Open Circles

Darling Circlers,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the answers to my questions last month. Very helpful and I really do appreciate all the effort y’all put into typing.

Tuesday, February 22nd (oh, good golly! that’s today!) – 7 PM – Women’s Dance – St Barnabas Church, Denver – $7 suggested donation

Friday, February 25 to Sunday, February 27 – SUFI MEDITATION RETREAT – I know a couple of you are still pondering… I will be leaving for my personal pre-retreat-retreat Wednesday morning, so I need to know for definite sure if you’ll be there by then – 3 days of meditation focus, primarily silent, Friday and Saturday evening Zikrs, yoga and movement, delicious food, beautiful location – Sunrise Ranch – sliding scale $140 to $210 – here’s the flyer link: http://trigoddess.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/sufi-retreat-flyer-2011.pdf

Monday, February 28th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Mujib” “The Responsive” – by donation

Tuesday, March 1st – Mama Sing – 10 AM – Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason) – by donation

Friday, March 4th – New Moon Chant – 230 N Sunset, Ft Collins (Kiri and Mark’s home) – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, March 5th – Pagan Class #6 – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – $30 drop in

Sunday, March 6th – DRAGONFEST Main Ritual Planning Meeting – how about 2 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 in Fort Collins – If you’re interested in helping but can’t make it to this meeting, please let me know so I can keep you in the loop for future efforts.

Monday, March 7th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – focus on “Al-Wasi'” “The All Comprehending” – by donation

Tuesday, March 8th – Dance of Universal Peace – Sunrise Ranch (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland) – 7 PM – $5 suggested donation

Saturday, March 12th – Pagan Class #7 – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – 5000 Boardwalk, #13 – $30 drop-in

Monday, March 14th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Hakim” “The Perfectly Wise” – by donation

Tuesday, March 15th – Mama Sing II – 10 AM – Martinez Park, by the playground – by donation

Friday March 18th – Chant – 7 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, March 19th – Pagan Class #8 – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – $30 drop-in

Saturday, March 19th – Ostara Celebration – 2 PM – Treehenge – The Pagan Class will be presenting the Ostara ritual – bring potluck food/drink to share after ritual – bring the kids so we can stuff them into eggs and hide them for the rabbits – have the kids bring baskets – RSVP to me so I can help the class plan supplies – Hoppy Spring!

Monday, March 21st – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Wadud” “The Loving One” – by donation

Tuesday, March 22nd – Women’s Dance of Universal Peace – St Barnabas Church (1280 Vine, Denver) – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Hey, excitement, excitement!!! I’ll be traveling at the end of March, leading a few events in the Eastern U.S. Have friends in these areas? Let ’em know about these events. I’m looking forward to touching into other communities and sharing practices…

Saturday, March 26th – Unitarian Church – 4444 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, Virginia 22204 – Women’s Spirituality workshop 2-5 PM – Charge of the Goddess dance cycle evening 7 to 10 PM

Sunday, March 27th – At “OneCircle” – 3804 Littleton Street, Silver Spring, Maryland – 2-5 PM World Wisdom Inter-faith workshop – Zikr evening 7 to 9:30 PM

Monday, March 28th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Majid” “The Majestic” – by donation – Yes, the circle will go on without me…

Saturday, April 2nd – Village Productions – 16 Ohio 550 Amesville, OH 45711 – 3:30-5:30 PM Inter-faith Embodied Spirituality workshop – 6:30 to 8:30 Dances of Universal Peace – 8:30 to 9:30 Drum circle

Looking ahead:
MEADOWFEST registration is open! Guaranteed to be sunny and warm every single day! All day every day! Even at night! – June 9th to June 12th – Jack’s Gulch Campground – Here’s the link to learn more and register http://trigoddess.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/MeadowFest2011.pdf

So, I’ve decided that people sing in the shower because there’s a cacophony of sound that the water droplets create upon impact, and that the actual tones of the water’s friction creates random patterns of sound which our tweaky human brains associate into melodies, in a subtle sort of way, which then inspires us to sing, for better or for worse.

I like words like cacophony and epitome and soliloquy and sesquipedalianism.
What’s your favorite word?
Bright Sunlit Blessings!
Sára

rain@trigoddess.org
(970)227-5275

Dear Community,
I have some questions for you and I would so love responses to them. I know most of you figure I get flooded with answers to my e-mails, but really, it’s largely like sending communications into a black hole and I’m surprised when any of you show up for events. Please use your keyboards (not just the mouse) and write back a bit.

QUESTION 1:
What sort of community events would you like to see continue? Chants (do you prefer different days of the week?)? Dances of Universal Peace (when and where?)? Rituals (which ones?)? Classes (about what?)? Retreats (about what?)? Other?

QUESTION 2:
What aspects of events are particularly appealing for you?
What aspects are particularly distasteful for you?

QUESTION 3:
Do you want an Imbolc ritual this year? Imbolc is February 2nd (a Wednesday) and I’m trying to decide if there’s enough interest to bother scheduling it…. *TIME LAPSE* – LATER NOTE: NO IMBOLC RITUAL – NOT ENOUGH RESPONSE – THANKS ANYWAY…

QUESTION 4:
Which is better: cats or dogs? Why?

