Ritual Recipes
73 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratingsA podcast that celebrates the milestones of life and the cycles of nature, one ritual at a time. Are you a woo-woo woman? Getting married? Having a baby? Launching a project? Dissolving a relationship? Mourning a loved one? I have a ritual for that. Ready to align your spirit to the seasons and celebrate holidays without the commercial angle? I have a ritual for that. As a ritualist, certified Life-Cycle Celebrant and Connecticut wedding officiant, I draw from 20 years of experience in both public and private ceremonies. Sharing what I know is like sharing a recipe -- a Ritual Recipe.
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Episodes
3 Wedding Rituals - Pandas, Moths, Flours
September 16, 2019 21:19 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBCan't have everyone you want in your wedding party? Don't give those special people boring tasks! Give them a meaningful role in your ceremony. How? With a creative wedding ritual. Here are 3 of my "gift-giving" rituals. One involves bamboo and is based on the couple's love of Giant Pandas. One uses lifelike, laser-cut moths. One was inspired by the groom's profession as a pastry chef. That ritual is based on the mythological properties of flours. See episodes 5, 6, and 10 for other gi...
Summer Solstice, Sun, Moon, and Butterflies
July 31, 2019 00:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBThe ritual described in this episode honors the harmony between the Sun and Moon. Too much heat, crops burn. Too much rain, crops drown. Like crops, our personal wellbeing depends on our ability to balance work and rest. Seeing the cycle of light and dark play out between the Winter and Summer Solstices can help us harness our own energy and live a relevant life.
Beltane, Fairies, the Hawthorn, and the Goddess Bloddeuwedd
July 05, 2019 05:41 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBThe Celtic festival of Beltane, celebrated on or about May 1, is associated with fertility, flowers, fairies, the Hawthorn tree. From the Hawthorn, we get the story of Bloddeuwedd, a woman created from nine plants and trees by two magicians who wanted to make the perfect bride for a young man. All went well for a while, until Bloddeuwedd met another man and fell in love. What follows is a story about death, transformation, and the power of a woman’s authentic self. Books mentioned in the...
Ostara and the Spring Equinox
March 19, 2019 22:36 - 17 minutes - 23.8 MBSpring is here! It's time to break the bonds of winter. How? This episode offers safe and simple rituals for groups and individuals, adults and children, to celebrate spring: Break chains. Plant symbolic seeds. Plant metaphysical seeds. Wake up the trees! As one season begins, another season ends. In the excitement of welcoming the new, don't forget what has been left behind. Mentioned: Episode 27 of "5 Minute Feng Shui," a podcast by Kathryn Weber, in which she talks about wood and p...
Valentine's Day Rituals for One
March 01, 2019 04:52 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBCombine acts of kindness and generosity with safe and simple rituals designed to open the heart to give and receive love. Each of us has something to give. That may be time, or money, or things, or energy. How much we have will vary. What's important is to recognize that these gifts have an endless return on investment. Whether you volunteer at a nursing home, help comfort and socialize animals at a shelter, or put extra effort into donating items to your local thrift shop, you can add cre...
Unity Rituals for Weddings
February 08, 2019 10:33 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MBUnity candles and sand ceremonies are lovely but couples do have other options. On this episode, you'll find ways to personalize the meaning of the traditional rituals and discover new rituals inspired by the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Any ritual can fall flat without context. For example, the fire of a Unity Candle can symbolize the porch light a parent leaves burning until her "child" -- of whatever age -- arrives home safely. That same flame will mean something else t...
Imbolc Swans, the Goddess Brigid, Blacksmiths, Brewers and Bards
February 01, 2019 06:32 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBThe Celtic fire festival of Imbolc is celebrated in early February. It honors Brigid, patron Goddess of blacksmiths, brewers, and bards, also referred to as smithcrafters, healers and poets. For an individual, follow a simple ritual using a red or white candle and something to symbolize Brigid -- a cast iron skillet, a mortar and pestle, or journal. For a group, create a ritual using white ribbons to represent the swans that migrate from Iceland to Ireland for the winter. See Episode ...
