Winter Solstice Journey - Wintering with DEER - Dance, Sacred Meditation, Art

Winter Solstice ~ Wintering with DEER ~ into the mystery

Dance ~ Sacred Meditation ~ Creative

"Often when I imagine you, your wholeness cascades into many shapes. You run like a herd of luminous deer, and I am dark; I am forest."
- Rainer Maria Rilke

The creative force of winter runs deep within the earth’s rhythms and heartbeat.

In praise and deep respect to your walk, your voice, your dance and your vision for life, we call on ancestors of a different land who carry with them deer medicine. 

During this Winter Solstice we will journey with DEER to open up our listening, alert yet full of grace and understand our power lies in our vulnerability. We will move, vision and create with our instincts, opening up to compassionate ways to be with ourselves with a deep understanding of our vulnerability and of what service we bring.

Deer are deeply connected to nature. They have sharp hearing and clairvoyant sight, sensing threats yet moving with presence, agility and grace. 

Once upon a time, a great forest blanketed the northern lands. It stretched from Scandinavia to the British Isles, and from Siberia over the land bridge into North America. Moving through that forest were those who knew the silver tracks of the old ways: the deer and their people. From these lands and an ancient marriage, the people honoured Deer Mother.

In mythology Deer Mother takes to the skies, carrying the light of the sun in her antlers, bringing rebirth to the land. 

The sun goddess of Lativia and Lithuania, Saule rides across the sky at midwinter in a sleigh lead by reindeer. She weeps her tears (sacred waters) and each tear is forged into amber which she throws down to the people along with apples (often associated with fertility and eternal life).

Silent Dance of the Woodland Deer

In woodland glades where shadows softly play,

A tale of grace and wildness comes to sway,

Oh, gather 'round, ye listeners, I pray,

For I shall sing of a deer this day.

With slender limbs and eyes of liquid brown,

A creature fair in nature's silent gown,

The emblem of the forest's tranquil crown,

A deer, with leaps that make the heart astound

Beneath the moon, it dances through the glen,

Its hooves, a symphony, on mossy fen,

As if the stars themselves did guide its yen,

In search of pastures new and tranquil den.

Yet more than leaps and strides, it bears a grace,

A gentleness in every measured pace,

Its innocence adorned upon its face,

A symbol of the wild's abiding space.

With antlers crowned, a regal, branching pride,

A symbol of the seasons' ebbing tide,

It roams with head held high and spirit wide,

In landscapes where untamed desires reside.

Gentle deer, thy essence pure and true,

A mirror of the world's unspoiled hue,

Thy fleeting presence, like morning's dew.

Enchants the hearts of all who chance to view. Ballad Belle

Jo and Sue warmly invite you to join us in the depths of winter for the solstice to journey with Deer bringing in the compassionate ways to mend with the grace and gentleness, to listen profoundly, finding the strength in vulnerability and to regenerate in peaceful communion with yourself, through dance, journey and the creative. Through collage we divine our journey over the winter months till we meet again at the Spring Equinox.

SATURDAY 15 June 2pm - 6pm - Temple on the Park - 158 Australia Street Newtown.

All welcome - no dance or art experience necessary

All materials supplied.

Cost: $75.00

Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/winter-solstice-journey-wintering-with-deer-dance-sacred-meditation-art

Further information:     
sueandersendance@gmail.com
jorockendorfer@gmail.com

A little about Jo Rockendorfer:
Jo's career as a Teacher, Facilitator, Transpersonal Counsellor and Art Therapist has led her to be able to work with her passions. These include guiding individuals and groups to move through life's transitions and inspiring people to tell their story. Jo is also passionate about empowering people to live to their fullest potential and see the best in themselves. 

A little about Sue Andersen:
Sue has been practicing Gabrielle Roth’s 5Rhythms since 2008 and completed her teacher training early in 2016. She is excited to share the 5rhythms Wave map, supporting people to return again and again to their bodies, to explore and express their unique dance and to discover the freedom and aliveness that comes when we surrender our minds to our feet, to the dance.

We look forward to dancing, journeying and creating with you.

2024 Solstice / Equinox / Journeying events for the diary: 

Winter Solstice - Saturday 15 June 2pm – 6pm

Spring Equinox - Sunday 21 September 2pm – 6pm

Summer Solstice - Sunday 15 December 2pm – 6pm