ANNOUNCEMENT OF SCHEDULED EVENTS SO FAR:

Monday, January 24th – 9:30 AM – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln, Ft Collins – Focus on “Al-Muqit” “the nourisher” – by donation

Tuesday, January 25th – 7 PM – Women’s Dance – St Barnabas Church (13th and Vine, Denver) – $7 suggested donation

Friday, January 28th – 7 PM – Chant – 230 N Sunset St, Ft Collins (Kiri and Mark’s house) – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, January 29th – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – Pagan Class #3 – 5000 Boardwalk, #13, Ft Collins – Focusing on aspects of ritual, what we do and why – $30 – you can just show up if you like, even if you haven’t been with us yet.

Monday, January 31st – 9:30 AM – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al Hasib” “The Bringer of Judgment” – by donation

Tuesday, February 1st – 10 AM – Mama Sing – Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason, Ft Collins) – by donation

Tuesday, February 1st – 6:30 PM – the first meeting for the newly forming Spiritual Mentoring Group – I still have space for one or two more folks if you want to commit to it – contact me as soon as possible.

Wednesday, February 2nd – Imbolc – I will co-create an evening of Imbolc Dances of Universal Peace with Timothy in Denver – Clayton Learning Center (MLK JR Blvd and Colorado) 7:30 PM – $10

Saturday, February 5th – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – Pagan Class (#4) – 5000 Boardwalk, #13 – Wrapping up aspects of ritual and moving into Yule and Imbolc more in depth… – $30 to drop-in – you still can.

Saturday, February 5th – 2 to 4 PM – Urs of Hazrat Inayat Khan Celebration – StarHouse (3.5 miles west of Boulder, up Sunshine Canyon Rd) – Waduda Wendy and I will be co-creating an afternoon of walking meditation, breath practice, Zikr, and honoring Hazrat Inayat Khan – $20 suggested donation

Saturday, February 5th – 7 PM – Chant in Aurora – (11080 E 17th Ave, Deb Hoffman’s house) – $7 suggested donation – please let your Denver-Dwelling Dearies know about this.

Monday, February 7th – 9:30 AM – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al Jalil” “The majestic” – by donation

Tuesday, February 8th – 7 PM – Dance of Universal Peace – Sunrise Ranch (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland) – $5 suggested donation

THURSDAY, February 10th – THURSDAY – Chant – THURSDAY – 7 PM – THURSDAY – 5000 Boardwalk #13, Ft Collins – THURSDAY – $7 suggested donation – THURSDAY

Friday, February 11th – Dances of Universal Peace – Mile Hi Community Center (Alameda and Garrison in Denver) – 7 PM – I’ll be leading dances for the Diversity Committee and GLBT groups – Open to the public, so I’d love to have you there! – FREE!!

Saturday, February 12th – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – Pagan Class (#5) – 5000 Boardwalk, #13 – probably focusing on Ostara, Beltane and Litha – $30 – you can still drop in.

Monday, February 14th – 9:30 AM – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Karim” “The Generous” – by donation

Tuesday, February 15th – 10 AM – Mama Sing II – 810 W Mountain Ave, Ft Collins (Stephanie’s house… thanks Stephanie!) – by donation

Friday, February 18th – 7 PM – Full Moon Chant – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – $7 suggested donation

Monday, February 21th – 9:30 AM – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Ar-Raqib” “The Watchful” – by donation

Tuesday, February 22nd – 7 PM – Women’s Dance – St Barnabas Church, Denver – $7 suggested donation

Friday, February 25 to Sunday, February 26 – SUFI MEDITATION RETREAT – registration is still open… let me know if you’re planning to attend – 3 days of meditation focus, primarily silent, Friday and Saturday evening Zikrs, yoga and movement with Mark Williams, delicious food, beautiful location – at Sunrise Ranch – sliding scale $140 to $210 – here’s the link to register: http://trigoddess.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/sufi-retreat-flyer-2011.pdf

Monday, February 28th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Mujib” “The Responsive” – by donation

Looking ahead:
MEADOWFEST is coming along with the better weather – mark your calendars – June 9th to June 12th – Jack’s Gulch Campground – more details still being formed…

My answer to Question #4: cats. Because God made them that way.
That’s also why chocolate is better than vanilla.
Coffee is better than tea.
Red is better than yellow.
Pizza is better than spinach.
Heat is better than cold.
Nice is better than mean.
Odd is better than even.
And sleeping in late is better than getting up early.
You can contact me by phone or e-mail (neither one is better than the other): (970)227-5275 or rain@trigoddess.org.
Blessings to all of you, because blessings are better than curses.
Love and light (which certainly feels much better than hatred and darkness),
Sára

Holy Smokin’ Salami, Batman, the New Year is here and I’m in a frantic rush to adopt some outlandishly self-defeating resolutions…
Hmmm… Let’s see… I think I’ll join a Bible Study group and…

SUFI MEDITATION RETREAT –
I know I said I’d never do it again… but my soul starts aching for it, and then I have to offer to you too… I hope you’ll join me for this deliciously devotional weekend
Friday, February 25th to Sunday February 27th – You can register on-line with your fancy credit card by following this handy link:
http://trigoddess.org/special-events/
Or if you just want to see the flyer, ’cause you’re curious, follow this one:
http://trigoddess.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/sufi-retreat-flyer-2011.pdf

… I think I’ll stop swearing… no more taking the Lord’s name in vain, or saying mean things like “gosh darn it!” or “what in tarnation!?”