Steps in a Rite of Passage for a Wedding or Competing on The Voice
January 12, 2019 04:38 - 36 minutes - 50 MBA Rite of Passage ritual has three steps: Separation, Transformation, and Incorporation. Seeing those steps in a wedding deepens the meaning to the elements of the ceremony. Those same rite of passage steps can also be seen in the process a contestant goes through to win the television reality show, The Voice. Zita shares personal stories about the power of reflection, about a groom whose grandfather died at the reception, about how her own husband's struggle with Alzheimer's, and about ...
Winter Solstice Ritual and the Infinity Symbol
December 23, 2018 04:59 - 17 minutes - 23.8 MBWhat does the Winter Solstice have to do with gifts and candles, pigs and wine, freedom and fear, New Year’s resolutions, handfastings and the infinity symbol? A lot! Helpful links: For the associated blog post with photos - http://moonriverrituals.com/blog For "Light is Returning" on the CD "The Winter's Night" by MotherTongue - http://www.earthspirit.com/category/mothertongue For Crystal Journey Candles - https://www.crystaljourneycandles.com/ For astrologer Donna Woodwell - ht...
Animal Totems as Spirit Guides to the Underworld
November 18, 2018 21:19 - 19 minutes - 28.2 MBI learned a valuable lesson the day a skunk crossed my path. It was about animal totems and the magical medicine they offer. Seeing animals as spirit guides is at the heart of a public ritual I created for Samhain, the Celtic festival that marks the death of summer. The mysteries of Samhain are at the heart of the holiday we call Halloween. The ritual offers ways you can connect with an animal totem that chooses you. Yes, it chooses you, not the other way around. You'll get a taste of the...
Butterfly Blessings Ritual for Weddings, Funerals and more
November 01, 2018 01:14 - 17 minutes - 24.2 MBHow to use the physical and metaphysical properties of butterflies to create rituals for wedding ceremonies, funeral services, and memorial celebrations of life. Did you know that in some Native American traditions, a butterfly is thought to be a living piece of a rainbow? That's just one of several nuggets from folklore and cultures around the world used to create the "Butterfly Blessings" ritual. Originally created for a wedding, the ritual is easily adapted for birthdays and as a self-a...
Magical Soup Ritual to Heal the World
September 26, 2018 22:42 - 12 minutes - 16.8 MBIf you want do DO something to help heal the world, consider making a pot of healing soup. You won't find the ingredients in your pantry. You'll find them in your heart. In this episode, I share a harvest ritual I created to empower each of us to be part of the solution, not the problem. The ritual involves receiving ingredients we need to heal ourselves and sharing ingredients we believe will help heal others. What kind of ingredients? Ask / Bridge / Courage / Dialogue / Friend / Honesty...
Magic Soup Ritual to Heal the World
September 26, 2018 22:42 - 12 minutes - 16.8 MBIf you want do DO something to help heal the world, consider making a pot of healing soup. You won't find the ingredients in your pantry. You'll find them in your heart. In this episode, I share a harvest ritual I created to empower each of us to be part of the solution, not the problem. The ritual involves receiving ingredients we need to heal ourselves and sharing ingredients we believe will help heal others. What kind of ingredients? Ask / Bridge / Courage / Dialogue / Friend / Honesty...
