Wednesday 14 June 2023

What Being A Metaphysical Minister Means To Me

A few years ago, when I thought it might be fun to be a wedding officiant, I embarked on a search for the perfect way to become accredited.  What I didn’t realize at the time, was that I was also embarking on a spiritual journey that would lead me to metaphysics, albeit, accidentally.

After contacting various organizations, discussing their various training programs, and weighing the pros and cons of each, I decided to go with the course offered by the Canadian International Metaphysical Ministry.  Although it was relatively short, it was jam-packed with insight, self-realization, a new perspective and understanding.  It was almost as if I found me, as corny as that sounds.

After finishing the course, becoming a Metaphysical Minister, and starting on my new spiritual path, I developed a better sense of self.  And tapping into that sense of self, I realized that being a Minister comes with a high degree of self-accountability. But not only that, I am accountable to my followers to help them remember their strengths, to help them know that the universal law of abundance will always provide for us and to remember that, by incorporating all types of spiritual doctrines in our teachings, we recognize oneness; meaning, we recognize that all of the teachings will lead us back to the same place:  self.  And above all, becoming a Metaphysical Minister has taught me that love for self and love for all is the highest purpose.

In a nutshell, as well as having the privilege of being able to perform wedding ceremonies for just about everyone, having the honour of being a celebrant at funerals, and performing baby naming ceremonies, I have found my calling.  Being a Metaphysical Minister energizes me, challenges me, awakens me, soothes me, educates me and more.  Love is all there is.

Monday 17 April 2023

Why Hire Me?

 Welcome to my metaphysical minister services for weddings! As an experienced and passionate metaphysical minister, I am dedicated to creating a meaningful and transformative wedding ceremony that reflects your spiritual beliefs and values. I work with couples of all backgrounds, including those who identify as spiritual but not religious, and those who are interested in exploring different spiritual traditions and practices.

My approach to wedding ceremonies is holistic and intuitive, drawing on a range of spiritual practices and traditions, including meditation, energy healing, chakra work, and more. I will work closely with you and your partner to co-create a ceremony that is authentic, meaningful, and personalized to your unique relationship and journey together.

Whether you are seeking a traditional or non-traditional wedding ceremony, a secular or religious service, or a blend of different spiritual traditions, I am here to support you every step of the way. With my warm and compassionate presence, creative approach, and deep understanding of the transformative power of spiritual practice, I will help you create a wedding ceremony that is not only a celebration of your love and commitment, but also a profound spiritual experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

If you are ready to co-create a wedding ceremony that is truly meaningful and transformative, please don't hesitate to contact me to learn more about my services and to schedule a consultation.  You can reach me at www.anamcaraministry.ca or 613-612-0852.

 

 

Thursday 2 February 2023

Confessions of a Wedding Officiant

First and foremost, I am a Metaphysical Minister, a role that brings me much peace and joy.  It’s like this role was tailor-made for me.  I will go into that later, but right now, let me give you some insight into being a Wedding Officiant.

To begin with, I love people!  And I love meeting new people.  So, when I am contacted by a couple who is planning on getting married, I can hardly wait to meet them.  And I am often contacted by people who want to get married 2 or 3 years from now.  But I want to meet them right now!  And when I do meet them, I invariably fall in love with them.  It’s not hard to do when the couple is just oozing love from every pore.  It’s bound to spill over.

So, in this meeting, we talk about how they met, what keeps them together, how they plan on making their relationship grow, what they hope for in a ceremony, how many people are going to be at the ceremony, what their plans are for afterwards, all the big stuff.  And we also talk about their life now, their jobs, their pets, their favourite restaurants, favourite TV shows, movies, music, what they like to do in their spare time, and it’s a back-and-forth discussion.  They get to know me as well as I get to know them.  It’s important for me that they know me well.

I do get the occasional couple who will tell me that they don’t care about the ceremony, that they just want something short and legal and want to get it over with as quickly as possible so they can party.  This makes extremely sad.  Your wedding day should revolve around the ceremony, because why get married if your ceremony doesn’t mean anything to you?  I will still do these ceremonies, I will write something meaningful, and I will also take the time to make them feel like the ceremony really is a special occasion.  I will send them off with a copy of it just so they can look back and perhaps realize it was special after all.

Being a wedding officiant is mostly a joyous occasion, but there have been times that have tested my resolve.  On one occasion I was officiating a ceremony when a knife fight broke out in the back seats and a gun was fired.  Everyone ducked for cover as I dialled 911 and waited for the police to arrive.  Luckily, they were close by and managed to contain the people involved and we carried on with the ceremony!  We were a little shaky at first, but as the ceremony progressed, we relaxed.  It ended up being a very lovely ceremony with a delightful couple.

