Greetings All
At this time of Samhuinn (Halloween) in the Southern Hemisphere we honour and remember those who have passed over. I always think that it is most appropriate that our own New Zealand remembrance day (Anzac Day) is held at this time.
According to tradition, the time of Samhuinn lasts for three days – from April 30th to May 2nd. During these three days the Veil of Time is lifted, and we may commune with the Otherworld, and those who have gone before us into ‘the wider life’. After this period in which time is suspended, we return to the everyday world in a new cycle of activity that lasts until the following Samhuinn. For many of the ancient Celts this was the beginning of a new year. So whether you celebrate New Year at Samhuinn or Winter Solstice, you might like to choose what it is you want to leave behind and what it is you want to gain.
“Walking … I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands”
Linda Hogan
MAY offers Four Elements/Four Seasons – Earth / Manifestation / Harvest on Thursday 4th and the wisdom of The Crone Moon is honoured on Thursday 11th.
JUNE brings the final workshop in the Four Element/Four Seasons series – Earth/Fire/Reflection on Thursday 1st; we reflect on our transformation at Full Moon – Cave Moon/Transformation on Saturday 10th; and we celebrate the rebirth of the Child of Light with Winter Solstice/Alban Arthan on the 18th.
The Woolshed awaits your wonderful presence.
Love, light and laughter,
Pamela /|\
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FOUR ELEMENTS / FOUR SEASONS SECOND GRAND CYCLE
At The Woolshed with Pamela Meekings-Stewart
Cost: $30 per session
EARTH / MANIFESTATION / HARVEST
7-10pm Thursday 4th May
A time of completion and harvest. A time to gather all you have learned into your basket of knowledge.
EARTH / FIRE / REFLECTION
7-10pm Thursday 1st June
This is a time of Decay and Genesis. A time to reflect on all that you have gathered and learned in this Second Grand Cycle. This final workshop will include a celebratory dinner.
Elementally Yours, Pamela
To register your interest please contact me at: pamela@thewoolshed.com
or 2399234 / 0272068876
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There are only four rules
for The Woolshed
Come with an open heart
Come with an open mind
Leave your prejudices at the door
Along with your shoes
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ARACHNE’S WEB
Arachne is the Spider Goddess who weaves the Web of the World and, sitting at its centre, receives all knowledge that vibrates along it. Here are a few ‘vibrations’, i.e. interesting workshops not held at The Woolshed that I think you might be interested in, or upcoming events at The Woolshed not yet in the Calendar. (Please contact Pamela if you would like an appropriate event displayed here.)
3-5 June
Raumati South Hall, Tennis Court Road
MUDRA-S & BANDHA-S
THE SUBTLE TOOLS OF YOGA
An experiential seminar with Dr. Kausthub Desikachar
“The limitless human potential is often deeply hidden within us, not just beneath our psyche, but also within the layers of conscious and unconscious patterning. Unlocking them to fully manifest into our lives is a key aspect of personal growth and spiritual development.”
Contact: Ruth Diggins: 04 905 6224 or 021-258 6865, ruthyoga@paradise.net.nz
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The Woolshed is a place to celebrate Spirit in Nature and warmly welcomes community participation. Here we celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year in Aotearoa New Zealand by holding Festivals appropriate to the seasons approximately every six weeks. These are the two Solstices (Winter and Summer), the two Equinoxes (Spring and Autumn) and the four Quarter Festivals – Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh (when we hold a Camp) and Samhain. These Festivals are open to all who wish to connect with the land and Her tides and times. We also have a native tree-planting programme and are always keen for offers of help for our frequent ‘working bees’. Our organic gardens and orchards also respond positively to extra hands.
A women-only group meets monthly on the Full Moon.
Also, if you would like to walk the hills and the bush on the farm then give us a ring –
04 2399234. I’m sure we can accommodate you.
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‘THE WOOLSHED’
is a farm of 136 acres situated on the hills of Pukerua Bay looking out over the sea and Kapiti Island. It is clothed in approximately 40 acres of native bush, including some of the last remaining stands of kohekohe on the Kapiti Coast. It is gardened organically – herbs, vegetables and fruit – and has three springs of clear water. It is a place of great peace, tranquillity and power. The original woolshed has been converted into personal living quarters as well as a work and seminar space for up to 20 participants.
