a weekend of ceremony
Author Stephen Jenkinson says “Orphans are not people who have no parents: they are people who don’t know their parents, who cannot go to them. Ours is a culture built upon the ruthless foundation of mass migration, but it is more so now a culture of people unable to say who their people are.
In that way we are, relentlessly, orphans.”
This is me. I am a cultural orphan.
In that way we are, relentlessly, orphans.”
This is me. I am a cultural orphan.
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Raised by parents who’s people lost their traditions & ceremonies generations ago- raised on land that was taken from others, who in turn, were persecuted for their traditions.
When this struck me, it left me enraged and grief stricken. As a way to fill the void of absent ceremonies, I dove into learning about how indigenous peoples all over the world conducted ceremonies, rituals, and initiations. However, while beautiful, those traditions are not of my lineage. I was not shown them with sanctioning to practice them. Nor do I feel in integrity doing so. And yet… Ceremonies are a vital part of our human experience. They're the cord that connects our humanity to spirit. They serve as a threshold between life stages. Help us connect with the cycles of life; giving us a way to grieve our deaths and celebrate our births. They also offer us a way to build strong, vibrant communities. |
Participating in ceremony & ritual offers a path to healing for both ourselves, as well as for our wounded culture.
But how can a group of orphans participate when the traditions of their people have been lost?
I believe the answer is to do what our great-grandmothers did - look to nature for inspiration & guidance.
When we use the earth as our template, while holding intentions of love & healing, we can create ceremonies that feel authentic to who we are.
Women have been sitting in circles, holding ceremony, & facilitating rites of passage since the beginning of time.
You know what to do. You just need loving support, patience, & some tools to start again.
But how can a group of orphans participate when the traditions of their people have been lost?
I believe the answer is to do what our great-grandmothers did - look to nature for inspiration & guidance.
When we use the earth as our template, while holding intentions of love & healing, we can create ceremonies that feel authentic to who we are.
Women have been sitting in circles, holding ceremony, & facilitating rites of passage since the beginning of time.
You know what to do. You just need loving support, patience, & some tools to start again.
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"Learning how to create ceremony has been transformational. Finding depth & meaning to that which is all around us, is a beautiful journey. Lynn is a phenomenal teacher whose light & energy makes you feel held & supported." -Leigha May |
2020 Retreat details
When & Where |
Friday May 1, 2020 at 5pm - Sunday May 3, 2020 at 1pm
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, N.Y. This is a small group experience - maximum 10 women. |
Together we'll |
Explore the 5 essential components while performing a wide variety of ceremonies including a: Grief Honoring Ceremony, Threshold Crossing, & Croning Ceremony.
Last time we also spontaneously co-created a beautiful Divorce ceremony & a Sunrise Ceremony! |
You'll gain |
The skills & the confidence to design YOUR OWN meaningful & authentic ceremonies for yourself and others; for example birthday celebrations, grief ceremonies for a death, miscarriage, or infertility. And rituals to honor an end or beginning, like a job, marriage, or recovery.
Once you learn the process & design elements, the possibilities are infinite! |
BONUS TREATLodging |
A 30 minute private mentoring session after we meet, for support & feedback as you design your own ceremonies!
Please note that lodging is not included with registration, but will be organized cooperatively when registration closes.
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