Join us for Solstice 2012

" Illumination "

June 21 -24 , 2012

About Solstice About Women's Summer SolsticeThis event is produced entirely through volunteer efforts by women who believe in the value of creating safe and sacred space for women to gather, learn, play and celebrate the joy of living in peace together. The Council Planning Commitee meets from September through June once a month as a whole to put together the structure of Solstice so it may run smoothly! There are smaller commitees that work together in teams like Registration, Ceremony, etc through out the year to attend to the finer details so when the group comes together monthly recommendations can be made and action items have been accomplished so things stay on track!Women of all traditions are welcome and diversity is honored in our community. Whether you are attending the gathering for the first time, participating in planning future events, seeking healing, or contributing in a way that is unique to you, we welcome you as a member of the Women of Summer Solstice.2012 marks the 25th year Anniversary of this gathering's history. The three-day retreat offers workshops, a marketplace full of crafts created by our sisters, a labyrinth, a sweat lodge, access to the healing talents among the community members, and of course, rituals to celebrate the height of the Solstice season.Dates and times for 2012This year's dates are:Thursday June 21st at noon through Sunday June 24th at 1pm! There are NO EARLY ARRIVALS before the stated registration time at noon on Thursday. All participants will need to be off the land by 3pm on Sunday! There are other groups scheduled to arrive on Sunday after our Solstice group, thus we need to abide by the set schedule!AccomodationsTent camping is included in the registration fee.If you choose not to camp you may choose to stay in one of the cabins available. Some cabins do have in-cabin shared bathrooms and electricity, while others cabins are more "rustic" and have limited electrical outlets and bathrooms are outside in a community bath/shower house that several cabins share. Cabins are assigned on a first registration, first serve basis! Special NeedsIndividuals with special needs wishing to obtain a cabin with a bathroom and electrical access due to medical needs, are highly encouraged to register as soon as possible as they are assigned on a first registration, first serve basis. Once the cabins are assigned changes may not be able to be accomodated!Individuals wanting to share cabins space with other friendsGroups of people wanting to be assisgned the same cabin should all register together in order to have a better chance of rooming together. NO SPACES WILL BE HELD for those who want to room together if they do not sign up at the same time. We encourage you to be proactive and plan your registration on the same day so the possibilities of being together will be greater.Goddess GrantsPlease click on the Goddess Grants link to your left on the menu for more information. GG's are available to women 18 years and older. They are $50 each.
Herstory Herstory1988: A group of seven women called the Flying Turtles, following the guidance of one woman's vision, divided up the tasks and planned the first Women’s Summer Solstice gathering. 75 women attended the retreat at Chinook Learning Center on Whidbey Island, participating in rituals, workshops and the healing tradition of the sweat lodge. 1989: 200 women attended the second gathering! 1992: The original seven women gave the gathering to the community in the closing day Giveaway ceremony, hoping someone else would now take up the task of continuing it for the women's community. A single woman took on the goal of planning the event for everyone else. In recognition of her commitment to the community as a whole, the Turtles presented her with a gourd containing earth from the grounds. It was a daunting venture to say the least, but she spent the next year making Solstice 1993 happen.1993: She had a dream in which she learned that the gourd held the vision of the gathering, and so she formally named the gourd "She Who Holds the Vision" or simply "SheWho." A group of women stepped forward to help her plan the next year. The new group of women added their own tradition of choosing themes for each year's celebration. 1996: After 3 years, all but one of these women were exhausted with their efforts to keep the gathering going and they passed the gathering back to the community to keep it going. A small, 5-year-old girl, who had attended for each year of her life, insisted Solstice must go on and volunteered to take charge. Inspired by the child's courage, several women stepped forward to help her. 1998: Recognizing the need for a different and sustainable leadership structure, members of the community were asked to participate more fully in the weekend event, from moving wood to building altars to cleaning up after the celebration. Another beautiful and momentous event happened in this year as well. A small girl, who had come to Solstice when it first began and had attended each year since, was honored for her passage into womanhood during the Theatre of the Goddess menarche ceremony. She represented the first child of our community who has been raised in the Goddess tradition and honored all her life for her femininity.2001: We moved to a different location to allow more flexibility in scheduling around other June events, such as Father's Day and Pride. This change in venue also allowed us to begin providing all meals for attendees.2002: 153 women and children attended our 15th gathering, where we participated in a world peace prayer honoring those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001, and those who continue to live and strive for peace between nations.2012: The tradition continues....
Marketplace

The Marketplace

We have an abundance of talent and skill among the members of the Solstice community. Many of them choose to display their wares for sale during the gathering.

