A heart-opening, soul-stirring new moon ceremony of joyful devotion

Join us for a radiant new moon gathering that invites you into the heart of Bhakti (Sanskrit for “loving devotion”) through the ancient, ecstatic power of song. Lion’s Song is a heart-opening, soul-stirring ceremony where cacao meets chant, emotion becomes devotion, and every voice becomes a living prayer.

Rooted in the Leo–Virgo cusp, this new moon is a sacred threshold: a union of fiery expression and grounded service. We gather in this potent portal to open our hearts, raise our voices, and remember who we truly are—together.

This family-friendly event brings the warm, welcoming spirit of our beloved living room Kirtans into a more spacious, expansive container—honoring the intimacy of home while widening the circle, raising the collective vibration, and lighting the way forward. Through grounding meditation and a shared ritual of heart-opening cacao, we attune to the body and prepare the heart to receive the sacred current of Kirtan. Expect global influences, devotional roots, and rhythms inspired by world travels, ancient spiritual traditions, and the timeless call of the soul.

Our sacred song circle includes a rich blend of Sanskrit mantra, devotional chants, and medicine music drawn from a variety of spiritual lineages and heart traditions—weaving cultures, frequencies, and prayer into one unified field of love.

Whether you're roaring your heart’s prayer into being, dancing and playing with the rhythm, or simply soaking in the soundscape, you are invited into this living transmission of joy, reverence, and remembrance.

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💗 What to Expect

Warm, soulful welcome into sacred space
Arrival ritual & communal drop-in
Guided grounding & intention-setting meditation
Ceremonial ritual of heart-opening cacao
Live Kirtan with beloved musicians John Flynn, Aaron Craelius, & friends—offering a rich, rhythmic journey through chant, music, & movement
Closing circle to integrate the vibration & seal the space in love

Elana Stern, founder of Tantra Collective, opens and closes the sacred space with devotional presence—guiding the group in grounding meditation, intention setting, and integration. With intuitive insight and reverence for ritual, she invites you into embodied transformation and deep remembrance through the sacred technologies of Tantra and collective ceremony.

John Flynn, Aaron Craelius, and their beloved musical collaborators bring the heart of the Kirtan alive—offering a soul-stirring blend of mantra, medicine music, and ecstatic rhythm rooted in global spiritual traditions. With the support of cacao, they open the heart space and create an atmosphere where joy becomes prayer, and every voice helps carry the vibration higher.

More than an event, this is a ceremonial homecoming. A place where voices rise, hearts open, and joy leads the way.

All are welcome. No experience with Kirtan, cacao, or singing is needed—just bring your authentic self.

✨ Come as you are. Leave with your heart full—singing with joy, pulsing with presence, and resonant with sacred remembrance.

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🌿 How to Prepare

This is a sacred celebration—come as you are, and get ready to be moved by song, to soften your heart, and to reconnect in joy.

What to bring:

A cushion, backjack, or something comfy to sit on
A water bottle and anything you need to feel at ease
A small item for the altar if you'd like—something that holds meaning or reflects your intention
Your voice, your presence, your dance, and if you’d like—an instrument to join the musical magic (drums, shakers, rattles, etc. are welcome)

What to wear:

Come in whatever makes you feel most radiant, comfortable, and you. Whether it’s ritual attire, flowing fabrics, or cozy clothes—there’s no dress code here, only authentic expression and a shared reverence for the sacred space we create together.

Tending your inner temple:

This is a space for aliveness and intention—so come lightly nourished, clear-minded, and open-hearted. For the most vibrant experience with cacao, we suggest arriving well-digested (a light meal two hours before works beautifully). Please avoid alcohol, intoxicants, and heavy meals beforehand to help you feel grounded, radiant, and fully present.

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🙏 Giving Back

With the costs of this gathering tended, we give forward—offering to Raise a Village Foundation to honor the lineage of Kirtan and support children and families in need in India. By joining us, you are not only nourishing your own heart—you are also helping uplift lives across the world.

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🔥 Your Facilitators

John Flynn is a man of many paths—a physician in hospice and palliative care, a world traveler shaped by encounters with indigenous traditions, and a lifelong lover of music. From childhood folk songs to medicine music and devotional chanting, his musical journey has been wide and rooted in deep feeling. Music is a tool through which he connects with the heart, and guitar and voice are the primary channels through which he expresses that deep longing. His Kirtan offerings draw from diverse lineages but are rooted in a simple yearning: to remember what is sacred, together.

Aaron Craelius is a guitarist and cellist whose love of music began in childhood and has deepened over decades of exploration. With a passion for diverse musical traditions and world cultures, Aaron brings a mindful presence, sensitivity, and humility to every note he plays. He is devoted to creating heart-centered spaces for Kirtan and devotional music, and regularly hosts song circles with his family as part of their sacred communal practice. A longtime student and teacher of Tai Chi and meditation, Aaron weaves embodiment and stillness into his musical offerings—inviting others into connection, harmony, and inner peace.

