Wanda L. De Coteau

in my short list of Symbolic Acts I used to have a Fire Ceremony

as the name implies it involves fire

the most elaborate would be either a circle of small fires or 5 , one at each of the cardinal pints plus the center

needless to say this Could look pretty cool after sunset.

I am going to speak to the issues that can possibly crop up here in my home state of Connecticut.

there Is the issue of loading in all the extra supplies and cleaning up after.

Who is gong to be providing the supplies ( ie firewood, safety supplies)
Who is going to be tending the fires
Who ( I urge more than one person) going to be cleaning up

what are the fire danger conditions

Plus the safety concerns.

other Major considerations are what the sites allow,
if Permits are needed.

for Beach ceremonies :
-many municipal beaches close at sunset
-there may be fees for “groups” using the beach
-fires On the beach may not be allowed ( especially if the beach is used for swimming)

even is some of our state parks – ground fires are not permitted


sometimes it my be better to be more symbolic
and use a circle of tea lights in candle holders

Just thinking

In life all things change overtime

My internet service provider has been bought out by a larger national provider.

so the “tvcconnect.net” email will be defunct at some point

with this in mind, I am transitioning my contact e-mail to

wldecoteau@aol.com

Over the years I have based my craft item pricing mostly cost of materials in the item and used in the construction.

The Time it takes is a whole other ball game
almost all of my drum beaters have ether all or a major art of the bark peeled off. Since I age the sticks before I peel the bark
it takes between 30 and 70 minutes to get he bark off.

Then I sand the sticks, dust them off and apply an oil based wood preservative like Watco’s finishing oil – 1 or more coats depending on the stick.

after the stick is dry- Then I wrap the padding, put on the “T” shirt , “under shirt”

Then I cut & stitch the leather “Skin” for the beater head
next is a soak and stretch out
then pull on ( like a wet bathing suit)
then I let it dry

so my actual working time (doing something) is in excess of 2 1/2 hrs for each beater

time to complete is longer because of drying time

My Prices have pretty much Not Changed for over 5 years
what Has changed is the cost of shipping
I charge a Flat Rate- frequently I “eat” the cost of the packing materials

I do not offer Free shipping because the Post Office charges me for shipping And I usually Offer you the Choice of Priority or 1st Class ( I need to ship priority of the package weighs 13 ounces or more, may happen is multiple beater orders)

I continue to use the US Postal Service either First Class or Priority shipping Insured

I hope to be able to hold my prices through this coming year.

I do enjoy working with the “sticks” and the rest of the materials.

I hope my beaters bring joy to whoever uses them

I have been slowly going through the various sections of both my Civil Wedding ceremonies and my Handfasting ceremonies.

Applying a few tweaks here and there adding some new material.

What I have in mind is how I am best able to assist the couples I work with in expressing how they feel, and together, creating a celebrating that. Whether that is a simple turn of phrase or short quote in a Brief Basic ceremony, or a more elaborate symbolic act or longer readings in a more formal ceremony.

Handfastings can be as simple as a symbolic act or become a bit more elaborate and  be a ceremony within itself.

Commitment ceremonies can be for those people who do not wish to go through the formalities of the “State” recognized ceremony and “paperwork”, but Do want to celebrate their love and commitment to one another .  This type of union lacks the legal obligations, privileges, and protections of a more traditional “Marriage”, but work quite well for many people.

A Commitment Ceremony or Handfasting can be one way to celebrate a more formal

Betrothal announcement.

 

Every now and again I like to revisit all of my reference materials to make adjustments.

something to do during the colder winter months

 

 

 

 

 

It is yet another cold raw day here on New England’s South Coast.

I have been looking over what I have for sale on Etsy under the handle atinkar

and what I have in my traveling kit.

 

I realize each piece has it’s own Unique feel and spirit.

Some feel quiet, gentle and, easy going, while others are ready to party all night.

 

Each piece, like each person has their own “spirit” .

What I enjoy is not only bringing out that spirit but helping others find a “tool” that will “play well” with them.

 

Every Time I pick up my drum and pull out one of the drum beaters , it is like a group of old friends getting together just to

“hang out” and enjoy each others company, or , on occasion, get “down to business”.

 

I just updated the selection of Handfasting specific I offer.
As with my regular Marriage Unofficial keepsake certificates, I offer a variety of choices, some of which I can fill out longhand “on the spot” other I need to do at home and mail; unless we do an in person consult and the choices are made then.

as of today , I have 8 “Rite of Hand Fasting” and 4 Handfasting Marriage “On the Spot” ready to go.

I have a much larger selection of Marriage keepsake selection
those I print at home have a variety of paper choices.

I am in the process of doing my semi annual re-evaluation of the On the Spot Scripts I use for the “meet us at the Town Hall” ceremonies.

I am doing a small overhaul of the assortment of Keepsake Certificates I offer.

I am increasing the variety of the “On the Spot” certificate

I have more redactions of vintage certificates and now have a Dolphin Fish certificate to compliment my Shoreline collection.

In my scripts, I have worked up a nice one using the Princess Bride marriage scene, but using common English..

I’ll be working up a new one or two in my “more traditional” ceremonies.

December has seen the “election” of Justices of the Peace for the next four years.

Each principality has been holding their orientation sessions/refreshers for the new and returning  Justices of the Peace. It was nice seeing some new faces and seeing some of our “old hands” as well.

I am looking forward to working with new couples contacting me this year.

 

June is a busy month, not so much with traditional , planned well in advanced ceremonies, but with the short notice “Military Specials” we see so many of here in Groton.

Between the Coast Guard and the Sub Base we see a number of, we need just a quick ceremony because my spouse needs the ID etc & we will have a big one later (generally back home where ever that may be).

I really enjoy these ceremonies, the enthusiasm and the smiles, the other thing is that they tend to be less formal and can be more relaxed, except for the usual grievousness of the couples.

Something that continues to delight me , is that with even just a few days lead time, some of the couple can craft some of the most beautiful ( short) ceremonies, based all or in part on the reference materials I can e-mail them.

Some find little gems of delight that help them express themselves.

Of course that doesn’t work quite as well for the “are you available today” calls. I do have about a dozen ready scripts I run with (and have some flexibility with those as well).

My other joy is watching the expression on their faces when they see a keepsake certificate that delights them. “Collecting” antique documents and redacting them and making up certificates from scratch is a hobby.

I have very traditional, old fashion, and medieval all the way to the fun “tie dye” and specialty- like the graveyard at Halloween & Taco Bell.

I an say , I love my job

I am offering
Psychic Housekeeping: Back to the Basics
Saturday November 7, 2015 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Also Offering the course on Tuesday November 17, 2015 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Holistic Health Center, 495 Gold Star Hwy, Suite 324 Groton CT 06340

This is through the New London Healing Arts Center
for more Center offerings check out their web page
http://www.nlhealingartscenter.org

Course Overview:

Creative Visualization, Grounding, Psychic Self Defense

• a. definitions of terms
• b. Creative visualization- discussion & exercise
• c. Grounding discussion- exercise using creative visualization
• d. Psychic self defense: what it is, basic principles defense shields (creating your mental safe place) exercise construction of a basic defense shield & “it’s programming”
• e. Various visualizations calisthenics time permitting

Cost: $20 (includes instruction and materials)

Register with Me or through the Center