The Promise of Dawn: Rites of Passage for all Beliefs
()
About this ebook
The Promise of Dawn: Rites of Passage for all Beliefs contains sensitive and beautifully crafted readings and poems for all of life's milestones, from birth to death. Whether you're planning a wedding, the celebration of a birth/naming ceremony, or a funeral, there will be readings in this collection that will resonate with you. With an emphasis
Related to The Promise of Dawn
Related ebooks
The Promise of Dawn Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Tree Horoscope: Discover Your Birth-Tree and Personal Destiny Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSoul Reflections: Many Lives, Many Journeys Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLetters to Our Daughters Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDeliverance of Love, Light and Truth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Psychic Workshop: A Complete Program for Fulfilling Your Spiritual Potential Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Eagle's Eyes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSoul Reflections Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn Awe of It All: Stories and Inspirations from a Spiritual Journey through Eight Decades of Life on This Earth Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhispers from the Trees: The Book Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeyond Conscious Thought: Opening to Spirit Series, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTelos Volume 2: Messages for the Enlightenment of a Humanity in Transformation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Love's Legacy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWild Wisdom: 101 Inspirational Seed Thoughts to Cultivate the Life You Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpiritual Symphony: The Resonance of Psalms, Proverbs, and Prayers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSacred Garden: A Return to Peace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInfinite Footprints: Daily Wisdom to Ignite Your Creative Expression in Walking Your True Path Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLiving the Radiant Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe 123 Theory - An Empath's Guide to Thrive in Life, Love & Work Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsVoice of the Portals I: The First Gateway Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Lost and Found Collection: The Treasure of Hope Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMastering the Way of Creation Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Earth Angel: Find Your Power Shine Your Light Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIn the Moment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThis Way to the Kiva: Poems for the Journey Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRouse!: Compilation of Poetry for the Dancers of Light and Shadows Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMortal Seasons Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsValleys Deep 'n' Mountains High Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of Many Colours Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLife Prayers: From Around the World365 Prayers, Blessi Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Relationships For You
I'm Glad My Mom Died Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Programs to Live an Infinitely Better Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All About Love: New Visions Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5She Comes First: The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everything I Know About Love: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Covert Passive Aggressive Narcissist: The Narcissism Series, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: the heartfelt, funny memoir by a New York Times bestselling therapist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Codependence and the Power of Detachment: How to Set Boundaries and Make Your Life Your Own Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/58 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What Makes Love Last?: How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Loving Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The ADHD Effect on Marriage: Understand and Rebuild Your Relationship in Six Steps Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Promise of Dawn
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Promise of Dawn - Patricia Sumner
All rights reserved, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means whatsoever without the prior permission of the publisher.
Text © Patricia Sumner
Front cover created using public domain images modified by Diane Narraway.
Edited by Veneficia Publications
Typesetting © Veneficia Publications UK
VENEFICIA PUBLICATIONS UK
veneficiapublications.com
The Promise of Dawn:
Rites of Passage for all Beliefs
Patricia Sumner
Chapters
1: Birth and Naming Ceremonies
2: Coming of Age and Leaving Home
3: Handfasting and Marriage
4: Miscarriage and the Death of a Child
5: Celebrating Children and Birthdays
6: Middle Age and Gaining Wisdom
7: Funerals and Mourning
INTRODUCTION
It has been an honour and a privilege to write this ‘Rites of Passage’ collection for Veneficia Publications. I was delighted to be asked by Diane Narraway to compose readings and poems to commemorate the significant milestones in our lives – though, I have to admit, I have felt unqualified for the task.
I studied English Literature and Philosophy many years ago, particularly enjoying the ‘Philosophy of Religious Belief’ element of the degree course. Today, I still read all kinds of literature relating to spirituality, the religions of the world, theology, and philosophy. It’s what makes me tick – this and my love of creative writing.
The spiritual dimension has always drawn me. I feel there is much more to life than we can measure, touch, or fully understand. I probably feel this way due to the profoundly spiritual experiences I have had, especially following the death of a loved one.
I enjoy my deepest moments of spiritual connection when immersed in nature (and this is a recurring theme in the collection). I believe that all of life is sacred; that the same life force or spirit flows through each one of us – every person, animal, plant, and stone – and I rejoice in nature’s seasons and cycles. If life is viewed as sacred, then every act of living becomes a religious act, and the protection of the planet becomes paramount.
I also believe in the power of community. As social beings, we’re not meant to be alone – at least not for prolonged periods. We need to come together to celebrate life’s major events, to create memories, and to make meaningful connections with others – though ‘others’ could include the animals and plants of our natural environment or even the global community of manifold peoples.
For much of my life, I have attended Church in Wales services. I feel particularly in tune with Celtic Christianity (i.e., finding spirit in nature) and I respect and hold dear the teachings of Jesus. I also have a great deal of sympathy for Buddhism, accepting the possibility of reincarnation and appreciating the benefits and power of meditation. However, I think it is the Golden Rule of all the great faiths that appeals to me the most: So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets
(Matthew, 7:12). This Golden Rule is expressed in one form or another in most religions, and it has taught me that compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, equal rights for all, humility and kindness should be our guiding principles