By witnessing the seasons and celebrating them in liturgies, we can develop a deeper connection between the Earth and ourselves. As we become more in tune with energy shifts, our lives become more balanced and are in harmony with the environment as with the Divine. -- Diann Neu
Spring Equinox & Drumming Circle
Honoring Earth Mother and Blessing the Sacred Fire
March 23, 2013, Saturday (6:00 -- 9:00 pm)
Mark the beginning of Spring and the time when days and nights are of equal length. Spring flowers, sprouting greens, and seeds take center attention. We will bless the seeds (bring seeds for planting in your own garden) and plants that sustain our bodies, beautify the surroundings, and provide us shelter. This is also time to consider what goals, desires or wishes you would like to achieve over the season of re-germination—a true celebration of re-birthing your life and nature itself. Bring a dish to share at the potluck table; feasting will be part of the ritual. Also, we will observe Earth Hour (see event below) by "flipping the switch" for a moment of "darkness."
Spring is one of the most festive times of year. People come out of their winter hovels eager to take part in outdoor life again. They take delight in the promises that spring brings with it. This time of light after darkness has often been associated with newness and was, according to the Roman calendar, considered to be the start of the new year. Many early peoples celebrated vernal equinox because it means their food supplies would soon be restored. The date is significant in Christianity since Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. After the vernal equinox, the Sun continues to follow a path higher and higher through the sky with the days growing longer and longer until it reaches its highest point in the sky on the Summer Solstice.
The spring equinox – one of four solar seasons – is related to dawn, youth and the morning star. According to School of the Seasons, it is also affiliated with the east: The Saxon goddess, Eostre (from whose name we get the direction East and the holiday Easter) is a dawn goddess, like Aurora and Eos. Just as the dawn is the time of new light, so the spring equinox is the time of new life. Since the beginning of recorded time cultures around the world have developed a range of spring equinox celebrations that take place anywhere between mid-March and April, dependent upon the calendar that is being use.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
Honoring Earth Mother and Blessing the Sacred Fire
March 23, 2013, Saturday (6:00 -- 9:00 pm)
Mark the beginning of Spring and the time when days and nights are of equal length. Spring flowers, sprouting greens, and seeds take center attention. We will bless the seeds (bring seeds for planting in your own garden) and plants that sustain our bodies, beautify the surroundings, and provide us shelter. This is also time to consider what goals, desires or wishes you would like to achieve over the season of re-germination—a true celebration of re-birthing your life and nature itself. Bring a dish to share at the potluck table; feasting will be part of the ritual. Also, we will observe Earth Hour (see event below) by "flipping the switch" for a moment of "darkness."
Spring is one of the most festive times of year. People come out of their winter hovels eager to take part in outdoor life again. They take delight in the promises that spring brings with it. This time of light after darkness has often been associated with newness and was, according to the Roman calendar, considered to be the start of the new year. Many early peoples celebrated vernal equinox because it means their food supplies would soon be restored. The date is significant in Christianity since Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. After the vernal equinox, the Sun continues to follow a path higher and higher through the sky with the days growing longer and longer until it reaches its highest point in the sky on the Summer Solstice.
The spring equinox – one of four solar seasons – is related to dawn, youth and the morning star. According to School of the Seasons, it is also affiliated with the east: The Saxon goddess, Eostre (from whose name we get the direction East and the holiday Easter) is a dawn goddess, like Aurora and Eos. Just as the dawn is the time of new light, so the spring equinox is the time of new life. Since the beginning of recorded time cultures around the world have developed a range of spring equinox celebrations that take place anywhere between mid-March and April, dependent upon the calendar that is being use.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
Holy Week Services at Rockhaven
Holy Thursday: March 28
Good Friday: March 29
Easter Vigil: March30
Join us for the Holy Week services (Triduum). We share stories and faith experience, commemorate the Jesus Story, ritualize what we believe in, and celebrate the re-birthing of new life in all of all creation. Our celebration of the great paschal mystery not only recall the historical aspect of Jesus' life but more importantly focus on the mystical and cosmic elements; a Christ not limited to specific moments in history but present in the world. In this manner, all creation becomes a manifestation of the Divine.
All are welcome at the table! We invite everyone to tap into the mystic in you - your ability to reflect on the wider aspects of life as we re-member, commemorate, and celebrate.
All services start at 6:00 pm and end at 8:00 pm except for the Saturday gathering which ends at 9:00 pm ( includes a potluck dinner).
