Feedback and Response - Hawthorn Heart Ceremony

Feedback from CM (core tutor):

It seems you are indeed used to creating healing energy in circles and with groups. There is confidence here and a clear direction as well as a real sensitivity to the needs of others.There is a rhythm, an ebb and flow to the unfolding of your ceremony that is pleasing and healing. There is a balance of light ( wisdom through information) and warmth (love of subject matter and the guests) and between these two I feel you holding the balance in that you know exactly, through your own biography what you are asking healing and protection for. 

I think the invocation at the beginning could be clearer. What or who are you invoking to help the group and you as a minister. This is the crucial and difficult step where you step away from you 'day person' into the minister where you are more than you.  

I also wondered how you will get them to speak the first text. Do they have it written down or will you speak it first and they copy you? Same goes for the song. It is always a bit of a hassle and potential embarrassment for people who are not accustomed to 'sing or speak along' to do so without clear guidance and help. 

If you do do it outside and there is wind how will you light the candles and keep them alight? It would be a pity to do it inside because of a bit of wind! 

A very effective ceremony Leti which will do all the things I think you intend it to do. 

 So lovely to receive this feedback this afternoon and the suggestions are just what I needed so that I can ensure these elements are made explicit in the "script".

1) Clarifying the invocation:

Grounding & Invocation - Celebrant invites all by saying:

We are here to seek healing – for the emotional, physical and spiritual hurts we carry. There is no promise that the healing will happen during the ceremony(!) but hopefully there will at least be a seed planted in each of us. 

We will begin by inviting the Divine/the Universal Spirit, the healing spirit of hawthorn, our ancestors, loved ones and any angels or spiritual guardians we wish to call on to be present with us here in this circle. 

Come Great Spirit - Stir us up to be open to healing and settle us down to bring healing to others as you cast your Love and Light around the circle and make it sacred 

Just for this moment... 

Now let us all say together the words in your service sheet

All together:          I Open my Heart, Let the Transformation begin!

We open our Hearts, Let the Transformation begin!

2) Service Sheet: as indicated in my original document, there will be a service sheet for each person with the song, Ogham symbol, and the group responses clearly laid out;

3) Singing: I will introduce the song, and sing it as a call and response at least to begin with. The words in brackets will be used if the participants seem comfortable to try singing it all

3) Outdoor Plan: again, as indicated in the original document, candles - one large central candle in a lantern if outdoors, one taper, tealights (in jars if outdoors) for each participant