(Photo Blog Author - No AI has been used to create any of this blog content - Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
Ancient Éire Wellness offers Life Rite Ceremonies that acknowledge and celebrate all stages of your life's Journey. From Birth Celebrations, Milestone Birthdays, Weddings - 'tying the knot', Renewal of Vows: Hand fasting, Death Rites, or any life transitions/changes you need or want to mark. All can be co-created, guided, supported and facilitated through this space.
(Photo Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
Life Rites played an important role in the lives of our Ancestors, and they continue to do so in our modern world, in many different ways. From an individual's birth to a person's bucket list of significant achievements, we acknowledge these in our own way. A person's communal process of 'letting go', of a version of themselves, a part or stage of their life, can create space to allow the new to come in, space to evolve and expand.
(Photo Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
Life rites communally support & mark our individual and 'collective' route through this life through celebrations, experiences and ceremonies (big & small) that remind us of our human value, our individual and collective essence, .... our living connections to self and others,... what makes us who we are, shining a light on the Transitions and Transformations we undergo as humans...
There are many theories regarding life stages and associated life span transitions that we must make sense of as we age. Erickson's 8 stages of man, (with a 9th Stage added by his research partner, his wife Joan), is one such theory you will come across in the majority of social science or healthcare courses, reaffirms the existence of these transitions, highlighting in particular, the importance of handling these incredibly precious stages with care and support. (Gabriel A. Orenstein; Lindsay Lewis 2022) (Beata Bugajska, 2016)
(Waterford water: Photo Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
Life Rites pay homage to key times in a person's life and are a real-time expression of acknowledgment of an individual's worth and value within the community in attendance. These practices can be found woven into the fabric of many religions, around the world.
('Suaimh' Laser Cut Artwork - Niamh Hughes Art © - Photo Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
Janusz and Walkiewicz (2018), ain their paper: "The Rites of Passage Framework as a Matrix of Transgression Processes in the Life Course", refer to a type of 'Matrix', they consider the concept of life's "rites of passage", how they are carried out and their associated theory of Liminality. As Humans, we go through different types of gains & losses in our lives, which include changing roles and transitioning into 'new phases' of life.
In their paper, Janusz and Walkiewicz look at three important aspects of Life Rites:
1. the preservation of the sequence of the life course,
2. liminality, deconstruction, integration and transformation and finally
3. performativity.
All valuable components of Life Rite ceremonies.
A person will from birth go through dynamic transformations, physically and societally, across their life span continuum, within this alternative 'Matrix' to remain balanced and well. This is a complex but natural process for a person, and it is holistic in nature, and life rites can scaffold this progression.
The WHO figures point to a massive increase in chronic and serious illness globally, (mental Health issues in particular). Empirical studies provide some insight into how people experience serious illness as a "life-changing event".
With serious illness there is always a loss to the individual, (& those connected to them) a "deconstruction of the previous life balance", which can obliterate the self that was (Bury, 1991). LIfe transitions mean many different things to different people, these can be as a result of serious illness also, and a person may want to take stock, and make sense of where they are and find support during this type of transition. Barriers & blocks, to this natural flow of life force, can come in many different forms and can mean, the scaffolding life rites provide, becomes a life saver, for the individual and those connected to them.
Our Ancient Ancestors in their innate wisdom, knew this.
(Owanna Grove: Photo Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
They acknowledged the transformative nature of some life transitions. They collectively identified this internal and external liminal space within a person's mind and soul and attributed immense value to this liminal space, ... a sacred human space....that holds a soft mystery to this day.
(Tara: Photo Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
We can and still do, use these Ceremonies in many different forms, in our modern world today, for health & wellbeing, to bloom, grow, change and reach our full potential. We are all one in Spirit's healing flow....
(Owanna Grove: Photo Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
This connected communal expansion during life rites, not only helps the person transitioning, but all others present, in some way or other through connection with each other through spirit, life's source. It facilitates human connection on a very deep level and can be resiliance building, offering all a sense of identity & belonging.
It could be said, this innate human juxta positioning is a sacred... somewhat mysterious, experience that keeps the cyclical strands of life bending & expanding in a precious and connected way, ....safely, alongside others who are also connected and traveling with you on your journey through life....
(Brighids Flame: Photo Máire Ní. Dubhslaine.)
References:
BUGAJSKA BE. The ninth stage in the cycle of life – reflections on E. H. Erikson’s theory. Ageing and Society. 2017;37(6):1095-1110. doi:10.1017/S0144686X16000301
Bury, M. (1991) The Sociology of Chronic Illness: A Review of Research and Prospects. Sociology of Health and Illness, 13, 451-468.
Janusz, B., Walkiewicz, M. The Rites of Passage Framework as a Matrix of Transgression Processes in the Life Course. J Adult Dev 25, 151–159 (2018).
Orenstein GA, Lewis L. Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development. [Updated 2022 Nov 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556096/
RTE. (2024). Here's what the average cost of a wedding is in Ireland. [Online]. Raidió Teilifís Éireann,. Last Updated: 2024. Available at: https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2019/0226/1032912-heres-what-the-average-cost-of-a-wedding-is-in [Accessed 18 June 2024].
WHO. (2024). Mental Disorders. [Online]. World Health Organisation. Last Updated: 2024. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders [Accessed 20 May 2024].
WHO. (2024). Mental Health. [Online]. World Health Organisation. Last Updated: 2024. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_1 [Accessed 20 May 2024].
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