Gather to honor Spring Equinox and the change of the seasons with a half-day retreat.
Somatic movement, contemplation, conversation, and deepening together in our relationships with nature and the seasonal cycles. Vegetarian potluck lunch.
Rooting in Community: We are a cooperative, connected species living in deep reliance on one another to meet our daily needs. And, many people are describing a loneliness epidemic with feelings of alienation and purposelessness. Drawing from themes of disability justice and queer ecology, we’ll reflect on family, community, and how we aspire to be in relationship with one another.
Spring Equinox is a time to make well-wishes for the year ahead of us, to bless and protect the bounty of the earth and all that nourishes our communities. We’ll be collectively building an altar as part of our ritual practice. The altar will include things that represent pieces and aspects of our world that we would like to hold in care, blessing, and protection in the seasons to come. This could include photos, plants, stones, words, and small items. You are invited to bring anything(s) you want to contribute to our altar (you are welcome to take it home with you after).
We have a morning session and an afternoon session, with lunch in between (typically around or a bit after noon). Folks are free to come and go at any time, attending all or part of the day. Our day involves a mix of silence, connecting with our bodyminds, sharing with one another, and connecting with the natural world.
Free will offering to help meet our expenses.
This year, Gathering Ground is gathering around a theme of rooting. Rooting is strengthening our connections with what nourishes us. It is connecting with deep wisdoms and sources, traditions and lineages. It is grounding and drawing strength from the earth and elements. It is exploring beneath the surface of ourselves and our world. We tend to our roots so that we’re able to take in the nourishment we need to grow, so we can grow fruit to nourish the world around us.
RSVP to gatheringround.seattle@gmail.com to receive the address, or for any questions or access needs.
Accessibility:
In Person: We will be meeting indoors and outdoors (weather allowing). House is low-scent non-smoking, and has a cat who will be put away for the event. There are a couple steps to the front door, and a slightly sloped driveway path to the house. There is abundant street parking and it is a 0.4 mile flat walk from the E line. Please get in touch with any access needs.
COVID Safety Plan: We will be meeting indoors in a home and outdoors (weather allowing). Masks encouraged. We will have a couple air filters running and will ventilate as the weather allows. We will be eating during lunch, and folks can choose to do this outside. Please stay home if you are having symptoms of anything contagious. If you need different guidelines, please email gatheringround.seattle@gmail.com so we can talk about an inclusive plan.
On Zoom: We read aloud comments typed in chat. Cameras are optional; most of us participate with cameras on to help build community. Please email gatheringround.seattle@gmail.com with any access needs.