People can share stories, songs and a potluck to mark the publication of “Rites and Responsibilities: A Guide to Growing Up” by Methow Valley resident Darcy Ottey in an evening of stories, song and sharing in connection with the book and the regeneration of cultural practices on Wednesday (Nov. 16) at the Twisp Valley Grange from 6 to 8 p.m.
“Rites and Responsibilities” is the culmination of a decade of work. It introduces young people to rites of passage into adulthood and contains practical suggestions that help young people take responsibility for and create their own rituals.
These rituals encompass diverse cultural practices to mark life transitions. The approach in “Rites and Responsibilities” blends traditional rituals and with the creation of new rituals that speak to individual youths.
Rites of passage not only support youth on the path to a healthier, more meaningful adulthood, but can also help them channel their gifts and find their place in multigenerational movements for change, Ottey said.
Rituals are found in all cultures and are fundamental to healthy development, Ottey said. They are also one of humanity’s most ancient psychological, social and spiritual tools, helping young people answer questions such as who they are, how they fit in, and what they have to offer to the world around them. Young people have been involved in every stage of the creation of the rituals and the book, Ottey said.
Ottey is co-founder and co-director of Youth Passageways, an intergenerational and cross-cultural network supporting the regeneration of healthy passages into mature adulthood for today’s youth. Rites of passage, through connections with nature and ceremony, have been part of Ottey’s life since she was 13.
