Week 23 - 52 Rituals/Traditions in 52 Weeks

<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought I might share this with you as I have been on occassion asked to begin a ceremony with an acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land upon which we have stood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An acknowledgement is a great way of paying respect to those who have come before us and can be done whether or not you have an indigenous background. The two examples here are from one particular area, using specific groups, but wherever you are in the world, you can easily use similar wording to pay respect and honour the traditional owners of the land on which you stand.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It is believed that paying tribute brings good luck by ensuring that you are beginning on a positive note.</span><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travel4kids.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ayers-rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://www.travel4kids.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ayers-rock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We acknowledge and respect the traditional custodians whose ancestral lands we are meeting upon here today. We acknowledge the deep feelings of attachment and relationship of Aboriginal peoples to country. We also pay respects to the cultural authority of Aboriginal peoples visiting/attending from other areas of South Australia/Australia present here.”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">OR</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">“We would like to acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the traditional lands of the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country. We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the custodians of the greater <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Adelaide</st1:place></st1:city> region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still important to the living Kaurna people today.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are thinking of adding something like this to your ceremony, or are assisting a couple who would like to have something similar included, be sure to check the details of the traditional owners of the land that you will be performing the ceremony on. </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also check out one of our previous rituals/traditions - a traditional smoking ceremony.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wedding Gurus</span>

Week 23 - 52 Rituals/Traditions in 52 Weeks

Acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land I thought I might share this with you as I have been on occassion asked to begin a cer...

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Week 6 - Traditional Smoking Ceremony

<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Welcome to <strong><em><span style="color: purple;"><u>week 6</u></span></em></strong> of our <span style="color: purple;"><strong><em>'</em><em><u>52 Traditions / Rituals in 52 weeks'</u></em></strong><span style="color: black;"> this week we are bringing to you a </span></span><span style="color: purple;"><strong><u>'Traditional Smoking<em> Ceremony'</em></u></strong></span><span style="color: black;">. </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Indigenous Australian culture and its people are rich in ceremonial tradition and spiritual connection to their land. It is their spiritual connection to this land as ‘Mother’ that makes their ceremonies, rituals and traditions so absolutely spellbinding and magnificent. It is the perfect ritual to incorporate into a wedding ceremony.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">A traditional ‘Smoking’ involves bringing together various native plants either in a fire or using a smudge stick and smoldering them to produce smoke. It is believed among indigenous Australians, that this smoke has cleansing and healing properties and also has the added ability to ward off any bad spirits that may be lurking around. Although performed at many events including building openings, births and deaths, it is a wonderful way of beginning a wedding ceremony, allowing the couple to go into the marriage feeling cleansed and free, with no bad spirits to bring them bad luck.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I (Susan) was lucky enough to see a ‘Smoking’ ceremony performed by an Aboriginal celebrant from the Northern Territory at a celebrant conference here in Adelaide a few years ago and its power was amazing. I immediately fell in love with the symbolism behind the ritual and its wonderful cleansing power.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There are a few options for conducting a smoking ritual as part of a wedding ceremony, however as many of us live in the city it can be difficult to find an adequate place to light a fire and we may need to consider an alternative.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Firstly, a ‘Smoking’ may be conducted by placing the chosen leaves on a small fire perhaps in a fire resistant trough or bowl and then allowing the smoke to cover the bride and groom and the other participants’ bodies, ridding them of what is not needed. The smoke can then be fanned around the area with the intention of also cleansing it before the marriage takes place. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The couple and their guests may feel a sense of leaving behind any troubles and beginning something new and the couple may like the Celebrant to say a few words about the significance of the smoking. There is no specific wording, but it is important to ask the couple what it means to them.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS7L564wRayJ-XWBkbSaKd6CWWKAfWE6fV34K7vDfvmay3HEFzm8Xjy22sZBrjYWP1TrP91Wy4Sd0KlQYWcd6U6QuObfrHJdyFlQb1rktLvbNK2K9EuyPGqYWSF5BueIOBxDnscRdjsje/s1600/Aboriginal+Smoking+Ceremony+Weddings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS7L564wRayJ-XWBkbSaKd6CWWKAfWE6fV34K7vDfvmay3HEFzm8Xjy22sZBrjYWP1TrP91Wy4Sd0KlQYWcd6U6QuObfrHJdyFlQb1rktLvbNK2K9EuyPGqYWSF5BueIOBxDnscRdjsje/s200/Aboriginal+Smoking+Ceremony+Weddings.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Another option is using a ‘Smudge stick’ (pictured left) which is a bundle of dried herbs, (quite often white sage and incorporating some other herbs or spices such as lavender and juniper, which give a pleasant odour when burnt). These are then bound into a small bundle with string and dried to later be used for the wedding ceremony. The ‘Smoking’ is conducted in much the same way as outlined above, however the celebrant may walk around the area spreading the smoke and wave the stick around the couple in order to cover them. Again the couple may like the celebrant to say a few words about the significance.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Conducting a traditional ‘Smoking’ is a great way of incorporating ritual in ceremony and regardless of your background or heritage, it’s significance crosses all boundaries of race or religion. If you are conducting a wedding ceremony in Australia or you are a bride or groom considering using a smoking as part of your ceremony, you may also like to begin the ceremony by paying tribute to the traditional owners of the land you are standing on. What a great way to enter your married life, with good luck, health and a clean slate. Only good can come of it!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: Smudge sticks can usually be purchased from stores that supply religious or ceremonial items or they can be made easily using fresh herbs. There are lots of instructional videos available on the internet.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wedding Gurus</span></span></div>

Week 6 - Traditional Smoking Ceremony

Welcome to  week 6  of our  ' 52 Traditions / Rituals in 52 weeks'  this week we are bringing to you a 'Traditional Smoking  Cer...

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