Early Reg Ends 9/29 - The Great Mother Wisdom Gathering, Oct 31 - Nov 2
The Great Mother Wisdom Gathering is only six weeks away and it's quite exciting all the interest the event has been garnering. The ecumenical event will be Oct 31 - Nov 2, south of Frederick, Maryland at the Bishop Claggett Center.
This will be a unique, auspicious event. There have been so many ecumenical events about the Great Father. This one will focus on the Great Mother. There will be no plenary speakers but a Sacred Fire tended by WisdomKeepers will hold the sacred space for the entire weekend. Check out the workshop descriptions and feel if the Great Mother might be calling you to be part of this powerful event.
We still have space for more sponsors and vendors for this weekend event. To learn more, and to REGISTER, go to www.greatmotherwisdom.org.
The Full Program is listed below.
Friday, October 31st
- 4:30 pm - Registration Opens
- 6:00pm – 6:45pm - Dinner
- 7:15 Sacred Fire Ceremony: Lighting of the fire, introductions, Vision for the Weekend, sharing in circle
Saturday, November 1st
- 7am – Yoga and Connecting with the Sacred Morning energies, led by Joyce Morningstar, Woody Vaspra and others (Sacred Fire Circle and/or indoors)
- 8am – 9am: Breakfast
- 8am – 10am: Registration – Sat only attendees
- All Day into Evening: Sacred Fire Space
Saturday – Wksp Session One – 10AM – 11:30AM
1) The Sacred Feminine within the Abrahamic Religions (Judaism, Moslem Faith and Christianity) along with Hinduism, led by Evan Pritchard. From the great women of the Old Testament to the Virgin Mary and more in the New Testament, the Bible is laced with significant women of wisdom and more. Plus there are powerful feminine deities within the Hindu belief system that are archetypal goddesses for women throughout the world. You will learn more about what these ancient religions teach us about the Great Mother and Sacred Feminine.
2) Earth Mother from an Indigenous Perspective led by Rainbow Thunder Heart/Bavado. It used to be that all peoples around the planet believed in and communed with the wise consciousness of our Earth thousands of years ago. We all source from Pagan roots. These beliefs have been relegated to the remaining Indigenous peoples of the globe. Bavado will speak about whom Earth Mother is from his Eastern Shoshone heritage and her role today in these rapidly changing times.
3) Green Tara, White Tara & "the manifestation of Kuan Yin" within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition led by Khenpo Tsultrim Tenzin. The Green Tara and White Tara are the more prominent of the various Tara deities within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. They embody the spiritual essences of compassion, emptiness and enlightenment. Kuan Yin is actually a masculine deity with the same archetypal spiritual energies and a different name in Tibetan Buddhism, and is feminine in some other Buddhist traditions outside of Tibet. Learn more about these deities and how they may be relevant to embracing the Sacred Feminine within.
11:30 am - 1pm – Lunch, Sacred Fire Circle, Art
Saturday, Workshop Session Two – 1pm – 2:30pm
1) Osun, the Great Mother led by Osunmuyiwa (Ayo), a practicing Orisa/IFA Devotee who has studied in Nigeria. Ayo will teach about Praising Osun, the Great Mother through the sharing of Traditional Yoruba prayers, songs, and dancing specific to the Orisa Osun. She will also share about Osun around the world as Orisha is practiced not only in Nigeria but in other regions. The workshop will examine Osun in Her completeness as both female - Great Mother and male - Great Father. In addition, beads are a sacred symbol in IFA and each Orisa has their own beads and colors. Attendees will have the opportunity to make bead creations in a meditative setting to commune with Osun and also learn to pray to Osun in the Traditional Yoruba fashion.
2) Imagine a Woman in Love with her Self ~ An experiential workshop led by Sharon Fallon Shreve for women designed to enlighten, uplift the spirit, and enhance Self worth. Part I ~ An open discussion on the value of our divine feminine Self and ways women can attain peace by learning to get in touch with and trust her own inner authority. Part II ~ An uplifting, energy-raising Drumming Circle! Through the powerful heart tool of the drum we will raise both our individual vibrations and that of our collective group and become One. No experience necessary. Please bring or borrow a drum, along with either a floor cushion or blanket. Part III ~ A relaxing, guided meditation based on Patricia Lynn Reilley's beautiful prose: “Imagine a Woman in love”.
3) The Masks of the Divine as Male, Female, Both and Neither ~ For almost two decades the DC Radical Faeries (loosely defined as Gay Bohemians) and members of Stone Circle Wicca have been insistent on expanding the paradigm of a polarized view of the "divine male" or "divine female" to recognize the divine "Both" and the "divine Neither" in ritual and devotional life. Youth in the next generation will push this paradigm further as a growing sense of Gender Fluid comes in to our collective conscience. I trust that discussing the Masks of the Divine as Male, Female, Both and Neither gives room for recognition and research to find these stories in all cultural folk tales, myths and religious stories. This workshop creates an experience based in poetry, prose and dialogue.
