I love this time of year when we can all start to make plans for the New Year ahead.

I am looking forward to conducting a wide variety of ceremonies in wonderfully diverse settings, including the first Combined Ceremony to be held in Staffordshire. For the first time, a legal marriage will take place in a Celebrant led ceremony, and I feel privileged to have been chosen to led this.

So to everyone I would like to extend heartfelt wishes for a very successful and amazing New Year.

This is the fourth blog in this series looking at how rituals from other cultures can be used in Celebrant led ceremonies.

The Bell of Truce is a Celtic custom representing an understanding of the element of compromise which is required in any successful partnership and also as a reminder of the happiness shared at a wedding celebration.

During the ceremony the couple are presented with a bell.  The bell is rung first by the Celebrant before being given to them with the best wishes from all present.

The couple then take turns to ring the bell so that they are familiar with it's sound.

After the ceremony the bell is kept at home as a reminder of the day.  When arguments arise the bell is put to use as an attention getter.  It calls for a truce.

The familiar sound should remind the couple of their wedding celebration and of their wedding vows.  It conjures up happy memories, helping you resolve your differences with love and compassion.

This is the third in a series of four blogs considering how we can use rituals from other cultures within Celebrant led ceremonies.

Today I look at Hindu ritual of Sanskara which is also known as "Seven steps."

Seven steps

The couple step round a flame.  This can either be a candle or fire dependent on where the ceremony is to be performed.

With each step a blessing is given.

Step 1.  May this couple be blessed with abundance of resources and comforts and be helpful to each other in all ways.

Step 2.  May this couple be strong and complement each other.

Step 3.  May this couple be blessed with prosperity.

Step 4.  May this couple be eternally happy.

Step 5.  May this couple be blessed with a happy family life.

Step 6. May this couple live in harmony, true to their personal values and shared promises.

Step 7.  May this couple always be life long friends.

Once the steps have been completed the Celebrant offers a final bestselling.

​Next time:  The truce bell