Hello!

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My name is Rachel. As a mother to three children, lover, writer, creator, historian and librarian, I wear many hats. However, I have come to the conclusion that, in one way or another, the Universe has also called me to become a sacred celebrant. I have always been fascinated by people, heritage and tradition. At the University of St Andrews, I studied Ancient History and Archaeology. I then trained as a professional museum curator and worked in this field for a number of years. I then moved to an amazing role as a professional charity fundraiser for a children's hospice charity. This really was the catalyst for becoming a celebrant. Tomorrow is never promised for any of us, but we can certainly make the most of today. Marking this through ceremonies seemed to me to be the most fulfilling work I could do.

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So, a few years ago, I travelled to Cumbria to train with the experienced and talented Veronika Robinson from Heart-Led Ceremonies. I was delighted to discover that being a celebrant suits me perfectly. I love the creativity and working with people. I subsequently gained my Advanced Certificate of Celebrancy and Ritual with Veronika later the same year. 

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In 2023 I was ordained with a wonderful body which encompasses all spirituality, called Open Sanctuary. To me, being a Reverend is not about trying to convert or persuade anyone to take up a spiritual life. It is very much about using the qualities that I take from my personal beliefs, out into the community. These are love, compassion, non-judgment, humility and careful listening. These are what help us to build the most meaningful ceremonies, both to celebrate and to grieve and heal.

 

I have trained with Pushing Up The Daisies, an incredible charity helping to bring death home. I am a huge advocate of caring for your dead loved one at home, between death and their funeral, allowing you to grieve more naturally. I am also qualified as a Soul Midwife, helping those approaching their last breath to do so with love and without fear. I trained with the incredible Felicity Warner and my work with the dying, and their loved one, is such soul fulfilling work.  

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I believe in the healing power of ceremony and assist friends and clients to work through traumas and difficult experiences to bring freedom and a fresh start, using individually designed ceremonies. As a Shamanic Practitioner, I can also help use these ancient healing arts to help others rebalance their energy, connect with spirit, and understand the wisdom of the ancestors.

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I love to write and have had various articles published, including for Outrageous Bride, a magazine which celebrates all that is quirky and wonderful in the world of weddings! Also, in The Celebrant magazine, which explores creative and meaningful ways to approach ceremony, around the world. 

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My love of culture and heritage shines through in my style. I work joyfully with colours, patterns and textures - presumably from my distant Indian heritage. I am hugely inspired by Mother Nature and the Moon, being guided by the seasons and the elements, delighting in the energy to be found around us naturally. If I can, I like to appeal to all the senses when I'm designing ceremony. It is by being fully immersed, that we truly gain the transformation we need during our rites of passage. ​

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In 2025 I fell in love with the most amazing man, Callum, who embodies the divine masculine for me. We are on a powerful spiritual journey together and are working to bring our beautiful project, Ithaca, to life. Ithaca is our quest to bring love, Spirit and unity back home. We are creating intentional spaces for the open-hearted to conquer fear and grow in love. A physical home for Ithaca is being birthed, here in the Scottish wilds. A place for both individual and community rite and ritual, to celebrate and to be in joy. A place of balance between the masculine and feminine.  A place which feels safe and homely, rooted in nature, allowing mental and physical healing at a deep level. As the initial offering of the Ithaca project, we are delivering retreats in carefully selected places, across Scotland, every six weeks, honouring the equinoxes, solstices and cross quarter festivals. Where is the home of your soul and how do you walk towards it? Hop across to the Retreat page, here on my website, to discover more. We'd love for you to journey with us!

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This is my calling and I adore it. I hope that you will love my work too! 

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With love and magenta blessings,

Rev Rachel xxx

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