Womongathering 2009:  The Festival

    

 

The Beliefs

  

   

Like the changing of the seasons or the phases of the moon, the beauty and power of the feminine experience is reflected in the cycles of womyn's bodies.  We, who gather  yearly, invite you to register now to join us during these days dedicated to celebrating Goddess and Her ancient ways, honoring cyclic transformation and renewal. 

In the peace and quiet of the serene outdoor setting, we are able to shed our imposed self-defeating beliefs, and uncover for ourselves and one another, the rich texture and complex designs of our whole self that have been hidden from view.

Because it is our belief that all things have their season and each has its gifts, each year at  Womongathering we celebrate a specific aspect of Goddess, in connection with an Element and Direction.  This year we will be facing North and honoring the sacred within as we open to the energies of the Earth.

   
   
For Womyn and Gyrls Only
Womongathering invites you and your daughters and granddaughter to witness and participate in the special empowerment that results from the energy created in a womyn-only space.

We believe that a womyn-only / gyrl-only environment is crucial as we seek deep levels of collective healing and re-naming.

   
   
Rituals
During the drama and energy-weaving of a ritual, we learn to work together and to see one another as "sister spirits."  One of Womyn's Spirituality core beliefs is that the Goddess is within.  This ancient concept very holistic, and comes from the respect for life, respect for oneself, others, and the planet.  In ascribing to the rede of harming none, sending out only energy that is welcome to return magnified, and manifesting/asking for responsibility, we change and we create change. (based on Casting the Circle by Diane Stein).)
   
   
Drumming
Every culture has used sound to bridge the worlds of the do-ing and be-ing.  Drumming brings us into the present moment, connecting us within ourselves into the Universe.  Beginning Thursday night, there are many opportunities to drum at Womongathering.  Whether we are drumming or listening, the primal rhythms open our souls.   We are praying and we are the prayer.
   
   
 
 
The Form

   

Womongathering weaves
interactive workshops
with community rituals
to both nourish
and ground
our spirits.

   
   

Gateway
The Gateway is a spiritual entrance into the festival.  As we move through it, absorbing the energies, it becomes easier to leave the mundane outside and to be fully present during our time at Womongathering.

   
   
Maiden, Mother, Crone Councils
Each Council develops for itself, with the initial help of a facilitator, how to address the spiritual gifts and tasks of their time of life.  This year we will celebrate all aspects of the Goddess together in one ritual.
   
   
The Sacredfire
The Sacredfire, dedicated to personal and collective healing through the spiritual practice of quiet meditation, is maintained by the Firetenders and burns continuously throughout the festival.  In her seventeen years at Womongathering Sappho has trained thirty-three Firetenders.
   
   
Experiential Workshops
The workshops at Womongathering are designed to involve and include you.  The outdoor setting allows for loosely defined workshop spaces so except for art workshops there is no need to pre-register for individual workshops.  And best of all, if it rains, scheduled workshops are inside.  Art workshops are limited in size and require signing up at Communications.  There is a $5 material fee.
   
   
Red Temple
The Red Temple is a sacred space energetically and materially creatrixed and held throughout the festival by a staff of priestesses. This is a dedicated space for w’moon to gather apart from the day-to-day chores of the community to honor the sanctity of our experience of menarche, menstruation, menopause and beyond.
   
   
Lakota Inipi Ceremony (Sweat Lodge)
Beverly Little Thunder, and her daughter, Lushanaya Escheverria, members of the Standing Rock Tribe in North Dakota, lead these two hour prayer ceremonies dedicated to the purification and renewal of mind, body, and spirit.  The limited number of spaces available will be filled by those who reserved on the Registration Form. 
   
   
Marketplace
In front of the Dining Hall, the colorful marketplace features handcrafted, womon-made, quality hand-dyed clothing and ritual wear, jewelry fashioned from gold, silver, and Nature Herself, walking staffs, leather pouches, copper bowls, spiritual tools, functional pottery, herbs, and drums.  Only womyn who have secured a seller's permit may barter/sell services, readings or wares at the festival.
   
   
Workshop Presenters
It is your diversity of beliefs, years of experience honing your craft and spirited presentation that emboldens Womongathering to deepen its program.  Your creativity and ingenuity will enable us to maintain the essential core of spirituality in every workshop, while this year, emphasizing the pathways to grounded, consistent action both within one's personal life and within one's community.


Work Exchange
For a few womyn, Womongathering is when they choose to join the community of womyn who have chosen to experience festival by concentrating on making festival.  There are a limited number of half (3 hours per day) and full (six hours a day) exchange positions available.  Please write us at PO Box 559, Franklinville, NJ 08322 or email us at Womongathr@aol.com for more information.
   
   
   

PO Box 559, Franklinville, NJ 08322
Email: Womongathr@aol.com