1st Annual Salmon Valley Womans Festival
Trip Start
May 15, 2008
1
15
34
Trip End
Feb 28, 2009
Wells, British Columbia, Canada
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Time marches on as trailers,tenters,vendors,old acquaintances, and new faces arrive,its all so new to Robyn this event organizing but as i observe she is taking it all in stride despite being pulled in many directions,i am on hand to do whatever needs doing.When we discussed this Woman's Festival last year i put dibs on staying in the house as my heart and body wasn't into camping so here we are 10 womyn all snug as a bug with all the comfys of home.mind u this house is big i , 4000 sq feet with 9 potential bedrooms,and we're using 7 of them...The day whizzes by us and opening ceremonies begin,approx 80 womin in a big circle and my dear Gemini friend has a p.a system not that either one of us need one....Native dancing,singing,poetry and Belly Dancing are all part and parcel of the friday night opening festivities.To open the circle the directions are called in (opening the circle) I am the element East Winds of Change(how fitting)
The first night has come to a close and the night has swallowed us up as we scatter to our respective sleep spaces...The night hasn't ended for Mary and i as we make our way to the hot tub to wind down before sleep overtakes ....Saturday morning arrives i am wide awake making my way to the 7 am meditation,the sun is in the beginning warm up to its gonna be a hot day....
Workshops begin at 9:30am this morning(Saturday),i feel quite relaxed and grateful to be here in such beautiful space..I think in a past blog i wrote and posted pics on Robyn's property and how its a campground along the river(Salmon Valley River).There we were Womin from diverse walks,ages,beliefs and so on in a abundant nature setting coming together for a weekend that empowers selves and land..The workshop i facilitated(altars and shrines) was small and intimate,the pace was laid back and very much participant led,i was so there for the creative high,originally until last week i was going facilitate two workshops,i ended up doing one workshop and a good number of readings hmmm guess thats what i was supposed to be doing and just floating and relaxing,its been quite awhile since i've had three days off in a row where a whole day off is my own so really what better way then being in another Northern experience.
What a Creative Journey this Summer is..............
I truly don't know where Saturday has gone as i walk along the path in the dark,after a few dances under the full moon with other womin who also are enjoying moving freely to the music .All the special touches that were added where do i start,Its Full Moon weekend and so this festival theme is about honoring our grandmothers. The outside altar is filled with many things that we carried with us to place on the altar,lit up at night with tea light candles the altar sits under trees waiting patiently for visitors, by the way the morning meditation is by the altar.
Another space was the give-a-way table,there were beautiful things laying here that have been let go of..Buts its not a garage sale lol lol lol( Thanx Robyn). When i wanted to move into shade i would sit at a shaded picnic table and watch womin float by on the river. Moving onto the food yum yum yum...It was catered Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner.Salmon,Pasta,Salads and on it goes..
I had hoped to have taken part in the Sweat today but the day flew by and i missed it.Tonight was a beautiful circle around the fire listening to femail drumming and watching belly dancers while keeping an eye for the rising full moon...what i see is a very round,empowering Moon.
I am off to bed early and i am tired and ready for rest after a full day,tomorrow i am having a healing touch session and we ready ourselves to go back to Wells/Barkerville.
The healing touch session was scheduled for 10:30 am (Sunday) after breaky and a reading off i go,the womin have set the tone and space for healing,it's located by the river up on a camping site the massage table is inviting and there i lay for a half hour bliss,four womin facilitated my session,a little lightheaded and feeling very grounded i make my way for lunch and closing ceremonies. On the road again Mary and i discuss our weekend,the mood on and about us is light,energetic and relaxed we feel good!!!
I know that there is so much more wonderful stuff i left out,but i do know that i am very grateful that i witnessed and participated in my friend Robyn's Dream.........................................
Signed;
Chilling in the Cariboo
Comments
Tres Cool!
Wow! It sure looks like it was a fun event Rhonda! I wish i were there to take your altar workshop!
Sounds like it was a very well needed break for you.
Love, Violette