Gaia’s Womb/EarthTraditions Presents: The Mask & the Mirror; A Celebration of Imbolc
February 9th, 2008
10am - 5pm
Gaia’s Womb/EarthTraditions Presents: The Mask & the Mirror; A Celebration of Imbolc
Under the blanket of snow there is a stirring. It is the waxing moon and the third day of the Chinese New Year. The season of Imbolc is upon us; the spark has ignited and once again, we become sentient. We have nurtured our seeds in the incubation of Winter's dreamtime and now we come together to step over the threshold, fully engaged in the Rites of Life.
This station on the Great Wheel is where we create and become acquainted again with the person we are in the light; with the face we show the world when we come out from behind the death mask we wear through the dark days of Winter. In the Maat tarot deck the card face up at this season is The Wheel of Fortune, which belongs to Brigid. The card represents a change; all things have potential, all things are possible.
Imbolc is the time of initiation; of giving ones self over to the beginning, of consciously and intentionally accepting the responsibility for another start, and in the spirit of that we use our breath and the warmth of our bodies to deliberately approach and bring forth this place where we commit to life; our life.
Please join us at Conference Point Center, in Gocker Hall, on Saturday, February 9th, 2008, from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Gocker has a lovely fireplace and is close to the lake. Please bring any statuary, wall art or other representations you have of the Imbolc season to help build our central altar. We will have workshops, ritual and plenty of time for fire scrying and socializing.
Please bring:
· Candles for yourself, to bless for your use in the coming year
· A white votive candle in a glass cup for the altar
· A potluck contribution to feed at least two other people. If you would like to bring a dessert
or snack in addition to your potluck meal contribution please feel free to do so.
· A mug or cup for drinks
· Be sure to dress warmly for the weather!
The cost is $15.00 per adult, payable at the door, to help defray the expense of the venue.
Children under the age of 16 are free.
Please make checks payable to: Gaia’s Womb
For further information contact Angie Buchanan at:
(847) 405-0208 or email: angie@gaiaswomb.com.
Or go to: www.GaiasWomb.com
Location Information:
Location Information: Conference Point center is located in Williams Bay, Wisconsin on the banks of Lake Geneva. It is 83 miles from Chicago and 52 miles from Milwaukee. We will be using Gocker Hall which is straight ahead and then on the left as you enter the grounds. Turn into the parking area just before you reach the big red building.
NOTE: Remember! The police are particularly aggressive (and sneaky) in Lake Geneva and in Williams Bay on Saturday mornings! The tickets are very expensive! DRIVE CAREFULLY AND WATCH YOUR SPEED!!
Directions
From Chicago
Take 94 North to the WI Route 50 Lake Geneva/Kenosha exit, go west on Hwy. 50 towards Lake Geneva. Hwy 50 will take you through the town of Lake Geneva, 6 miles outside of town, turn left on Hwy. 67 at the four way stop sign. Follow Hwy 67 to Collie Street, turn left and follow Collie Street to Conference Point Road. Turn left and this road will take you to our entrance.
Or, take 90 northwest towards Rockford to the Hwy. 47 Huntley/Woodstock exit, go north on Hwy. 47 towards Woodstock. Turn left on Hwy. 14 at the Hwy. 47 & 14 intersection, go northwest through Harvard to Walworth, WI. At the stop lights in Walworth, turn right onto Hwy 67. Follow Hwy 67 for 6 miles (many turns, stay on 67) go to Congress Street, turn right, follow Congress Street to Collie Street. Turn right on Collie Street and follow it to Conference Point Road. Turn left and this road will take you to our entrance. (90 minutes from O'Hare)
From Rockford
Take I-90 north to I-43 west to the Hwy. 67 Elkhorn/Williams Bay exit. Go south on Hwy. 67 to Collie Street, turn left, follow Collie to Conference Point Road, turn left and follow it to our entrance. (60 minutes from Rockford)
From Milwaukee
Take I-43 South towards Beloit. Exit at Hwy. 67 Elkhorn/Williams Bay and head South. Follow Hwy 67 to Collie Street, turn left, to Conference Point Road, turn left and follow it to the end. (60 minutes from Mitchell Field)
From Madison
Take I-90 South to Hwy. 11 Janesville/Delavan exit, go east on Hwy. 11 to Delavan, pick up Hwy 50 outside of Delavan. Follow Hwy. 50 east to Hwy 67, turn right at the four way stop sign. Go south on Hwy. 67 to Collie Street, turn left, follow Collie to Conference Point Road. Turn left and follow this road to our entrance.
Schedule:
Saturday, February 9th, 2008
10:00am
Arrivals and Setup: bring representations of the season to help build our altar.
11:00am
Grab a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or hot spiced cider and gather round the fire for a meet and greet, and a discussion about the season of Imbolc with Nancy Halwix, Kim Schaufenbuel and others.
12:30pm
The Mask & the Mirror: As without, so within… The frozen Earth begins to thaw and so do we. We come out from the warmth and comfort of our homes and the deep reflecting and dreaming that we have accomplished throughout the Winter. We look in the mirror and assess what we see there; we evaluate the path that lies before us in the brightness of the new sun. Kim Schaufenbuel and Nancy Halwix will lead you on a journey to yourself as you contemplate and confront the blank mask of death and adorn it with the seeds and symbols of life, hope and the future.
2:30pm
Pot Luck & Lunch: There's a special sort of magic that happens in the kitchen, where the ingredients of the mind and heart, meet the ingredients of the kitchen cupboard. When these blend, the hands are inspired to create the meals that sustain us. Too often in our haste, we overlook this fundamental part of our spirituality as Pagans, that being, to find the sacred in everything. Bring the sacred magic of your kitchen to share in community by creating a dish with intent. Let love, laughter and good will be your spices and may the Muse inspire you!
3:30pm
Main Ritual: Beneath pall of Winter, life begins to rise. Honor the season of Imbolc with a blessing of the awakening. Call forth the flame of life that stirs within the Earth, to awaken the flame within yourself. Kindle the fire to carry the energy of the community and this rite into your home and your magical workings through the year.
5:00pm
Clean Up & Departures: New friends, old friends, may the circle be unbroken.