Written by Fiona Winchester
So, the last time I was in Killin, I was attending a drama festival in my late teens. Excited, nervous and unsure what was to come next. Fast forward 20 years and I was back, this time for a very different purpose. The very first Rites and Rituals Scotland training weekend.
However on reflection, there were more similarities than I may have expected.
Act 1: The Act of Ceremony and Ritual.
As the players gathered, all first day nerves evaporated quickly, as we soon realised, we were all there for the same reason. To expand our minds and deepen our connection, to allow us to provide the most meaningful ceremonies for people at different transitional points throughout life. The beautiful hills that stand guard over Loch Tay provide a stunning backdrop and set the scene for this weekend. For the opening act of what all involved hope is going to be an epic spiritual and educational adventure.
The Big Shed is just the ideal venue. Quiet, peaceful and secluded with the most stunning scenery framing the building. Constantly shifting and altering, no stage crew required. As the hours passed, the light moving and the colours changing, the different scenes shifted from examining our own spiritual journey to looking at the creativity behind ceremony and ritual. As an audience, we turned inward, using the tranquillity as the perfect moment to reconnect with ourselves and the wider universe. And in some outdoor exercises – blessed by an incredibly mild January weekend – we took time to focus on the elements and how the ancient traditions associated can aid us in ceremony.
On day two, performing made a return as we played Celebrant Charades, playing out different parts to help shape which style feels most comfortable to us as we move forward in ceremonial work. We also took a closer look at the more practical elements of ceremony, structure and legality.
To be examined further in Act 2!
Working together, we explored different types of ceremony and how we may approach them. The ideas and creative juices were flowing. And the finale was a powerful and profound fire ritual – once we finally got it going that is!
Friendships were founded this weekend, our brains fizzing with possibilities for our ceremonial work and how we can help mark all life milestones, marriage, death, new life and so much more in between. But all the theatrical metaphors aside, this was a show that had everything. Fascinating characters from whom I am learning so much; emotion; stunning scenery and a lot of laughs along the way. Over the next three months, we will return for the next acts. But in the interval, we will focus on the lessons learned. Work on spiritual practice in everyday life and how to make ourselves better ceremonialists as a result.
Oh and I can’t end without mentioning there was cake…some really good cake!
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