Forest Sisters Community Brunch - Festival of Hecate

Come as you are. Bring a dish. Leave feeling nourished.

Join us for a heart-centered series of seasonal community potluck brunches that celebrate the cycles of nature, the wisdom of women, and the beauty of connection. Inspired by ancient traditions and modern sisterhood, these gatherings offer a space to slow down, honor the moment, and reconnect — with the earth, with each other, and with yourself.

Whether you arrive solo or with a friend, you’ll be welcomed into a warm community of like-minded women.

What These Gatherings Are

These brunches are not formal women’s circles or spiritual workshops. There’s no pressure to share, perform, or participate in anything structured.

They are simply safe, welcoming spaces for women to come together — to take a break, enjoy nourishing food, meet new friends, and mark the changing seasons in a gentle, intentional way.

Come to relax, connect, and feel held in community. That’s more than enough.

How It Works

• Potluck Style: Bring a vegetarian or vegan dish to share
• When registering, you’ll be prompted to choose a dish category: appetizer, main course, or dessert. If a category fills up, we’ll ask you to select a different option so we can keep a balanced variety of dishes. No need to prepare enough food for a crowd of 20+ — with each woman bringing something, there’s always more than enough to share. (Of course, if you love to cook and want to go big, we welcome that too!)
• Please include a list of ingredients (for allergy awareness) with your dish at the gathering and bring your own serving utensils!
• Appetizers and main course dishes should be vegetarian or vegan, and we kindly ask that you include a list of ingredients for those with food allergies or sensitivities
• A fully equipped kitchen is available on-site
• Plates, cups, utensils, tea, and water will be provided — just bring your beautiful self and your dish to share
• These are non-alcoholic events
• Each gathering includes a seasonal blessing before brunch
• You are warmly invited to bring a small item for our communal altar that reflects the season or the celebration’s theme (optional, but welcome)
• Address: Rogers Lake Clubhouse, 75 Rogers Lake Trail, Old Lyme, CT 06371 (PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE GRASS - there is additional parking behind the building) Please be considerate of surrounding neighbors.

Bringing Your Daughter

We warmly welcome girls ages 12 and up who would enjoy and benefit from the space. These gatherings are gentle, reflective, and rooted in meaningful connection — so we kindly ask that younger children not attend, in order to preserve the calm, nourishing atmosphere.

There is no charge for daughters — Simply bring a dish to share, or if your daughter prefers, she can contribute a small item to add to the table.

Each young woman must be accompanied by an adult. This is a beautiful way to share the magic of seasonal gatherings across generations.

Want to Bring a Little Extra Magic or Fun?

These gatherings are spacious and relaxed — and if you feel called to bring something that brings you joy or invites gentle connection, please do. A few ideas:

• Tarot or oracle cards for casual readings and soulful conversation
• Knitting, crocheting, or handwork to work on while you chat and sip tea
• Journals for reflection or intention-setting
• Simple outdoor games like horseshoes or anything playful
• Seasonal craft supplies (flower crowns, nature mandalas, leaf rubbings — simple, optional fun)

There’s no pressure to do anything but show up — but if you’d like to contribute to the atmosphere in a small way, we welcome it.

Nothing is required — this is an open-hearted invitation to co-create if it brings you joy. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to coordinate ahead of time!

August 17 – Festival of Hecate

This gathering honors Hecate, the ancient goddess of the crossroads, intuition, and transformation. She walks with us in liminal spaces — in moments of choice, change, and deep inner knowing.

We meet not to dwell in darkness, but to acknowledge the beauty of the shadow, the wisdom that comes from within, and the power we hold when we embrace all parts of ourselves. This is a time to reflect, to release, and to trust the paths unfolding before us.

Suggested altar item: Keys (symbolizing thresholds), herbs like mugwort or lavender, symbols of transition or personal talismans for guidance.

Optional dress theme: Flowing or moon-inspired attire — silvers, deep purples, midnight blues, soft velvets, or whatever helps you feel attuned to your inner mystic.

Want to Help?

P.S. If you’d like to volunteer to help prepare the space, tend the altar, or support the flow — for one brunch or many — just let us know when you RSVP. Many hands make light, meaningful work.