A winter solstice celebration for everyone is being held at the Errington Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 21. “The Return of the Light” is being organized by Joanne Sales to honour the return of the sun and to generate some charity for the Manna Ministry which serves the homeless on Oceanside.
The word solstice is derived from the Latin phrase for “sun stands still”.
The winter solstice marks the day when there is less daylight than at any other time of the year and is commonly referred to as the shortest day. Since ancient times people have marked the winter solstice with countless cultural and religious traditions.
Sales said everyone of any age, tradition, background and belief is welcome to attend their celebration which honors all spiritual traditions.
She said the Errington event includes a spiral walk for children and adults, a finger food pot luck and then dances of universal peace.
The spiral walk will be a quiet, meditative, candle lit walk into the centre of a cedar bough spiral, which will be laid out on the floor inside Errington Hall.
People may come anytime between 4:30 and 5:15 p.m. and stay as long as they like. Guests are encouraged to bring a wide mouth glass jar with a tea light inside. If staying for the potluck, bring some finger food with no fish or Brazil nuts.
People don’t have to be an expert to participate in the dances of universal peace. Sales said they are simple circle dances, honoring all spiritual and wisdom traditions and recognizing the one source of all.
“The dances and songs we do together are simple and easy to learn. The music we create together is beautiful and uplifting. There is no audience; no performers; no dogma; and no experience necessary. Everything is fully taught each time. It’s comfortable, joyful, fun and deep.”
Sales said the multi-cultural event is meant to unify people who come together in respect.
“These dances are done around the world. It is wonderful because it draws us together,” she stated.
Sales said they gather for peace dances once a month and if people want more information on dances of universal peace they can visit www.dancesofuniversalpeacena.org and www.islandhealing.ca.
Those who plan to attend on Dec. 21 should confirm times and check road conditions ahead of time at www.erringtonhall.bc.ca/location.htm.
reporter@pqbnews.com