Break – 2:30pm – 2.45pm
Saturday, Workshop Session Three – 2:45pm – 4:15pm
1) The Magdalene Awakening: Gathering the Magdalenes, Finding the Knights Templar Archetypal messages of the return of the Divine Union (head and heart) led by L. Shannon Andersen. Why is Mary Magdalene's voice being heard across the world today? What is her connection to the Holy Grail and its myth? Who are the Cathars and how are they related to Mary Magdalene? How are the Knights Templar enacting their symbolic part in this archetypal broadcast and why are numbers the language of God? Shannon Andersen's presentation will provide you with the opportunity to hear as she relates her true story of this phenomena connected to Mary Magdalene, the medieval Cathars and the Knights Templar. You will learn what she found as she met people all over the world having dreams, visions, and the past life memories of Mary Magdalene. Discover the Gematria of Magdalene proving the importance of Magdalene as the 'Apostle of the Apostles' who partnered with Jesus and the early Christians to help change the world starting 2000 years ago and continuing today as the Mediatrix of this age. Discover why Shannon Andersen believes the Knights Templar fit into the puzzle as we unravel the mystery of Magdalene's mission.
2) Finding the Divine Masculine ~ A Panel Discussion with Woody Vaspra, Danny Vader and Bert Gunn. As so many women wake up to their Sacred Feminine, there are far fewer conversations and opportunities for men to step into their Divine Masculine in an open, engaging way. The Sacred Feminine needs the Divine Masculine in full balance and partnership for the true healing needed on our planet these days. Come listen and pose questions to our panelists, all deeply spiritual men who have been on their Divine Masculine path from a very young age, as we explore this highly significant gap in our societal evolution these days.
3) Spiritual Belly Dance with Angel/Homage to Isis led by Angel. Through the power and grace of belly dance movements, embody the strength, beauty, and wisdom of Isis in your own physical form. Class will include invocations to Isis, healing breath and energy work, and dancing with wings. Be prepared to delve deep into your inner mystery and to resurrect the magic of the ancient Goddess days. Just bring yourself, Angel will provide the veils and more. All are welcome!
Saturday Evening
7:15pm – 8:30pm - Sacred Dance and Chanting with SodoTutu UniverSoul (Irmina –Tutu- Ulysse), a Haitian-born dancer, chanter and healer. Irmina will lead us through dance and chanting to help us sink deeper into our Sacred selves as weavers of our Sacred Feminine and Divine Masculine aspects into One.
Attendees can join the Sacred Dance or go wherever their spirit calls them either to the Sacred Fire or Art – free creativity in the Art Room. Walk the beautiful grounds of Claggett Center. Do the labyrinth, journal… however you are guided.
Sunday, November 2nd
7am – Yoga and Connecting with the Sacred Morning energies, led by Joyce Morningstar, Woody Vaspra and others (Sacred Fire Circle and/or indoors)
8am – 9am: Breakfast
8am – 10am: Registration – Sun only attendees
All Day into Afternoon Closing: Sacred Fire Space
Sunday, Workshop Session 10am – 11:30am
1) Finding the Divine Masculine Throughout History, led by Evan Pritchard. More info, TBA.
2) Five-Fold Goddess Workshop for Women, led by Rev. Ann Keeler Evans and Kelly Himsl Arthur. The ancient understanding of the Three Fold Goddess no longer speaks to modern life. The Goddess is Infinite in abilities, but archetypes serve women better if (at least) five stages of the Goddess and women are celebrated. These are: 1) Maidenhood (roughly 12-18) - Discovery; 2) Warrior Princess (somewhere between 18-35) - Determination; 3) Journeywoman Mother (roughly 20s-50s) - Knowledge; 4) Wise-Blooded Queen (roughly 45-80) - Wisdom; and, 5) Crone (your last years) - Reflection and enjoyment. Each stage has Work associated with it — strengthening heart, mind, soul, body and your Work in the world. We will examine types of work, rituals, and more, including specific organizations available to support this work/play/dance.
3) Living Wisdom of the Ancients: Restoring the Balance of Life, led by Woody Vaspra and Catie Johnson. We are living in a very special time of transformation and critical choices long prophesied by the wisdom-keepers, or Elders, of the world’s indigenous cultures. These Elders, who have carried the wisdom of their peoples for millennia, are now willing to share their ancient, yet timeless teachings and healing knowledge to restore the balance of life on Earth and to preserve the future for our children. Please join Woody Vaspra and Catie Johnson, co-founders of World Council of Elders, for a workshop about why and how indigenous wisdom is essential to restoring balance in our world today. We will delve into the critical roles that honoring natural cycles and gender balance play in creating and sustaining harmonious relationships within our families, communities and world. We also will explore the value of cultural diversity, and the importance of preserving and sharing the living wisdom of traditional indigenous cultures so vital to achieving global healing and peace in our time.
11:30am – 12pm – Pack up rooms, vacate the Inn for overnight guests.
- Sacred Fire
- Finish art projects
12pm – 1pm – Lunch
1pm – Water Ceremony at the Sacred Fire and Closing Circle.
Those with time will then walk down through the fields to the Monocacy River to pour the Sacred Water in to heal the Monocacy and the Waters of the World.
3pm – Official Close of the Great Mother Wisdom Gathering, with Love and Joy, and Compassion to send all off into their individual journeys after the Wisdom Gathering.
Note: there will be an Art Room open all weekend so folks can create inspired pieces after tuning into the sharings and wisdom from the workshops and more. People can wander from the Sacred Fire to the Labyrinth to the Art Room to workshops, journaling, and meals, as Spirit calls you.