Other times I have been hit on by the father of the bride, thrown up on by the ring dog, kicked by a flower girl, been mistaken for the wedding planner (an easy mistake), called an imposter by an extremely old wedding guest, constantly winked at by the best man, and lastly, forced to show my credentials to a grandparent because “a woman can’t possibly marry people”.  But mostly it’s smooth sailing.

But here are my actual confessions.

1.       I would do this for free if I didn’t have to pay taxes and put food on the table.  My dad always said I should find a job I would be willing to do for free and I’d have it made.  He was right.

2.       My husband usually accompanies me on my longer trips.  He enjoys the drive and I can rehearse in the car with him.  Nothing like having a captive audience.

3.       As much as I would like to, I cannot notarize documents.  That’s a whole other profession.  I can however, serve as a guarantor on passport applications and such.  But so can anyone else you like.

4.       I write every wedding ceremony from scratch.  I believe the ceremonies should be more special than official.  I will still make sure all of the right words will be said, but the ceremony itself will be memorable for its meaning to the couple.

5.       I’m always a little bit sad once the ceremony is over.  I’ve spent a long time getting to know the couple and even their friends and family, and in most cases, this is the end of the road for me.  They don’t need me anymore.

6.       I will play (and have played) any role you want in your ceremony.  I will be the dog wrangler, flower girl babysitter, ring bearer catcher, mother-of-the-bride shoulder to lean on, whatever you like.  As I mentioned before, I LOVE what I do.

7.       And lastly, I am a minister.  And I LOVE being a minister.

 My next post will be about being a Metaphysical Minister and what means to me.  Stay tuned.

Saturday 12 March 2022

Vows Don't Have Be Hard

For a change of pace I thought I might give you all some insight on the vow writing process.  As more and more couples are deciding to write their own, they are realizing just how difficult it can be.  Sure, I know you love each other, but how do you say that in a paragraph or two?  Here are some ideas and examples.

1.  First of all and most importantly, don't wait until the last minute.  I know you think you got this, but trust me, you don't.  Vows are important.  You don't want them to be a last minute rush job.  You want them to be meaningful and even funny, if you choose to go that way.

2.  Say "I love you".  Seems like a no-brainer, but in your zeal to write the perfect words, this little phrase is often overlooked.

3.  Make a list of things you want to say, anecdotes about your life, how you met, things you love about your partner, things that annoy you (yes, it can be funny), and anything else that comes to mind.

4.  Write a draft, then another, then another, then another, until it is exactly what you want.  You'll know when you've nailed it.

5.  Then practise saying it out loud.  See if it rolls off the tongue easily.  Does it trip you up at all?  Then change the wording.  Once you think it's perfect, put it away somewhere safe - either on your phone or give it to your officiant.  Keep it away from your partner.

6.  The day before your big day, go over it one last time.  Do you still like it?  Good!  Job well done!  It will be great the next day at your wedding.

For anyone having trouble coming up with vows, I've compiled a selection that might ignite your creativity.  Today's examples are pulled from some favourite movies.  Enjoy.

From Lord of The Rings

I would rather spend one lifetime with you than spend all of the Ages of this world alone.

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.

From Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

If ever two people were more meant for each other, we'll just have to hunt them down, kill them, and bury them in the desert.

From Doctor Who

You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful and then you actually talk to them and five minutes later they're as dull as a brick? Then there's other people, when you meet them you think, Not bad. They're OK. And then you get to know them and…and their face just sort of becomes them. Like their personality's written all over it. And they just turn into something so beautiful. You’re the most beautiful man I've ever met.

From Harry Potter

Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.

Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.

We can’t choose our fate, but we can choose others. Be careful in knowing that.

You are protected, in short, by your ability to love!

We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also

What's comin' will come, and we'll meet it when it does.

From Star Wars

You are the Obi Wan for me.

Anakin

My Queen, may the Force be with us as we travel through the galaxy of life. I pledge to never turn to the Dark Side but stand forever in the illumination of our love. I vow to fight the Evil Emperor and I invite you take your place at my side as we rule the galaxy. Take my hand and stand with me for light and justice throughout our lives.

Padme

My Jedi, my love, I take your hand and accept your pledge. May the force be strong with us all the days of our lives. There is good in you, I sense it. Remain a Jedi and I will stand by you. I pledge to you my love and my companionship as long as I live.

 Han

Princess, I love you more than I love the Millennium Falcon. I'll give up a lifetime riding the galaxies in search of treasure with Chewie just to be with you. Together we can withstand anything, even the Death Star, Jabba the Hut and Darth Vader. Come with me and we will make this world and the others around it ours. I'll take part in any rebellion you want and pledge my life and love to you, Princess.