As vendors sign up to participate, we will provide links to their websites, where available, in this space.

If you're interested in offering goods for sale during Solstice 2011, please Contact us

Workshops WorkshopsEvery year, the gathering hosts a series of informal workshops presented by attendees for women and children alike. Past workshops have included: Yoga Intensive Reiki Bellydance Make a Papier Mache Rattle (for children) The Egyptian Pantheon The Wisdom of the Crone Song and Dance for Children Breast Plaster Casting Visualization Meditations Tie Dye We are currently planning for this summer's gathering. If you have a workshop you would like to lead or are specifically interested in seeing lead, you may do so when you arrive at Solstice and set up a time and sign up sheets. Ask the Greeting and Registration team where the sign up area is for you to post your workshop!!The Yurt is reserved on Saturday for a time block in order to accomodate Child Care needs so that our sisters may enjoy some time participating in workshops or other activities where children may not be interested or appropriate, so we ask that presenters be flexible and understanding of the use of the space during this time. There are many other areas where workshops can be held through out the camp grounds!
Meals Meals at SolsticeWe are delighted to be able to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for all participants in this year's gathering. The cost of these meals is included in the registration fee, and is comparable to the amount you might spend if you were at home for the same length of time.Many of our participants have special dietary needs. If you are among these women, please make sure you note any specific food allergies you may have on the registration form. Vegetarian dishes will be available at every meal and every effort will be made to adjust menus where possible. But each participant is responsible for asking about any dishes that may cause concern for her. If in doubt, ask the cook (or her staff). She will be happy to answer any questions that arise about food preparation and ingredients.Please note that we are unable to offer food discounts for attendees with special needs. Because this event is volunteer run and managed, we have limited administrative capabilities and cannot break down food costs by item for each participant. If you require special foods or snacks, please plan to bring them along to supplement the meals that will be served in the main lodge.
Sweat Lodge The Sweat LodgeSweat bathing is a powerful cleansing and healing ritual from numerous cultures. The Finnish sauna, Mexican temascal, Native American sweat lodge, Roman balneae or thermae, Russian bania, and Turkish hamman are all places considered to be deeply connected to the spirit world. The Solstice gathering does this work in a Native American sweat lodge. Our lodges are rainbow lodges, meaning that the teachings and traditions of many beliefs are welcome. Lodges are used for many specific intentions generally they are used to purify and cleanse in preparation for sacred work; to release or transform energies which no longer serve; to heal yourself and others mentally, emotionally and spiritually; to re-birth and re-new from the womb of the mother; to sit with Creator and receive spirits messages; and to honor special events.Lodge involves crawling into a simple domed structure and sitting on Mother Earth. Rocks, heated in sacred fire, are brought into the lodge by the firetenders and the door is closed. Once you are in total darkness, water is poured on the rocks by the Pourer and steam rises as prayers, chanting, story-telling, toning, tears and laughter rise. This harmonious blending of the elements, the guidance of spirit through the Pourer, and the support of the firetenders offers a beautiful, powerful and transformative ritual for you to do your work and receive what you need for your highest and best good. To all my relations.If you wish to sweat, look for sign-up sheets for lodges at the information tent when you arrive at the gathering.
Healing Opportunities Healing TentMany of the women in the Solstice community are gifted practitioners of the healing arts, including massage, reiki, and other varieties of alternative methodologies to renew the spirits of their clients. During the gathering, all service provided on a volunteer basis by these women are free to attendees at the event. However, time slots are limited, so make sure you check the sign-in board at the registration tent upon arrival at the retreat site.Healing PractitionersIf you would like to offer your services at Solstice 2011Contact us
Ceremonies and Rituals RitualsOpening CeremonyOn Thursday night, we officially open the gathering with a ceremony that welcomes all participants to the forming Solstice community. You are encouraged to bring drums, rattles, tambourines and other instruments for the drumming circle that begins the ceremony. If you don't have an instrument to play, feel free to dance!Rites of PassageFriday night, we honor the life passages of girls and women in our community, including: menarche, new motherhood, croning, and a variety of other key events in a woman's life. Join us to witness the cycle of life and to honor the women in our community who have entered a new phase of life.Sacred Theatre of the GoddessOn Saturday night, the women and children at the gathering meet in a large circle and participants "perform" an offering of their choice to the Goddess. It should be noted that while we do have some professional performers within the community, most of the performances done for Theatre of the Goddess are amateur and often casual in