new and improved

Dear Community,
Changes are afoot, ahand, aforehead…
My schedule just opened right up and I’m delighted to get back into the circling swing with all of you!
Mark your wall calendar, copy and paste into google calendar, or write it on your forearm with permanent marker…

Thursday, August 21st – Dance of Universal Peace at Unity Church in Fort Collins (1401 W Vine) – 7:30 PM – $10 suggested donation

Sunday, August 24th – Chant – 449 Clover Ln, Fort Collins – 7 PM – $10 suggested donation – WOO-HOO a CHANT EVENING!!!! I’m Excited!!

Monday, August 25th – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln, Fort Collins – 9:30 AM – by donation – YES!!! I’m starting it back up! This coming week we’ll concentrate on “Al-Warith” – all levels of experience are welcome. Facilitation will accommodate everyone. Contact me with questions.

Thursday, August 28th – Dance at Unity Church – 7:30 PM – $10 suggested

Tuesday, September 2nd – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – by donation – concentrate on “Ar-Rashid”

Thursday, September 4th – Dance at Unity Church – 7:30 PM – $10 suggested

Tuesday, September 9th – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – by donation – concentrate on “As-Sabur”

Thursday, September 11th – Dance at Unity – 7:30 PM – $10 suggested

Sunday, September 14th – CHANT – 449 Clover Ln – 7 PM – $10 suggested

Monday, September 15th – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – by donation – concentrate on “Allah!!!” – all welcome!

Thursday, September 18th – Dance at Unity – 7:30 PM – $10 suggested

Friday to Sunday, September 19 to 21, Pir Shabda is in Boulder for workshop, dances, and zikr… contact Waduda for more info: 303-718-9712 or e-mail wendywelsh@earthlink.net

I will NOT be leading Zikr on the 20th… we’ll be back at Studio Be in October.

Monday, September 22nd – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – by donation – concentrate on “Ar-Rahman” – all welcome!

NO DANCE the 25th in Fort Collins… I’ll be prepping for the Goddess Retreat, which starts…

FRIDAY, September 26th to MONDAY, September 29th – there’s still room for you to join us – $230 covers lodging and food – hot tub included – all programs facilitated by Starhawk and me! – more info and on-line registration here: http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

….and…

registration is open for the Sufi Meditation Retreat, October 30 to November 3 – time to register if you’re planning to join us: http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

For those of you in school… or with children in school… or working in schools… or in some way governed by the school calendar and clock, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy and apologies on behalf of our ridiculous society that is so blatantly biased toward the early-bird mentality and completely trampling the night-owls. I would like to start a revolution demanding that schools adjust their schedules for half the year to accommodate those of us who do our best work in the middle of the night.
Just to be clear, I am not advocating for my neighbors to run their lawn mowers, weed whackers and chainsaws in the middle of the night… I simply want our beloved children to be able to sleep in.
Can I get an “amen?”

Celebrating the brilliant shower of yellow leaves…
Sára

(970)227-5275

Goddesses Galore!!!

For all you Goddess Lovers in the Mailing List Mix,
Two super awesome things…

1. Dancing with the Goddess Retreat – led by Starhawk and me – September 26 to 29 – time to sign up! – http://trigoddess.org/special-events/ – deadline is September 1st.

2. Goddess Caravan… Round TWO!!! This retreat was amazing in March of 2013. We’re doing it again in 2015!!!
Friday March 13 to Tuesday March 17
share the drive with our wild tribe ($115)
or fly ($90 plus airfare of your choice)
We’ll have four nights and three full days at the temple.
Sharing meals, chanting, drumming, ritualing and contributing our labors of love to the Temple and the grounds.
The Temple of Goddess Spirituality Dedicated to Sekhmet is 40 minutes north of Las Vegas (12 hours in the car)
Jodie and I plan and bring all the food for everyone.. all vegetarian
There is no charge for lodging, but donations to support the temple, the guest house, and your super wonderful organizers are greatly appreciated!
Here is a link to the Goddess Temple website if you would like more info. http://www.sekhmettemple.com/
Send Sára $100 check or paypal to save your spot!
This retreat filled up in less than a week last time, so be quick!
2727 Alan St, Ft Collins, CO 80524

Blessed Be!
Sára

(970)227-5275

special sufi events… coming right up!

