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Index of SolstiCelebrations & Other
Metaphysical Events
2008 Winter SolstiCelebration
Photographs by J R Compton & Comments by Amy "Moonlady" Martin & J R
Families came from all over to be a part ...
... of the 2009 Winter SolstiCelebration ...
... and watch in wonder such marvelous things …
… as jeweler Russ Sharek juggling a mirror ball on his fingers …
In the Fellowship Hall, empty tables waited…
… while kitchen witches from Circle of the Serpent unleashed a snack feast …
… infusing their wares with loving cares.
Valery Guignon, our Mother Yule (the White Witch)'s wand blessed us with the peace of winter, and
Alyce Payne infused blessings of glitter with love and grace.
To begin
the “Worthy” service, Sultan’s
Dreams dancers told of a fearful
woman relieved of her emotional burdens
to find her own self-worth.
We went within in a yoga-inspired meditation led by Tzivia Stein-Barrett …
… opening ourselves to love …
… and connecting souls to spirit.
Suzanna and Janie Garza, Linda Sprague and Sally Nicolaou reach out in spiritual community ...
… and co-leader Rogelio Chapa concluded with a namaste blessing.
Twice Upon a Time Storytellers Peggy and Gene Helmick-Richardson
gave
their best performance ever with the tale of a lion who thought he was
a goat.
And Geoffrey Ricketts’ tune embedded with metaphor …
… was brought to life in Matt Woodbury's rich baritone.
Winter SolstiCelebrations feature performing
arts as conduit for spirit —
from MosaicSong’s profound lyrics that
spoke deep into our humanity ...
… to trumpeter Chris Curiel of Swirve's contemporary jazz, opening our minds ....
… and the rich compassionate piano of Michael Goss opening our hearts.
SolstiCelebrators’ performances
delighted me (Amy Martin, a.k.a.
Moonlady, event founder and executive
director of Earth Rhythms).
A song by Tom Prasada-Rao about the “Better
Angels” of
our nature reminded us that it’s truly morning in America …
… with rich harmonies by his wife Cary Cooper.
Elledanceworks portrayed the caring relationship
between
two women, one giving up her child in adoption to the other.
Winter SolstiCelebration’s vibrant colors celebrated
our diversity and connection to community …
… symbolized by the multi-ethnic styles and intricate arrangements of MosiacSong.
The crowd of nearly 1,000 was enthralled by Matt Willis, the Kildaires' bagpiper ...
… joined by Sultan’s Dreams drummer George Stretch in full Scottish regalia.
In an
invocation of values bestowed by nations, a radiant
Dorayne Breedlove
presented gifts from the Philippine people;
Bear from Native America;
Anusha Das from India;
and, not pictured,
John Beckett
from Britannia.
Accompanying
the invocation was piper Matt, playing his version of
Black
Sabbath’s “American Acrobat” — great with kilt and leather
boots.
Then came time to get grounded to Earth and centered in our bodies.
Winter Solstice is about the dark before the light. In the dark ...
... we honored our lost loved ones,
listened to Cornell Kinderknecht's sacred
sound
vibrations, then
Jodi Roberts
and Monica
LeCrone
signaled the coming illumination.
Once into the light, we blessed each other with chocolate kisses …
… laughter …
... smiles ...
… and the knowledge of our worthiness.
Lainey Bernstein captivated us with
her
version of “The Light of the World.”
A smiling boy clutched his toys ...
… and a girl watched intently.
Behind the scenes, kitchen witches put the final touches on the snack feast.
With great swirls of color, dancers led our way around the cathedral ...
… and the drummers of Drums Not Guns and friends …
… propelled us happily through the ceremonial gates …
… improvised from dance props when our usual gates didn't arrive …
… concluding our solstice celebration in a swirl of iridescent color.
Flamboyant Cosmic Caroler Alice Crawford …
… and musicians Chad Evans and son Sidney …
… delighted everyone — babies …
… children …
... and adults.
Have your photo taken with our Father Winter, Ed Townley or ...
... wipe your troubles on Boogeyman, Troy Young's ragged coat.
And a resplendent Alyce Payne reminds
us to carry the unifying
energy of the solstice in our hearts through the year.
Until we meet again Friday, December 18, 2009 at the Cathedral of Hope.
~ Many thanks to J R for these wonderful photos. Browse
his art,
photo and bird
sites while you're here, and visit us at Earth
Rhythms to
learn about the group that weaves the memories
that bind us. ~
— Amy