Celtic Harvest Ritual with the Corn King
August 10, 2018 04:06 - 19 minutes - 26.7 MBThe Celtic harvest season honors the sacrifice of the Corn King, a/k/a John Barleycorn. Time to celebrate community and settle debts, and compete in the Highland Games. Ask yourself: What debt will you pay? What debt will you forgive? Mentioned in the podcast: 2018 Highland Games in Scotland, CT Meg's Inspirations, an inspirational and spiritual boutique in Manchester, CT Viriditas Beautiful Skin Therapies, my daughter's skincare clinic in Providence, RI Amazon's Alexa device
Lammas Celtic Harvest Ritual with the Corn King
August 10, 2018 04:06 - 19 minutes - 26.7 MBThe Celtic harvest season honors the sacrifice of the Corn King, a/k/a John Barleycorn. Time to celebrate community and settle debts, and compete in the Highland Games. Ask yourself: What debt will you pay? What debt will you forgive? Mentioned in the podcast: 2018 Highland Games in Scotland, CT Meg's Inspirations, an inspirational and spiritual boutique in Manchester, CT Viriditas Beautiful Skin Therapies, my daughter's skincare clinic in Providence, RI Amazon's Alexa device
Prayer Flags for Wedding Ritual and Children's Project
July 13, 2018 03:13 - 17 minutes - 25.6 MBInclude prayer flags for a visual wedding ritual or meaningful activity with children. Create fantastical blessings inspired by visionary activist Caroline Casey. Get Zita's take on what really happened when Dorothy Gale clicked her ruby slippers 3 times. See: Caroline Casey at http://coyotenetworknews.com
Prayer Flags for Wedding Ritual and Children's Project
July 13, 2018 03:13 - 17 minutes - 25.6 MBInclude prayer flags for a visual wedding ritual or meaningful activity with children. Create fantastical blessings inspired by visionary activist Caroline Casey. Get Zita's take on what really happened when Dorothy Gale clicked her ruby slippers 3 times. See: Caroline Casey at http://coyotenetworknews.com
Gifts from the Trees Ritual for Weddings and More
June 15, 2018 05:01 - 25 minutes - 34.6 MBDid you know that unicorns like ash trees? That the locust tree represents strength and the will to live? That planting a juniper by the front door is said to protect the home from thieves? What magical gifts do the trees in your neighborhood offer? Gifts from the Trees is a ritual that can be used for woodland weddings, unity rituals, birthdays, retirement parties, croning ceremonies, memorial services, and more. Looking for a simple ritual to bring love into your life? Step 1: Cut an ...
Spirit Spoons and Garden Gifts Rituals
May 06, 2018 05:14 - 21 minutes - 31.1 MBDo you need protection? Eat basil. Do you need abundance? Have some mint. Do you want to help your family find peace? Serve coriander. Do you want to stir up some magic in your kitchen? Use a spirit spoon! Connecticut wedding officiant Zita Christian shows how "Garden Gifts," a ritual she created, uses the magical properties of herbs and spices for weddings, birthdays, croning ceremonies and more.
Oathing Stones and Ritual Rocks for Personal Goals and Wedding Vows
April 16, 2018 17:14 - 20 minutes - 29 MBThroughout history, stones have played a role in affirming all that endures, all that is steadfast. In many cultures, stones are believed to bridge the connection between the living and the dead. Centuries ago, a person could be banned from the village for breaking a vow made on a stone connected to the ancestors, for the ancestors offered protection from the Other World. If a person broke such a sacred vow, how could he or she ever be trusted? With such a legacy, it's easy to see why a...
Baby Blessing - An Intergenerational Ceremony for the Unchurched
March 24, 2018 02:04 - 25 minutes - 35.6 MBConnecticut Life-Cycle Celebrant Zita Christian shares details from a baby blessing to help others create a ceremony of their own. She talks about "The Nest," a baby blessing ritual she created to involve the baby, the parents, grandparents and guests.
Imbolc Rituals with the Celtic Goddess Brigid and Root Vegetables
February 28, 2018 21:57 - 19 minutes - 26.9 MBConnect with the energy of mid-winter with two rituals. First, a simple ritual that celebrates the magic of root vegetables. Then, a substantial ritual that celebrates the Celtic Goddess Brigid and the solar festival of Imbolc.
Drink Your Words Ritual to Begin the Year or Launch a Project
February 16, 2018 23:18 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBUse this simple ritual at the beginning of a year a day a project a relationship Use focus and intent to begin any new venture.