nature. Some women tell personal or fictional stories; some present poems; others sing songs they enjoy and invite others to sing along; still others dance. Sometimes the workshops, especially those for the children, lead to a small group planning some sort of performance for the others as a representation of what the workshop taught them. The mixture of styles and creative ideas is endless! This ritual ends when no one else wants to perform. Dress warmly for this ritual; the nights can get cold, even in the summer.GiveawayFollowing breakfast on Sunday morning, the Solstice Giveaway ceremony is based on the Native American tradition of giving away something of value to you to another participant in the gathering. The exact format of the giveaway varies, depending on the ritual leader. This ceremony often brings tears, laughter, surprises and an unusual level of emotion to the women and children present. It's one of those experiences you have to be a part of in order to truly appreciate.ClosingOne of the more difficult aspects of Solstice is going back to our lives beyond the world of the gathering. The closing ceremony is created in recognition that all transitions should be honored and noted. We also thank those who have contributed to the gathering at this time and ask new planning council members to step forward to help create the next year's gathering.
Registration Information Registration InformationThings to Know1. Register Early! A $25 late fee applies for registration forms postmarked after May 15th, and a $50 late fee applies for forms postmarked after June 5th. No registrations will be accepted after June 15th.2. Registration includes meals (beginning with dinner on Thursday and ending with lunch on Sunday), tent camping, rituals, workshops, sweat lodges, and healing tent services.3. All attendees over 13 years old are asked to volunteer for one 2-hour work shift as a contribution and gift to the wholeness of our community. These shifts provide opportunities to meet other women and contribute to the spirit of the gathering. If you are unable to contribute through working, you will be asked to pay an additional luxury fee of $50. Please make sure you complete the work schedule on the back of the form before turning in your registration form.4. Goddess Grants (reduced price registrations) are available on a limited basis to those who have a genuine need for assistance. These grants are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.These Grants are only afforded to adults and not youth, there are no scholarships or grants for youth. 5. Payment is due with your completed registration form. Currently, we accept checks or money orders. We hope to have set up PayPal as an alternative form of payment through this website in the near future.6. Refunds will be subject to a $20 processing fee; and no refunds will be made after June 15th.7. Make checks payable to: Women's Summer Solstice.One Woman, aged 17 and older starts with this registration fee: $155For each child, add: $40Luxury Fee (for women who do not want to complete a work shift) $50Accommodations * Tent camping is FREE * Dorm-style cabin space is available at a cost of $15 per person, per night. Number of nights x $15 per person = cost"Refunds are subject to a $20 processing fee. No refunds will be made after June 15, 2011." ***Additional Late Fee for Registrations postmarked after May 15th $25 Late Fee for Registrations postmarked after June 5th: $50Registration Mail in or On-Line
On-Line Registration Mail-In Registration Get Involved Get InvolvedWomen's Summer Solstice is produced entirely through the volunteer efforts of women just like you. The variety of talents and skills it takes to produce this event is unending. Some of the women lead rituals, some are exceptional planners, some provide technical expertise, some teach workshops, some are performers, some make an art form out of inspiring the others to keep going. No matter who you are or what you're good at and like to do, we would love to see you join in making this gathering happen.There are many ways to get involved. Here are a few:Become a planning council member: Meetings are approximately once a month, beginning in October for the following summer.Make a donation to our Goddess Grant Fund: Some women would love to attend our gathering, but find it financially impossible. If you are able to and would like to help out a sister in need, please consider giving a donation of any amount to the Goddess Grant Fund.Donate your time and energy during the weekend: There are limitless ways in which you can contribute to the success of Summer Solstice. Ask any council member how you can help out after you arrive at the camp. Let us know what your skills are and how you think you can contribute. Show up and participate!
FAQ Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat can I expect at the gathering?Approximately 150 women and children are expected to attend this informal event held in the midst of nature. The community that forms is warm, friendly and casual. Most women who enjoy camping find the atmosphere a welcome change from the hectic lives we experience in our day-to-day lives. A wide variety of workshops, healing services and sweat lodge ceremonies are offered for small groups, in addition to the large group rituals that occur throughout the weekend. What you choose to do is up to you, but it's pretty much guaranteed that you won't be able to find the time to do everything that appeals to you. For some women, the greatest aspect of Solstice is the opportunity to do nothing at all for a few days. Where is the gathering held?For security reasons, we do not publicly display the