Bring a dish to share for the Easter potluck dinner on Saturday.
Cost: Donation.
Register here or call (636)375-3159
Holy Thursday: March 28
Good Friday: March 29
Easter Vigil: March30
Join us for the Holy Week services (Triduum). We share stories and faith experience, commemorate the Jesus Story, ritualize what we believe in, and celebrate the re-birthing of new life in all of all creation. Our celebration of the great paschal mystery not only recall the historical aspect of Jesus' life but more importantly focus on the mystical and cosmic elements; a Christ not limited to specific moments in history but present in the world. In this manner, all creation becomes a manifestation of the Divine.
All are welcome at the table! We invite everyone to tap into the mystic in you - your ability to reflect on the wider aspects of life as we re-member, commemorate, and celebrate.
All services start at 6:00 pm and end at 8:00 pm except for the Saturday gathering which ends at 9:00 pm ( includes a potluck dinner).
Bring a dish to share for the Easter potluck dinner on Saturday.
Cost: Donation.
Register here or call (636)375-3159
First of May Bonfire Ceremony
May 1, Wednesday (6:00 pm - 8:30 pm)
April's showers have given way to rich and fertile earth, and as the land greens, it is time to welcome the abundance of the fertile earth. We will light a "brilliant fire" (Beltane) - an indigenous tradition that goes back hundreds of years - ensuring fertility throughout the summer months. The ceremony will include burning healing herbs, fire leaping (for luck), drumming, dancing and feasting. Bring food to share for the potluck feast.
The holiday of Beltane is traditionally celebrated from sundown on the last night of April into the first day of May, and is sometimes called May Day. On the Wheel of the Year, this holiday falls opposite from Samhain, and is considered the start of the "light" half of the year. At this time of the year, spring is in full swing and in some places it's already starting to show signs of summer. Fields are planted at this time of year and many of the rituals are further celebrations of fertility and abundance. Jumping the bonfire was a rite often practiced at Beltane, seen as a symbolic purification.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
May 1, Wednesday (6:00 pm - 8:30 pm)
April's showers have given way to rich and fertile earth, and as the land greens, it is time to welcome the abundance of the fertile earth. We will light a "brilliant fire" (Beltane) - an indigenous tradition that goes back hundreds of years - ensuring fertility throughout the summer months. The ceremony will include burning healing herbs, fire leaping (for luck), drumming, dancing and feasting. Bring food to share for the potluck feast.
The holiday of Beltane is traditionally celebrated from sundown on the last night of April into the first day of May, and is sometimes called May Day. On the Wheel of the Year, this holiday falls opposite from Samhain, and is considered the start of the "light" half of the year. At this time of the year, spring is in full swing and in some places it's already starting to show signs of summer. Fields are planted at this time of year and many of the rituals are further celebrations of fertility and abundance. Jumping the bonfire was a rite often practiced at Beltane, seen as a symbolic purification.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
Summer Solstice
Celebrating the Sacred Fire and the Green Earth
June 23, 2013, Sunday (6:00 - 9:00 pm)
As the coolness of spring shifts to the brilliant heat of summer, we come together again to mark the longest day and the shortest night. We celebrate the magic of the fire that sustains us and Earth, our Mother. The long days and warm weather are vital for long hours on the fields and gardens, for young animals to grow strong and for crops to begin to ripen... we're grateful for the Sun! The summer solstice heralds the beginning of summer. This also represents the time of fulfillment. This is an excellent time to take stock of your life and assess how your goals and aims are going. The stability of summer and the promise of balmy, warmer days ahead is considered to be a time to develop yourself, to set yourself free and to nurture yourself. As the crops begin ripening, this is a time for self-maturation and for consolidating your energies.
On this day, greet the dawn by lighting a candle just before sunrise. Spend the day in the open air and then bid farewell to the Sun (facing west), lighting your candle once more to honor the sun's waning light.
