Be Well By Dr. Frank Lipman
Healthy Living Made Simple for Busy People
14 Day Detox Daily Maintenance Shake Energy & Immunity Shake Nutrient-rich Organic Superfoods Essential Daily Nutrients Science-based, Cutting-edge Quality
Barbara Biziou
Teacher of Practical Spirituality & Ritual
As the author of The Joy of Ritual, and The Joys of Family Rituals she is a leading expert in integrative wellness, global rituals and work-life harmony. She has had the privilege of lecturing around the world and learning from many different cultures. Barbara has a deep commitment to integrating practical spirituality into people’s lives, both personally and professionally. As an interfaith Minister she believes that ritual is a spiritual technology that strengthens and empowers us to create happy, prosperous and healthy lives. She coaches women and men to create new possibilities and ways of looking at the world- gently stretching you out of your comfort zone into a more enriched focused life. She is on the faculty of the AMA, Creating WE Institute, One Spirit Learning Alliance and the New York Open Center. Barbara is a renowned national TV personality, she was the featured life coach on the hit series 30 Day airing on FX , and appeared regularly as the everyday ritual expert on The Hallmark Channel’s New Morning. Barbara has also been featured in Today in NY, Body& Soul, Harper’s Bazaar, New York Magazine and Parents Magazine. She is passionate about helping people understand their respective selves and live the life of their dreams!
Copyright © 2013 - Dr. Frank Lipman
A Summer Ritual – Celebrate Summer
Barbara BiziouJune 02
Summer is synonymous with love, romance, and joy. It is a time of celebration, which dates back to ancient days, when ceremonies were performed to represent symbolic marriages between mortals and gods.
Traditionally, cultures around the world have seen summer as a celebration of the strength and fertility of Mother Earth and of other goddesses and gods. The Romans dedicated the summer solstice (the longest day of the year) to Vesta, goddess of the hearth and the Greeks to Hestia, who served the same purpose in their culture. Since this is a time when the sun begins to wane, Ancient cultures around the world lit bonfires to guarantee the suns return next year. Often, as part of these rituals, celebrants picked prized summer flowers and herbs-mugwort chamomile, geranium, St. John’s wort, thyme, and pennyroyal- to throw on their festive bonfires. They believed these fires would banish sickness from their livestock and their families. For good luck, they jumped across the fire and even walked on hot coals, precursor to the fire-walking ceremonies practiced today.
Today summer rituals are practiced around the world, which echo these ancient beliefs. In Swaziland, the most important festival of the year, Incwala, which honors kinship, is always held on the summer solstice. The ceremony involves burning objects , which represent the death of the king- the sun-followed by a ritual purification and rebirth. The Swahilis believe that this practice ensures good leadership and a prosperous year.
In North America, Native Americans celebrate with a Sun Dance: offering a healing prayer to the Great Spirit and one of thanksgiving for the gift of the buffalo and for life itself. It begins with a period of fasting and purification. The ritual can last four days, as the participants dance to unify with Spirit and harmonize with all life.
Summer is a glorious time to celebrate the sacredness of fire. Bring dancing, music and laughter into your life. Pay attention to the flowers around you. Delight in the colors. Let yourself smile and express joy. The more you practice feeling joyful, the more joy you will experience.