Congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding in 2017!
2017 is a great year to get married from a numerical point of view. 2+0+1+7 =10 and 1+0=1 which means that the year 2017 is a "1" year. This "1" Universal Year cycle is only the second cycle based on "10" since 1900! 2017 is the first of a nine year cycle. Number 1 resonates with the vibrations and attributes of new beginnings, creation, independence, uniqueness, motivation, striving forward and progress, ambition and will power, and positiveness. Number 1 also resonates with the energies of pioneering, raw energy, force, activity, self-leadership and assertiveness, initiative, instinct and intuition. 1 being the number of 'new' is the number from which all manifestation begins. It is the energy that begins all actions and leads the way in new directions. New ideas, new projects and the desire for expansion all allow the number 1 to go forth with courage, originality and decisiveness. What does this mean for your marriage in 2017? It means that it is the perfect year for a new beginning, what a blessing for your union! In terms of Chinese Astrology, 2017 is the Year of the Rooster (1-28-17 to 2-15-18). The year 2017 is placed under the protection of the fabulous and flamboyant sign of the Fire Rooster, whose virtues of righteousness, perseverance and transparency generously reward those who understand them well enough. The Rooster falls under the element of Fire which is the element of passion! This year is auspicious for weddings. The color red (associated with the element of Fire) is the traditional color of the wedding dress in China and other Asian countries. If you have been in a relationship for years, then 2017 is a good time for you to get married. I am an attuned Ceremonialist and would be honored to co-create a meaningful wedding ceremony with you and your fiance in the state of Arizona in the year 2017!
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In today's world, many couples consider themselves "spiritual" not "religious". As you consider your wedding ceremony, you may or may not want to include prayer. Traditional ministers and officiants have standard scripts they use to marry couples which may include prayers that may or may not be comfortable for you and your fiance.
My approach is to get to know you and your fiance and your beliefs, values and traditions. Together we create a ceremony that opens your hearts and makes your spirits soar! Spiritual components may include mystical readings from Rumi, Kahlil Gibran, Thich Nhat Hanh just to name a few; Native American rituals; Earth based rituals; Pagan rituals; creating an altar representative of your love and beliefs; Buddhist, Hindu or Toltec rituals or rituals from other Eastern traditions. These sacred rituals connect us in one-ness as we acknowledge Namaste: My soul recognizes your soul. I honor the love, light, beauty, truth and kindness within you, because it also resides within me. In sharing these things, there is no distance and no difference between us. We are the same, we are one. I look forward to hearing more about your Spiritual beliefs and co-creating a beautiful and meaningful ceremony for your wedding day. Namaste, Jen Paul of Life Passages A Native American Wedding Ceremony may include the Native American Wedding Vase and/or honoring the four sacred directions: North; South; East; and West. This ceremony may also include the use of sage to smudge or sprinkling of corn pollen. Jen Paul of Life Passages is well trained to include this spiritual ritual in your wedding ceremony whether it be a large wedding or elopement in the state of Arizona. The meaning of a Native American Wedding Vase ceremony is similar to that of a Unity candle or a Cup. During your ceremony each of you drink from the vessel as a symbol of two individuals whose lives are becoming one. In addition, a hand washing ceremony may be incorporated after drinking. Words are included from the ‘hands ceremony’ if desired or the hand washing may be done in silence or with music. The four directions are sacred and connect us with Mother Earth. Each direction is faced beginning with the East, the place of dawn, before progressing to the next direction, a rattle is shaken. The wording used may vary depending on the preferences of the couple. Each direction has a number of characteristics associated with it which may include: four elements (earth, fire, water and air); seasons of the year; position of the sun; and animals. In addition, a Marriage Blessing may be incorporated into the ritual. If you are getting married in Arizona and would like to incorporate Native American traditions, Jen Paul of Life Passages can guide you. You will be e-mailed wording options to choose from. Jen also has access to a Medicine Wheel in Sedona if you would like to get married at this sacred site. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and I look forward to hearing from you! Please email me directly at lifepassagesaz@gmail.com or call 928-607-3941 Photo by Jordyn Vixie A Crone Ceremony is a rite of passage ceremony for a woman who has either reached the age of 50 or gone through menopause. This ceremony encourages a woman to embrace the aging process and celebrate her wisdom. Reaching the status of Crone is a major milestone!
Jen Paul of LIfe Passages in Flagstaff, Arizona is a Celebrant who is skilled at creating a Crone Ceremony. Here's how it works! The first meeting can be done via skype, face time, phone or in person if you are in the Flagstaff area. We meet and co-create a vision for your ceremony. Part of the vision involves honoring the cycles of life you have experienced from childhood through adulthood. Jen listens empathically and takes notes about your life. You also may have a writing assignment to complete. Once the pieces are put together, your ceremony is created. Typically, the four directions are used in honoring the stages of your life. Additionally, you may choose to be "crowned" as Crone or receive a wisdom staff or some other symbolic item. The creation process may involve several meetings. We set a date for your ceremony. The ceremony may include members of your community and/or family or it may be done by yourself. It's really up to you and your comfort level. If you choose a public gathering, you may have a private ceremony which includes smudging and cleansing your feet before the public gathering. The ceremony can last up to 1 hour it just depends on the rituals that are included. Furthermore, if you choose a public gathering, your guests may bring gifts which celebrate your passage into the Crone years. In addition, often times there is a reception afterwards. As a Crone, you are invited to share your vision with the community and give a gift to your guests that represent your new role. Concerned that you are too old for your Crone Ceremony - well past 50 or menopause? You aren't! It's never too late to celebrate your passage into a wise woman. I look forward to hearing all about this stage in your life! Pre-Marital sessions are very valuable and can enhance communication and intimacy before stepping over the threshold into marriage. It is important to create a firm foundation in your relationship and pre-marital sessions encourage you both to do so. It is also a discovery process in which you learn about the uniqueness of the individual you are about to marry. Jen Paul of Life Passages offers pre-marital sessions. My approach is that of a mentor as I have been married since 1994. I offer my compassion, guidance, personal knowledge and a sense of humor as we approach the pre-marital sessions.
