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

Read more here: » Ceremonial magic: Encyclopedia - Ceremonial magic

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)

The Bahá'í marriage ceremony is simple. The only compulsory part of the wedding is the reading of the wedding vows proscribed by Bahá'u'lláh which both the groom and the bride read, We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God. [1] in the presence of two witnesses. Most Bahá'í marriage ceremonies consist of the reading of Bahá'í readings and prayers, followed by a talk about the spiritual nature of Bahá' ...

See also:

Bahá'í marriage, Bahá'í marriage - Spiritual nature, Bahá'í marriage - Engagement, Bahá'í marriage - Ceremony, Bahá'í marriage - Laws

Read more here: » Bahá'í marriage: Encyclopedia II - Bahá'í marriage - Ceremony

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. For example, the opening of Parliament is controlled by the Speaker of the House. Tha naming and launching of a war ship will be under the supervision of its Captain or a higher ranked naval officer. A wedding will be performed by a priest or a ...

See also:

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

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

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

Read more here: » Commendation ceremony: Encyclopedia - Commendation ceremony

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

Read more here: » Japanese tea ceremony: Encyclopedia - Japanese tea ceremony

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

Read more here: » Ceremonial mace: Encyclopedia - Ceremonial mace

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:

Read more here: » Buddhism: Buddhist Marriage Ceremony

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.

Read more here: » Vastu Shastra: Vasthu Ceremony - for laying foundation

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

Read more here: » Wake ceremony: Encyclopedia - Wake ceremony

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

Read more here: » Ceremonial counties of England: Encyclopedia - Ceremonial counties of England

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

Read more here: » Cherokee Moons Ceremonies: Encyclopedia - Cherokee Moons Ceremonies

ceremony: A formal rite established by custom or authority as proper to special occasions. From the Latin caerimonia, "awe; reverent rite."

(See also: Ceremony, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

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

Read more here: » Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony: Encyclopedia - Wu-Wo Tea Ceremony

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

Read more here: » Ceremonial dance: Encyclopedia - Ceremonial dance