For your very great enjoyment and enlightenment…

Saturday, August 16th – Studio Be, 2077 30th St, Boulder – Allaudin Ottinger will be in town and bringing his excellent juju to the Zikr circle! – More special guests this month include Hadi and Karim (the folks who got this Zikr circle started almost 20 years ago) – Habib will be with us… full house! – 7 PM – suggested donation $10 and dessert potluck

then… in September… Pir Shabda Kahn – September 19 to 21 – Adi Shakti 6717 Valmont Rd Boulder – $101 for the weekend – $60 per day – $10 to $20 for the Zikr evening
Friday, the 19th – 7:30 PM intro talk and dances
Saturday 9:30 to 4:30 workshop
Saturday 7:30 zikr
Sunday 9:30 to 4:30 workshop
Mail check payable to: Wendy Welsh
2299 Pearl St. Ste. 304
Boulder, CO 80302
303-718-9712
wendywelsh@earthlink.net

then… in October… Back to the new version of “usual” – Zikr with Sára – Saturday, October 18th – 7 PM – Studio Be – $5 suggested and dessert potluck

also… in October… Sufi Meditation Retreat w/ Sára – October 30 to November 3 – Sunshine Mountain Lodge – catered by Rahima Jodie – $295 to $325 (depending on your lodging preference) – more info here: http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

My head is spinning… probably just an indication that I’m getting into the Sufi groove…
Blessings of light,
Sára

dances, ice cream and dervishes, oh my!

Hi Friends!

Tomorrow, Thursday, the 10th, Dance, in Fort Collins, 7:30 PM, followed by, local ice cream outing! I love ice cream! Bring a friend! – $10 suggested for the dance… ice cream cost depends on how fancy you get!

NEXT WEEK…

Thursday Dance on the 17th… in Fort Collins… see above…

Then… ZIKR – Saturday, the 19th – Studio Be, Boulder, 7 PM – Sufi practices, readings, etc. somewhere in the middle of the evening – Bring a dessert to share – and $5 donation.

SPECIAL SUFI EVENT COMING UP…
Pir Shabda is coming to Boulder in September – I am unable to send a flyer with this e-mail list… but here’s the most important info: Friday, 9/19, 7:30 PM talk and Dances – Saturday and Sunday 9/20 and 9/21 full day workshop 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM – Saturday evening Zikr 7:30 PM ($10 to $20 suggested) – Register before 9/5 for discount rate $120/weekend, $65/day – all events occur at Adi Shakti Sanctuary (6717 Valmont Rd, Boulder) – contact Waduda for more info: (303)718-9712

…and…

Register for the “Dancing with the Goddess” retreat – It’s filling up… September 26 to 29 – facilitated by the amazing Starhawk and me! – http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

Register for “Sufi Meditation Retreat” – October 30 to November 3 – facilitated by me! – http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

While I am entirely too tired to be funny right now, please allow me to leave you with this thought…
Bathing in lemonade is the most summer refreshment you can possibly get.
Scrub between your toes with fresh mint leaves from your garden… or come harvest some from mine.
If you find a few happy toads on your way into the garden, step carefully. Toads are your friends. They may even be some of our long lost witchy relatives.
Happy Summer Storming Blessings,
Sára

(970)227-5275

let there be light

Hello Dear Ones,

DANCE this Thursday June 26th at 7:30 pm at 344 E Mountain Ave (Art and Science studio)-Fort Collins. – suggested donation $10

Also at the same place join us for CHANT on Sunday, June 29th- 7pm – suggested donation $10

And you might as well go ahead and mark your calendars to join me every Thursday in July for Dances of Universal Peace-same place, same time.

Starting Sunday, July 13th, I will be leading dances and the opening walk at SpiritKeepers in Boulder. 10 AM, senior center at 9th and Arapahoe.

Saturday, July 19th- Community Zikr- Studio Be- 2077 30th St, Boulder- 7 pm. I will be facilitating the evening and including some seated wazifah practices and readings.  – $5 suggested donation and dessert potluck… bring something yummy to share.

I don’t know yet about July chants… stay tuned… make no assumptions because, as you know, it just makes an ass out of someone or other, probably me.

PLUS… the big news for this fall… STARHAWK is coming to facilitate the Dancing with the Goddess retreat with me. Sign up now… http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

For optimal summer experience, practice Zen meditation with ants and mosquitoes. Breathe in happiness, breathe out tranquility. Breathe in peace, breathe out equanimity. Breathe in sunlight, breathe out ease in each moment.
Love to all… peace to the bloodsuckers!
Sára

(970)227-5275

nudge, nudge…

Darlings,
TODAY!!! at 4:30 PM… join us at Avogadro’s Number (605 Mason St, Ft Collins) for a Five Wishes dinner, conversation and completion… I’ll bring the forms, the pens, and my big mouth. Please bring your pocketbook (if you want to buy dinner, drinks and dessert)… and let me know if you’re planning to join us.

TODAY!!! at 7 PM… join us for an evening of CHANTING (344 E Mountain Ave, Ft Collins) – $10 suggested – very inter-faith…hang out and sing, sing, sing!!!

THURSDAY, June 5th… join Brooke and Willow for a sweet evening of Dances of Universal Peace (344 E Mountain Ave) – $10 suggested. This is their first entire evening of dance and they have a lovely evening planned for you! Habib will be accompanying on guitar. THANK YOU HABIB!!!

