Mythic Rhythm

Gaia Festival & Retreat, Community News

2007-07-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

Save the Date

Please mark
May 16-18, 2008 on your calendars for next year's
Gaia Festival & Retreat.

May 16th - Evening Music & Dance Performances (TBD)
May 17-18th - Retreat & Festival
Temescal Gateway Park, Pacific Palisades, CA
Registration begins January 2008

I have approached a few people to act as main presenters for Gaia Festival 2008 and am waiting to hear back. I will send out another email to announce the exciting news. I expect to hear back by August.

Gaia Festival West Coast is now accepting proposals for community-based workshops until August 20, 2007.

We are offering the Workshop Presenter Pass as a "Work Exchange" for full attendance to the festival for $110.

If your workshop is chosen, you will be required to exchange up to 2 hours of time (teaching or otherwise presenting) for the Workshop Presenter Pass. The rest of the weekend is yours to do with as you please. You must also provide your own materials for attendee use at your workshop.

If you have a workshop idea, please send me:

Name of workshop
Additional costs that will be paid by attendees (materials fee, etc)
Brief description (100 words or less if possible)
Your brief bio and any links if you have them
A digital photo (attached to this email)

Also, we're looking for healers- to work for a Healers Pass. Its the same idea as the Presenters Pass, volunteering 2 hours of their time giving mini-healing sessions in the Healers Area. The price of the healer's pass is $110.

This year we will be assembling board members from the Gaia Festival community to vote on which workshops will be included in 2008's festival and to assist with planning.

There is also a tentative plan to include a concert and performance the evening of May 16th. If you are interested in performing please send a tape or video of yourself and a description of your performance.

Gaia Festival Community Calendar

July 2007

07/11/07

Frame Drum Workshop with Miranda Rondeau
8:pm-9:30pm $20
for women & men
Learn to play on of the oldest instruments in the world. It was used for rites of passage, celebration, creating sacred space and communal bonding.

Prema Darshan Yoga (home studio)
Termino Ave/2nd St
Long Beach,CA 90803
contact: mirandasmuse@yahoo.com
http:myspace.com/mirandarondeau
(562)925-0457

07/13/07

Divine Union of Body and Soul with Aparecida & Christo Pellani
Live Music and Ecstatic Dance Celebration
9 pm
$15 at door

Get lucky on Friday the 13
Dance with your Beloved partner within to the amazing soundscapes of Christo Pellani
Sacred Belly Dance performance and guided movement meditation by Aparecida
Come ready to dance, sweat, pray, and feel the sensuous union of your own divine body and soul

Earth and Sky Lodge
5521 S. Grosvenor Blvd.
LA, CA 90066

Aparecida
bodyprayer@gmail.com
www.bodyprayer.blogspot.com
323-868-7491

Christo
christodrums@soundformation.com
www.soundformation.com
310-578-5174

7/21/07

Karen Tate Presents
A Lecture and Slide Presentation
Pagan Paris & Sacred Feminine at the Louvre Museum
Magdalene Cultural Center - No. Hollywood

A Mid-Summer's Magickal Eve
A night of soaring, transcendent music, song, storytelling in a magical garden setting. Vendors, artist displays, healing body work, tarot, food and other magical offerings.

6:30-10:00 pm
$15 advance, $20 at door
Advance tickets available throught www.TheRAY.org

Heaven on Earth Foundation - Home Campus
13907 Chandler Drive (at Ranchito Drive)
Sherman Oaks

Spiritwind Productions is a collaborative production co-op
Mary Ellen Edwards, LCSW and The RAY
(818) 726-8609, Windjam989@aol.com, www.TheRAY.org
http://www.maryellenedwards.com/

7/22/07

Isis Birthday Salon and Feast - organized by Karen Tate
Marakesh Restaurant
Studio City, CA
http://www.marrakeshrestaurant.com/client/marrakesh/homepage.htm

Here is the menu - Look at the Fassi Dinner
http://www.marrakeshrestaurant.com/client/marrakesh/studiocity-menu.htm

$35 will cover the cost of gratuity and the meal, except for drinks that are not included with the meal. Please pre-pay for the birthday by 7/15.

