In ritual, in reverence, in community and in celebration. Blooming Wildly together for the Spring Equinox
About this event:
The world it spins. The days they pass, the clock it ticks. Life goes on. But could we pause for just a moment… to smell the flowers? That spring-time magic. The 23rd of September is the Spring Equinox, which marks the beginning of Spring and one of only two days a year where there are equal day and night hours across the globe. The Spring Equinox has traditionally been observed as a time of rebirth and renewal. As always, Ecstatic Earth would like to honour this ancient marker of seasonal change with the opportunity to bloom wildly working with the medicine of community, cacao, dance & ritual and more.
What to expect:
CACAO
First, we meet at Princes Gardens, to begin with a cacao ritual led by Audrey Warren of Love Bean Cacao. Drink a cup of ceremonial chocolatey love medicine under the sun to drop you into your heart as we begin to reflect on the winter gone by with a guided meditation, reflections and connection with self and others.
Cacao invites us into ourselves. Into remembering who we are, and the simplicity of the love that we are. Cracking us open to ourselves and to others. We work with this medicine with gratitude and reverence for all that she offers. As we return to ritual & return to love, guided by the gift of this earth medicine.
We will work with the very special Ruku'u'x Ulew Cacao (Heart of the Earth) from Guatemala.
EARTH MANDALA
As spring begins, we sow our seeds for the year ahead. An opportunity to reflect on your dreams, your visions, your prayers, and who you are becoming. We will then metaphorically plant these visions and prayers into the ground as we collectively create a huge earth and flower mandala. All flowers and materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own also. We will leave this mandala here until the end of the day for all passersby to enjoy and then it will be responsibly removed by the team.
FLOWER WALK TO CENTRE OF YOU
We will then walk to Centre of You (a 5 min walk) You will have the option to gift flowers as a random act of kindness to strangers you pass to brighten their day.
WILD DANCE
As most of you already know, we are getting notoriously good at our big, phat WILD ecstatic dances! Join Sophia (aka Saturn) as she takes you on a strange, beautiful, and gutsy musical journey to move, to groove, to shake off those winter cobwebs and get you right where you feel it most- your wild ecstatic soul! Dance as you want! Dance with tribe! Dance on your own! NO rules other than no chatting on the d-floor! Dance your new self into this moment.
SOUND
After it's all been danced out the evening will conclude with a sweet soundscape lullaby by the beautiful and talented Vicki Roussel & Mark Cedro. A sound journey like no other into mystery, possibility and integration.
TEA AND CHATS
Stick around afterwards for tea time chats with old and new friends. Herbal brew served by Lily of the Herbs.
About Your Facilitators:
WILD ECSTATIC EARTH is the combination of two best friends who share a deep love of cacao, dance, and magic in the mundane. Follow us on instagram @wildectstaticearth
Sophia Leone // Authentikora
Sophia holds spaces for the intricate exploration of wholeness and full authentic expression. Authentic Relating has changed her life in ways unimaginable and has become the core of what she offers to the world, whether that be women’s circles, ecstatic dance, 1:1 sessions, or more directly in trainings. Sophia has a background in classical ballet, which has embedded within her a deep love of movement. Dance for her is an access point to true self and soul.
"Saturn" is Sophia’s DJ name. Saturn is inspired by the freedom, the love, the joy she has experienced on the dusty dance floors of wholesome festivals.
Audrey Warren // Love Bean Cacao
Audrey is deeply connected to the medicine of Cacao, working with this plant since 2014 when she met her teacher Keith Wilson, known affectionately as the Cacao Shaman, in Guatemala. She has been facilitating ceremonies in the USA and Guatemala and Australia. In 2017 Audrey began working with Mayan daykeepers (spiritual guides/elders) and has formed a strong connection to the Mayan wisdom, culture and traditions. She has permission from her Mayan teacher to work with this medicine. She is also a dance-addict. Believing deeply in the medicine of this expression!
Things to note:
ARRIVAL: Please meet at Princes Gardens (off little chapel street) by 2:50pm. This park is a 500-metre walk from COY.
PARKING: Upon leaving home, ask the parking fairy for a spot and believe one will be available for you! There is only 1hr parking on Chapel Street until 6pm, so to avoid a fine, we suggest you park in the CARe multilevel carpark at 8-14 King Street Prahran via Cecil place - 500 metres to Princes Gardens and a 140-metre walk from COY’s front door at the end of the event.
Tickets:
Early bird pricing is available from $77.00 before moving to the full price of $88.00. Purchase here.
Accessibility: At COY we aim to ensure our community and events are inclusive and accessible. Should you be in a time of financial challenge and unable to pay the full ticket price comfortably, please reach out to grace@centreofyou.com.au or via DM on Centre of You Instagram. Together we will find a way for your heart to receive this beautiful practice.