A ceremony is an activity, infused with ritual significance, performed on a special occasion. Ceremony - Celebration of life. Traditionally, a ceremony may mark a rite of passage in a personal human career, marking the significance of (for example): birth initiation puberty social adulthood graduation marriage death burial In certain circumstrances a ceremony may only be performed by a person with certain authorities. ...

Including:

• Ceremony - Celebration of life
• Ceremony - Celebration of events
• Ceremony - Process

Read more here: » Ceremony: Encyclopedia - Ceremony

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Ceremonies, Ceremonials Originally and essentially acts of magic, designed to bring about particular and definite results, but now almost wholly ritual observances performed from habit, from unthinking reverence to misunderstood tradition, or merely to impress the devotional imagination.

The anointing of a candidate in the Mysteries was actually the completion of a process which began on higher planes and in the candidate's inner nature, not a mere symbol intended to fix his attention or to impress his mind. In two of its ecclesiastical analogs, baptism and confirmation, we find them regarded by some churches as the "outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace," and by others as an actual conveying of grace to the candidate; and the same with other Church sacraments.

In real ceremonial magic this is fully recognized, and success depends upon the exact fulfillment of the necessary conditions; similarly in white magic, but the knowledge and proficiency required for the fulfillment of the requisite conditions is apparently beyond the attainments of the great multitude of people today. It comes only in higher degrees of chelaship and is carefully guarded from profanation. For ceremonial magic, whether white or black, means the evocation of various forces of nature, stronger or weaker depending upon their nature, demanding for their control a resolute will, an inflexible mind, and an immaculately pure heart. Ceremonies performed in ignorance may be as barren of results as a static electric machine worked in a fog.

There is a thread-soul of quasi-intuitive understanding running through the traditions of human history which impels people to keep up, however ignorantly, forms and ceremonies through the ages, often when their real significance is lost, like seeds preserved in an ark to await the time when the flood waters shall recede.

(See also: Ceremonies, Ceremonials, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

A commendation ceremony (commendatio) is a formal ceremony that evolved during the Early Medieval period to create a bond between a lord and his fighting man, called his vassal (Latin vassus). The first recorded ceremony of commendatio was in 7th century France, but the relationship of vassalage was older, and predated even the medieval formulations of a noble class. The lord's "man" ("vassal" comes from a Celtic word for "boy") might be born ...

Including:

• Commendation ceremony - Act of homage ceremony
• Commendation ceremony - Oath of fealty ceremony
• Commendation ceremony - Significance of commendation
• Commendation ceremony - Reference

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The Japanese tea ceremony (cha-no-yu, chadō, or sadō) is a traditional ritual influenced by Zen Buddhism in which powdered green tea, or matcha (抹茶), is ceremonially prepared by a skilled practitioner and served to a small group of guests in a tranquil setting. Cha-no-yu (茶の湯, literally "hot water for tea"), usually refers to a single ceremony or ritual, while sadō or chadō (茶道, or "the way of tea") refer to the study or doctrine of tea ceremony. The pronunciation sadō is preferred by the Omotesenke tradition, while the pronunc ...

Including:

• Japanese tea ceremony - History
• Japanese tea ceremony - Equipment
• Japanese tea ceremony - The Tea Ceremony
• Japanese tea ceremony - Types of ceremony
• Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and calligraphy
• Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and flower arranging
• Japanese tea ceremony - Kaiseki ryōri
• Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and kimono
• Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and seiza
• Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and tatami
• Japanese tea ceremony - Studying tea ceremony

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The ceremonial mace derives from the mace used as a weapon. The earliest ceremonial maces were practical weapons intended to protect the king's person, borne by the serjeants-at-arms, a royal bodyguard established in France by Philip II, and in England probably by Richard I. By the 14th century, these serjants' maces had started to become increasingly decorative, encased in precious metals. Ceremonial mace - History. The history of the civic mace (carried by the serjeants-at-arms) begins around the m ...

