27 Jul The Salt Ritual
Years ago, I officiated a wedding ceremony for a couple who had experienced many ups and downs during their 15 years together. Listening to the language a couple uses when talking about their relationship and motivation for marrying or renewing their vows is very important. This couple used phrases like, “we’re leaving a lot of baggage behind,” “we’re letting go of past hurts,” “this is a new chapter,” and “we want to feel as if we’re stepping away from the old issues.”
It was clear to me that they wanted to create a demarcation line within the ceremony, so I came up with the idea of a ritual using salt to absorb all past conflicts and then to throw it into the past where it belongs.
The ritual involved the couple each holding a handful of salt, symbolising their past conflicts and hurts. They then held the salt while looking into each others eyes and silently sharing what they wanted to leave behind, before jointly throwing the salt away, signifying their commitment to a fresh start. This act served as a powerful, tangible way to mark the transition into a new phase of their relationship.
Since then, I’ve been asked to perform the Salt Ritual for many reasons: health challenges, relationship challenges, financial challenges, family challenges, and more. Each time, it serves as a meaningful way for individuals to acknowledge and release their past, making way for new beginnings. The ritual’s simplicity and symbolism resonate deeply, offering a moment of reflection and renewal that is both poignant and empowering.
Thank you to Alexandra Cochrane for allowing me to share these photos from their recent ceremony, and to photographer JAMIE HARPER PHOTOGRAPHY – Scotland
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