Sacred Way Ceremonies

09/07/2025

Deep gratitude to everyone who joined the Labyrinth Walk yesterday. This marks the beginning of the third year I've had the honor of facilitating these free community gatherings.

After a summer break, it was powerful to witness 14 unique souls walking the path together this morning. It’s always lovely to welcome back familiar faces & to share the experience with new ones. Thank you to those who invited friends this time!

As a facilitator, I don’t walk the labyrinth with the group. For the first time while watching, I noticed a big energetic shift when everyone was on it together & after when the labyrinth stood still surrounded by silent reflection. It truly loves to be walked.

Thank you to St. Francis Episcopal Church for your ongoing support & for providing the mic & beautiful meditation music today. In the past, we’ve had a live guitarist, but this was our first time with soft music mixed with nature & the birds singing. The music created an even more serene & sacred atmosphere. While I’m not a member, I’m deeply grateful for the church’s collaboration & belief in what I bring to offer others on their spiritual journey.

Some reflections from today’s walk that may resonate from participants:

🌗 Light & Shadow on the Path just like in life. The sunlight filtering through the trees mirrored the sacred symbolism of the “Man in the Maze” labyrinth design from the Tohono O'odham people I show an example of. The path guiding us through life’s twists & turns, light & dark, toward wisdom & balance.

🪷 Giving to Receive. At the St. Francis Labyrinth, walkers are invited to carry & release a shell in the center. One participant beautifully reflected on the power of letting go to receive. (The 4 R’s map of labyrinth walking usually has releasing along the walk & receiving in the center.)

🤝 We Are Not Alone. While walking alone has its power, walking together reminds us: we are each on our own journey, but we don’t have to walk it all alone. Support is here, if we’re open to it.

Thank you for showing up with open hearts & curiosity. I’m honored to walk this journey with you & deeply grateful for the wonderful people supporting it each step of the way. 🌿

09/06/2025

Mark your calendar! 🗓

These free community walks are held at the labyrinth at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church in Salter Path, NC and facilitated by Amanda Todd, Ph.D., a Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator.

Release things you have been holding onto. 🦋
Receive insights, messages, or inspiration. 💝
Return with what you need to move forward out into the world. 🌱

Walking the Labyrinth is a journey to your center. It's an archetype and metaphor for the journey of life we all share.

Each walk is different every time you step onto the path. 👣

Walking as a group is a different experience than walking the labyrinth by yourself. 🚶🏻‍♂️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏼🚶🏼‍♀️🚶🏽‍♂️

Both serve you in different ways.

08/31/2025

Join us for a guided labyrinth walk on Saturday September 6th at 10 am at St. Francis by the Sea in Salter Path, NC.

This event is free but we kindly ask that you RSVP.

DM or email amandatoddphd@gmail.com

Come to slow down, contemplate, meet others, and experience this moving meditation/prayer practice.

To learn more about these monthly events held September - May with Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator Amanda, visit https://sacredwayceremonies.com/sacred-walks

08/14/2025

After a pause over summer, the labyrinth walk free events will be starting back in September! Mark your calendars for September 6th at 10 am, October 8th at 7 pm and November 8th at 10 am. The walks usually take about 45-minutes.

Once a month we gather to learn about labyrinths and walk together on the labyrinth at St. Francis by the Sea in Salter Path.

It is a magical place. Intentionally created as a thin place in Celtic beliefs - a place where people have sensed the intersection of the sacred and secular, of heaven and earth - where the veil between the material and spiritual worlds are thin. If you've been here on your own before or attended one of the group walks, you probably have felt this.

It's physically in a beautiful and peaceful maritime setting. As one previous participant said the labyrinth is such a beautiful benign looking space - but oh so surprisingly powerful.

These are free events but we do ask that you RSVP by email or DM in the event we need to cancel or reschedule. To learn more visit https://sacredwayceremonies.com/sacred-walks

08/02/2025

I really enjoyed teaching Reiki Level I today and look forward to Level II tomorrow. The ladies today picked up the hand positions so quickly.

I can't decide which is my favorite part of today in level 1 - sharing the Reiki Ideals, guiding the self healing, or leading the Five Element Qigong sequence. Reiki is SO much more than receiving or giving a session.

For previous students here's your friendly reminder of the tools you have from Level I to use for yourself and your own energy awareness and centering. The ladies today will be starting their 21 days of saying the Reiki Ideals and doing the self-healing.

l know many see Reiki as the doorway to more spiritually. It is. I look forward to seeing what these ladies do after this weekend - not just with Reiki but what other spiritual paths and tools/practices they dive into from here.

The image is from a visit to Kepaniwai Park & Heritage Gardens in Maui. The park honors the cultures that contributed to modern Maui. As we discussed in class the Usui Reiki lineage I teach came from Japan to the mainland states by way of Ms. Takata in Hawai'i. 🪷

I will be offering Reiki Level I/II again in February/March 2026.

07/26/2025

There are four spots left in the Reiki Level II training coming up Sunday August 3rd in Morehead City, NC. Level I precedes on Saturday August 2nd and currently has two spots open. Both days are 9 am - 6 pm. Since I'm only offering this training twice a year now, the next opportunity for Reiki with me will be late February or early March 2026.

This 8-hour energy class will expand upon the techniques learned in Reiki I. This level is typically associated with the emotional/mental level of our being.

