Graduation: Finishing with a paddle and a fly past….

Written by Fiona Winchester - Rites and Rituals Scotland Ceremonialist

It’s an image that is incredibly spiritual and one that I will use often in ceremony. To imagine saying goodbye to someone, as the sun shines warmly on their back as they go. And the sun certainly did shine for us, as we bid farewell to the first Rites and Rituals ceremonialist training.

We have been embraced by the landscape from day one at The Big Shed. Just like the reflective waters of Loch Tay itself, the surrounds have often mirrored what has been happening for us spiritually and emotionally. Shows of incredible beauty, of strength and sometimes as the clouds gathered above us, some of the internal struggles we all battle with too.

To truly be able to open ourselves up to ceremony, we have had to examine all of these in turn and how to use these feelings to help us be our most authentic selves. It has been quite the exploration.  

From day one, Rites and Rituals is something has felt like it was written in the stars. Starting out on this brand-new venture as a celebrant, I was excited but also anxious. After 15 plus years of working as part of a team, I was heading out on my own.

But that feeling wasn’t one that lasted for long. By the end of that first day, I knew I had found my tribe. With whom, I am able to laugh and cry. Examine every emotion and practical technique. And we can all learn so much from each other.

Along the way, there has been joy and fun, as well as hard work and determination. I have witnessed truly breathtaking creativity and shows of power and strength. But we all got there, together. And hope to go forward now, to create truly magical ceremony and ritual.

After graduation, we made the most of the weather and took a walk down to the water with an ice cream. To a little beach that seemed to be for us alone. Taking the opportunity for a wee paddle – it’s an opportunity I’ll never miss if I can avoid it.

And standing there in the freezing Scottish water on the brightest sunny day, all of a sudden, we heard a noise. Two RAF jets came down the loch, flying just over our heads.

With a wee tip of the wing from the pilot has they went. Our very own flypast. As Lindy said, this isn’t just any training. It’s Rites and Rituals training. Yet another incredible moment to share, together.

The connections and the memories made will last a lifetime.  And to be here at the very beginning is something I will always be so grateful for. For all of us, I can’t wait to see what comes next.