Kadek, myself and Marian
I've had to take a bit of time before writing this post. It's been a most incredible experience this past weekend and I have needed to really process the journey. Being my 50th year and a year of travelling Asia, I wanted to truly mark a new beginning for myself. So on Saturday 23rd March 2024, the day before the fully moon, I did a rebirthing ceremony with my dear Bali friends, Suma and Kadek.
I am finding it challenging to put into words what this ceremony means to me. It was about leaving all the fear and anger and hurt behind and emerging fresh and strong, ready to experience life again full of the hope and gratitude I once enjoyed as a new child in this world.
I was fortunate to be supported by a gorgeous group of women and men, led by the priest, to be blessed and renewed. The ceremony went for about an hour and entailed the priest speaking blessings and leading me through the steps of honouring the sun and the moon, those who have gone before me and those who are yet to walk after me.
The breaking of the past
The wonderful people who supported my rebirthing
The ceremony started with a procession through the compound where we wove through the area to the various temples on site. We each carried a basket and spread holy water around as we went and it felt like it symbolised a journey through the birth canal.
Then there was a lot prayer and the 'breaking' of the past. At the end, all of the offerings were packed up for me to take with me to share with my friends, which I did both at Suriwathi Hotel and Ari Spa. There was only one item which I had no interest in taking with me - the chicken. It had been cooked flattened and still had its head in tact. I offered it to Kadek, who was quite happy to take it with him.
After the ceremony, a group of us went to meditation field near the beach, where I was surrounded by dragonflies. I had been thinking of getting a butterfly tattoo to commemorate my rebirthing, but I had strong indications that my rebirthing symbol was in fact the dragonfly.
My new dragonfly adornment on my back
After the meditation field, we went to the most magical place - Pure Menganing Temple. Such a beautiful and peaceful space, where we did a purification ceremony. This water was freezing. But my new mantra has become 'yes!'. The moment's shock of icy cold water was well worth the experience, especially in such an incredible place with the most beautiful people.
Pura Mengening Purification Ceremony
I am so grateful for this experience and know that I am well set up for my upcoming adventures. I sit here on my 2nd last day in Bali (for now) and I am so excited for what is to come. I leave Bali for South Korea tomorrow, a particularly interesting destination for me after my trip to North Korea in 2018.
Take care everyone and I hope you too are living your best life!
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