Rainbow Medicine
Lodge

Amber Meditation

Once again you find yourself standing in front of the old oakdoor that leads tp the secret garden. finding the key in your pocket you placeit  in lock and turn it ; stepping into the garden remember to lock the door behind you , step down the two steps thatlead you  onto the path, follow the path noticing the old oak tree on your right with its bright lush green canopyof leaves and thick branches as you tread the path you notice blossom all overthe grass and under your feet it falls like snow from the cherry trees on the left , the air is filled with the aroma of flora and fauna, rabbits play and hop about, young frogs leap in and out of the stream, watched by the brightblue kingfisher sitting on the branch nearby, the sun filters through thebranches overhead. Something up ahead catches your eye, there is something sparkling in the sun on a stone altar, as you approach you see it is an orangea stone, picking it up you hold it up to the light noting the bubbles insideit, it feels warm to the touch also comforting and protective , you sit on arock in the sun and hold the stone to your heart; what does it say to your heart, what is its song , you take your time, then you hold it to your thirdeye and breath in listening to the stone, then to your throat and back to your heart again; take yourtime with each chakra then when you are ready and with its permission pop it inyour pocket. It is now your ally, your crystal ally one of the stone people ,your amber.
Make your way back along the path  honouringthe nature spirits as you go and leave the garden when you are ready lockingthe  door behind you, write up your experiences in your journal when you get back.

Maryelle Anderson.

Trees tall and statuesque, waving and reaching to the skies, blue tit and robin fly from branch to branch, pigeons cuddle ready for the mating dance cooing and chirping.

The variety of colours, the shades of greens, browns and reds, that early

spark of the new year, the spring yet to come,.

Grey squirral searching for morsals left by man, a pheasant running through the lane, mindless driver missing him by an inch laughing at his folly.

Stone wall with granite heads with comical faces placed in decorative fashion.

Geese in formation across windy grey sky,  stoat running for his life heading into marshes, while wind turbines rotate at speed.

Wooly sheep crazing lazily takes me back to memories of my beloved cornwall, of times past rambling midst stone circles and quoit's, by sacred wells and scared pathways.

Clotted cream teas and rosy landladies with hearty laughter by Zennor head, wild gorse bushes and old tin mines.

The train rolls on , engine roaring and rails squeaking, thundering to destinations of anonymous cities, Roe deer oblivious to intrusions carry on with a meal of spiny bushes and new juicy leaves.

Lone horse is sodden field in coat of red, with only mole hills for company looking forlorn and weary.

 Gulls scour the fields for slimy worms and follow the plough for tasty seeds.

 Caravans wearing winter covers to protect from cold and storm stand within shut down park, while rows of crows on uniform seating occupy the telegraph wires overhead,

Bungalows built identical with neatly manicured lawns, pastel curtains, no sign of play or creativity, no wildness here for fear of none acceptance.

  Still waters with barges floating, closed curtains and chimney smoking, just a swan floating by peacefull and serene.

 Train nearing its journey's end, bustle and hustle, chatter and mobile phone ringing for attention,

the city awaits and the day begins.

Lights flicker and  secret folk

come out to dance and mingle,

wings 'a' flutter, voices sing
and flutes do sound their music,

the crackle of fire and meat on spit

and ale 'a' flowing freely.
Welcome to our party.........

                                                                                



Handfasting at one time was the only way that couples could be engaged and/or get married because the church let the civil government of the period take care of these matters. In the British Isles, Handfasting was the old pagan ritual of marriage and it remained legal in Scotland all the way up to 1939, even after Lord Harwicke?s Act of 1753 declaring that marriages in England were legal only if performed by a clergyman. After Lord Harwicke's Act, the Scottish border town, Gretna Green became a mecca for eloping couples from England who fled there to perform their own Handfastings. In those times, the couple themselves performed the Handfasting before witnesses. It was also used in Scotland for the engagement period of a year and a day before a wedding was proved.

                
                               
 
A true handfasting is a promised commitment for a year and a day, and I feel is a beautiful way to celbrate a love between two people.... why does love need to be recognized by a legal status ? Handfasting is a ritual that joins two people in a relationship, and is about a promise to eachother, rather than about a contract. Love between two people is sacred, to be honoured and respected. Being joined to another should bring about a sharing of two lives...not completing of one. It should mean that the individual is still free to grow, now with the acceptance and support of another, both loving one another with an open heart and an open mind, and honouring the others path.
If we find somebody who not only loves us, but also supports us  on our path and encourages our growth, then we are fortunate indeed. And if we in return want to do the same for them, then it feels right to honour that special bond, and show appreciaton for what we share. - Suzy James.

                    

Our  Handfasting Ceremonies can be conducted in your own Home or at the Venue of your choice.  The ceremony often includes a flower girl to arrange a sacred space of flower petals on the ground, a broomstick to jump over after the ceremony, the  sharing of bread and wine as well as personal vows. We also encourage clients to bring thier own ideas into thier ceremony.

We also officiate Handfastings for Gay couples as well as Hetrosexual couples.

Maryelle is available for an informal discussion about the handfasting ceremony before any commitments and dates are made.