Including:

• Ceremonial mace - History
• Ceremonial mace - Britain
• Ceremonial mace - North America Ireland
• Ceremonial mace - Universities
• Ceremonial mace - Others

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The White Coat Ceremony (WCC) is a relatively new ritual in the USA that marks entrance into medical school and more recently also podiatric medical school, dental school, pharmacy school and some allied health professions. It originated in Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1993[1] and involves a formal "robing" or "cloaking" of incoming medical students (and now other types of students) in (laboratory) white coats, the gar ...

Including:

• White coat ceremony - The Spread of White Coat Ceremonies
• White coat ceremony - Criticisms of the White Coat Ceremony

Read more here: » White coat ceremony: Encyclopedia - White coat ceremony

Sraaddha ceremony

According to Hinduism, when a person dies, he either travels to heavenly worlds or to the ancestral worlds depending upon his previous deeds. We are told that the departed souls can be elevated to higher planes of existence and pushed further on the scale of evolution if their direct descendents on earth, especially the male progeny perform some annual rites and make sacrificial offerings to them. With such rites, not just one but the entire family of ancestors would be benefited and spiritually uplifted.

Read more here: » Sraaddha ceremony: Hinduism Rituals - Sraaddha ceremony

Buddhism: Buddhist Marriage Ceremony

Although wedding ceremonies have always been regarded as secular affairs in Buddhist countries, the parties concerned have nevertheless obtained the blessing from monks at the local temple after the civil registration formalities have been completed.

In view of the traditional importance that the marriage ceremony has in the West, moreover, local, and especially isolated Buddhists without access to a temple or a monk might well adopt the following service that could be performed by relatives and friends of the bride and groom:

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Vasthu Ceremony - for laying foundation

The ceremony of the laying of the foundation for a building should be performed only during the home when the Deity of the plot (VASTHU PURUSHAN) is well awake. It is guide imperative to follow the presages to be carefully notices when performing the laying of the foundation ceremony.

The worship during laying the foundation ceremony should be postponed to another auspicious day in any of the following twenty presages are noticed.

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Vastu Shastra: Chanku Stapanam

 It is very important to perform the ceremonies of installation of a conch-shell (Chanku Stapanam) and incantations to invoke the protection of the regents of the cardinal directions (Thikku Bhandhanam) before raising a new house or a workshop in the place where an old building has been demolished or in a site where there was no building standing for many years. Performance of these ceremonies ensures plenty, prosperity and good fortune and nullify the evil effects due to the presence of evil spirits buried underground, and renews the gravitational power of the earth. During the first twelve years after the construction of a house, the divinity present in that house will gradually diminish.

Read more here: » Vastu Shastra: Vastu Rituals and Ceremonies - Chanku Stapanam

In 1999, Bennie LeBeau of the Eastern Shoshone tribe began to experience a torrent of dreams and visions. The visions directed him to set in motion the plans for a massive Medicine Wheel Ceremony. The ceremony is set to take place at High Noon on Saturday, May 8, 2004 at more than 20 sacred sites in the American West, and at many other sacred sites elsewhere around the world, including Australia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and the Middle East.

Read more here: » Native American Spirituality: Native American Medicine Wheel Ceremony on May 8th 2004

A wake is a ceremony associated with death. Traditionally a wake took place in the house of the deceased, with the body present. However, modern wakes are often performed at a funeral home. The tradition stems historically from an ancient tradition of watching over the deceased's body in the hope that life might return and the term in many places is now synonymous with viewing or funeral visitation. The purpose of the wake has evolved so that now it has become a time for friends and loved ones of the deceased to gather a ...

Including:

• Wake ceremony - Irish wakes

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The Ceremonial counties of England are areas of England that are appointed a Lord-Lieutenant, and are defined by the government with reference to the metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of England. They are also often used in a geographic reference frame, and in this capacity are sometimes called geographic counties. Ceremonial counties of England - Map. Northumberland Tyne and Wear Durham Cumbri ...

