Winter Solstice Ceremony

[TheOldBuzzard]

Welcome to the Children of the Earth Fellowship's Winter Solstice Ceremony & Celebration to be held at Nature's Pace Sanctuary in the Ozark Mountains near Summersville Missouri on Saturday December 20, 2008. It will begin at 3:00 pm CST. 
This is a free event but registration is required.
 
December 21st is the shortest day of the year and the sun reaches the furthest point in its Southern travel Sun., Dec. 21, 6:04 AM CST (12:04 AM UT).

It is our tradition to honor the male and female energies by sharing ceremonial duties to prepare for our bonfire and the following feast.  Girls and women will grind sacred cornmeal and sew and fill cloth bags for participants to take home with them to use in giving thanks throughout the year.  Men and boys will be gathering wood and preparing the bonfire materials.  Both sexes can gather a stick or sticks to place in the fire during the ceremony.  These sticks can represent something you want to leave in the past, changes you hope to make or to offer forgiveness to someone.  After an introduction to the Ceremony participants will have the opportunity to approach the fire individually and place their sticks (or other symbolic items) in the fire and silently or audibly state to Spirit his or her Intention.  The participant may stay at the fire until a sense of Peace has been attained. During this time all participants will maintain silence until everyone has completed their part in the Ceremony.  We will then carry a part of the fire to our Lodge, light our Ceremonial Candles, and give thanks and feast upon the homemade foods particpants have made to share.  After the Benediction there will be merriment and quality time to spend with each other.  Ceremonial activities will be completed by approximately 7 PM.

There are no overnight indoor accomodations available at Nature's Pace Sanctuary but there is adequate space to camp in tent or RV. 

There is no charge to attend the Ceremony but a facilities fee will apply to those camping.  Bathroom facilities are available.  There is also motel lodging available 18 miles away at the Green Roof Inn in Summersville.


For more details e-mail: Info@ResilienceOnLine.org or call 573.858.3559 9 - 5 PM Central time Monday - Saturday.  Ask for

Herm or Hannah.