Crossing the Bridge

(religion, spiritualism, and occult)

The Wiccan Rite of Passage ritual performed at death. In a sense, Witches see the spirit of the deceased crossing a bridge from the physical plane to the spiritual. The ritual is performed to help the departed make that transition.

With the Wiccan belief in reincarnation, this is a celebration of the completion of another lifetime, with its attendant lessons and experiences.

The format of the ritual varies from one tradition to another. Some include a spiral dance connected to the palingenesis, or rebirth, theme. Others perform a ritual play, re-enacting (for example) the descent of the Goddess into the Underworld and her safe return.

The deceased is honored and survivors comforted, and as a celebration, there is feasting, singing and dancing.

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

Before crossing the bridge which led to Zembin, he confided the fate of his own rear-guard now left in Studzianka to Eble, the savior of all those who survived the calamities of the Beresina.

View in context

Crossing the bridge, he gazed quietly and calmly at the Neva, at the glowing red sun setting in the glowing sky.

View in context

According to Rescue-1122 sources, a family was crossing the bridge of the river near Marina Camp when three kids slipped from the bridge.

Woman drowns in river while saving kids

Anwar Ali, a social activist from Byar, said people, particularly children and women, put their lives in danger while crossing the bridge. He said that elected representatives were paying no attention to the people's demand to rebuild the bridge.

Reconstruction of bridge sought

Children have fallen into the nullah while crossing the bridge during the rainy season.

Gujjar Nullah

'Kung masyadong mababa, anything on top of the train - kahoy, bakal, kalat, or bato - pag dumaan yung train, hihigupin nya iyan (If it is too low, anything on top of the train - wood, steel, debris or stones - may be picked up by the train),' he explained, adding that people crossing the bridge may be also involved in accidents.

MMDA insists: No redesign of controversial QC footbridge

The 18-year-old was crossing the bridge on Bridge Road, in the direction of Thornaby, on Monday, September 17, between 6.50am and 7.05am.

Teen's wallet, phone and cash stolen; IN BRIEF

Summary: Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Sep 25 (ANI): A suspended wooden bridge over river Tawi in Udhampur district's Ramnagar is in a dilapidated condition due to heavy rainfall, with locals risking lives while crossing the bridge.

J-K: Locals risk lives by crossing damaged bridge

The truck, which was crossing the bridge, is still hanging from the broken portion of the structure that connects Manganj area to Siliguri, a major city in north Bengal.

Another bridge collapses in West Bengal

By COLLINS OMULObrAt least five people have died and 11 missing after being swept away by raging floods at Fatima South Bridge on River Kandisi in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County.Residents on Friday told the Nation that the victims were crossing the bridge when they met their deaths.

Floods kill 5, 11 missing in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County

The source added that the government forces are planning on crossing the bridge that was recently constructed by the Russian military near the key town of Khasham in Eastern Deir Ezzur.

Russia, US Backed Fighters Preparing for Colossal Showdown in Eastern Syria

The Traffic Penalty Tribunal (TPT) has frozen a number of appeals sent by people who were fined for crossing the bridge and failing to pay.

Do I still have to pay the toll and fines for the Mersey Gateway bridge? The transport watchdog put hundreds of appeals on hold after ruling that they may not be legally binding; The transport watchdog put hundreds of appeals on hold after ruling that they may not be legally binding