Summer Moon Lodge

Summer Moon Lodge

Last Sunday's Summer Moon Lodge was beautiful, and so different in feel to the spring one.  It is held in the roundhouse at the Minstead Study Centre, and ran by a good friend, Heidi. 

She opens the circle......a fire is lit inside and we are all sat around it, a circle of women, being led through a beautiful guided visualisation. 

Afterwards we learn about the 'mother' aspect of the goddess, and of the goddesses Isis and Mother Mary and their roles as mothers and nurturers, and we all had a chance to talk about how this aspect effects us...our thoughts and sometimes emotions.  It is always interesting to find that although we are all different, there are a lot of common understandings and feelings between us...linking us.  The fact that all women have the ability to mother whether we can have children or not, for mothering can mean a great many things...like caring for those in a community, nurturing the earth, loving animals etc.  Also that it is important to look after ourselves....to give to others, means we must also give to ourselves! Certainly made me think!

A joined healing session followed, as we stood in a circle holding hands, we sent out love and healing to all.  The feeling inside the roundhouse was amazing, there was an intensity, a generating of power. Afterwards was just as powerful...we were asked to hug a person standing next to us, and see if we were better at giving or receiving.  It was quite an emotional exercise, and most people said that they felt that, 'when you give, you receive also'.....it certainly felt the case for me.

We moved outside for a beautiful chanting session under the slowly setting sun, followed by a hypnotic and rhythmic drumming session. We were taught a Senegalese drumming song and the story behind it.  Each different type drum and drummer had a different beat to play, and when put all together, it was mesmerising.  I could feel my body pulsing with the beats, I just wanted to abandon the drum, and get up and dance, and afterwards I found I wasn't the only one!!!

We broke then for herbal teas and home made biscuits (orange crunch full moons & chewy date and honey flapjacks - made by me).

I did a bit then, on foraging, and what is available now, to eat for free.

Last, but not least was story telling, and we were transported off to the world of myth and magic.  Delighting in the tale of an old midwife, whose good deeds and kindness given to all, were repaid in full and then some, and she was able to out her last years in in comfort.

Before the close of the circle we were treating to some lovely and haunting flute playing, and also some fantastic hang playing too.

The end of the evening came all too quickly and the circle was drawn to a close. 

It was an amazing evening and an interesting journey.  There were lots of laughs and hugs, love and happiness.....and gratitude....gratitude to all who to part, to make the evening what it was, and gratitude to Heidi for making it all happen.

Exx

So looking forward to the next one, in Autumn.