Including:

• Ceremonial counties of England - Map
• Ceremonial counties of England - History
• Ceremonial counties of England - Definition
• Ceremonial counties of England - External link

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The Cherokee Moons Ceremonies were the ancient seasonal round of ceremonies practiced during ancient times by the Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya or Cherokee People in the ancient culture. Although a modern calendar year is comprised of 12 months, there are actually 13 cycles or phases of the moon each year. The seasonal round of ceremonies was based on 13 moons, and was considered a necessary spiritual element for growth and fostered social interaction among ...

Including:

• Cherokee Moons Ceremonies - Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni Seasonal Moon Ceremonies
• Cherokee Moons Ceremonies - Modern Cherokee Moons Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya Sv-no-yi-hi
• Cherokee Moons Ceremonies - Customary and Traditional Events Associated With The Moons

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Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony (無我茶會/无我茶会) is a style of Tea Ceremony. Wu-Wo encourages participants to forget about knowledge, wealth, and appearance to establish a group equality without prejudice. This concept of “Wu-Wo” is shown in the “Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony”. Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony - The Concept of “Wu-Wo”. “Wu” and “Wo” are actually Chinese words with philosophical meaning. The word “wu” (無/无) means a void or absolute emptiness as far as the mind or sen ...

Including:

• Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony - The Concept of “Wu-Wo”
• Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony - Symbol of Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony
• Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony - History of Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony

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Ceremonial dance is a major category or classification of dance forms or dance styles, where the purpose is ceremonial or ritualistic. This compares to other major dance categories based on purpose: - Competitive dance - Erotic dance - Participation dance - Performance dance - Social dance Celebration dance Festival dance Dance in ancient cultures Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Classical Indian dances Ritual dance, Magic/ ...

Including:

• Ceremonial dance - External link

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Other, society-wide ceremonies may mark annual or seasonal or recurrent events like: vernal equinox winter solstice weekly Sabbath day inauguration of an elected office-holder occasions in a liturgical year or "feasts" in a calendar of saints Yet other ceremonies underscore the importance of irregular special occasions, such as: coronation of a monarch victory in battle In Asian cultures, ceremonies also play an important role. In particular, the tea ceremony ...

See also:

Ceremony, Ceremony - Celebration of life, Ceremony - Celebration of events, Ceremony - Process

Read more here: » Ceremony: Encyclopedia II - Ceremony - Celebration of events

While kimono used to be mandatory for all participants in a Japanese tea ceremony, this is no longer the case. Still, it is traditional, and on formal occasions most guests will wear kimono. Since the study of kimono is an essential part of learning tea ceremony, most practitioners will own at least one kimono which they will wear when hosting or participating in a tea ceremony. Kimono used to be mandatory dress for students of tea ceremony, and while this practice continues many teachers do not insist upon it; it is not uncommon for student ...

See also:

Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese tea ceremony - History, Japanese tea ceremony - Equipment, Japanese tea ceremony - The Tea Ceremony, Japanese tea ceremony - Types of ceremony, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and calligraphy, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and flower arranging, Japanese tea ceremony - Kaiseki ryōri, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and kimono, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and seiza, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and tatami, Japanese tea ceremony - Studying tea ceremony

Read more here: » Japanese tea ceremony: Encyclopedia II - Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and kimono

Calligraphy, mainly in the form of hanging scrolls, plays a central role in the tea ceremony. Scrolls, often written by famous calligraphers or Buddhist monks or painted by well-known artists, are hung in the tokonoma (scroll alcove) of the tea room. They are selected for their appropriateness for the season, time of day, or theme of the particular ceremony. Calligraphic scrolls may feature well-known sayings, particularly those associated with Buddhism, poems, descriptions of famous places, or words or phrases associated with ...

See also:

Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese tea ceremony - History, Japanese tea ceremony - Equipment, Japanese tea ceremony - The Tea Ceremony, Japanese tea ceremony - Types of ceremony, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and calligraphy, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and flower arranging, Japanese tea ceremony - Kaiseki ryōri, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and kimono, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and seiza, Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and tatami, Japanese tea ceremony - Studying tea ceremony

Read more here: » Japanese tea ceremony: Encyclopedia II - Japanese tea ceremony - Tea ceremony and calligraphy