this should be with a red cord but nowadays the couple can choose the colour(s) of the cords or ribbons they use, perhaps to represent themselves or the 'blessings' they wish to bring to the relationship. We make handmade handfasting cords to order on request.
Sacred space
Often 'handfastings' take place within a cast circle, where sacred space 'between worlds' is created for the duration of the ritual. For this purpose we can provide ritual swords, staffs, shamanic drums and rattles, wands and athames, to your preference - and we have established good relationships with our local constabulary to avoid any embarrassing legal repercussions from waving sharp objects around!
Jumping the broomstick
Another traditional that is often included is the practice of jumping the broomstick together. The broomstick may represent the couple's home and, more specifically, their hearth fire at the heart of their home. This may symbolise the 'leap of faith' which the couple are taking as they start their new life together. This custom may have African-American and Romani origins, although the Welsh had 'priodas wes ysgub' - 'broomstick weddings'. We can loan a traditional besom for this purpose, if you require one, which we decorate with seasonal flowers and herbs from our own garden. We also supply mini-besoms as keepsakes on request.
Mead toast *
Altars and elementals
We provide a candle (in a hurricane lamp), appropriate incense, and a small altar posy for the altar (the incense and posy are usually homemade using seasonal flowers and herbs from our garden), unless requested otherwise, and we bring a homemade honey cake as a gift for the spirits of the place. A choice of altar cloths are available.
Clothing and costume
You and your guests can wear whatever you want during your ritual, whether that is traditional formal 'wedding' attire, ceremonial robes, or themed costumes. Likewise, as your celebrants, we can wear formal 'business suits', ceremonial robes, or tartan, according to your preferences.
Alternatives
Our ceremonies have no set format; rituals can be conducted within the carefully cast circle of the magical worker, or without grandeur around a shamanic hearth, or simply in a beautiful place which reflects the love couples have for one another.
In addition to a handfasting, couples can exchange rings or other jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets or watches. As such, our rituals can provide the ideal choice for couples who want a ceremony that is designed to their own specific tastes and spiritual beliefs.
All types of Paganism
Your ritual can be from any path of modern Paganism and can include themes of your choice. It is equally acceptable for couples to amalgamate themes from a number of paths, your own individual paths, or even none. It is up to the couple to decide how much reference they wish to make to deity, if any.
Your ritual really can take the form of your choice: from the very simple, to the highly ceremonial. YOU can provide as much input as YOU want ... here are some ideas ...
Handfastings
Holding hands and having them symbolically tied together is a popular aspect of many relationship blessings ceremonies and can be included in a ritual to honour any stage of a relationship - whether that is an engagement, betrothal, anniversary or renewal of vows.
Traditionally,
Pagan weddings were, and still are, often called 'handfastings', and
both Celtic and northern strands of Paganism claim roots for these types
of marriage ceremony. The word 'handfasting' possibly derives from
'hand-festa' which means 'to strike a bargain by joining hands', and
therefore may not have originally applied exclusively to marriage
'agreements'. In the past, couples had a choice about how long their
handfasting would last: 'a year and a day', 'as long as love shall
last', 'this lifetime', or 'all lives to come'. The first of these
options led to handfastings being known as 'trial marriages'.
A handfasting ritual often included the practice of the couple grasping each other's hands, sometimes through a stone with a natural hole (such as at the Odin Stone near the Standing Stones of Stenness - sadly no longer standing), and then having their held hands lightly bound. Some traditions state that this should be with a red cord but nowadays the couple can choose the colour(s) of the cords or ribbons they use, perhaps to represent themselves or the 'blessings' they wish to bring to the relationship. We make handmade handfasting cords to order on request.
Sacred space
Often 'handfastings' take place within a cast circle, where sacred space 'between worlds' is created for the duration of the ritual. For this purpose we can provide ritual swords, staffs, shamanic drums and rattles, wands and athames, to your preference - and we have established good relationships with our local constabulary to avoid any embarrassing legal repercussions from waving sharp objects around!
Jumping the broomstick
Another traditional that is often included is the practice of jumping the broomstick together. The broomstick may represent the couple's home and, more specifically, their hearth fire at the heart of their home. This may symbolise the 'leap of faith' which the couple are taking as they start their new life together. This custom may have African-American and Romani origins, although the Welsh had 'priodas wes ysgub' - 'broomstick weddings'. We can loan a traditional besom for this purpose, if you require one, which we decorate with seasonal flowers and herbs from our own garden. We also supply mini-besoms as keepsakes on request.
Mead toast *
Unless
requested otherwise, we provide couples with a mead toast - a symbolic drink to honour the couple - from a quaich
for them to take their first drink together usually after they have made their vows to each other. This
is a traditional Scottish practice from the highlands. Alternatively, you can drink from a horn, chalice, goblet or bowl - all of which we can lend you on request.
* Over 18s only, sorry.
Altars and elementals
We provide a candle (in a hurricane lamp), appropriate incense, and a small altar posy for the altar (the incense and posy are usually homemade using seasonal flowers and herbs from our garden), unless requested otherwise, and we bring a homemade honey cake as a gift for the spirits of the place. A choice of altar cloths are available.
Clothing and costume
You and your guests can wear whatever you want during your ritual, whether that is traditional formal 'wedding' attire, ceremonial robes, or themed costumes. Likewise, as your celebrants, we can wear formal 'business suits', ceremonial robes, or tartan, according to your preferences.
Alternatives
Our ceremonies have no set format; rituals can be conducted within the carefully cast circle of the magical worker, or without grandeur around a shamanic hearth, or simply in a beautiful place which reflects the love couples have for one another.
In addition to a handfasting, couples can exchange rings or other jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets or watches. As such, our rituals can provide the ideal choice for couples who want a ceremony that is designed to their own specific tastes and spiritual beliefs.
All types of Paganism
Your ritual can be from any path of modern Paganism and can include themes of your choice. It is equally acceptable for couples to amalgamate themes from a number of paths, your own individual paths, or even none. It is up to the couple to decide how much reference they wish to make to deity, if any.
Helen & Mark Woodsford-Dean
Craigielea, Harray, Orkney, Scotland, KW17 2JU
+44 (0)7749 934617 (mobile)
Craigielea, Harray, Orkney, Scotland, KW17 2JU
+44 (0)7749 934617 (mobile)
+44 (0)1856 761133
info@spiritualorkney.co.uk
info@spiritualorkney.co.uk
Please email or text prior to telephoning, thanks
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Spiritual Orkney is a partnership of whom Helen & Mark Woodsford-Dean
are the partners.