About Spring of Rites
Mission
Honoring life’s transitions through connection with self, nature and community.
Vision
Living authentically, in connection with each other and the earth.
Spring of Rites supports life’s transitions through a process of community engagement, connection to nature, introspection and ritual.
We offer Rites of Passage processes for those in perimenopause and menopause, those experiencing the Emptying of their Nest, and young people making the transition from childhood to adolescence, and their families. We also provide custom programs for individuals experiencing a life change.
Spring of Rites provides personalized care, connection, encouragement, and emotional support.
Our Rites of Passage Programs
All of our programs include an initial meeting, and a Rites of Passage Ceremony and celebration at the conclusion of the process. In between are meetings with a theme centered on life’s changes. These meetings include both self reflections on the past and looking forward to the next stage of life.
There is also typically both group and independent work, activities in nature, and group work with others experiencing the same life transition.
For individuals who wish to mark a life change through a Rite of Passage, these meetings are engaged one-on-one with Pamela or solo. The individual will be witnessed in their evolution by their community in a customized Rite of Passage Ceremony and celebration at the conclusion of the process. Changes that can be marked by a rite include: career change, divorce, move to a new location, retirement, or any other life changing event that needs to be grieved, marked and celebrated.
Why Spring of Rites
Through support, education, and connecting with each other and to nature, our Rites of Passage participants are empowered to understand and embrace both the challenges and the power in life’s transitions.
Recognizing and honoring life’s stages eases the process, acknowledges the grief of transition and empowers one to embrace change and to face challenges head-on. Spring of Rites participants open the door to the next stage of their lives with joy, love, and a deeper connection to themselves and their communities.
Research indicates that when life’s transitions are recognized, supported and experienced in connection with community, as they are in our Rites of Passage programs, this improves outcomes for both individuals and families.*
Our Rites of Passage programs are a place where those experiencing life’s transitions join with others to share the difficulties and the joys. They laugh, cry and move together to emerge more connected, more balanced and more ready for the next stages of their lives.
About Pamela Hollings
Spring of Rites programs are led by Pamela Hollings (she/they), a facilitator, educator and theater-maker. They worked in Waldorf education for 20 years where they led many group processes and, as a teacher and leader, saw first hand the value of ritual as a means of marking transitions. In addition to Waldorf Teacher training and theater training, Pamela has a Beyond Boundaries certification from Weaving Earth, a nature-based education for ecological, social and personal systems change. She is a Certified Celebrant and Ceremonialist of the Healing Arts. As a parent, she and her daughters participated in a monthly ‘moon circle’ with other mothers and their children. There they experienced first hand the value of ritual, the sharing of food and camaraderie to strengthen relationships, address difficult topics and celebrate each individual as they grew and changed.
*Additional Reading on Rites of Passage
“Honoring Rites of Passage in a Woman’s Life,” Jane Hardwicke Collings, February 6, 2021
Youth Passageways: “What Is A Rite Of Passage & Why Does It Matter?”
Menopause Search Results. BetterHealth Channel, Victoria State Government Department of Health
“Seasons of Womanhood: The Wheel of a Woman’s Life.” Rites of Passage Council
Testimonials
“Pamela embodies the spirit and craft of teamwork. I've worked with her on multiple creative and ritual-based projects, taught alongside her in several workshops and retreats for kids and adults and navigated the nuances of privilege, justice and equity together as board members in a challenging time of institutional reckoning. In every aspect she has demonstrated heart-centered facilitation, offering her skills to the task at hand with utmost empathy and generosity and dedication. My artistic work and social compass would not be the same without her. “
Debórah Eliezer
“Pamela's Wellness Sundays have become one of my rituals for self-care and community connection. Each gathering thoughtfully pairs embodied meditation with creative activities like crafting garden-herb bath salts or sharing tea & tarot readings. These aren't just events, they're invitations to live authentically with the seasons and in genuine connection with others. Pamela's experience in theater, movement, and nature infuses everything with intention and depth. She is a gifted guide who transforms ordinary Sundays into journeys of personal discovery and collective celebration.”
CrAsh Redemarrée