Leia

Han, no matter what world we crash land on, I know that you will take good care of us. No matter what happened in the past, I know you are brave, intelligent and I love you. Together we can stand against injustice wherever we find it and bring freedom to our world.

 Unknown

 I close my eyes I see my home, I see peace, I see tranquility, I see you.  I vow to be your peace, your tranquility, your home.

Of course I promise to love you, but I promise to buy the lottery tickets, order the takeout, shovel the snow, plant the tulips, open the wine, pop the corn and kiss you every night.  That’s what love is!

 




Tuesday 8 March 2022

SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER

Can you believe it?  It's been over a year since I wrote something here.  My sincere apologies.  I'm not the greatist at keeping things up, except my socks.  They never seem to fall down.  Anyway, I digress.  So, in honour of International Women's Day, I'd like to take a moment to honour all of the women in Ukraine who are taking care of their families, someone else's families, their country, and hoipefully, themselves.  Their bravery is a testament to their strength and will.

Here's an excerpt from an Irish Newspaper - The Independent.  

The Story of Ukraine's Women is a Story of Courage

If one were looking for symbols of true super-power, courage and strength today, you will find it not among the decorated army generals, but in the set faces of the mothers cradling their infants in the makeshift shelters of Ukraine’s cities.


With homes and hopes demolished by the “Strong man” of Europe, these heroic women are holding their families together, as the rest of the world looks on helplessly.


Their treatment is maybe a mortal insult to everything that International Women’s Day represents, but their spirit epitomises its essence. For there’s nothing more maddening for a despot, than to see defiance in a people supposedly deprived of real resistance.


Virginia Woolf wrote: “Women have served all these centuries as looking glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size.”


Each new day that sees Ukraine standing up to the extreme violence of Vladimir Putin’s onslaught, further diminishes his rapidly wilting stature.


Their dignity at freezing border stations, or trying to keep their toddlers entertained in subterranean railway stations, is a story of heroism. Their plight under such indiscriminate shelling has touched the heart of the world.





Saturday 16 January 2021

HANDFASTING

 A BIT ABOUT HANDFASTING – NOT JUST FOR PAGANS OR WICCANS

Handfasting is a marriage unity ritual that has been used during weddings for centuries. Like many other unity rituals, such as unity candles or sand rituals, it represents the combination of two people coming together to create a new singular entity. A couple joins their hands together and they are wrapped with a ribbon or cord. If done in the traditional way, as the couple separates their hands, they literally tie the knot (hence the origin of the phrase), and are joined together in their commitment to each other.

Handfasting is gaining popularity, but it isn’t a ceremony commonly seen in traditional Western or Christian-centric weddings. While it has Celtic origins, it is a ritual that has largely only been used by Pagans and Wiccans since the 1960s.  But it isn’t a ritual just for those that identify as Pagans, Wiccans, or witches. Anyone can take part in this meaningful and visually beautiful ritual.

So Where Did the Practice of Handfasting Come From?

When the term was first used in rural Scotland, two people would form a contract by joining hands. Back when most people lived in small rural villages, you might not always have access to a government or religious official who could oversee your marriage. In some Pagan groups, you also might not have the same hierarchy of religious figures as we see with ordained ministers and priests in Christianity. The ritual of handfasting was accessible to all, and still held the same weight, validity, and importance as any of our modern-day ceremony practices.

The Ribbon or Cord You Choose Is Up to You

It’s fun to add a personal flare by selecting or creating a ribbon or cord that is meaningful to you and your partner. You can use a fabric strip from an old family heirloom, a ribbon in a colour that has meaning to you, or have one made with a clan tartan.  The possibilities are endless and you can make it as personal as you like.

Your Guests Are All Treated as Equals

In more traditional handfasting ceremonies, guests are encouraged to form a circle around the couple. This is a common practice with most Pagan rites and rituals, and any clockwise movement in a circle is considered positive (deosil), while counter-clockwise movement is considered negative (widdershins).

You can also have your guests call the elements or directions.  I will write about both at a later date.

Having your guests form a circle means that there are no sides, no front seats, no back seats, and no spots reserved specifically for family. Your guests are all seen as equals in this ceremony, and are all there with the express purpose of supporting your union. Guests are also usually encouraged to join hands while in the circle, which, as a bonus, helps keep them focused and off their phones.

Whether Your Handfasting Ceremony Is Legal Is Up To You

People often ask whether or not handfasting is a legally binding wedding ceremony ritual. The answer is, “maybe”.  It depends on the type of handfasting ceremony you have.