COMING RIGHT UP –

Tuesday, December 28th – Women’s Dance of Universal Peace – 7 PM – St. Barnabas Church (13th and Vine, Denver) – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, January 1st – Chant – 7 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13, Ft Collins – $7 suggested donation

… then I think I’ll start limiting my diet entirely to holy foods… things like swiss cheese and glazed donuts and Froot Loops…

Monday, January 3rd – Sufi meditation – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Ali” “The Sublime” – by donation

Tuesday, January 4th – Mama Sing – 10 AM – Avogadro’s Number 625 S Mason, Ft Collins – by donation

Tuesday, January 4th – Zikr – 7:30 PM – Congregation Har Shalom 705 W Drake, Ft Collins – $7 suggested donation – NOTE: Depending on attendance, this might be the last zikr in Fort Collins.

… oh, and I think I will cease my clumsy ways… no more tripping and falling and bumping into inanimate objects and knocking things over and breaking dishes… for God so hateth the dish-breakers…

Saturday, January 8th – 1st Class in the Pagan Series!! – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – Let me know if you want to attend – this is the first of an 8-class series – you are welcome to sign up for the entire series, or just attend specific dates – $30/class or $160/series

Monday, January 10th – Sufi Meditation – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Kabir” “The Great” – by donation

Tuesday, January 11th – Dance of Universal Peace – 7 PM – Sunrise Ranch (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland) – $5 suggested donation

Wednesday, January 12th – Dance of Universal Peace – 7:30 PM – Clayton Learning Center (MLK Jr Blvd and Colorado, in Denver) – I’m leading in Timothy’s absence – $10

… plus, also, I think I’ll take up a new hobby… maybe coin-catching and butterfly-pressing and stamp-stitching and cross-collecting…

Friday, January 14th – Chant – 7 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, January 15th – 2nd Class in the Pagan Series!! – 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – see above

Saturday, January 15th – Zikr – 7:30 PM – Studio Be (in Boulder) – Habib and Dahnya will be out of town/state/country so I will be leading the zikr – $5 suggested donation – and bring a dessert/snack to share after zikr. – We will be honoring Marilyn Rea’s life and death – and Murshid Sam Lewis’ Urs

… and wouldn’t it be exciting if I stopped speeding and started obeying all traffic laws all the time… (I must admit, there’s a red-arrow light near my house that I consistently and deliberately run)…

Monday, January 17th – Sufi meditation – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Hafiz” “The Preserver” – by donation

Tuesday, January 18th – Sufi Explorations – 7:30 PM – Congregation Har Shalom – $7 suggested donation – NOTE: Depending on attendance, this might be the last Sufi Explorations evening.

Monday, January 24th – Sufi meditation – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Muqit” “The Nourisher” – by donation

… and I’m going to start going to bed at a reasonable hour… like, maybe 8 PM… so I can wake up at dawn like all the other crazy kooks with no sense of self-indulgence and healthy sloth behavior…

Tuesday, January 25th – Women’s Dance – 7:30 PM – St Barnabas Church, Denver – $7 suggested donation

Friday, January 28th – Chant – 7 PM – 230 N Sunset, Ft Collins – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, January 29th – 3rd Class in the Pagan Series!! – 9:30 AM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – see above

… and this year I am going to keep my fruit bowl organized according to color, shape, flavor, seasonal themes, alphabetical order and chemical composition…

Monday, January 31st – Sufi Meditation – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Hasib” “Bringer of Judgment” – by donation

LOOKING AHEAD

Contact me ASAP if you’re interested in joining a Spiritual Mentoring Group in Fort Collins – minimum commitment of 6 sessions – every 3 or 4 weeks – probably Tuesday or Thursday evening.

Saturday, February 5th – 4th Pagan Class… (see above)

… and I am never, ever going to issue judgment on any other human being about any little thing for the rest of all eternity…

Saturday, February 5th – CHANT in DENVER – at Deb’s house… – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation (please let your Denver friends know about this. Deb is a great hostess and it’s so nice to share the Spirit-lovin’ music with a new community!)

AND LOOKING WAY AHEAD

Mark your calendars! Meadowfest is coming! We’ve reserved the same group campsite at Jack’s Gulch. June 9 to 12 (Thursday to Sunday).

… and if I break any of these resolutions in the slightest possible way, and if I lose interest or enthusiasm at any moment for the rest of my existence, may God duct tape me to a treadmill with nothing but carrots and celery to eat for the rest of my little life… and may I spend the hereafter watching the Brady Bunch and listening to nothing but Barbra Streisand… so help me Lord Baby Jesus!
What are your resolutions?
Happy Day!
Sára

Want to learn, create, explore and swim around in Paganism more fully?
I’m offering a class! Actually, it’s a series of classes.

Honoring the Seasons of Change
Creating Ritual, Celebrating the Rhythms of the Pagan Calendar and the Cycle of Life
8 class series

DATES (they are all Saturdays!)
January 8th
January 15th
January 29th
February 5th
February 12th
February 19th
March 5th
March 12th

LOCATION
5000 Boardwalk #13 in Fort Collins

TIMING
Open to discussion. Do you prefer:
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
or
1 PM to 4 PM

PRICE
$30 per class
or
$160 for the entire series

REGISTRATION
E-mail me your:
Name
Phone number
E-mail address
If you’d like to attend the entire series or select dates
Do you prefer morning or afternoon class
… (and I’ll have a few follow-up questions later)
I will have a paypal option for on-line plastic transactions, but not quite yet.

Of course, I will need a minimum number of participants to make it fly.
We will include practical ritual explorations, conversation, energetic/magical exercises, music, movement, rhythm… and whatever other delights strike our fancies (within reason).
Let me know by phone or e-mail if you’d like to join this caravan.
I’ll give you until… hmmm… how about January 1st to let me know.
Please do forward this to folks you know who might be interested in this opportunity!

