The power of ceremonies and rituals in love

Have you been to the Museum of Broken Relationships yet? Maybe not yet, because it is located all the way in Zagreb, Croatia. That doesn’t make it any less interesting, by the way. In fact, in this museum you will find all kinds of objects belonging to people from all over the world. Objects that have or had special meaning in relation to love.

Loves that passed due to divorce, or losing a partner due to death or illness. Philosopher Ralf Bodelier described his visit to the Museum of Broken Relationships in the Green last August.

But pausing for a moment is healing

He argues for not forgetting such life events and gets us thinking: dwelling on love that has passed by using an object. Because that way we can give grief a place and then perhaps move on more easily. Wouldn’t that actually be healing? The objects in the museum show that everyone, everywhere, is dealing with broken relationships and the tears of love in the process.

Ending relationships: rituals work

How can you end a relationship with an object, ritual or special moment? It’s what some couples at our practice do. Ending the relationship as a couple in a way that helps. By throwing something away, leaving it somewhere or burning it and then closing the “collective book. But such an action can also do its work the other way.

Perform a ritual or ceremony to start a go-around, to enter a new phase together. To reaffirm love and express desires. Or a ritual for you alone, just for yourself, to end a difficult period or difficult process. Ceremonies and rituals provide guidance and can be beautiful anchor points to move through life. And it can be done in many ways, whatever works for you.

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