Handfasting can absolutely be a part of a legally-binding wedding ceremony led by a certified officiant or wedding celebrant. It can also be a non-legally-binding commitment ceremony, and there a few reasons why that’s really awesome.

Handfasting has long been used as a tool to unify couples that have been denied access to legal marriage. Since its origins, it has often been used as a self-uniting practice, and we love that it takes the definition of love and marriage out of the hands of a governing body and rests it squarely with the couple, much like Quaker ceremonies do.

Handfasting Can Be As Secular or As Religious As You Want

While handfasting does have Pagan roots, it does not require you to reference any religious entities or works, and therefore is a great option for non-religious couples, or for couples who have a lot of non-religious family or guests. It can also be great for interfaith couples, as it is a neutral ceremony that doesn’t focus on any single religion over another.

 

Saturday 11 July 2020

Time for Niyamas

The five niyamas, personal practices that relate to our inner world, include:

Saucha: purity

Santosha: contentment

Tapas:  self-discipline, training your senses

Svadhyaya: self-study, inner exploration

Ishvara Pranidhana: surrender 

Saucha: includes outer purity of body as well as inner purity of mind. Saucha in yoga is on many levels, and deepens as an understanding and evolution of self increases.

Shaucha, or holistic purity of the body, is considered essential for health, happiness and general well-being. External purity is achieved through daily ablutions, while internal purity is cultivated through physical exercises, including asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques). Along with daily ablutions to cleanse one's body, the concept of Shaucha suggests clean surrounding, along with fresh and clean food to purify the body. Lack of Saucha, such as letting toxins build in body are a source of impurity.

Shaucha goes beyond purity of body, and includes purity of speech and mind. Anger, hate, prejudice, greed, pride, fear, negative thoughts are a source of impurity of mind. The impurities of the intellect are cleansed through the process of self-examination, or knowledge of self. The mind is purified through mindfulness and meditation on one's intent, feelings, actions and its causes.

Santosha: contentment, accepting one's circumstances, an attitude of contentment, one of understanding and accepting oneself and one's environment and circumstances as they are, a spiritual state necessary for optimism and effort to change the future.

Yoga Darshana defines contentment as the inner state where, "exists a joyful and satisfied mind regardless of one's environment, whether one meets with pleasure or pain, profit or loss, fame or contempt, success or failure, sympathy or hatred.

In broader terms, Santosha is rooted in the desire to avoid anything negative to self, to others, to all living beings and to nature. It is not the state of abandonment or being without any needs, rather the state of neither taking too much nor taking less than what one needs, one of contended optimism. It is the habit of being able to accept circumstances one finds self in, without being upset, of accepting oneself, and of equanimity with others who are balancing their own needs as they share what they have. Santosha is also abstaining from taking and consuming something to excess, even if its appearance makes it tempting.

Tapas: includes self-discipline, meditation, simple and austere living or any means of inner self-purification. It is a means for perfection of the body and the organs through the lessening of impurities" and a foundation for a yogi’s pursuit of perfection.

Svadhyaya: One form of Svadhyaya is mantra meditation, where certain sound constructs with meaning are recited, anchoring the mind to one thought. This practice helps draw the mind away from outward-going tendencies, silencing the crowding of thoughts, and ultimately towards inward feeling of resonance. It can alternately be any music, sermon, chant, inspirational book that absorbs the person to a state of absorption, trance, unifying oneness.

Svadhyaya is practiced as a self-reflection process, where one silently meditates, in Asana, on one's own behaviors, motivations and plans. Svadhyaya is, in a sense, for one's spirit and mind a process equivalent to watching one's body in a non-distorting mirror. This self-study, in Yoga, is not merely contemplation of one's own motives and behaviors, but also of one's circumstances and the environment one is in, assessing where one is in one's life, what is one's life direction, if and how desirable changes may lead to a more fulfilling Self.

Ishvara Pranidhana: The practice of Ishvara Pranidhana means that if we are able to completely surrender our individual ego identities to God (our own higher self) we will attain the identity of God. If we can dedicate our lives to serving the God that dwells within all other beings, human and non-human alike, we will move beyond all feelings of separateness. If we can say without reservation, “I give You myself: my body, my mind and my heart, to do with as You best see fit,” then we will be freed from the stress, anxiety, self-doubt and negative karma that arises from our reliance upon our egos to determine which actions we take in our lives.

Ishvara Pranidhana will help to cure the afflictions of the mind that cause pain and suffering, as it is designed to redirect our energy away from our selfish desires and personal dramas, and towards the ultimate pursuit of Oneness. So important and powerful is this practice, that Patanjali gives instructions for it on four separate occasions in the Yoga Sutras. And while it is the simplest and most direct method to attain yoga, it is not necessarily an easy practice, or even an attractive option to some.