It is a place for:
Workshops and Seminars (bookable)
Study/Discussion Groups
Stress Management
Shiatsu and Massage
Total Pampering Days
Life Planning and Mentoring
Mythic Journeywork
Retreat
Meditation
Seasonal and Full Moon Celebrations
Pamela Meekings-Stewart is a:
Workshop Leader
Workshop Facilitator
Study/Discussion Group Facilitator
Life Planning Facilitator and Mentor
Retreat Facilitator
Shiatsu Practitioner and Teacher
Marriage Celebrant
Civil Union Celebrant
Ritual Maker
Mythic Journey Facilitator
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The farm can be a little hard to find, so please telephone (you can leave a message on the answerphone) and I will send you directions on a clear and detailed map.
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PROGRAMME FOR MAY
4 (Thursday 7pm) Four Elements/Four Seasons – Earth / Manifestation / Harvest
11 (Thursday 7pm) Full Moon Celebrating the Divine Feminine – Crone Moon
PROGRAMME FOR JUNE
1 Four Elements/Four Seasons – Final Workshop – Earth / Fire / Reflection plus Celebration Dinner
10 (Saturday 7pm) Full Moon Celebrating the Divine Feminine – Cave Moon/Transformation
18 (Sunday 4pm) Winter Solstice/Alban Arthan at The Woolshed
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THE WHEEL OF SEGAIS – THE WHEEL OF THE FOUR ELEMENTS / FOUR SEASONS GOES GLOBAL!!
On Wednesday 19 tth April I did a live internet global presentation of the basic Four Elements / Four Seasons teachings that I have been taking my students through which I now call The Wheel of Segais. Over 150 people from around the world (UK, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand) registered to view the presentation and the feedback has been great. The one-hour presentation was recorded and can now be purchased at:
http://globalspiritualstudies.com/product/the-wheel-of-segais/
Elementally Yours, Pamela
To register your interest please contact me at: pamela@thewoolshed.com
or 2399234 / 0272068876
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CELEBRATING THE GODDESS: EXPLORING THE DIVINE FEMININE
7pm at The Woolshed
The focus of the evening is one of ‘Exploring the Divine Feminine’ and the role of the Goddess and her ‘workings’ within ourselves and in our lives.
On Thursday 11th May we will honour the wisdom of the Crone Moon and on Saturday 10th June we will enter our Cave to undergo Transformation and the beginning of a new cycle.
A contribution to ‘supper’ would be appreciated. The Full Moon rituals are for women only. If you’re new and would like to attend just give Pamela a call on 2399234.
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WINTER SOLSTICE / ALBAN ARTHAN
4.00pm at The Woolshed, Sunday June 18th.
Born is the Sun God as a dependent infant – who in some mysterious way has managed to escape the powers of darkness seeking to destroy him while he was still in the cradle of Winter. The survival of light through Winter was symbolised by one tiny hair on the young child’s head.
(Nuinn)
The Winter Solstice ceremony of the Druid tradition is known as Alban Arthan – which can be poetically translated as “The Light of Arthur”. Here Arthur is equated with the Sun-God who dies and is reborn as the Celtic ‘Son of Light’ – the Mabon – at the Winter Solstice. The name of the ceremony, therefore, encapsulates or epitomises the essential theme of this rite. During the ceremony the apparent death of the sun is mourned, and then as the fire is lit at the actual or symbolic time of the Solstice, the rebirth of the Sun and by association, the return of Arthur, is celebrated.
This is an old act indeed. The Christian nativity story is but a recent version of the theme of the Sun’s rebirth.
The Sun-God Mithras was also born at the time of shortest light and maximum darkness, and it is at this time that the mystery of death and resurrection or rebirth is acted out symbolically by the very planets themselves. The symbolism of the Winter Solstice ceremony is deeper and older than that of Summer.
Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year, is a time when nature seems to stand still; a key moment of deepening and withdrawing. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on what lies within our own darkness that is awaiting birth. What have we offered to the Great Mother for gestation and holding? As we light candles at Solstice, we focus on what we are kindling within ourselves.
ALL WELCOME!
Bring stories, poems, reflections, readings, etc. appropriate to this powerful time of the year.
A contribution to our Yule Feasting afterwards would be appreciated.
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LENDING LIBRARY AT THE WOOLSHED
The lending library (books on spirituality, druidry, wicca, paganism, ritual, etc.) at The Woolshed is now open for business. Unfortunately we can’t send books out so you will just have to come and visit us at The Woolshed to access this fine library.
The link for our online library database is: http://connect.collectorz.com/users/
woolshedlib/books/view
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