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Welcome to the information page for the 20th annual Winter
Solstice Ritual with Starhawk
Join Starhawk and friends on this dark night of midwinter, to sing, drum, and dance back our connection to the Earth and Sun. In the footsteps of the ancestors, we will celebrate rebirth within and without. The basics:
Carpooling: 1) Easiest set
of directions, if traffic's not bad: From the Bay Area, get onto
Hwy 101 North. Go past first highway exit that mentions "Sebastopol"
-- keep going into Santa Rosa, and take Hwy 12 exit, west to Sebastopol.
Go about 5 miles. Morris Street is the first stoplight in Sebastopol
proper: turn right. It's a light-industrial part of town, just keep
going. About 1/2 mile on right is Sebastopol Community Center --
390 Morris. ****** For
the choir -- audio Direct Download: |
Frequently
Asked Questions or, details, details... Q: Can children attend? A: Kids are welcome. They can pay half-price admission. There are almost always some children at these rituals, and many join right in and have a great time. But note that ritual is created for adults; some kids are bored by it (it will depend on natural inclinations of your child). There's no childcare. Parents, please be responsible for keeping an eye on your youngsters. Q: Is this a women-only Dianic circle? A: No. Women and men are equally welcome. Q: Is this a good ritual for newbies? What can I expect? A: This is a great ritual for newcomers with open minds and hearts. Our style is inclusive and participatory -- we hope and expect that you'll take part in singing, dancing, and raising energy. We begin with a grounding meditation, energetic invocations of the elements/directions, and invocations of the Goddess and God. Starhawk will be leading a meditation/trance. We'll climax with a spiral dance and cone of power. Finally, there's the blessing of the apple trees and "cakes and wine" (okay, it's bread and apples), then we devoke and open the circle. Of course, there is the lovely post-ritual socializing, where you are welcome to stay for a bit, schmooze with Starhawk and friends, and drum. Q: Can I drum during the ritual? A: Everyone is welcome to drum before the ritual and after. Open drum circle will be from 6:30 to 7-ish. Once the ritual starts, we're a little pickier, sorry. Our invocations and spiral dance have prearranged live music, drumming, and cues, so please only join in if you have experience in ritual drumming and can follow! We ask that you don't drum during the rest of the ritual, and especially not during Starhawk's trance meditation. Q: Can I take photos? Record? Videotape? A: No, not during the ritual. Because we respect both the energies we're working with, and individuals' privacy, no photos or taping. You may take photos before or after the ritual, with people's permission. Q: How about cell phones? A: Turn off the ringer, please! Q: Why are there so few chairs put out on the floor? A: It's not a sit-down ceremony, but an active ritual where most people will be up on their feet, dancing and moving. Once we start, chairs are only in the way. But of course, some folks with health problems, or parents with small children, need to sit. If you're one of them, we invite you to sit on the chairs up on the stage, so that you can still see and be part of what's going on. Another option is to bring your own blanket, which can be tossed to the side when people are dancing. And just before the spiral dance, we're happy to help you bring a folding chair or wheelchair into the center, with the drummers. That way you'll be part of the energy, not just watching people's backs from the sidelines. Q: What does "clean and sober" mean? A: We're not puritans, but there are two reasons we ask you to not drink or take any drugs before the ritual. First, it's easier and more powerful to work with energy when your head is clear. And second, a number of people in our community are in recovery and we want to support them. Q: Is there food available? A: Not really. At end of ritual we do the traditional Wiccan "cakes and wine," but it's symbolic and fun, not very filling. There won't be other food there, so a hearty dinner is suggested before you arrive. Q: What to bring? A: Comfortable shoes and clothes; many people like to dress up (optional). Bring munchies if you want. There is a public water fountain. Q: I'd like to do work exchange, what does that entail? A: There are a couple possibilities. During months of November and December, Mer can use help with promotion. Can you post 20 or more flyers in likely places (bookstores, cafes, college campuses, etc.)? We could use a couple people to help set up, 4 p.m. on 20th. And finally, there's clean up, after the ritual; be prepared to stay late and wield a big broom. We do the work exchange on trust. If you say you'll do it, please really do it! To be on the work exchange list, email Mer@starhawk.org. Q: I'm in a wheelchair, on disability, can't do work exchange, and can't afford to pay. Can I come? A: Of course. Our rituals are always accessible to those in need. But folks, if you can pay admission and/or help out, please do so. This is a benefit event for Starhawk and we have expenses. We trust you to act in integrity. Q: Is this a Reclaiming event? A: Not per se. Mer personally puts on this event, continuing the Sebastopol Winter Solstice tradition begun in 1987 by Jodi Selene. This ritual is in the Reclaiming style, that is, participatory, creative, and energetic. Starhawk cofounded Reclaiming (an activist tradition of Witchcraft) and Mer has been part that community for years. So you'll see many of the same people. (For more information on Reclaiming, visit www.reclaiming.org). Q: Will Starhawk's books be available, and will she do booksignings? A: Yes and yes. Ask her after the ritual to sign your book. Q: Wait, I have another question! A: For details not answered here, contact Mer at mer@starhawk.org (email is definitely best way to reach). See you there, and bright Solstice blessings! |
