Danna, Author at Waypoint Ceremonies

Author Archives: Danna

Legacies of Love

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Danna • 0 Comments

The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” Muriel Rukeyser, from “The Speed of Darkness” When my son, now on the edge of 22, graduated from high school four years ago, I wanted to gift him a different set of life luggage. I wanted it to be something he might carry throughout this life… Continue Reading

Death is a Verb

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Danna • 0 Comments

You’ve long since heard the public service announcement: You’re going to die and so am I. And if you’re like most people, you’d rather put it off and not think about it, as in, at all, ever. I get it…it’s a buzzkill. And yet when we’re confronted with OPD (other people’s death), it can often feel… Continue Reading

Raindrops, Roses & Red Tent Restoration

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Danna • 8 Comments

Two cups of water, it turns out, is the magic measurement needed to puree four years of healing. Two cups, mixed with the torn bits of emails and a litany of epistolary fragments that together, represent a realm of relational trespasses and toxic clutter I’ve allowed to take up residency in my heart and soul. In… Continue Reading

And the Tiny Golden Acorn Award Goes to….!

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Danna • 1 Comment

Well that parenting thing happened as I knew it would. A few nanoseconds ago (which is to say 16 years ago), I strapped on my seatbelt, and hit the “full on, full speed” button, which catapulted us into a wild ride of parenting grade schoolers and all that the experience brings. And now boom, just… Continue Reading

Of Love, Lent + Lunar Offerings.

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Danna • 2 Comments

A friend and I went out to celebrate Fat Tuesday the other night and we couldn’t help but smile at how Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and the Lunar New Year bumped up against each other in the décor at this popular Cajun eatery in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. Valentine’s Day. Ash Wednesday. Chinese New Year. I… Continue Reading

Sherpa, Shaman…Shazammer!

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Danna • 0 Comments

When people ask me what I do in my work as a ceremonialist, I begin by telling them I’m equal parts sherpa, shaman, and shazammer. Now I’ll admit, describing myself as a Sherpa-Shaman-Shazammer sounds way more migratory, mystical and magical than the job really entails, but stay with me as I unpack the tri-fold nature… Continue Reading

All Hail the Solstice

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Danna • 0 Comments

The whole year ‘round, from my front porch (except for days-on-end of snow clouds, rain clouds) I watch the sun set behind every bump and dip of the mountain skyline, from north of Mt. Eddy to south of Castle Crags. Tonight, a few hours before summer solstice, I stand just outside my front door and… Continue Reading

Celebrating What It Means to Live a Life

Posted on March 4, 2017 by Danna • 8 Comments

I became an artist and thank God I did because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life.” Viola Davis To be a celebrant Is to be a Visionary, Guide, Scribe, Servant, Priest, Healer, Poet, Mystic, Fool, Storyteller, Detective, Shapeshifter, Alchemist and Artist. (Cards from Caroline Myss’ Archetype Cards deck). As I… Continue Reading

Writing Poems for the Dead

Posted on January 31, 2017 by Danna • 4 Comments

Writing Poems for the Dead I’ve heard that the dead gather to watch and listen when we write about them, and even if they want to be remembered in our small bodies of words, all too often the poems are a tight fit, clumsy and shapeless as air. We have to be careful writing poems… Continue Reading

New Year Rituals

Posted on January 14, 2017 by Danna • 1 Comment

Labyrinth at Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge Island, WA Here we are…it’s January! These past couple of years, the early days and weeks of the year have been all-consuming for me, as I’ve juggled work and time-sensitive projects. But I don’t let that stop me from the joy and fulfillment I get from enacting my January rituals, because the entire month of January has… Continue Reading

Danna D. Schmidt