Make the check payable to,
Karen Tate, and mail it to:
Karen Tate
2554 Lincoln Boulevard
Box 678
Venice, CA 90291
310/450-6661

August 2007

8/18/07

Resonant Voice of the Frame Drum
Performance Presentation & Introductory Workshop
with Miranda Rondeau & guests
3pm-5pm

$20($15 early registration by 8/14)

REMO Recreational Music Center
7308 Coldwater Canyon Blvd
North Hollywood,Ca. 91605
818/982-0461

The frame drum is one of the oldest instruments in the world. It was used for rites of passage, celebration, creating sacred space and communal bonding.

For more Info. contact mirandasmuse@yahoo.com 562/925-0454

8/31/07-9/3/07

Stephanie Hamberger of Gaia Festival and Soul Pilgrim presents, The Enchanted Mountain Goddess Conference Website- www.enchantedgoddesscon.com

Camp Allegany, Town of Red House, NY
Community-built workshops & ritual amongst the Enchanted Mountains of Allegany State Park.

$75 per person- includes 3 nights dormitory-style lodging and breakfast each morning, tea & snacks

Workshops include:
Huichol Shamanic Journey & Fire Ceremony of Release with HPS Donata Ahern M.S.W., C.H.T.
Sunset Yoga & Storytelling at Thunder Rocks
Connecting to the Rythm of the Goddess, a Drumming Workshop with Rev. Rebekah Benner
Shamanic Healing Waterfall Journey with HPS Donata Ahern, M.S.W., C.H.T.
Herb Walk, Wildcrafting and Making a Walking Amulet
TO REGISTER: http://soulpilgrim.wufoo.com/forms/enchanted-mountain-conference-registration/

September 2007

09/09/07-10/14/07

Work Study at Esalen Institute
Maria Lucia Bittencourt Sauer & Aparecida Sauer

A month with sisters Maria Lucia & Aparecida Sauer is for those who would like to release the burdens of the past and open up to more joy, compassion, and love in their lives. The program includes: ecstatic dance for grounding, centering, releasing, opening psychic abilities for healing, and the embodiment of our own divinity; rituals to focus on and manifest our deepest desires; and touch with the loving energy that can heal and uplift. The program offers Spiritual Massage, Brazilian shamanic practices, the ancient art of belly dance, teachings on the Divine Feminine, sacred art, and ecstatic poetry.

contact:
Aparecida
bodyprayer@gmail.com
www.bodyprayer.blogspot.com
323-868-7491

9/24/07-10/19/07

West African Roots Presents:
Dance, Drum & Yoga Retreat

Join us in beautiful, sunny Senegal to experience a holistic, culturally rich and spiritually enlightening workshop. Participate in shamanic drum, dance, yoga & ritual with Senegal's elite instructors, directed by Master Drummer, Dancer & Yogi Ken Doumbia and Naomi Doumbia, Ph.D.

African Drum & Dance classes teach jembé, jun-jun and sabar styles.
Bihar Yoga classes include pranayamas & asanas with live African drumming.
African shamanic healing & divination workshops.
Cultural Activities and Festivities, including story telling, rituals, guest artists and visits to artists' families' home fill the evenings and weekends of the workshop.
Workshop space is located on beachfront property just outside of Dakar, with double-occupancy rooms. Three meals a day are provided.
The total cost for drum, dance and yoga classes, room, board and ground transportation for four weeks is $3,000. Airfare is separate. Group discounts are available.

For More Information: africanyogi@hotmail.com

December 2007

12/02/07-12/07/07

Spiritual Massage: Lightbody Infusion at Esalen Institute
Maria Lucia Bittencourt Sauer & Aparecida Sauer

Spiritual Massage is a hands-on healing practice that works directly on the energy body, balancing the chakras, cleansing old thought forms, and gently facilitating release of emotional, physical, and spiritual blockages, allowing for infusion by the Lightbody. Maria Lucia and Aparecida come from a Brazilian family with a multigenerational tradition in shamanic ways and mediumship. In 1979 Maria Lucia came to Esalen and was sponsored by Esalen cofounder Dick Price while she learned Spiritual Massage from Brazilian healer Luiz Gasparetto. This work is accessible to anyonenurses, bodyworkers, businessmen, therapists, and all those interested in working with energy and people's bodies.

contact:
Aparecida
bodyprayer@gmail.com
www.bodyprayer.blogspot.com
323-868-7491

General Announcements

Stephanie Hamberger of Gaia Festival & Soul Pilgrim is organizing a sacred pilgrimage to Glastonbury, Cornwall and Dartmoor, England in September 2008. See the Soul Pilgrim website for details: www.soul-pilgrim.com.

