Winter Solstice Fire and Drum Circle

To celebrate the Winter Solstice we will be holding a very special Fire and Drum circle.

This will follow a similar plan to our monthly full moon fire circles, with the addition of a drum circle to find our places in the rhythms of nature

We will meet at the car park at the School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing at 6pm.

Then we will walk by candle-light to the fire circle, where we will settle ourselves into a circle around the fire.

You may want to wear waterproof boots or wellies, lots of warm layers, and to bring waterproof outer clothing plus something waterproof to sit on.

There are hay bales and logs to perch on but they may be wet.

If you prefer to bring a small stool or camping chair that’s ok.

If you would like to bring a small artefact that has meaning to you, to set around the fire, within the circle, please do.

We will open the circle with a greeting and a poem.

Then I will lead a short meditation. Coming out of meditation, I will invite everyone to join hands to complete the circle.

We will then spend a little time considering the meaning of the Winter Solsitice, its recognised spiritual meaning and its meaning to each of us.

After a little stretching I will invite you to join once again in circle where we will each have an opportunity to speak about something that is on our minds.

We will use a ‘speaking stick’ to show who’s turn it is to speak and then that person can first introduce themselves to the group and then take some time (5-10 minutes) to talk about whatever they want to talk about, with no interruptions, while everyone else listens attentively in silence, offering no judgements, no suggestions, no solutions and no advice. Just holding space.

The circle is intentionally limited in number of people, so that each person has a chance to speak if they want to.

You may want to speak about your life, your thoughts, worries, concerns, successes, hopes, intentions, stories, poems, difficulties, experiences, or anything at all.

Anyone who prefers not to speak, simply passes the stick along.

After the ‘speaking stick’ has completed it’s journey once around the circle, there will be an opportunity for anyone who didn’t speak the first time, to take the stick and speak if they have decided to do so.

All that is said in circle remains confidential and stays in the circle.

If you want to there is also the option to bring paper messages (or sticks imbued with meaning), (about worries, feelings, bad experiences, etc.), to throw into the fire, to clear away unwanted issues and open to new opportunities.

Or you could do this to add fire and energy to new hopes, dreams and aspirations. These can remain private to you or you can share if you wish to.

We will then share something to eat and drink in circle together.

The we will join in a Drum Circle to explore our own rhythms in the rhythm of nature.

Then we will return to our circle one last time, where we will join hands in a seamless circle of community, love and support.

Then at around 9pm, we will pick up our belongings, and walk back with our candles to the car park and say our goodbyes.

Please feel free to bring other refreshments with you.

Please observe our vegan values and bring only plant based foods and drinks.

Also please avoid bringing single use plastic bottles, as we have signed the Dopper pledge to not have these on the farm.