I would like to share a very special ceremony with all of you. My daughter Heather was married this past September 2023 and she asked me to perform a ceremony to acknowledge and unite her family connecting herself, Doug, and her children Eric and Anna together.
After some extensive research, I found blended family ceremonies such as creating colored sand vases creating cohesive artwork. I felt a strong pull to create something unique and special for them, that would continue to expand and grow with their family. I thought deeply about the importance of the family circle, and that each family dynamic is complete unto itself, such as a circle. Every family gets to be 100 percent complete.
And so, the idea of the Unity Bowl was created. The Unity Bowl is a circular bowl that is filled in a very intentional and specific way, cleansed, blessed and honored to bring the family together in the power of the unending circle of life. May the Unity Bowl become part of your family’s tradition.
Unity Bowl Ceremony for Blended Families
Rev. Renae Jensen
“Today we celebrate the Unity of this family and their life-long commitment to honor, respect and love each other.
Our Unity ceremony begins with a beautiful bowl, in the shape of a circle. The circle is a symbol of unity and equality. It has no beginning and no end, it is the circle of life, and the circle of trust. Today, Two have become One, and now Four will become as One.
Today, Doug, Heather, Eric and Anna will place their intentions into their family bowl and begin to fill the first layer by combining their choices of stones, shells, and feathers.
The bowl is filled first with a foundation of stone – Hematite is the most grounding stone on earth and symbolizes strength and family foundation.
We add green crystals for luck, prosperity, healing and growth.
We add stones and gems of choice, shells, and memories.
Finally we add our feathers.
The feathers represent our connection to spirit, truth, wisdom and honor. As a symbol of freedom, we continue to fly, and yet can always return to our family nest for love and support.
As we continue to grow, so will this bowl as it fills with new treasured memories through the years.”
FAMILY UNITY BLESSING
May Light always surround you;
Hope kindle and rebound you.
May your Hurts turn to Healing:
Your Heart embrace Feeling.
May Wounds become Wisdom;
Every Kindness a Prism.
May Laughter infect you.
May Goodness inspire
your Deepest Desires.
Through all that you Reach For,
May your arms never Tire.
– D Simone
