Introduction

Welcome to the Gathering

"In our gathering life comes to know itself.
In our activities life creates itself.
In our singing life praises itself,
In our dancing life celebrates itself.
In our silence life speaks to us.
In our presence spirit comes to us.
In our prayers we create the future.
in our longing for holiness we become holy.
Seeking mysteries, mysteries creep up behind us." - Peter Adams

Monday 9 January 2012

Meeting 8th January

For our first meeting of 2012, the theme was Embracing Change.

Neesa read us an extract from the Earth Pathways Diary.  Then we sang a song to remind ourselves to look for the positive aspects of change, even if the change is unexpected or unwelcome:
I walk in beauty before me,
I walk in beauty behind me.
I walk in beauty above me,
I walk in beauty below me.
I walk in beauty all around me,
As I walk the beauty way.
As I walk the beauty way.

Peter read one of his poems, and we did an activity involving divination cards.  We each chose a card from the Druid Animal or Plant Oracle or Medicine decks, read its description and discussed it within a small group, then shared our experience with the larger group. 

We danced to a Native American chant about the Willow which, rooted firmly in the earth, can bend and adapt to change and pressure.
Sha noon ho ya
Sha noon ho ya
Hey hey ya hey yo ya ho ney
Hey hey ya hey yo ya ho ney
Hey hey ya hey yo ya ho ney
Hey hey ya hey yo ya ho ney
Ho ney
Ho ney

Then Jehanne and Rob sang a song for New Year and Jehanne read a poem.

Announcements:

Here is a link to the charity to help research into brain tumors by buying bracelets: http://www.helpharryhelpothers.com/
 
Thursday 12th Jan, 7-9.30pm   EXPLORING SACRED TRADITIONS. Spring term of this ongoing course begins with an exploration of the astrology, prophesies & thinking around 2012.  Followed by 5 more fortnightly sessions, including Sufism within Islam, a journey through Buddhism & Desert Wisdom. The course is very experiential and many sessions are given by visiting 'speakers'. We meet in a small group, often in Abbeydale, sometimes in Stroud. £65 (£45conc). Contact Neesa on 01453 750689 or by email, neesacopple@gmail.com
 
Saturday 14th January, 2-5pm, John's Shrine Room, High View, Rope Walk, Thrupp, GL5 2DH.
"DANCING THE DIVINE FEMININE".  Neesa will be leading Dances of Universal Peace which honour and celebrate the Goddess with some of her many names and faces from different spiritual traditions.  Everyone welcome, no experience needed.  Bring a poem if you'd like to.  Contact Neesa (as above) for further info & directions. Suggested donation £5