I’ll be back with you for dance on the 12th.

LOVE ALL AROUND!!!
Sára

coming up daisies

Darlings,
Would you like the latest info about my shenanigans?
Read on!

TOMORROW – Thursday, May 22nd – Dance in Fort Collins – 344 E Mountain Ave – 7:30 PM – I will be leading with some sweet contributions from Brooke and Willow! We’re so lucky! – $10 suggested

NEXT Thursday, May 29th – Dance in F.C. – ditto to all the above…

THEN…

Sunday, June 1st – NEW EVENT – Five Wishes Party – 4:30 PM – Avogadro’s Number (625 S Mason St, Ft Collins) – Bring money for dinner, drink, dessert… – I will bring copies of the Five Wishes and pens… if you don’t know what I’m talking about, please read on…
Five Wishes are an easy, simple, fast and awesomely effective way to do some end-of-life planning… state your advanced directives, name your medical decision maker, outline your desires and plans in a clear, effective manner. Many people put off these plans because it’s just hard to prioritize or it’s scary or it doesn’t feel urgently important… and then (as I see in my hospice work), it often ends up being a stress and struggle for family members, loved ones, and individuals facing difficult decisions under difficult circumstances. Much better to get things in order early. Please plan to join me at Avo’s… Contact me if you have questions or want more info… AND.. please RSVP so I can set up a table with enough chairs!

THEN…
We’ll go CHANT!!! – Sunday, June 1st – 7 PM – Chant at 344 E Mountain – $10 suggested

Thursday, June 5th – 7:30 PM – will be led by Willow and Brooke and friends! – 344 E Mountain – Please plan to join the circle… it is bound to be a sweet, beautiful, and lovely opportunity for all of you to enjoy the leadership of these wonderful young women! – $10 suggested

June 6 to 8, I’ll be in Virginia for a Singing Retreat at Anahata… join me if you can! – e-mail me for more info!

Thursday, June 12th – Fort Collins Dance – I’ll be back in the leadership ring… 7:30 PM

NO DANCE on the 19th… because…

MEADOWFEST – y’all sure are slow about signing up this year… if you’re planning to come camping with us, e-mail me IMMEDIATELY!!! – Meadowfest goes from Thursday June 19th to Sunday June 22nd – at Jack’s Gulch – $35/adult

AND… the next big chapter for me… and you… I am certifiably insane. After long consideration and much discussion, I have agreed to assume leadership of the Boulder Community Zikr as Habib is retiring. There will be some changes afoot… here’s the info, starting…

Saturday, June 21st – Zikr will begin at 7:00 (yes, it’s 30 minutes earlier) – at Studio Be (2077 30th St, Boulder, in the Aspen Plaza) – please plan to arrive on time. There will be a 30 minute (or so) seated portion of the evening, which will likely include some wazifa practice, readings, breath concentrations, etc… – Zikr will end at 9:30… and dessert potluck will follow. – Suggested donation $5

I think that’s plenty for now. If that’s not enough to put on your calendar, please consider joining one of the following meetup groups:
1. llama hair weaving hippie mamas with long, painted-orange fingernails in the northern colorado area
2. mountain climbing 35 to 55 year old former catholics with propensities for using too much hair gel
3. confused adult children of OCD fathers married to spanish soap opera addicted mothers, who play boxcar dominos as healthy coping mechanism
Love and happy rain to all,
Sára

(970)227-5275

Super Important Special Events

Dear Community,
I know that all of you grown-ups working for a living in this day and age are simply overwhelmed with responsibilities and demands on your time, energy and financial resources…
As a relatively intelligent, somewhat spiritually inclined, living, breathing human being walking the sweet earth along with you… I’d like to strongly encourage you to pack up all those adult obligations, drop them into a deep, fast-moving river, and go on retreat!!!
For real! Here are a few for you to prioritize above all else:

SINGING RETREAT – at Anahata Community in Floyd, Virginia… June 6, 7, 8… I’m so happy to be part of this! Kathryn Ashera and Craig Green are phenomenal human beings with stellar vision and alignment with spirit, joy, and the power of music. Check it out!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1410768745849379/

MEADOWFEST… June 19 to 22 – Jack’s Gulch – Come camp with us! Pagan-centric, happy, relaxed camping fun! I’ll be heading up rituals, chants, maybe some dancing (if y’all like that sort of thing) – I love cooking up breakfast pancakes for all y’all! Here’s the link for more info and registration:
http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

GODDESS RETREAT with STARHAWK and ME!!! – September 26 to 29 – I can’t even begin to express my overwhelming delight to be bringing Starhawk for this retreat! Facilitation will all be by me and Starhawk! I’m quite certain this retreat will sell out! Sign up early! Like, NOW!!!
http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