Elana Stern is a devoted guide in Tantra Yoga, walking the path of love and supporting individuals, couples, and groups in cultivating sacred connection, embodied presence, and lasting transformation. She was drawn to meditation as a teenager, studied Eastern Philosophy and Religion academically, trained with celebrity fitness icons in NYC, and earned Yoga Teacher certifications in both Vinyasa Yoga (Cindy Lee lineage) and Restorative Yoga. Her foundation is further enriched by training in Tibetan Buddhist, Transcendental, Vipassana, Mindfulness, and Sonic Meditation modalities, as well as Pranayama breathwork and Reiki techniques. Her journey expanded through advanced certification with Yoga Chitta—a Black-owned yoga school serving the BIPOC community-where she mentors yoga teacher trainees. After a life-altering kundalini awakening opened the portal to deeper energetic and tantric realms, she became a certified facilitator of Tao Tantra Arts (Mantak Chia and Osho lineages) and a graduate of the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA). With a vision for evolving consciousness in Philadelphia, Elana founded the Tantra Collective—producing monthly offerings for embodied spiritual connection—and ONE LOVE HUB, the city's co-created community for conscious events. With decades of practice in movement, meditation, and energy healing, Elana's teaching bridges the physical and the spiritual. She invites you into a deeper relationship with your body, your breath, your heart, and each other—where love becomes the path home to your divine nature.

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❓FAQs

Do I need any prior experience with Tantra or Kirtan?
Not at all. This ceremony is open to all—whether it’s your first time or a longtime practice. Come as you are, and know you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

What kind of people attend?
All are welcome here. This is an inclusive, heart-centered space for humans of all backgrounds, orientations, and spiritual paths—whether you come solo, with a partner, as a parent, or as someone walking their own sacred path.

Is there an age restriction?
No, this is an all-ages, family-friendly event. Children are welcome when accompanied by a mindful adult. We simply ask parents to help maintain the sacredness of the space.

What should I bring?

A cushion, backjack, or something comfy for floor seating
A water bottle
Optional: A meaningful object for the altar
Optional: An instrument (drum, rattle, etc.) for rhythmic participation

How should I dress?
Wear whatever helps you feel comfortable, grounded, and most like you. Ritual attire and expressive dress are warmly welcomed—but there's no right way to show up. We'll be barefoot or in socks, so dress in a way that lets you move freely and feel at home in your body.

How should I prepare?
For the most heart-opening experience, we recommend arriving lightly nourished and well-digested. A light, healthy meal a couple of hours beforehand is ideal. Avoid heavy foods, alcohol, and other intoxicants so you can fully feel cacao’s subtle medicine and be present with the circle. Most importantly, bring an open heart, your voice, and your prayers—we’ll provide the rest.

Is it important to arrive on time?
Yes. Doors open at 6pm, and we begin promptly at 6:30pm. Please arrive early to settle in and help us hold the container from the start.

Are any intoxicants or plant medicines allowed?
This is a sober event. No altering substances are permitted. We’ll be sharing ceremonial cacao to open the heart, inviting natural energy and presence to rise from within.

Will there be intimacy, sensuality, or nudity?
No. While Tantra honors all aspects of the human experience, this is a devotional, family-friendly gathering centered on meditation, cacao, music, dance, and sacred song. The energy is heartful, expressive, and reverent.

Is parking available?
Yes. There is ample free street parking in the neighborhood. You’re also welcome to bike, ride share, or take SEPTA if preferred.

Where do I enter the venue?
Please enter through the courtyard door on Greene Street (past the lawn under the archway). Use the door code posted. Once inside, follow the signs upstairs and down the hall to the Parlor Room (on the right, just past the water fountain and restroom).

Why do I need to provide my contact information?
We ask for your real full name, email, and mobile number to share important details and help maintain a safe, intentional container. Incomplete or false registrations may be canceled.

Can I buy a ticket at the door?
Our events have sold out in the past. We highly recommend registering in advance. If the event reaches capacity, a waitlist will be available.

Do I need to buy a ticket for my child?
Children are welcome! Kids under 12 may attend free with a mindful adult. We simply ask parents to help uphold the sacredness of the space, ensuring that all participants—of every age—can feel safe, present, and held in the ceremony.

Are sliding-scale tickets available?
Yes! We offer a tiered, sliding-scale system to honor diverse financial realities and support collective abundance. You're invited to choose the rate that feels aligned with your current circumstances. This model is rooted in trust, community care, and the knowing that we rise together. Your contribution makes these offerings possible—helping to keep our gatherings sustainable, inclusive, and alive. If cost is still a barrier, please reach out. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

What is the COVID protocol?
Masks are not required, but we ask you (and any children) to arrive in good health and clean clothing. Please wash hands before entering and stay home if you’re feeling unwell. Your care supports the well-being of all.

Contact the host of Lion’s Song–Cacao & Kirtan

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