Happy Returning-Sun and Hurray for a new cycle of inspiration!
Blessings,
Sára

(970)227-5275
rain@trigoddess.org

Sweet ‘ums…
I couldn’t wait until next week to send this out… I changed some stuff, messed some stuff up, re-arranged some stuff and made a general disaster area of the calendar… so you get a mid-month-mailer… and I may not need to send out a separate December update… we’ll see…

Tuesday, November 16th – Sufi Explorations – Congregation Har Shalom (725 W Drake Rd, Ft Collins) – 7:30 PM – Swimming in the Inayati stream of blessing: Sufi Order practices, Ruhaniat Zikr, the Walks of Murshid Samuel Lewis, prayers of Hazrat Inayat Khan… – I’m looking forward to another evening of Sufi mojo! – No experience required, just bring your heart, body, mind and fullness of being! – $7 suggested donation

Friday, November 19th – Kalliope – Aspen Lodge (6120 Highway 7, Estes Park) – 7 to 10 PM – We probably won’t be playing out much this winter so we’d love to see you in Estes. If you want to carpool up with other folks, let me know and I’ll help coordinate.

Monday, November 22nd – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln, Fort Collins – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Latif” “The Subtle” – by donation

Tuesday, November 23rd – Women’s Dance – St Barnabas Church (1280 Vine St, Denver) – 7 PM – focus on Thanks and Giving – $7 suggested donation

Thursday, November 25th – Be ever so thankful YOU are not a turkey.

CANCELLATION – NO CHANT November 26th – sorry…

Monday, November 29th – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Khabir” “The All-Aware” – by donation

Thursday, December 2nd – CHANT – Yes, it’s a THURSDAY – Couldn’t be helped… but I hope you can make it anyway! – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Monday, December 6th – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Halim” “The Forebearing” – by donation

Tuesday, December 7th – Mama Sing – Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason, Ft Collins) – 10 AM – by donation

Tuesday, December 7th – Zikr – Congregation Har Shalom – 7:30 PM – $7 suggested donation

Monday, December 13th – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Azim” “The Magnificent” – by donation

Tuesday, December 14th – Dance of Universal Peace – Sunrise Ranch (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland) – 7 PM – $5 suggested donation

Friday, December 17th – Chant – 230 N Sunset St, Ft Collins (Kiri and Mark’s house) – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, December 18th – Yule Celebration in Denver – Mercury Cafe – 8 PM to midnight-ish – I’ll be leading ritual in between Tuatha’s music sets (maybe around 9:30 or 10 PM) – Great juju! – $13 at the door

Monday, December 20th – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Ghafur” “The Forgiver” – by donation

Monday, December 20th – Yule Celebration in Fort Collins – River Rock Commons (520 N Sherwood, Ft Collins) – 5:30 PM – Potluck, ritual, drumming and giving thanks for the returning light! – RSVP – All ages welcome! – $10/adult suggested donation – gift exchange too!

Saturday, December 25th – A very merry un-birthday to Jesus! (because scholars tend to agree he was most likely born in what is now called the super-spooky month of October, which was quite a different animal 2010 years ago, and Jesus (which isn’t even his real name) was most likely born in the Jewish month of Tishri, which is a lunar calendar… just in case you were wondering)

Sunday, December 26th – Roller Skating at Rollerland! – 1 PM to 4 PM (or later) – it’s my birthday… come skating! Twill be grand!

Monday, December 27th – Sufi Meditation – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Ash-Shakur” “The Grateful” – by donation

Tuesday, December 28th – Women’s Dance – St. Barnabas Church – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

And hey, do you want to chant either Saturday, January 1st (New Year’s Day, for the Gregorians) or Sunday, January 2nd (nothing special in most calendars, unless it’s YOUR birthday) – Let me know your preference…

TIME LAPSE …

CHANT JANUARY 1st – 7 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – yes, you decided and I’m playing along.

Registration is open for Sufi Meditation Retreat – February 25th to 27th (Friday morning to Sunday evening) – Sunrise Ranch – Mostly silent retreat with evening zikrs – movement practices interspersed with the seated meditation sessions – delicious food – gorgeous setting – offered at cost ($140 to $210) your rate depends on what room you want – view the flyer and registration at: http://trigoddess.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/sufi-retreat-flyer-2011.pdf or you can register online at: http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

I think my brain is the consistency of half-baked pumpkin pie. How about yours? Every so often, I recommend having ice cream and apple crisp for dinner with a hot chocolate aperitif, but not all the time. I never ever recommend using neti pots, doing jumping jacks, or joining the army. But sometimes I do recommend driving really fast with your windows down on inter-state highways with your hair (no matter the length) whipping around and your bare feet up on the dashboard, singing old Cat Stevens tunes REALLY loud… but not all the time. I never, ever recommend listening to hip-hop, and I certainly NEVER recommend reincarnating as an Australian cane toad, but I may re-evaluate that one someday.
To RSVP for Yule, or for more information about any of these listed events, please do call or e-mail me. I always put on my best “customer service” smiling voice for you… you know the one that sounds like Wendy Wham on KUNC every gosh darn morning… I don’t know how it’s possible for her to sound like she’s about to laugh at every upcoming concert, album release, and artist’s name. Must be exhausting.
Speaking of exhausting…
Sweet wintery (or wintry, if you prefer, which my spell-check does, but dictionary.com doesn’t care) dreaming blessings to y’all!
Sára

(970)227-5275
rain@trigoddess.org

Warning:
While we’re not paying attention,
October is trying to sneak quietly out the back door, completely un-noticed! Which, would be just fine since we’ll just jump on into November… and good-riddance to those pesky months that don’t even know what the weather is supposed to be! Sheesh!
Besides, November just gets us into shopping season, which is clearly what life is all about.