Then… as normal, on-going, not so super special, but pretty darn great ways to enjoy community without needing to quit your jobs:

Dance this Thursday, May 15th – 7:30 PM – 344 E Mountain Ave, F.C. – $10 suggested

Chant NEXT Sunday, May 18th – 7 PM – 344 E Mountain – $10 suggested

Dance Thursday, May 22nd – 7:30 PM – 344 E Mountain – $10 suggested

Dance Thursday, May 29th – 7:30 PM – 344 E Mountain – $10 suggested

Chant, Sunday, June 1st – 7 PM – 344 E Mountain – $10 suggested

Dance with Brooke and Willow, Thursday, June 5th – 7:30 PM – 344 E Mountain – This is a very exciting, wonderful opportunity for all of you beloved dancers to enjoy, support, encourage, celebrate and delight in the blossoming, gorgeous leadership of these young women! I SO wish I could be there in my absence!!! – $10 suggested

A tip for living a happy life:
get a cat… take naps with said cat at least daily… in the sunshine… or the shade.
Love to all,
Sára

(970)227-5275

dancing queen and king and jester

Dear Ones,

Dance tonight (March 27th)! – 7:30 PM – 344 E Mountain Ave, F.C. – $10 suggested

Dance next week! – April 3rd – same bat time, same bat channel!

Dance – April 10th … ditto to the rest…

Chant – Sunday, April 13th – 7 PM – 344 E Mountain – $10 suggested

NO DANCE APRIL 17th…

NO DANCE APRIL 24th…

NO DANCE MAY 1st…

BUT…

CHANT RETREAT!!! It’s time to sign up… deadline is April 15th…
Retreat goes April 25, 26, 27 – here’s the link for info and registration: http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

AND…

SUFI YOUTH JAM!!!
Retreat goes April 29 to May 4 – here’s the link: http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

PLUS…

EVERYONE… please do join us at Camp Santa Maria for May 3rd afternoon and evening community day at the Youth Jam – Come experience the leadership of the next generation of Dance and Sufi Ruhaniat leaders… $25 includes dinner – Pre-register for dinner so our AMAZING caterer knows how many of us to cook for – e-mail me for the flyer with all the details…

AND… FINALLY…
I highly encourage you to spend at least an hour a day in the spring sunshine… and if you do it like me… be super lazy about it, don’t move at all, and you too can get a nice first-sunburn-of-the-season on your sweet noses!

See you at the dance!
Sára

(970)227-5275

impersonating saints

Dear Darling Circling Community,

I’m back!
Want to dance?

Thursday, March 6th – Dance of Universal Peace – 7:30 PM – 344 E Mountain Ave, Fort Collins – $10 suggested


Sunday, March 9th – Chant – 7 PM – 344 E Mountain – $10 suggested

Thursday, March 13th – Dance – 7:30 – E Mountain – $10 suggested

Saturday, March 15th – Sufi Class in Boulder – 6 PM – by donation – 2077 30th St

Thursday, March 20th – Dance – 7:30 PM – E Mountain – $10 suggested

Sunday, March 23rd – Chant – 7 PM – E Mountain – $10 suggested

Thursday, March 27th – Dance – 7:30 PM – E Mountain – $10 suggested

And don’t forget… it’s time to register for: 
 

1. CHANT RETREAT w/ me and Allaudin – April 25 to 27 – Camp Santa Maria – three glorious days of singing, singing, singing… with dancing and zikr-ing and drumming and basking in lovely, inspiring sounds – catered by the Fabulous Mary Link – $115 for lodging and meals – Twill be Brillig!

2. SUFI YOUTH JAM – April 29 to May 4 – Camp Santa Maria – a very international and exciting contingent of Sufis and Dance folks will be congregating for five days of learning, growing, exploring, enjoying, bonding, communing, attuning and enlivening the bright future of the Sufi Ruhaniat and Dances of Universal Peace – please share the invitation far and wide! – there will be a Saturday afternoon and evening open to everyone! Mark your calendars!

All registration info and flyers are here: http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

Here are three suggestions for boosting personal optimism:
1. Compare yourself to something less fortunate… for example… I am so glad I’m not a ceiling fan… I would be perpetually dizzy, dusty and/or bored. Gosh I’m lucky by comparison!

2. Count your blessings… for example… wow, I sure am fortunate to have nail clippers, a car jack, and a retractable pen. So many people in the world have to chew off their fingernails, call AAA and write their names in the dirt with a stick.

3. Give up complaining for Lent… can you imagine! My examples are too long to type out… but I think this is brilliant and I’m taking it on even though I didn’t get one of those fashionable ash bindis today, which I am NOT complaining about… just stating.

See you at the dance!
Sára
(970)227-5275