How to Find The Best Site For Ceremony: 12 Steps to Get it Right

Before one can perform a ceremony, one must have a place (site) to complete the ceremony. If the site has its own power or energy, it will enhance the ceremony beyond what a Leader can create. If the site is outdoors, one knows that Mother Earth is participating. Therefore, the following items should be considered in choosing a ceremony site.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Is the ceremony indoor or outdoor? Aside from the weather, consider the time of day and what happens if the ceremony is to be outside and wind, bugs, or a recent weed or pest spraying make the venue unsuitable. If indoors, what will the temperature be like? Do the guests need to bring layers? Some arenas or conference rooms may be quite chilly or very warm.

2. How many people will be participating? How many people make this a great ceremony? Too many may make it unmanageable or too long. And, if there is a time delay, more people means more crankiness.

3. What size of a circle or area do you require to hold this number? If this is your first ceremony, allow three feet of space per individual around the perimeter unless everyone is comfortable in very close quarters. If there is a center altar or fire, the participants should be at least five feet out for comfort.

4. Are there special requirements for entrances and exits? This applies to buildings as well as to natural spaces. Many parks now have a night closing of 9:00 PM, and in some cases 10:00 PM. This means working your timing back from the exit time. Also, think about where people park and how convenient the exit is from the entrance. Many times this can be a long walk after ceremony.

5. Do you need fire and if so, do you need a fire permit? Most hotels do not permit open flame. Many parks do not permit open flame especially during the summer. If there is a fire permit required, it is a good idea to check out the liability if things get out of control. This will help you determine whether the site is suitable.

6. Do you need candles? Many buildings do not allow candles. In the dry season, this can be an “iffy” thing in a park. Do you need dripless, beeswax, or what part does the candle play?

7. Do you need special material to make a circle? Sometimes we need hard boundaries on spaces. A boundary might be stones, salt, wood, etc.

8. If so, does the facility allow these materials? If you are going to rent or if someone donates facility space, you do need to clear the use of any materials that you will be bringing in.

9. Does the ceremony need to be on sacred ground? Whatever the ceremony, as noted above, the energy of the space will add to the power of ritual. Finding sacred ground other than a grave yard may be tricky. If this is a requirement, start looking very early on in the planning of the ceremony.

10. Do you need to be in a “power” place such as a vortex? Vortexes are powerful energy spots that may cause a particular vibration to the ceremony. If the participants have had lots of experience with energy, then this is a great addition of energy. Finding vortexes may also take some time.

11. Do you need to have ley lines available? If your ceremony involves invoking the spirit or the energy of the ley line, you need to do this out doors to have the best effect. Do you know where the main ley lines are in the area that you live in or will be doing ceremony in?

12. Do you need certain trees or certain natural energies to enhance the circle? In some ceremonies the strength of the oak, or the magic of the mountain ash (Rowan tree) add the mystic of their energies and their tree spirit. It is worth checking different sources to determine if trees will be beneficial.
    
    By completing these steps, one will be confident that they have chosen the correct site to use to perform ceremony for the group that will participate (follows the axiom – know your audience). The group will achieve maximum benefit from the ceremony and remember the ceremony as one that was deeply inspiring.

Tips & Warnings

• Celebrations or ceremonies are best done by invitation only.
• Good organization is important – such as keeping track of those who have RRSP’d a response.
• Keeping a log of all sites and recording the good, the bad, and the changes for next time is a good way to go back to check whether a site may be used in the future. Sometimes there are years between ceremonies.
• Do not open your ceremony to the masses.

Resources

• August 2008 newsletter - Solstice Invocation

[lilmissrooroo]

on 12/8/2008 great info! THANKS

[blaquetweety64]

on 10/31/2008 Good to know. 5 star

[lilmissrooroo]

on 8/16/2008 GOOD INFO MY SON IS GETTING MARRIED

[Walkaboutangel]

on 8/14/2008 Good points to consider.... You might also want to make sure there is a fire extinguisher handy... just in case....

Have a magical day

Angel

[alienangel555]

on 8/2/2008 Sounds complicated. Very detailed info. 5 stars.