Herbs and flowers picked during the summer solstice were believed by people in medieval times to carry healing energy above and beyond any normal healing properties. While we'd nowadays consider this to be scientifically doubtful, you can still honor the sentiment by growing your own herbal medicine garden during summer and learning more about using plants to heal minor injuries and illnesses, such as scratches and headaches. While growing your herbs and veggie garden, remember to thank the pollinators. Summer is a time of high pollination because so many trees and plants are flowering. And yet, in recent years many bees have suffered from disease, in particular colony collapse disorder, threatening the future of pollination by bees. Find out all you can about what is being done to protect bees and give bee keepers who practice natural, organic and chemical-free beekeeping your support. Also think of all the other pollinators, including the much despised mosquito, all doing their part to ensure delicious food reaches your table. For the potluck, bring a dish with midsummer herbs such as basil, sage, thyme and/or rosemary. Tomato soup or sauce, with its fiery red color, is perfect for the occasion.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
Celebrating the Sacred Fire and the Green Earth
June 23, 2013, Sunday (6:00 - 9:00 pm)
As the coolness of spring shifts to the brilliant heat of summer, we come together again to mark the longest day and the shortest night. We celebrate the magic of the fire that sustains us and Earth, our Mother. The long days and warm weather are vital for long hours on the fields and gardens, for young animals to grow strong and for crops to begin to ripen... we're grateful for the Sun! The summer solstice heralds the beginning of summer. This also represents the time of fulfillment. This is an excellent time to take stock of your life and assess how your goals and aims are going. The stability of summer and the promise of balmy, warmer days ahead is considered to be a time to develop yourself, to set yourself free and to nurture yourself. As the crops begin ripening, this is a time for self-maturation and for consolidating your energies.
On this day, greet the dawn by lighting a candle just before sunrise. Spend the day in the open air and then bid farewell to the Sun (facing west), lighting your candle once more to honor the sun's waning light.
Herbs and flowers picked during the summer solstice were believed by people in medieval times to carry healing energy above and beyond any normal healing properties. While we'd nowadays consider this to be scientifically doubtful, you can still honor the sentiment by growing your own herbal medicine garden during summer and learning more about using plants to heal minor injuries and illnesses, such as scratches and headaches. While growing your herbs and veggie garden, remember to thank the pollinators. Summer is a time of high pollination because so many trees and plants are flowering. And yet, in recent years many bees have suffered from disease, in particular colony collapse disorder, threatening the future of pollination by bees. Find out all you can about what is being done to protect bees and give bee keepers who practice natural, organic and chemical-free beekeeping your support. Also think of all the other pollinators, including the much despised mosquito, all doing their part to ensure delicious food reaches your table. For the potluck, bring a dish with midsummer herbs such as basil, sage, thyme and/or rosemary. Tomato soup or sauce, with its fiery red color, is perfect for the occasion.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
FALL EQUINOX & DRUMMING CIRCLE
Celebrating Harvest Home
September 21, Saturday (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
Like its sister equinox, halfway across the Wheel of the Year, the Autumn Equinox is a good occasion for a ritual feast. Also known as Mabon to the ancient Celts, it is also the time to start harvesting our crops and preparing for winter, all the while giving thanks for that which we have. We gather to thank Earth for her bounty… we gather to remember blessings of the year… we gather to learn anew the autumn’s life lessons... we gather to thank Earth for her bounty.
Bring food to share at our fall harvest feast; feasting is part of the ritual.
The date of the Autumn Equinox corresponds to the center of the Sun crossing the celestial equator moving southward. It is also based on the day closest to the first day of Autumn (September 21st) when night and day are nearly of the same length and it marks the first day of Autumn.
Traditionally, this celebration was observed with a harvest feast to celebrate and share the abundance of the past season. And a time when the plants are setting their seeds; making themselves ready for their new cycle.
Remember everything that is placed on one side of the scale has to have something else placed on the other side.
Thus, take time to look closely at the balance in your life and shifting what needs to be shifted or changing what needs to be changed.
How do you balance your personal needs with your commitments to the outside world? How do you receive? How do you give? How do you hold on to that which is no longer beneficial in your life? You might want to reflect on this in a journal or make it concrete by putting objects on a scale. For everything which represents one side of the scale to you (for instance, a book representing quiet time alone), place something on the other side which represents its opposite (a letter or phone for reaching out to friends). If your scale is out of balance then bring yourself and your life back into balance; thus harvesting more peace of mind, joy, prosperity, happiness; and less loneliness, chaos, confusion and frustration.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
Celebrating Harvest Home
September 21, Saturday (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
Like its sister equinox, halfway across the Wheel of the Year, the Autumn Equinox is a good occasion for a ritual feast. Also known as Mabon to the ancient Celts, it is also the time to start harvesting our crops and preparing for winter, all the while giving thanks for that which we have. We gather to thank Earth for her bounty… we gather to remember blessings of the year… we gather to learn anew the autumn’s life lessons... we gather to thank Earth for her bounty.