In level II, we will:

-discuss and learn the three symbols used for power, mental/emotional and distant Reiki;
-practice the symbols as we review hand positions;
-learn how to send distant Reiki;
-perform full sessions with symbols;
-develop a basic understanding of providing Reiki as a business (if desiring to -provide sessions);
-participate in a ritual attunement ceremony.

Pre-req: Reiki Level I (If you've had Reiki I with another instructor you may still take this class if your lineage is similar, contact Amanda to discuss.)

Although you can take Level I/II in the same weekend, after years of teaching this, I see benefits for some who space the two classes out. Allowing Level I to "work" on you and taking the time to integrate the energy and knowledge at a slower pace with more practice, benefits some students in deeper ways. Whereas jumping in with both feet and going through both attunement ceremonies in one weekend is what others need. (I personally did both in the same weekend on my 28th birthday!)

Tuition for Level II $215
Includes the full day of training, the attunement ceremony, a manual, and your certificate.

If you'd like to register for Level I/II in the same weekend tuition is $350. Deadline to register is July 30th.

To learn more or to register visit sacredwayceremonies.com/reiki-training

07/25/2025

Check this offering out!

✨ Member Perks Just Got Better! ✨
Starting this August, we’re raffling off a special service or product from a featured local business each month—just for our amazing members!

To kick things off, we’re spotlighting the talented Amanda T., Reiki Master & Energy Healer. 🌀 One lucky member will win a free Reiki session to experience deep relaxation, energy alignment, and emotional clarity.

Not a member yet? Now’s the perfect time to join—because supporting your wellness journey just got even more rewarding 💛

Stay tuned each month as we feature incredible local businesses and offer unique giveaways you won’t want to miss!

07/23/2025

There are just two spots left in the Reiki Level I training coming up Saturday August 2nd in Morehead City, NC. Level II follows on Sunday August 3rd. Both days are 9 am - 6 pm. You may register for Level I alone or for both in the same weekend. Since I'm only offering this training twice a year now, the next opportunity for Reiki with me will be late Feb or early March 2026.

Reiki Level I: This 8-hour energy work class will introduce the foundations of Reiki, “Universal Energy.” This level is typically associated with working on our physical levels of our being.

In level I, we will:
-discuss the history and philosophy of this Japanese and Tibetan influenced energy modality;
-learn a basic 5 element Qigong series for self-awareness of personal energy flow;
become familiar with sensing energy fields within our own bodies as well as those near to us;
-learn the Reiki hand positions for massage table sessions and seated chair sessions;
-learn how to perform self-healing/body blessing hand positions using Reiki;
-practice with classmates full Reiki sessions; and
-participate in a ritual attunement ceremony.
This class is suitable for those new to energy work as well as those who have studied other modalities.

Tuition: $165 for Level I and includes the full day of training, the attunement ceremony, a manual, and your certificate. If you'd like to register for Level I/II in the same weekend, tuition is $350.

You'll have an hour lunch on your own during the day. If you'll be visiting from out of town, see the website for a local hotel discount.

To learn more or to register visit sacredwayceremonies.com/reiki-training

07/08/2025

At the Side by Side End of Life Training with Holly I am a guest speaker on Rituals & Ceremonies on day 2. I love inspiring new end of life & death doulas to think outside of the box in how they can serve. IMO we need to return to seeing and treating the sacred rite of passage for death journeyers and their family/friends with meaningful and healing ceremonies and rituals.

This is one book I recommend for those interested in learning about Irish traditions around death.

07/06/2025

There are just a few spots left in the Reiki Level I training coming up Saturday August 2nd in Morehead City, NC. Level II follows on Sunday August 3rd. Both days are 9 am - 6 pm. You may register for Level I alone or for both in the same weekend. Since I'm only offering this training twice a year now, the next opportunity for Reiki with me will be late Feb or early March 2026.

Reiki Level I: This 8-hour energy work class will introduce the foundations of Reiki, “Universal Energy.” This level is typically associated with working on our physical levels of our being.

In level I, we will:

-discuss the history and philosophy of this Japanese and Tibetan influenced energy modality;
-learn a basic 5 element Qigong series for self-awareness of personal energy flow;
become familiar with sensing energy fields within our own bodies as well as those near to us;
-learn the Reiki hand positions for massage table sessions and seated chair sessions;
-learn how to perform self-healing/body blessing hand positions using Reiki;
-practice with classmates full Reiki sessions; and
-participate in a ritual attunement ceremony.

This class is suitable for those new to energy work as well as those who have studied other modalities.

Tuition: $165 for Level I and includes the full day of training, the attunement ceremony, a manual, and your certificate. If you'd like to register for Level I/II in the same weekend, tuition is $350.

You'll have an hour lunch on your own during the day. If you'll be visiting from out of town see the website for a local hotel discount.

To learn more or to register visit sacredwayceremonies.com/reiki-training

07/05/2025

I love purple flowers as they remind me of my maternal grandmother, the one I was with when she crossed over. My little mountain granny was an amazing flower guardian and gardener. She had such beautiful flower gardens of irises and day lilies all around her house. The gardens brought such simple joy to her life. Whenever I see a beautiful flower or garden I think of her. I also associate her with owls, pinecones, pine forest, and cats.

I'm reminded of my paternal grandmother when I see butterflies, especially yellow ones, lipstick, wrap skirts, and beautiful dishes.

Two very different women. I appreciate the beauty of this world they shared with me in different ways and what brought them joy. When I see those reminders of them I just smile.

What things remind you of your grandmothers and what they found beauty or joy in?

06/27/2025

Interesting read -

​It's called the "letting go hour"