We gathered for a walk at Dawn on Easter Sunday morning (it was a 5.00 am start…but there were 7 of us!) followed by a delicious, shared breakfast at Ian’s. We walked through the dew in Wanstead Park and saw the sky change from a deep purple to a golden yellow and blue. We heard the dawn chorus and watched huge birds on the ponds where the mist rose as the sun rose. A breathtaking time. Some of us joined the GreenSpirit walking break in Devon at Easter, and some of us went on the Wild week in Wales in the summer. We celebrated Samhain with a bonfire and fireworks.
Here are the meetings planned for 2008
Sunday February 3rd 2008 for Imbolc
We will have an Imbolc meditation after sharing a Candlemas supper at 33 Park Road, Stratford, London E15 3QP at 6.30pm.
As people who are deeply aware of what is going on in the natural world we recognise that there is strength in cold as well as heat, death as well as life. The Horned God reigns over the Autumn and Winter and although the light and warmth of the world may be weak he is still in his power. Many feel that human actions are best when they reflect the actions of nature, so as the world slowly springs back into action it is time for the small tasks that are neglected through the busy year.
Please bring a candle which we will light during the evening and dedicate to a place that is special to you, creating a mandala of lights. (Please let Hilary know if you are planning to come (with any dietary requirements) by 31st Jan on 020 8470 3365)
Thursday March 20th 2008 7pm 33 Park Road, Stratford, London E15 3QP
Spring Equinox celebrates the renewed life of the Earth that comes with the Spring. It is a solar festival, celebrated when the length of the day and the night are equal (this happens twice a year, at spring and Autumn Equinox).This turn in the seasons has been celebrated by cultures throughout history who held festivals for their gods and goddesses at this time of year. The Celts continued the tradition and at the time of Spring Equinox the God and the Goddess are often portrayed as The Green Man and Mother Earth. The Green Man is said to be born of Mother Earth in the depths of winter and to live through the rest of the year until he dies at Samhain.
To celebrate the spring we will create a ritual: painting eggs or planting seeds. Bring budding twigs, flowers, willow catkins, sprouting bulbs, and bring your favourite poems by Nature poets like John Clare, Blake, Wordsworth and Thomas Traherne etc.
Sunday 30th March meditation: Dreaming for ourselves and the planet at 33 Park Road, Stratford, London E15 3QP
Meditation describes a state of concentrated attention on some object of thought or awareness. It usually involves turning the attention inward to a single point of reference. The benefits of the practice can engender a higher state of consciousness. Meditation has been practiced for over 5,000 years as a component of eastern religions. Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or psychophysical practices and we shall explore some over the year.
Sunday April 20th meditation and discussion. 33 Park Road, Stratford, London E15 3QP at 7.00pm
Sunday May 4th 2008 Beltane 6pm for a meeting in West Ham Park and then bonfire, food and fellowship 33 Park Road, Stratford.
Sunday June 1st meditation and discussion. 33 Park Road, Stratford, London E15 3QP at 7.00pm
Saturday June 21st To celebrate the summer solstice we will spend a night in the ancient forest of Epping as we have done in past years . We want to feel close to the Earth and the Sky and will do something devotional during the evening: meditation, a circle dance, a meditative walk in the forest... after which we’ll light a fire and share food and tell stories whilst the stars come out. We take tents and stay overnight, sharing breakfast together before going home. If the weather is ok we might sleep under the stars. Please contact Hilary if you’d like to come, if you would like a lift or can offer one. 02084703365
June 29th meditation at Hilary’s
for more details about East London GreenSpirit contact Hilary Norton: email: hapn(at)greenspirit.org.uk 'phone: 020 8470 3365