Tomorrow, Friday the 22nd – Full Moon Samhain ritual – Adults only – RSVP to me – 7 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13, FC – $10 suggested donation – bring light potluck snack/dessert to share after ritual

Monday, the 25th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln, FC – focus on “Al-Basir” “The All-Seeing” – by donation

Tuesday, the 26th – Women’s Dance Samhain – 7 PM – St Barnabas Church (13th and Vine, Denver) – $7 suggested donation – bring an item for the “Altar for the Dead”

Friday, the 29th to Monday, the 1st – Women’s Retreat at Camp Santa Maria

Tuesday, November 2nd – VOTE!!! – It’s your right… but only if you vote Democratic or Independent. If you’re going Republican, stay home, or just go to work and make more money. Just kidding. Sort of. I know I’m not allowed to write things like that. So, please pretend I didn’t, if you’re offended.

Tuesday, November 2nd – Mama Sing – 10 AM – Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason, FC) – by donation

Tuesday, November 2nd – Zikr – 7:30 PM – Congregation Har Shalom (725 W Drake, FC) – $7 suggested donation

Friday, November 5th – Starhouse 20th Anniversary Dance, Boulder – 7:15 PM – Wear all white! – I’ll be contributing to the program this evening – tickets $20 in advance www.TyBurhoe.com
Saturday, November 6th – another Starhouse Anniversary Dance, but I won’t be there.

Saturday November 6th – Chant in Denver! – Hurray for Deb, hosting an evening of chant (11080 E. 17th Ave,  Aurora) – I’ll be facilitating, so you know what to expect. I’m always very grateful for your help in spreading the word in Denver – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Monday, November 8th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Hakam” “The Judge” – by donation

Tuesday, November 9th – Dance of Universal Peace at Sunrise Ranch – 7 PM – 100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland – $5 suggested donation

Friday, November 12th – Chant – 7 PM – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, November 13th – Kalliope – performance, playshop, and prissy potluck (light snack/dessert/drinks… no casseroles, or serious food) – At the Empire Grange (2306 W Mulberry, FC) – 6 to 9 PM – $5 to $20 suggested donation – we’ll sing TO you for awhile, sing WITH you for awhile, and just chill with you for awhile. Come enjoy a sweet evening with us! And, try to let me know if you’re planning to join us so we can have some idea what to expect.

Monday, November 15th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Adl” “The Just” – by donation

Tuesday, November 16th – Sufi Explorations – 7:30 PM – Congregation Har Shalom – An opportunity to dive into some Sufi Order practices, Original Samuel Lewis dances, the walks, and maybe some yummy Ruhaniat Zikr – Our first session of explorations was excellent! – All are welcome, no experience necessary – $7 suggested donation

Friday, November 19th – Kalliope Performance – 7 to 10 PM – Aspen Lodge, Estes Park – We love this place! – No charge, but you might want to have dinner, buy a drink… hang out…

Monday, November 22nd – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Latif” “The Subtle” – by donation

Tuesday, November 23rd – Women’s Dance of Gratitude – 7 PM – St. Barnabas Church – $7 suggested donation

Monday, November 29th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Khabir” “The All-Aware” – by donation

LOOKING AHEAD: I’m putting together another Sufi Meditation Retreat – Friday, February 25th to Sunday, February 27th – at Sunrise Ranch – Three full days, two nights, mostly silent, meditation focus during the days, interspersed with movement sessions, Zikr in the evenings (musical, of course) – The last two retreats I’ve offered have been super-duper-scrumptious, spiritually enlivening, enriching, deepening and sweet – the hardest thing about them is the pre-retreat stress about how many people will show up – So, if you’re interested, planning on, hoping to, and/or solidly committed to participating, please let me know as soon as you can. I always offer these at cost and facilitate on a donation basis, so it’s very affordable ($140 to $210 depending on what room you want). I’ll have the flyer/registration together sometime this week. I’ll try to get it available as a paypal thing on-line also.

I do not recommend dressing like a turkey for Halloween… it’s likely to get you shot, stuffed, frozen, thawed, broiled, and served up for Thanksgiving dinner. Give thanks for stuffed turkeys! Or trussed pigs, if you prefer. Or tofu loaf for those of you vegetarians with no respect for your taste buds. Give thanks for over-indulgence and resulting hangovers, swollen bellies, comas and strengthened commitments to health clubs, personal trainers, Nike® trainers (meaning sneakers), and training bras (well, maybe not the training bras, who comes up with that crap…. like women ought to wear bras even BEFORE they actually DO anything?). Give thanks for those fancy pumpkin-carving kits with child-safe-saw-toothed blades and funny handles that (ironically?) look like the jack-o-lanterns you’re trying to make with them. Give thanks for corn, making possible corn chips, popcorn, corn flakes, and corny jokes (like mine).
See you in Circle (which is very different than a “ring,” which usually has to do with boxing or wrestling, neither of which are traditionally included in our chant, ritual or dance events)!
Sára

(970)227-5275
rain@trigoddess.org

Dearest Sugar Lumps,
I’m sure y’all know that our months are named according to their numerical correspondences… right… September is the 7th month, October is the 8th, November is the 9th and December is the 10th. Then the dang-fangled-meddlesome Caesars came in with their anchovy paste and inserted Julius/July and Augustus/August into the MIDDLE of the gosh-darned calendar. Now, the 7th month is the 9th month, the 8th month is the 10th month and we all sound like a bunch of fools playing along.
Why doesn’t someone DO something about this? It’s a travesty! It’s a ridiculous scheme… and it’s kinda funny.

