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Before covid, UCV hosted 3 sometimes more circle dance gatherings every month.
Since then we’ve shared two or three at the start of Earth Spirit rituals and a couple of us have met informally and now we’d like to start offering at least one 2-hour circle dance session each month.
You may find Mary’s blog http://sacredcircledance.wordpress.com of value, especially if you’re new to circle dancing.
Did you know UCV has had a “Pagan Committee” for over 20 years?
When Louise Bunn, creator of the Unitarian curriculum Paganism 101, asked about how to form an ongoing group for pagan (aka earth spirituality) gatherings, she was told that the only organizational structure we had was committees. So a committee it was! Since then there have been times when a pagan group was very active, sometimes organizing rituals for 40 or 50 people; and other times when interest waned and then… somehow like the rhythms of nature mentioned in the 6th Unitarian source, a new group would spring up.
Over covid times, the most active part of what we’ve recently been calling the “earth spirit” group has been our 40-member email group where members sometimes post reminders about the seasons or the phases of the moon, informational links and an invitation to an occasional zoom event. We (mainly Mairy Beam!) coordinated several gatherings in the past year: two outdoors and five over zoom.
Now, with restrictions lifting and the weather grand, we’re encouraging people to gather on the beautiful grounds of UCV: come on your own–or invite a few friends–and walk the labyrinth; pick some herbs, or even help tend the new earth spirit herb garden or participate in a circle dance or ritual. Plans are still being considered, but we hope there will be a Lammas ritual in late July or early August. I, for one, want to dance around that tree again for World Circle Dance on Sunday, July 11th.
While summer is often a slow time for events, it’s also when a lot of planning happens for the fall start up. As we rest, travel, walk, read, ideas incubate – and so we’d like to invite you to fill out a survey if you’re interested in “earth spirit/pagan” activities at UCV. https://forms.gle/1eLgGe2t9LPpFXEb8
It looks long, but as it’s multiple choice and you can skip any questions that aren’t relevant, it only takes a couple of minutes. And you get to see what others say.
Would you like to learn more about pagan practices? Make your own wand or broom? Meet with others to socialize and ritualize? We might just be able to put you together with others who have the same interests!
Meanwhile, Louise has led or co-led the Paganism 101 program about 8 times since the first one in 1999 and would love to see it offered again, with a team that she could support, but not lead herself. If you’d like to be part of a team like that, please contact Louise at louisebunn@uniserve.com
Bright blessings,
Mary Bennett for the UCV Earth Spirit group
Are you missing our circle dance gatherings? Our good friends Darlene and Frances put together a playlist of dances that are familiar to many in their Ladner Circle Dance Group. I danced “with” them on Friday night (as I do usually on the last Friday of each month).
My contribution was putting together a youtube playlist. Dance instruction is (when available) put before the music. If you’re not familiar with the dance, maybe just improvise some of the steps. We always say, “There are no wrong steps, only variations” so this is a good time to do your own variations.
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=
Here’s what Darlene and Frances sent out.
Hello Ladner Dancers,
Frances and Darlene have prepared a “Blossom!” Spring dance program for those who wish to listen or move to dances and music familiar to the Ladner Dance Circle. Some of the music videos have beautiful images to enjoy too.
The world situation is challenging and affecting us in many ways. Dance is our connection to each other, to community, to other places/other people, to our precious earth and beyond. Dance is grounding and healing. Please join the Ladner Dance Circle in your own home with your heart, intentions and prayers whenever you have the time and energy to connect with these suggested dances/songs (or your own favourites!).
Grab a scarf or two (for Winds on the Tor) and a candle (for My Prayer and Sending You Light) before you begin to dance…
Blessings in the dance of life,
Frances and Darlene
PS It would be lovely to know if you dance or listen along with us.
Breathe deeply! enJOY
Here Now Lyrics (excerpts):
This spiral dance of joy and grief
Here now, the body breathes
Here now, the laughing, crying
Here now, the birds and dying
Here now, this tale unfolding
Here now, the circle holding
Here now, blessed be
These hands that form a sacred ring
Here now, blessed be
These feet that dance, these hearts that sing
Here now, blessed be
The flowering of the living tree
Here now, blessed be
This light that flows through you and me
Here now, be here now,
We’re here now
Here Now
Choreographer: Paul Boizot, UK
Album: Invocation
Artist: Jaiya, BC, Canada
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5vf0YrPmw4
Dance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=slkD2QcfJRw
Heartbeat Drum Song
Choreographer: Ciann and Manitoulin Island Sacred Circle Dance Group
Music Origin: Native American. The song is in a compilation of Tutelo and Saponi languages, now extinct dialects of the Sioux nation
Music Title: Mahk Jchi
Artist: Ulali
Listen: youtu.be/bOn4vIybDU8
Steps: Dance can travel to the right or left. If traveling to the right:
R side, L together (to the right) X3, L side (going left), R touch. Repeat.