Karen Tate is organizing a sacred pilgrimage to Paris in May 2008 and another to Turkey in October 2008. For more information, contact Karen Tate at karentate108@ca.rr.com

Reginah E. Perlmutter LCSW, ACSW is a psychotherapist, healer, feng shui master, psychic, hypnotherapist, sacred dance teacher, as well as an animal communicator. Please go to www.lightonlove.com/healing/ for more information.

Reginah provides sage and flower remedies from a sacred mountain in Mexico available for purchase through the mail. Please see above website for more details.

Reginah also provides services as an Animal Communicator/Healer available to do house/pet sitting. Excellent references. Will give your pet soo much love. Reginah E. Perlmutter LCSW - (818) 609-0532

Gaia Festival 2007 - A Successful Birthing!

2007-06-01T22:58:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

I thank you from the deepest core of my being for participating in Gaia Festival last weekend. This is our festival and as the years go by, we will welcome many new faces and build our community of soulful healers, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and teachers.

There are so many moments that I will always carry with me - all of you so generously gave of your time and yourselves.

It truly is a dream come true!

If you attended Gaia Festival, please fill out the survey (will come to you in a separate email) to let us know how to improve the program for next year. Please also send any comments or thoughts to kris@gaiafestival.com.

At the closing ceremony, I pulled this first blessing out of the egg of potential:

"Through our raised awareness and combined effort, no longer shall mankind deem themselves the masters of Nature. Let us be gentle stewards and caretakers. Let there be environmental healing."

And the second blessing I pulled out of the nest of eggs was:

"After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say, "I WANT TO SEE THE MANAGER." ---William Burroughs

I will send a "save the date" invitation with next year's Gaia Festival information soon, once we have the dates reserved with Temescal Gateway Park. Stephanie and I have already started to plan next year's edition, and we are so excited to have had this strong, healthy beginning.

Tamara uploaded her photos of Gaia Festival on the web:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=e762yuk.57sqwkbo&x=0&y=-bnvssl

More photos and video to come later -- thanks to my partner Stephanie and Johnny Brazz of Topanga Magazine.

And be sure to scroll down and check out some announcements from the Gaia Festival community.

Bright Blessings,

Kris Oster

.......................................................................................................................................

Announcements from the Gaia Festival Community:

Temple of the Goddess, Pasadena
http://www.templeofthegoddess.org/home.htm

Temple of the Goddess Summer Solstice Celebration
June 23, 2007
6:45 p.m. arrival ~~ Ritual from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church
301 N. Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91103
.......................................................................................................................................

Aparecida Sauer
po box 26258
Los Angeles, CA
90026

bodyprayer@gmail.com
www.bodyprayer.blogspot.com
323-868-7491

Our Healing Tour to Brazil is coming together beautifully! We have only 3 spaces left!!

COST PER PERSON: $1650 - double occupancy
$1850 - single occupancy

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: $965 (all taxes included) through our group discount.
This airfare is Los Angeles/Rio de Janeiro/Los Angeles. If you are leaving from another city, please call 323-868-7491 or email bodyprayer@gmail.com

PASSPORT: Make sure your passport is valid at least until February 2008

VISA: You need a visa for Brazil.

DEADLINE FOR AIRFARE:
Friday, June 8: $ 965

DEADLINE FOR TOUR:
Friday, June 15:
$1650 - double occupancy
$1850 - single occupancy

I was able to get some good discount fees for airfare and hotels. We have to move quickly now to guarantee those fees, so please note the upcoming dates for deposit and balance.

In Rio, we spend a few days at a beachfront hotel in Ipanema, go to Casa de Padre Pio for Luiz Augusto's wisdom teachings and spiritual healing, experience an authentic Umbanda ceremony, plus great food, music, dance, beach and sightseeing.