Tuesday, September 28th – Women’s Dance – St. Barnabas Church (13th and Vine, Denver) – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

September 30th – last day to register for the women’s retreat at the end of October! http://trigoddess.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Goddess-Retreat-Flyer-2010.pdf

AND NOW… you can register for the retreat on my website with a credit card! Woo-hoo for plastic! Follow this link and cozy up with PayPal, Baby!

Special Events

Saturday, October 2nd – Chant – 5000 Boardwalk #13, Fort Collins – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Monday, October 4th – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln, Fort Collins – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Mu’izz” “Giver of Honor” – by donation

Tuesday, October 5th – Mama Sing – Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason, Ft Collins) – 10 AM – by donation – NOTE: I’m open to suggestions for a good location for a second Mama Sing each month. Not Avo’s. Let me know if you have any great ideas.

Tuesday, October 5th – Zikr – Congregation Har Shalom (725 W Drake, Ft Collins) – 7:30 PM – $7 suggested donation

Friday, October 8th – Kalliope Performance – Spotlight Music (4606 S Mason, Ft Collins) – 6 to 8 PM – $5 to $10 suggested donation

Monday, October 11th – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Mudhill” “Giver of Dishonor” – by donation

Tuesday, October 12th – Dance of Universal Peace – Sunrise Ranch (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland) – 7 PM – $5 suggested donation

Friday, October 15th – Chant – 5000 Boardwalk, #13 – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Monday, October 18th – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “As-Sami” “The All Hearing” – by donation

NEW EVENT!!
Tuesday, October 19th – Sufi Explorations – Congregation Har Shalom – 7:30 PM – an evening of Original Sam Dances, Walking practices, energy explorations, Sufi Order breath practices and meditation – The evening will be a combination of teachings from at least two different Sufi schools. I’m excited to honor the different Inayati streams of blessing by bringing these approaches together. It’s like a family reunion! – This will be an ongoing, monthly program (but not in December) – $7 suggested donation

Friday, October 22nd – Full Moon Ritual – Yes, ladies and gentlemen – I would be so happy to celebrate the full moon with you in October – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – 7 PM – Including some Samhain-esque focus, contemplative time – perhaps some music – definitely some sweetness – Adults only please – RSVP to me – bring a dessert or snack to share after ritual – $10 suggested donation

Monday, October 25th – Sufi Circle – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Basir” “The All Seeing” – by donation

Tuesday, October 26th – Women’s Dance of Universal Peace – St. Barnabas (13th and Vine, Denver) – expect some Samhain experiences this evening as well – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Friday, October 29th to Monday, November 1st – Dancing with the Goddess Women’s Retreat – near Bailey – drumming, chanting, dancing, ritualing, honoring the ancestors, creating and celebrating a community of women… Pay your registration fee on-line: http://trigoddess.org/special-events/

Tuesday, November 2nd – Mama Sing at Avo’s – 10 AM

Tuesday, November 2nd – Zikr at Har Shalom – 7:30 PM

Saturday, November 6th – New Moon Chant in Denver… mark your calendars… wait for it…

Saturday, November 13th – Kalliope performance and workshop at the Grange in Fort Collins – 6 to 9 PM – put it in your date book… more info forthcoming…

Now that we’re full-tilt into Autumn, we officially have the permission and encouragement from the whole universe to start getting fat! Eat pizza and cake, drink hot chocolate with every meal, snack on donuts and french fries, stop that infernal exercise regime and indulge the sloth! Hurray for Halloween and the willy-nilly dispension of good ol’, all-gluttonous, teeth-rottin’, finger-lickin’, lip-smackin’, sugar-high-makin’ CANDY!!! If any of your children end up with extra Snickers, send them my way!

See you in circle as we all become more and more circular!
Sára

P.S. RSVP for full moon with a phone call or e-mail. (970)227-5275, rain@trigoddess.org.

Hi There Sweetie Pies, Sugar Dumplings, Apples of My Eye (to be sure)!
So, maybe I’m a little early this month… I like to keep you on your toes (which I think is a reference to boxing or sprinting, neither of which have anything to do with my mailers as a general rule).
Se la vie…
On with the show!

Tuesday, August 24th – Charge of the Goddess – Women’s Full Moon Dance – St. Barnabas Church (13th and Vine, Denver) – 7 PM – Suggested donation $7
Hey, ladies, if any of you want to carpool down from Fort Collins, let me know. I’m coordinating the caravan.

Wednesday, August 25th – I’ll be leading the Denver Dance – Christ Church United Community Methodist Federation of Light and Happiness (7th and Colorado, Denver) – 7:30 PM – $10

Friday, August 27th – Kalliope (me and Sharon Docherty) Performance! – F/Stop Cafe (Cherry St and College Ave, Fort Collins) – 6 PM – $6

Saturday, August 28th – Chant – 818 Cherry St, Ft Collins – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation – bring something to sit on (indoor or out… there are no chairs left in the house!)