Bring food to share at our fall harvest feast; feasting is part of the ritual.
The date of the Autumn Equinox corresponds to the center of the Sun crossing the celestial equator moving southward. It is also based on the day closest to the first day of Autumn (September 21st) when night and day are nearly of the same length and it marks the first day of Autumn.
Traditionally, this celebration was observed with a harvest feast to celebrate and share the abundance of the past season. And a time when the plants are setting their seeds; making themselves ready for their new cycle.
Remember everything that is placed on one side of the scale has to have something else placed on the other side.
Thus, take time to look closely at the balance in your life and shifting what needs to be shifted or changing what needs to be changed.
How do you balance your personal needs with your commitments to the outside world? How do you receive? How do you give? How do you hold on to that which is no longer beneficial in your life? You might want to reflect on this in a journal or make it concrete by putting objects on a scale. For everything which represents one side of the scale to you (for instance, a book representing quiet time alone), place something on the other side which represents its opposite (a letter or phone for reaching out to friends). If your scale is out of balance then bring yourself and your life back into balance; thus harvesting more peace of mind, joy, prosperity, happiness; and less loneliness, chaos, confusion and frustration.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
HALLOWED BE THE TURNING INTO DARKNESS
All Hallow's Eve Celebration
October 30, Wednesday (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
Celebrate All Hollow's Eve or Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween), the Celtic "summer's end"
As the light declines and darkness increases in the Northern Hemisphere, we gather once again to mark the beginning of a new year. The veil between the human and the spirit world is thin on this night so we honor the ancestors who came before us and celebrate the cycle of birth-death-rebirth. Activities will include a bonfire [weather permitting]--calling Sacred Fire to provide comfort and protection during winter's darkness, ancestor memorial [bring pictures or mementos of your dear departed], and feasting to celebrate the end of harvest. Bring something to share at the Halloween feast.... and come in your Halloween costume, too!
The Celtic peoples, who were once found all over Europe, divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle. This gathering is more popularly known as Halloween, when the veil that separates the living and the dead is most thin. It's the season to remember the ancestors who have gone before us.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
All Hallow's Eve Celebration
October 30, Wednesday (6:00 pm to 9:00 pm)
Celebrate All Hollow's Eve or Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween), the Celtic "summer's end"
As the light declines and darkness increases in the Northern Hemisphere, we gather once again to mark the beginning of a new year. The veil between the human and the spirit world is thin on this night so we honor the ancestors who came before us and celebrate the cycle of birth-death-rebirth. Activities will include a bonfire [weather permitting]--calling Sacred Fire to provide comfort and protection during winter's darkness, ancestor memorial [bring pictures or mementos of your dear departed], and feasting to celebrate the end of harvest. Bring something to share at the Halloween feast.... and come in your Halloween costume, too!
The Celtic peoples, who were once found all over Europe, divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle. This gathering is more popularly known as Halloween, when the veil that separates the living and the dead is most thin. It's the season to remember the ancestors who have gone before us.
Suggested donation: $15
Register here or call (636)375-3159
Celebrating the Sacred Fire:
A Winter Solstice Gathering
December 21, Saturday (5:00pm to 8:00pm)
"Sacred Fire, Transforming Fire... recreate me, make me whole!"
Once again, the season turns... winter is here! Celebrate the longest night (for us living in the northern hemisphere). From now till the Summer solstice, the sun stretches its rays for a few moments longer everyday. In this celebration, we will honor the SUN—source of energy and life—with the blessing of the Winter Fire.
Bring some food to share at our winter feast; feasting is part of the ritual.
Suggested donation: $15.00
Register here or call (636)375-3159
A Winter Solstice Gathering
December 21, Saturday (5:00pm to 8:00pm)
"Sacred Fire, Transforming Fire... recreate me, make me whole!"
Once again, the season turns... winter is here! Celebrate the longest night (for us living in the northern hemisphere). From now till the Summer solstice, the sun stretches its rays for a few moments longer everyday. In this celebration, we will honor the SUN—source of energy and life—with the blessing of the Winter Fire.
Bring some food to share at our winter feast; feasting is part of the ritual.
Suggested donation: $15.00
Register here or call (636)375-3159
Rockhaven Ecozoic Center is a non-smoking space. Pets are not allowed in any of the buildings.
Handicap accessible rooms are limited. Please check in advance for availability.
Handicap accessible rooms are limited. Please check in advance for availability.
