Lughnasadh and Joanna Macy
Photo by Pete Mauney
"A Wild Love For the World"*
As many of you know, we celebrate the Celtic Turn of the Wheel here at Gateway House. The Turn of the Wheel is comprised of the Equinoxes, Solstice, and what we call the Cross Quarter Days. The Cross Quarter Days fall between the Sostlices and Equinoxes, when we start to feel the latency of the coming season, which has not yet arrived. So for instance, Samhain (Halloween) is the Cross Quarter Day between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice.
Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh is the Cross Quarter Day between the Summer Solstice and the Autumnal Equinox, celebrated on August 1. At this time, the katydids ramp up their evening song, tomatoes are getting red and plump, and if you look closely you’ll see a few tree leaves starting to change color. We are at summer’s zenith, yet there’s an urgency for the imminent arrival of fall. Summer's expanse is narrowing as we approach fall preparations. There is a poignancy in the air.
The Festival of Lughnasadh is named after Celtic god Lugh, and there are many traditions associated with it, gathering for friendly competitions & games, and celebrating the maturity of the first grains of the fall. One I find particularly significant for our times is that it signaled a time of peace between warring communities
It may be easier to imagine this happening in a more tribal based society. Our world view is now global: we can apprehend the totality of our Earth.
However I invite you to observe that throughout human history, many cultures have traditionally paused to acknowledge the potentiality of peace, that reconciliation is possible.
In these times when the absence of war feels surreal and unachievable, let us feel within our genes the lineage of all our ancestors, whose lives at times were characterized by unfathomable upheaval. May we honor their resilience by holding an enduring intention for peace.
The Great Turning
To that end, I invite you on this coming Lughnasadh to pause and fully envision the quantum leap of The Great Turning as expressed in Joanna Macy’s brilliant teachings, known as The Work That Reconnects: the emergence of a new way of being, rooted in justice, ecological wisdom, and interconnection.
We have all read, watched and seen a ton of stuff about these times, right?! Nothing I have watched has been as profoundly moving as this short video of Joanna Macy's work on The Great Turning. It is short, potent and essential. (Thank you, Honey Sweet Harmony for bringing it into my view.)
I invite you to place your hands on your heart and hold with the greatest honor Joanna Macy’s seminal contributions, in honor of her recent death on July 19. To attend her online Memoriam, click here.
*the title of one of many books by Joanna Macy.
Metanoia
The Great Turning is not simply a political movement, or an environmental initiative, it is a spiritual reawakening, a metanoia, (from the Greek 'meta' meaning 'beyond' & 'nous' meaning 'mind').... a pivotal change of heart, a conversion.
At Gateway House, our communal and ceremonial life is rooted in Metanoia, as we continually turn our hearts toward The Great Turning, sourced not in fear, rather from our deep knowing in the divine matrix of creation embodied as Love In Action.
Amplifying the Field of Plenty
Born on July 31, I feel a special kinship of with Lughnasadh, with the arrival of my own personal solar return.
I am pleased to announce the birth of Gateway House’s new webpage! Have a look. I’m grateful to McCadden/Honey Sweet Harmony, Mirabai Trent and the photography of Lijah Friedman & Archil Pichkhadze for their beautiful collaborations in bringing this to fruition with me.
Additionally, I am profoundly grateful to announce that Gateway House has received an offer from an anonymous donor to match all contributions up to $10,000 through the Autumn Equinox.
Please consider making a financial contribution.
Together may we amplify the Field of Plenty as we honor and celebrate the harvest of community.
Upcoming Events in August and Beyond...
CEREMONIES WITH GATEWAY HOUSE
Gateway House Sanctuary Meeting
Monday, August 4th | 6:30 pm
Join us!
RSVP 845-417-5430
Autumnal Equinox Ceremony
Monday, September 22nd | 5 pm
Details to Follow
Gateway House |12 Fairview Ave | Rosendale, NY
The way you look at things changes the things you look at.
Learn more about this work here.
Monthly In-Person Group
Saturday, August 16| 3 – 6PM | $50
Gateway House | 12 Fairview Ave | Rosendale
Upcoming Groups: *usually every 3rd Saturday
• Saturday, September 20
• Saturday, October 18
Space is limited; Advance registration is now required.
Please fill out this Registration Form below at least 4 days prior.
One-On-One Sessions
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Available in-person or online.