Monday, August 30th – Sufi Meditation Circle – 449 Clover, Fort Collins – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Alim” “The All Knowing” – by donation

Wednesday, September 1st – I’m leading the Denver Dance again – Methodist Missionary United Union of Jesus Junkies and Community Collective Church (7th and Colorado, Denver) – 7:30 PM – $10

Monday, September 6th – Sufi Meditation Circle – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Qabid” “The Restrainer” – by donation

Tuesday September 7th – Mama Sing – Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason, Ft Collins) – 10 AM – by donation

Tuesday, September 7th – Zikr – Congregation Har Shalom (725 W Drake, Ft Collins) – 7:30 PM – $7 suggested donation

Friday, September 10th – Chant – 5000 Boardwalk #13, Ft Collins – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Saturday, September 11th – Peace in the Park – Loveland Civic Center Park – 12 PM to 5 PM (I think) – I’ll be singing and drumming with Sunrise Ranchers at 12, then doing a bit of music and blessing to close things up around 5. Come on out and celebrate peace!

Monday, September 13th – Sufi Meditation Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – focus on “Al-Basit” “The Expander” – by donation

Tuesday, September 14th – DANCE of UNIVERSAL PEACE at SUNRISE RANCH (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd) – 7 PM – $5 suggested donation

Friday, September 17th – Kalliope – Mary’s Lake Lodge (2625 Marys Lake Rd, Estes Park) – 8 PM to 9 PM only!

Monday, September 20th – Sufi Meditation Circle – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Al-Khafid” “The Abaser” – by donation

Friday, September 24th – Chant – 5000 Boardwalk #13 – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

Monday, September 27th – Sufi Meditation Circle – 449 Clover Ln – 9:30 AM – focus on “Ar-Rafi” “The Exalter” – by donation

Tuesday, September 28th – Women’s Dance – St. Barnabas (13th and Vine, Denver) – 7 PM – $7 suggested donation

DANCING WITH THE GODDESS – Women’s Retreat – Friday, October 29th to Monday, November 1st – Oh, so many sweet things to fill the weekend including: chanting, drumming, ritual, zikr, dances of universal peace, Samhain ceremony, movement and meditation… and chocolate (of course!). Follow the link to view the flyer and registration.

http://trigoddess.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Goddess-Retreat-Flyer-2010.pdf

All right, Honey Bunches, Pumpkin Muffins…
Why do all pet names have something sweet and syrupy in them?
Oh! Oh! I have a question… are y’all interested in another Sufi Meditation Retreat? I’m thinking of doing another one, maybe 1st weekend in February (over the Urs of Hazrat Inayat Khan.. and if that looks like jibberish to you… send me a photo of yourself with your eyes crossed and I’ll explain).
I don’t think I need RSVPs for anything in this mailer, but there are several opportunities for you to give me your feedback about stuff.
Also, let me just say… squirrels have more fun in any one morning than any other creatures I know of… golly, makes me wish I had a tail and claws and super-buck-teeth!
I’m starting a petition: please let me know, in writing, what you’d like to re-incarnate as in your next life… I will be sending in a very cleverly written letter to God, saying that we human beings, in all our hyper-intellectual insight, believe we should be granted the right to choose our next body. If I get at least 1,250,001 signatures, I am quite certain She will acquiesce.
Cheers Darlings!
Sára

(970)227-5275

Good Golly, It’s HOT!!! Let’s hear it for summer days that entice your skin to melt off your bones and your eyeballs to sweat! I LOVE it when my teeth swelter and my barefeet turn to sandpaper!
So, here’s the late ice cream scoop of summer events.
By the by, the best ice cream in Fort Collins is still at Walrus (125 W Mountain Ave).

Sunday – CANCELLATION ! ! – No Lammas Ritual. Celebrate in your own way…

Monday, August 2nd – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln, Ft Collins – Focus on “Al-Qahhar” “The Subduer” – by donation

Tuesday, August 3rd – Mama Sing – 10 AM – Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason, Ft Collins) – by donation

Tuesday, August 3rd – Zikr – 7:30 PM – Congregation Har Shalom (725 W Drake, Ft Collins) – $7 suggested donation

Wednesday, August 4th to Sunday, August 8th – Dragonfest – Iannin and I will be co-leading a workshop on chanting and drumming Friday afternoon – Lots of community, ritual, workshops, drumming and dancing, fire circles, etc.!

Monday, August 9th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Al-Wahhab” “The Bestower” – by donation

Tuesday, August 10th – Dance of Universal Peace – 7 PM – Sunrise Ranch (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland) – $5 suggested donation

Friday the 13th – Chant – 7 PM – 230 N Sunset, Ft Collins – $7 suggested donation

Monday, August 16th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – focus on “Ar-Razzaq” “The Provider” – by donation

Monday, August 23rd – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – focus on “Al-Fattah” “The Opener” – by donation

Tuesday, August 24th – Charge of the Goddess Full Moon Women’s Dance – 7 PM – St. Barnabas Church (13th and Vine, Denver) – We’ll spend the whole evening celebrating the Goddess, singing and dancing the entire Charge of the Goddess cycle – Let your women friends know! – $7 suggested donation

Friday, August 27th – Kalliope – 6 PM (be punctual if you want to catch us… we only play until 7) – performance at the F/Stop Cafe (400 N College Ave, Ft Collins) – part of the Tri-Tone Summer Series – $6 (and we get paid a bit extra for every blessed one of you that goes up to the counter and tells the barista that you’re there to see “Kalliope!”)