Lyrics:
Lyrics translation:
Our hearts are full and our minds are good
Our ancestors come and give us strength
Stand tall, sing, dance and never forget who you are
Or where you come from
Healing Waters
Choreographer: S. Raschke
Music Title: Song to the Mother
Album: Fire Prayer
Artist: Denean
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue3BH2GLV08
Dance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM358HFD8HY
Suvetar (Goddess of Spring)
Choreographer: Kevin Meyers – USA
Album: Sjofn
Artist: Gjallarhorn – Sweden
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ4sqv7OHrg
Dance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIp7R6VgBVM
Irish Dance (Honouring St Patrick’s Day)
Music: your choice of Irish music
Steps: skip and have fun like the children in this video www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCRzuMPzk4E
Or if you want more of a challenge, then enjoy dancing this dance…
Music: Irish Tipple
Choreographer: Barbara Driscoll
Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d999sixJneo
Winds on the Tor (Fresh Spring winds)
Choreographer: Glastonbury Wed. eve dance group
Music Title: Young Brown Cow (traditional)
Artist: unknown
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRVDOktkCVI
Dance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFVVmPqxB4k
Suggestion: dance Winds on the Tor with a scarf or two and be playful
Pachelbel In the Garden (sounds of Spring)
Choreographer: Sun Meditation steps by Bernard Wosien matched to this music by Frances Rose, BC, Canada
Album: Dan Gibson’s Solitudes, Exploring Nature With Music, Pachelbel in the Garden
Artist: Dan Gibson
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDVZzIIcy8
Dance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2xGiqPDaq0 (Sun Meditation steps)
Sun Meditation (Equinox ~ balance of light and dark and connection to Findhorn)
Choreographer: Bernard Wosien, Findhorn
Music Title: Arioso from Cantata BWV 156 J.S.Bach
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeaSfoTnz0o
Dance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2xGiqPDaq0
Bells of Norwich (A dance of hope ~ all will be well again)
Choreographer: Collin Harrison, UK
Artist: Sydney Carter
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUnMnpFQ0Wo
Dance: (See step notes at bottom of this email)
Offering Govand (Traditional dance steps to celebrate love and life)
Choreographer: Traditional steps matched to this music by Shakeh Major Tchilingirian
Origin: Western Armenia
Music Title: Offering
Album: Treasures
Artist: Night Ark
From World Circle Dance Day 2019 globalcircledance.com/2019
Music:drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ev7ACSAS57YjpU8SLh_njnTLRk8Wld6a
Dance video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9CfzqG5Qlc
Notes: drive.google.com/file/d/1fS6UfjEMfyYKOk2oyw-MUCA0w4XpKzGI/view
My Prayer (candle dance)
Music: Greek
Music title: Prosefhi
Album: Odos Nefelis’88
Artist: Haris Alexiou, Greece
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UNQ7Il8wG0
Dance steps: 3 forward steps, 1 sway back, candle in left hand toward centre, right hand on left back heart space of person in front or when dancing alone put right hand on your heart.
Lyrics:
Translation of the lyrics to My Prayer (Prosefhi)
Prayer
Give me a line so that I can walk
Give me a name so I won’t get lost
Give me a dream, a dream to hold on to
Give me a vision to help me resist.
Give me a child to make my confessions to
Give me a kiss to wash away the evil
Wake me in the morning with a song
which would bless my life.
Hold your own prayer in your heart as you dance ”My Prayer”…
When you have finished dancing, face centre
Sending You Light (candle meditation)
Artist: Ana Hernández & Fran McKendree
Album: Sending You Light
Listen: open.spotify.com/album/1mrHsXaltDPY8WbkiOamIV
Movement: stand still or move your candle or move your body….
As the music plays, meditate with your candle
Lyrics:
I am sending you light to heal you, to hold you. I am sending you light to hold you in love.
————
BELLS OF NORWICH STEP NOTES
If you’d like to get some gentle exercise, move to music from a wide selection of tunes from folk to contemporary and classical, we have several opportunities every month to try out sacred circle dance.
There has been a circle dance group at UCV for well over a decade and the opportunities keep increasing.
Usually it’s a small group of 5 to 15. We always teach the steps and welcome newcomers. You are encouraged to adjust the movements to your own needs. For instance, some people get dizzy when they spin, or find “cross-over” steps difficult on their body. Our mantra is: There are no wrong steps, only variations!
RSVP appreciated but not required.
In July, 2018, we joined with circle dancers around the world to dance three “link-up” dances–one choreographed by Bernard Wosien, the founder of sacred circle dance; a traditional Greek dance and one choreographed by Gwen Peterdi, who organizes the Mexico Circle Dance event.
Below are videos of the three link-up dances.
Learn more about World Circle Dance Day here:
https://globalcircledance.com/world-circle-dance-day
Summer is a time for adventures and if you’re on a stay-cation or visiting Vancouver from elsewhere, we invite you to these gatherings especially for those who want to try out sacred circle dance, either for the first time or because you’d like to learn or practice some of the basic steps.
Mary Bennett and Mairy Beam have collectively been circle dancing for over 30 years and they each bring their own story to why it’s become an important part of their spiritual lives.
Vancouver Unitarians have been hosting sacred circle dance events open to all for 15 years.
People come with a variety of backgrounds from “always loved dancing” to “three left feet.”
Sacred circle dancing in this form comes from the Findhorn Foundation about 40 years ago initiated by Bernard Wosien.
We’ll answer any questions you have and enjoy sharing our enthusiasm in a gentle way.
First Tuesdays in July and August 7:30 – 9 pm.
Mary and Mairy are both members of the Vancouver Unitarians Earth Spirit Council. Email for other events.
Here’s the worship service they led in 2017 about their experience with circle dancing.
Photo used with permission from D. Rainbow.
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