In response to today’s difficult economic climate – we are all struggling – and as part of our commitment to being as accessible as possible to any who seek us, and the fact that we didn’t receive enough bookings to run a 6 day intensive, the organizers of Avalon Spring have decided to a long weekend intensive in its place.
The dates are Saturday 23 May to Monday 25 May 2009.
Prices – dorm – £120 – £150, camping – £90 – £120
Present and aligned. Divine and Human. We are paradox and possibility.
Our intention will be the focus of the three main rituals that will be held over the weekend. Working with the poetic language of the Charge of the Goddess, we will explore the ecstasy of devotion and our inherent Divinity and Humanness
The schedule for the weekend is as follows:
Saturday 23
People may arrive on the 23 between 4 – 6 pm to check in, set up tents or settle into dorms.
6 – 7:30 pm – Salon on the Feri roots of Reclaiming – what are the basic tenets and history of the Reclaiming tradition and the Feri tradition and what is Reclaiming Feri?
Our esteemed panel members are: Dawn Isadora, Bríghde Éire (Anne-Marie), Georgia Midnight Crow and Susan Moonroot.
Dinner at 7:30 pm
Opening Ritual at 8:45 – Being Present and Aligned
(We will be casting Feri circle. This circle will be the container for our work over the weekend)
Pudding served after ritual.
Sunday 24
Breakfast – 8 – 9 am
First workshop – 9:30 – 12:00
Path of Devotion
with Bríghde Éire (Anne-Marie) and Susan Moonroot.
How many forms can a prayer take? What is it to love and be beloved? What happens when we open ourselves completely and without reservation to the ecstasy of the spirit?
The Path of Devotion is not a new concept or spiritual practice. Mystics from many traditions have explored prayer, meditation and the many forms that blessings or offerings can take as part of their devotional practice. Ecstasy of the spirit is fed through prayer, meditation and actively opening to our Godsouls and the Gods and the realisation of the Sacred immanent within all things. Discipline is the structure on which our exploration will take place. We show up, fully present and put aside all those things that keep us from the deep connection and awareness we desire. We risk all. Within the beautiful liturgy expressed by the Charge of the Goddess we find guidance.
12:00 – 1:30 pm – Lunch
Second workshop – 2 pm – 4:30 pm
The Sacred Sexual Soul
With Dawn Isidora and Georgia Midnight Crow
Listen to the words of the Great Mother
“… You shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you be free you shall be naked in your rites. Sing, feast, dance, make music and love, all in my presence, for mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and mine also is joy on Earth. For my law is love unto all things.”
The poetry of these words is undeniable, and still we wrestle with issues of nudity and sex, our expressions of freedom and ecstasy. We struggle to believe that we are loved. Our experience of sex – sacred and profane, love – given and received, desire – fulfilled and unfulfilled, are fraught with paradox and possibility. As we explore the poetry of Her “Charge” and our own souls, we ask:
What does it mean to sing, dance, make love all in Her presence?
(When are we not in her presence?)
Why are we are being asked to open our awareness to Her, especially at these times?
(How do we hide from ourselves and hence from Her)?
If Her law is love unto all things, where do we place personal boundaries?
Hear the words of the Star Goddess
“… Let my worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.
… And you who seek to know me, know that the seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the Mystery: for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never find it without. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am That which is attained at the end of desire.“
In the maze formed by society, culture and our own histories, we gaze into the mirror to discover our own selves as beloved; we draw up life force energy as our birthright; we honour our authentic edges and our curiosity in our vow to know ourselves and all our parts. In this path we will contemplate the Iron, Pearl and Elemental Pentacles starting points of Sex, Love & Spirit. We will learn to run our life force energy in ways that support our primal, cognitive and divine selves. We will explore our authentic edges and strengthen our commitment to honour ourselves as we honour Her.
4:30 – 5:30 – personal time
5:30 – 7 pm – A time set aside for those folks who are interested to meet who would like to contribute to the evening ritual based on second part of the intention.
Or – personal time
7 – 8 pm – Dinner
Evening ritual – 8:30 – We are Divine and Human
Pudding served after ritual.
Monday 25
8 – 9 am – Breakfast
9:30 – 11:30 am – Forum on what our spiritual community wants and what it needs. The theme for our closing ritual and discussion – We are paradox and we are possibility. We ask; how do we define ourselves? What are the paradoxes we hold as a community and as individuals? What are the possibilities that open before us? What do we take away and plant? What do we as a spiritual community hold in gratitude for the years we’ve worked with the land at Earth Spirit?
The above discussion will feed into the last ritual.
11:45 - Closing ritual
1 pm – Lunch
Goodbyes and pack up
________________________________________________
Booking Form
Please write clearly.
Name ___________________________________________________________
E-mail Address ____________________________________________________
Telephone _______________________________________________________
How did you hear about Avalon Spring? _______________________________
Circle one
Dorm Place – £120 – £150.
Camping Place – £90 – £120.
Make cheques out to ‘Avalon Spring’
Please complete this form and send with payment to as soon as possible to:
Suzanne White, 75 Crowley Crescent, Croydon, Surrey CR0 4EF