Saturday (yes, Saturday), August 28th – Chant – 7 PM – 818 Cherry St – $7 suggested donation

Monday, August 30th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – focus on “Al-Alim” “The All-Knowing” – by donation

HEADS UP!!
I’ve just started coordinating a gorgeous group of Goddesses to put on a weekend retreat!
“Dancing with the Goddess” will be a 3 night, 4 day women’s retreat October 29th to November 1st (I think) – I’ve invited lots of local leaders to contribute to creating a magical weekend of ritual, dance, music, and community. If you have any suggestions for excellent locations for this event, please let me know! – Stay tuned for more details!

For those moments in life when you just need a little mood-boosting, I highly recommend skinny dipping, flourless chocolate cake, Coca Cola (’cause it’s a classic), stay-at-home movies (the more sappy the better: Mamma Mia is terrific!), champagne bubble baths, bumper cars, lots of sleep, and if all else fails (or even if all else works), you can get a prescription for medical marijuana. Everyone else is doing it!

Happy Circling in the Heat Haze,
Sára

Boys and Girls, I’m teasing about the marijuana and champagne. Champagne is gross, and if you’re really that unhappy you can get coffee and Valium without becoming a current affairs statistic.

Doesn’t it just make your heart sing when dark clouds roll in to rain on your parade?
It never happens to me, personally, I’m just saying…
Sometimes there’s just too much sunshine and happiness in the world and we need a little respite (which is a little like rest-pit, which is a little like pit-stop, which is a little like pot-sticker, which is a little like an eggroll).
I know it seems like I say the same thing every month, but really, pay attention to dates and stuff. I’m traveling for a significant piece of July’s pie so things are getting a little hairy:

Monday, June 28th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln, Ft Collins – Focus on “Mutakabbir” “The Greatest” – by donation

Friday, July 2nd – Chant – 7 PM – 818 Cherry St, Ft Collins – $7 suggested donation

Sunday, July 4th – Happy Birthday to the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, with liberty and fireworks for all! Light things on fire in the honor of liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness! But do not light yourself or other living creatures on fire, because that does not contribute to happiness.

Monday, July 5th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Khaliq” – “The Creator” – by donation

Tuesday, July 6th – Mama Sing – 10 AM – Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason, Ft Collins) – Women and children – by donation

Tuesday, July 6th – Zikr – 7:30 PM – Congregation Har Shalom (725 W Drake, Fort Collins) – $7 suggested donation

Friday, July 9th to Sunday July 11th – Heartbeat Festival – Sunrise Ranch (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland) – Starts Friday evening, ends Sunday morning – lots of workshops including drumming, belly dancing, native flute, didgeridoo, chanting with me – plus a Saturday evening Kalliope and Djo performance! – go to this website for more info: https://sunriseranch.org/activities/heart-beat-drum-and-dance-festival/

Sunday, July 11th to Saturday, July 17th – Southwest Sufi Camp near Silver City, New Mexico – A whole week of singing, dancing, praying, and communing! I’ll be on staff as well! – go to this website for more info: http://sites.google.com/site/southwestsuficommunity/our-vision-and-mission-statement/Home/votevents

Monday, July 12th – Sufi Circle – whenever you want – wherever you want – Focus on “Bari” – “The Maker of Order”

Tuesday, July 13th – Dance of Universal Peace – 7 PM – Sunrise Ranch (100 Sunrise Ranch Rd, Loveland) – $5 suggested donation

Monday, July 19th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Musawwir” – “The Shaper of Beauty” – by donation

Monday, July 26th – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Ghaffar” – “The Forgiving” – by donation

Tuesday, July 27th – Women’s Dance of Universal Peace – 7 PM – St Barnabas Church (1280 Vine St, Denver) – this dance will be lead by Mary Ellen and Christine. It is sure to be a sweet and lovely evening! – $7 suggested donation

Friday, July 30th – chant – 7 PM – 818 Cherry St. Fort Collins – $7 suggested donation

Monday, August 2nd – Sufi Circle – 9:30 AM – 449 Clover Ln – Focus on “Qahhar” – “The Subduer” – by donation

To RSVP for Lammas, e-mail me, and please do it earlier rather than later, ’cause I’m in a hack and slash mood and will just cancel it if it doesn’t seem like enough people are interested far enough in advance. Also, if you’d like to compare chin scars, send me a photo (nothing still bloody, I did say “scars” not “scabs” or “wounds”).
And, if you truly feel that mosquitoes should be outlawed (but in an environmentally safe way for all the other creatures of the planet), please send monetary donations directly to me as I am funding scientific research projects that are currently working on mosquito catchers (that all other insects are immune to). These new-fangled contraptions are being designed to look like subtle, glowing disco-balls that only emit mauve, taupe and turquoise colors, they will lure the mosquitoes in with a simulated mosquito mama voice that says “darling vampirous children, come on in here, i’ve got fresh, bloody human steak being held exactly at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit! Your favorite!” Once the mosquito hellions are inside the globe, they will be transported via hyper-galactic space traveling good-year blimps (they can carry up to 1.6 gazillionicious mosquitoes at a time!), to an alternate universe where they are trained to subsist as vegetarian peace-mongers before being returned to earth to resume lives of community-service oriented Buddhist monks.
Come on, who wouldn’t support this noble work!
Your humble servant (maybe formerly a mosquito),
Sára

(970)227-5275
rain@trigoddess.org