I've just come back from the "Spring Festival of Awareness" here in British Columbia, Canada. A lovely festival, and one of two put on each year by a group of like-minded people (the other is the Wise Woman's Festival I attended in September,) the weekend was just what I needed to decompress after doing year-end books, a busy Vegas 'vacation' and getting our little business ready for the summer markets.
It was a weekend filled with meditation, yoga, dance, chant, and plenty of learning. I took two classes on Shamanism and found it is very similar to my own garden-witchery in that it revolves around gratitutde and offering to the earth Mother. Shamanism is such a mindful practice, and the wonderful Mexican man that lead the group spoke genuinely about his village and their love for the earth, and how much gratitute they have for everything they grow to feed themselves. Things we sometimes take for granted when we can just pop down to the grocery store....
I was amused that the Festival kicked off with a circle dance and the leader started up the chant "Earth and Air and Fire and Water, the Goddess is alive, magic is afoot." Although this was an open festival and many religions were represented, there was a definite theme of earth-centered spirituality. (The above photo is one I found online, and not from the festival. There were about 300 or so people at the Festival - a much larger circle!)
I even had time between classes to walk the labyrinth on the site, and get a bit of healing done at the "oasis" where all the practioners come to offer their services. It was a wonderful, relaxing, enlightening weekend!
Now, back to work and a busy week ahead with a full moon tomorrow (early Wed morning,) and Beltane coming up on Friday/Saturday! Looking forward to catching up on your posts and finding out what everyone is doing to celebrate this week!
15 comments:
That sounds like so much fun. We used to have something like that every year in the city, but in recent times, I haven't seen it. Glad you had a great time.
Mary
sounds like a wonderful time... I wish I could find more things like that around my area.... dont think that will change in the near future...So glad you were able to relax and enjoy yourself...
Sounds peaceful and relaxing!
OMG how wonderful. Fun, fun, fun. I would absolutely love to attend such a festival. Thanks a million hugs for sharing.
Sounds magical :) I'm hoping that with the garden project this year that I'll get a taste of and pass on the gratitude for the vegetables and fruit that we are planting. There's nothing that gets me going more than getting into a group of like minded people... I should really get involved in celebrations like that more.
Oh sounds wonderful x
Sounds wonderful! Are there often events like this in your area?
Aren't labyrinths awesome?! I did a couple papers on them in my undergrad. So simple yet so powerful. There's one inside Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. I'm not sure if they put the labyrinth where they knew the energy was strongest or if the energy became stronger in that spot after they put the labyrinth down.
Oh Rue sounds like an awesome festival! Sounds like you received some much needed healing. You are one of the busiest ladies I know and you so deserve to have have some real fun and relaxation. Wishing you a tranquil week ahead!
(((HUGS)))
It really sounds magickal and relaxing! I bet now you're recharged for the rest of the year, t least until September!
I would love to join something like that, but we don't have it here... sigh...
Lovely festival!
Wish you a great week.
Kisses from us.
PS: Oh, we're celebrating Samhain on my corner of the world. A very introspective and sacred sabbath. Hope you enjoy Beltane!
Hi Rue, sounds lovely! The word 'shaman' has been said to translate to "one who knows" which I really think is apt since it is a path of knowledge rather than a faith and shamans just naturally tend to know how to heal or do things in a certain manner that is sacred.
Beltaine Blessings to you... we're heading for Winter Night this coming weekend :-)
That is awesome- I am so glad you had fun! I can't wait for this week's full moon and then Beltane on Saturday! I am just doing a solitary ritual for the full moon and then am hoping to go to a local park with my coven ladies to celebrate Beltane.
Blessings,
Bex
sound like a wonderful weekend!
It sounds as though the festival was a great deal of fun. It must have been a wonderful weekend. I hope it is not to hard for you to settle back in now that you are home. Have a terrific day. Blessings...Mary
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