SkyMeadow Retreat Center, Solstice

Solstice Celebrations

There are two moments in each year

when the tilting of the earth in it's orbit around our sun

stops, and reverses direction.

We call these annual refrence points,

that locate us in time and space,

Solstice.

Our Turning Planet

   Especially for people living far from the earth's equator, the Solstice marks a change that has significant impact on our daily lives.

We here in the north of the United States feel the days growing shorter and the earth growing colder in the months of early winter. The winter solstice, around December 21 each year, marks shortest day of the year, when the northern hemisphere of the earth stops leaning away from the sun, and begins to tilt back toward it, bringing us more daylight, sunshine, and eventually, warmth.

Six months later, we find ourselves at the other end of this steady and predictable cycle of gently turning planets and stars. Summer solstice, around June 21 each year, marks the time when we are closest to the sun and we have the most hours of daylight. At this time our planet begins to reverse it's tilt again and draw our side of the earth slowly away from the sun, and so the days begin to grow shorter again.

                 Solstice is a natural time to gather together to celebrate our connections to this
earth and to our community of fellow humans, which sustain and support us throughout
the year.   Marking solstice is a way to remind ourselves that our destiny on this
enormous ball turning in space is way beyond our control, and that the context in which
our daily lives unfold is so much greater than we can imagine.   It is a time to pay homage
and deep respect to this amazing physical universe which offers us exactly what we need
to survive in each moment, and to be aware of our dependency on the warmth and light of
the sun, without which we would all perish.

   Gathering begins at 2:00 p.m. in Winter and 5:00 pm in Summer

There will be a planned ritual with some room for spontaneous offerings, a potluck meal, bon fire, and dance. Some or all of these may take place outdoors weather permitting. These celebrations encourage and depend on the sense of immediate community
that is formed among all the participants. They are focused events which require a
container of safety for their effectiveness.

We ask that you plan to attend the whole event, and if you need to leave early, you wait until an appropriate moment in the celebration when we are between activities.

This event is oriented toward adults.
Children are welcome if they are able and willing to fully participate in the ritual.

Please bring:
A vegetarian potluck dish to share, drums, instruments, costumes, torches, fire offerings,
swim suits, or snow shoes, sleeping bag or bed sheets, pillow case and towel
(if you plan to stay overnight).

       Please do not bring:
Dogs or other pets, alcohol, meat, or tobacco.

R.S.V.P.

    These gatherings are open to anyone who is interested in fully participating, as
long as there is room.

Please call or e-mail us to let us know if you would like to attend,
so we can have some idea of numbers.

    The Winter Solstice is very limited because of parking space and room in the
barn.   Please contact us if you would like to participate and we will let you know if there
is room.
The Summer Solstice is not so limited because most of the gathering will be
outdoors.   Please just let us know if you plan to attend.


Staying Overnight
    There are a limited number of beds available in the retreat barn for people wishing
to spend the night.   Please consider staying as this allows more of a sense of community
to develop and gives the gathering a more extended life.   We ask a $20 donation for
each person staying overnight.   This allows us to compensate for some of our utility
expenses associated with these gatherings such as electricity, heat, staff cleaning time,
and building maintenance. For people not able to donate to Sky Meadow in this way we
offer an alternative in service.   We can use your help for 2 - 3 hours before or after the
gathering.   Please let us know if you wish to utilize this option.    In the summer there is
also an option to camp out, or sleep in one of our tipis, for a $10 donation or 1-2 hours of
help.

Getting Involved
    These gatherings are organized by and for the community. They depend on
people getting involved in the planning, organization, leadership of the ceremonies, and
the preparation and clean up of the space.   Staying overnight and making a donation of
time and/or energy to the retreat is one way to become more involved.   Planning and
taking responsibility for some aspect of the gathering is another way.   Simply attending
and bringing your joy, light, fear, longing, hope, music, dance, or company is another
way.    Please let us know how you would like to be involved in this evolving community
event.

                     802 - 533 - 2505                   miles@skymeadowretreat.com