Balinese Flower Ceremony 

Here is my story of the Balinese Flower Ceremony...

From the moment I registered everything about the Balinese Flower Ceremony was magical professionally orchestrated in a sacred safe space with kindness. 

Lilly took the time to connect with the details of what to bring, to wear, and to eat. Ensuring you have a truly incredible transforming experience she even brought extra sashes and sarongs for us to choose from so everyone felt comfortable and inclusive.  

Lilly selected a stunning location to hold the ceremony & partnered with Louise a local artist who has a home studio in a cherished sacred space for the Balinese Flower Ceremony to take place in the lovely town of Appleton, Ontario. 

Louise, our gracious co-hostess invited us into her backyard oasis. Through the silk curtains swaying in the breeze I entered. Taking in all the  beauty was hard to do as the space is breathtaking and many goddesses had arrived early. Soft music played, gemstones, crystals, candles, flowers, adorned the area, interlocked brick steps to the pristine patio lay before me.

Beside the spectacular fountain was my seat, a beautifully shaded spot to hold space and await my turn to experience the main event. I was given a pale blue box to select a card from and a white and gold fan to use as the temperature was hot for this time of day. I imagined it was much like Bali, humid and warm. 

One by one we were invited to step up and walk over to the painted silk covered bench, and have a seat surrounded by manicured trees. Lilly shared some wise words and began the ceremony. As my turn arrived Lilly asked for my petals. I added the personal note in little bits of paper mixed in with the fresh flower petals I'd collected from my garden. Into the beautiful wooden bowl of water Louise was holding my petals floated.  Pink for nurturing, Orange for creativity, White for cleansing and Purple for magic. Lilly added essential oils and sandalwood. 

Lilly asked me a question and I connected with her in my response "New". I felt the crystal she selected, touch my collarbone and against the small of my back and I took a deep breathe. Lilly then scooped a bowl of water and petals from the larger wooden bowl and poured it over my head. Even in the 33d temp the petal water was refreshing, crisp, and invigorating. 

All the water and petals were poured over me until the wooden bowl was emptied. 

I thanked Lilly and Louise and proceeded to select two sticks of incense and lit them from the large candle burning on the steps. Then strolled back to my seat under the shady tree happily soaking wet. I sat in prayer as Lilly would say "Pray Attention"  or is it "Pray Intention" holding space for the others to have their turn. 

Once we were all soaked in beautiful petals we were invited to enjoy a meal together. Everyone brought something so delicious and wonderful to enjoy the food was colourful prepared with love and the lemon water refreshing. We ate, shared stories, laughter, experience, vulnerability and wisdom. 

We were invited to sit behind a door, in a safe sacred space, sit to contemplate, writing a note about our shadow side. Once finished come back and rejoin the group, as they gathered, I took a seat, sitting in the main chair to receive the om, shanti, shanti, shanti chant.

As we each read the card we'd selected upon arrival from the pale blue box and the message we wrote after a moment on the other side of a beautiful door. I read aloud the card I'd chosen Francesca "What do you desire right now? Visualize it, and it will come about. Negativity will block your progress." Then a note I'd written about my shadow side and burnt it in an albacore shell burning it into myself metaphorically speaking.  Embracing the light and the shadow self, I felt rejuvenated & inspired. 

Embrace your Saboteur my archetype in the 4th house of Home. 

I was given a message from a lovely goddess attending the ceremony... Balance, reward yourself after you give to others. 

After each goddess shared we were invited out into the vast freshly mowed backyard a field behind Louise's home to gather in a circle, holding hands, in spirit with one another. We took turns moving to the inside of the circle to receive a message from each of them "I love you Susan, I love your shadow side" one by one I heard these words and gave thanks to the author of them. Powerful doesn't begin to describe this feeling from women I had met only hours ago. 

All the incredible talented beautiful women I met and attended the ceremony with were very welcoming and gracious. I was captivated by their beauty inside and out, sharing, caring, enlightenment, gifts, stories, life, connection and wise words. 

Words cannot express the magnitude of this experience for me it was an awakening a new beginning something I won't soon forget. The Balinese Flower Ceremony calls to me to go "Into the Heart of Bali" with Lilly White. Does it call to you?  

Thank you Lilly for the experience of a lifetime. 

~Susan