Fertile Darkness

It's fall! It's getting colder, it's going to rain (I hope!) and the days are shorter and shorter! I must confess, I love the fall, the snuggly sweaters and the hot tea.

It's not uncommon for folks to get depressed as the days shorten and gray begins to dominate the skies. It's easy to feel down and blue without warmth and sunshine. But, this is also a great time to begin to turn inward. Introspection can be a good thing. When we spend more time indoors, we have more chance to study, to practice meditation, to heal ourselves. We need the quiet to find our inner wisdom. We can reach beyond life and commune with the past, even with those who have gone before. Our ancestors are waiting to be heard, and All Hallows is the time to find them.

There are several exciting opportunities to focus on the deeper, darker side of ourselves this month:

-The Sacred Well's monthly Healing Share will focus on "Balance" in honor of the Fall equinox. We'll look at the clear, outward signs of health and wholeness as well as the still, quiet side. (Tuesday, Oct. 12th, 8-9:30pm @ The Sacred Well, $10 donation)

-Fertile Rituals, a class by Shantell Herndon. <Sacred Well Calendar>For women looking to evoke life from the darkness of their wombs, this class will allow you to know yourself and love yourself in new and exciting ways.
(7 Thursdays, beginning Oct. 15th, 7:30-9:30pm @ The Sacred Well, $250)

-CAYA Coven's Samhain ritual. <cayacoven.org> A "dumb supper" honoring our ancestors, and then a theatrical ritual that gives voice to underworld Deities from around the world.
(Saturday, Oct. 31st, supper at 7, ritual at 8 @ BFUU Hall, Berkeley, $10-$20 donation)

-Reclaiming's Spiral Dance. <reclaimingspiraldance.org> Find yourself in a room full of altars and witches in a dance to remember those who have passed. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of this ritual.
(Saturday, Oct. 31st, 6pm @ Kezar Pavillion, SF, $20-$100 donation, tickets avail. @ The Sacred Well)

-CAYA South Bay Samhain. <cayacoven.org/southbay> Join CAYA South Bay for our first Sabbat and a ritual to honor the passing year.
(Saturday, Nov. 7th, 8pm @ First Unitarian Church of San Jose, 160 N. 3rd St., 95112, $10 donation)

-Children's Samhain. <thepaganalliance.org>A ritual for little ones to enjoy this holy time of year. Hosted by the Pagan Alliance and CAYA Sprouts.
(Saturday, Nov. 7th, 11am @ Benicia Clocktower, $5 kids, $10 adults, kids under 3, free)

And there's plenty more to find. I hope that you find more about yourself as well.
Happy fall, everyone,
--Iris