location of the Solstice gathering. Those who have paid their registration fees and sent in their registration form are sent a map and directions. In general, the camp has plenty of tent-camping space, a commercial kitchen to allow for serving meals to everyone at one time, several dorm-style cabins, a swimming hole (monitored at specific times by a certified lifeguard), and communal shower facilities.What does it cost?Information about the various fees are included on our registration page.What should I bring?A list of suggested supplies and ritual items will be provided with the welcome packet that is sent out when we receive your registration information and payment. But for those who like to plan ahead, we encourage you to bring all weather gear for camping, as well as any drums, tambourines, rattles and other instruments that appeal to you. Do I have to camp? Can I stay at a nearby hotel?It has become clear in recent years that some women simply don't like camping, but would enjoy participating in the Solstice gathering in other ways. If you have a medical need, you may bring a trailer or RV to the site. There are also some indoor sleeping spaces, with electricity, heat and running water available in dorm-style cabins, and other that are rustic and share a separate community bathroom/showerhouse nearby. Our elders often find these spaces allow them to meet their health needs and participate more fully with others in the gathering. Cabins are assigned on a first registration first serve basis prior to arrival at the camp.What if I can't afford the fee?Goddess Grants (reduced price registrations) are available on a limited basis to those who have a genuine need for assistance. These grants are issued on a first come, first served basis. For more information, please Contact us.Why can't men attend? And what about my son(s)?This event was originally conceived by a woman who wanted to create a spiritual space for women alone, a space in which the feminine spirit could be revered and celebrated in all her glory. To the best of our ability, we have tried to continue in the spirit of her initial vision. This does not mean that we are opposed to men as part of our spiritual practice. Many women within the Solstice community have husbands and sons who are every bit as precious to them as their daughters. If you are interested in finding family events where the men and boys in your life can participate, we encourage you to explore the many pagan and spiritual events offered in the Puget Sound region.Who do I talk to about special dietary needs?We provide three meals per day (continental breakfast, lunch and dinner) for attendees, beginning with dinner on Thursday and ending with lunch on Sunday. We are able to accommodate vegetarian diets and dairy, nut and MSG allergies. There is a place on the registration form to note if these are your issues. We will attempt to provide at least some dishes at each meal that are acceptable within your restrictions, but please note that we are not able to accommodate the complexity of foods for every dietary issue and keep the cost of the gathering low enough for all attendees. Ingredients are posted in the main lodge by our catering staff so that you can monitor your own allergies and make food choices that are good for you.What is a "sweat?"Sweat lodge rituals are an ancient tradition, dating back hundreds of years. We include them as part of the Solstice gathering because they are invariably a highlight for many of the women who attend. Sweats are lead by trained, experienced, and gifted "pourers" who guide the experience for the other participants. Women enter a small, darkened structure, where large stones heated in a firepit are placed in the center. The leader of the ceremony pours water and herbs over the rocks, which creates a sauna-like effect. Women are asked in turn to respond to various questions or themes presented by the sweat pourer, usually in four rounds corresponding with the four directions. The exact structure of the ceremony depends largely on who leads it, as is true with most spiritual experiences in our community. Women who are new to sweats as a spiritual practice may let the pourer know, in order to gain additional information about the traditions and guidelines inherent in the process.Am I required to participate in everything?The short answer is "no." The longer answer is that you will be encouraged and welcome to participate in anything that appeals to you at Solstice, because it is through participating as much as possible that the community builds and thrives. You will also be respected for choosing to decline if that is appropriate for you. A broad range of faiths and practices are in evidence at the gathering, and diversity is both appreciated and celebrated within our community. We have found that most women choose to be part of the main rituals because it enhances their experience within the community. How you spend the remainder of your time is up to your personal preferences.
Resources and Links

Women of Wisdom

The Women of Wisdom Foundation is a National Women's Organization based in Seattle, providing diverse and innovative programs that offer women opportunities for personal growth and transformation. WOW promotes women's spirituality, creativity and wholeness, and empowers women's voices and their contributions to the world, honoring the Divine Feminine in all. Womens events include a range of mind body and spirit topics for a full healing experience.

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Women's Summer Solstice

2400 NW 80th ST #221

Seattle, WA 98117

206-214-5093

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