Here's how it works! Typically there are four to five sessions in total. You and your fiance will receive four questionnaires that include the following topics: dreams and interests, friend and family relationships, communication, five love languages, money, vocation, children, health, spirituality and sexuality. After you complete a questionnaire, Jen reads it and provides feedback and mediation during the session. The session can take place via skype, face time, a phone call or in-person if you reside in the Flagstaff area. Pre-marital sessions are offered on a sliding fee scale of $50-75/hour Often times Jen will also discover beautiful characteristics about your relationship during the pre-marital sessions which are then woven into your wedding ceremony. If you are considering pre-marital sessions, I suggest: don't go to the altar without them! Today’s modern day handfasting ceremony is a revival – of sorts – of the handfastings of yester yore. The act of handfasting was originally an element to a formal betrothal ceremony (the precursor to today’s engagement) perhaps going as far back as ancient Celtic Scotland, up to the 16th century reformation-era. During the formal betrothal ceremony, in which a couple promises to one another their agreement in future marriage, there was a formal handshake to seal the deal. This was called the handfæstung, meaning, a pledge by the giving of the hand, according to A.E. Anton. The betrothals eventually became so formal that it was an event in and of itself, which eventually lead up to the wedding ceremony. From the Mayans of South America to the Hindu Vedic community of the Middle East to the Celtic culture of Scotland a hand fasting ceremony is an ancient martrimonial ritual. It usually involves fastening a couple's hands together with cording, ribbon, twine or a silk sash while hand fasting prayers are recited and vows are exchanged. Couples can opt to use a single string or braid three strings together to represent the intertwining of the two individual lives into one. Generally four to six feet in length, the threads can consist of any color or material and may contain specific gemstones or charms to bless the marriage. Numerous online wedding vendors sell ready-made and custom versions. After the ceremony, couples typically display their unity cords in their home as a reminder of their lifelong commitment. You can preserve the sacred cord in a keepsake box, drape it inside a shadowbox with other wedding memorabilia or affix it to a board in an infinity symbol. Traditionally, the marriage knot is secured at the end of the ceremony after the vow and ring exchange to symbolize the couple's final pledge to blend their lives together. A hand fasting ceremony can also be done in lieu of a vow and ring exchange. Tying the knot is a primary wedding ceremony whereby a couple ties a fisherman's knot. This is done after the exchanges of vows and rings. The couple, using large colored cords, ties the knot as the Celebrant reads a commentary. Choices for commentary are available. The theme of the commentary is that, like a fisherman's knot, marriage strengthens and supports the bride and groom through life and, like the knot, their marriage grows stronger under pressure.
What is Life Coaching?
Just as athletes have innate qualities and abilities that contribute to their overall performance, YOU have qualities and abilities that contribute to YOUR overall success and fulfillment. Just as an Athletic Coach assists athletes in fully developing their abilities to maximum performance… A Life Coach offers a professional relationship designed to enhance an individual’s ability to focus, make effective changes, achieve desired goals and maximize success and fulfillment in life. One of the greatest investments we can make in life is in ourselves. And, we’re often too busy or distracted to focus on us. It is from ourselves that everything else in life stems from. You wouldn’t build a house without a solid foundation, why settle for building a life without a solid foundation. To simplify it down to the most essential THREE steps. 1. We must first get clear of whom we are. 2. We must know what we want. 3. Then we must empower ourselves to make it real. Contact me today to begin your coaching sessions! I offer sessions remotely, at my office or your own place (travel fees apply). Sessions are offered on a sliding scale basis $60-85 Thank you! Jen Paul, Life Coach 928-607-3941 It was an amazing day to be wed overlooking the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon. This popular location, Horseshoe Bend is a magnificent location to elope. It is a very touristy location, so unless you have a moonlight ceremony, be prepared to become famous, very quickly! We were able to carve out a private spot for this couple's ceremony despite the onlookers. The love these two shared created ripples to all those who were nearby! Aren't they adorable?
The bride is holding a bouquet that she will be able to keep forever. Here's the link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WWCreationsbySher https://www.etsy.com/shop/WWCreationsbySherhttps://www.etsy.com/shop/WWCreationsbySher
Read all wedding reviews at Life Passages, Jen Paul, Wedding Officiant of Northern Arizona Storefront at
As a Life Cycle Celebrant in the state of Arizona, it is my honor to co-create a ceremony which celebrates your love for your partner! Whether it be a wedding, vow renewal, anniversary or commitment ceremony. The ceremonies I preside over reflect the uniqueness of the couples I work with. Each ceremony is handcrafted and custom made to include a little bit of your personal love story. For an even more moving ceremony, you can go through the process of answering a detailed questionnaire about your relationship; from there I will compose your story and share it at your ceremony.
It is truly blissful for me to hold space for couples as they step over the threshold into a deeper commitment to one another. |
AuthorJen Paul, Life Cycle Celebrant, Ordained Minister, Wedding Officiant, Life Coach, Death Doula Archives
August 2023
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