We fly to Brasilia, the mystical and futuristic capital of Brazil, and take a bus to Abadiania, where we meet John of God, the famous Brazilian healer. www.friendsofthecasa.org

In between sessions with John of God, you can go on optional tours for sightseeing, hiking, bathing in waterfalls and shopping for crystals. The whole area is a power spot, set on a bed of crystals deep in the heart of Brazil.

Maria Lucia and I will offer group sessions for guidance and integration of the profound spiritual, emotional and physical healing experiences.

Contact Aparecida for more information:
call 323-868-7491 or email bodyprayer@gmail.com.

.......................................................................................................................................

Karen Tate

Saturday, July 21
Magdalene Cultural Center - No. Hollywood
Lecture and Slide Presentation
Pagan Paris & Sacred Feminine at the Louvre Museum

Sunday, July 22
Isis Birthday Salon and Feast
Marakesh Restaurant
Studio City, CA
$35 must be prepaid by 7/15

October...... Sacred Sunday Services begin again.
Interfaith services rooted in the Sacred Feminine, complemented by the Divine Masculine, open to people of all faiths and traditions.

For any information on the above, contact Karen Tate at karentate108@ca.rr.com

.......................................................................................................................................

Miranda Rondeau

Long Beach WomanSpirit and the Temple of Isis Los Angeles
Present our 2007

Summer Solstice Fair
Saturday, June 9th
Unitarian universalist Church
5450 Atherton St
Long Beach,Ca.

10am-4pm $ 5 Donation-
Free raffle ticket with admission

**VENDORS**
Goddess themed Delights
*
All day Entertainment
12:45 Miranda
**
Hourly raffle
*
FOOD

For more info.
www.longbeachwomanspirit.org
www.toila.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Introduction to the Frame Drum
with Miranda Rondeau
For women & men

No drum experience
Wed. June 13th
8pm-9:30

Larisa's Yoga Studio

Long Beach

The frame drum is one of the oldest sacred
instruments in the world. In the ancient cultures of
the Meditaerranean, the frame drum was used for religious
functions, rites of passage, and communal bonding.

In this workshop we will learn in the upright position,playing with our hands. We will learn to play
the basic strokes and sounds of the drum, combine different rhythm and stroke combinations, and weave in the symbology and intention behind the drum strokes.
Frame drums provided.
RSVP mirandasmuse@yahoo.com
562)0457

.......................................................................................................................................

Joan Norton

Joan sends her thanks to everyone who attended her Mary Magdalene workshop at Gaia Festival. If you want to stay in touch with Joan email her at JNorton4@socal.rr.com.

Summer Solstice.... an equilibrium moment of the
earth's spiritual energies.
Could there be a better expression of the equilibrium
of Sacred Union ?

The Magdalene Circle meets Sunday June 10 1:30-3:00 this month, because the 17th is so popular for graduations.
We'll share about the Starbird event, the Gaia Festival, and our own journeys with the Divine Feminine
The Circle Widens and We Welcome You
Joan Norton and Susan Kehoe-Jergens

The Magdalene Circle meets at the Woman's Club of Hollywood 1749 N. La Brea. Meetings are June 10 and July 15 1:30-3:00, in the Hospitality House.

Gaia Festival Info

2007-05-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

Hello!! It's unbelievable to me that we will be converging for Gaia Festival this weekend! Where does the time go?

So, a few things to mention.

First off, my partner Stephanie, the Matriarch of Gaia Festival, is flying in from NY to be with us! I'm so excited you will all be able to meet her. She will be co-facilitating the evening campfire song and drum circle with me. She has a lovely voice and knows many Native American chants and Goddess songs.

1. Do not bring an altar item. We are planting seeds for our "living" altar this year, so no need for you to bring anything. The Temple of the Goddess will provide seeds for everyone to plant during the opening ceremony.

2. Try to arrive by 9:30am if possible. This will help me a lot with parking arrangements.

3. I did a weather check and all looks great. The forecast says partly sunny, high of 68 degrees F. Please be sure to dress in layers, and bring snuggly clothes to wear at night. It will get chilly! I get cold so easily, so I'll be bundled up.

4. You will need to sign up for each healer you want to see onsite. I recommend doing this in the morning. Also, you can only sign up for one 10-minute session from each person, and if they have extra spots you are then welcome to sign up for a second session.

5. If you have a drum, please bring it for the circle. I will have many drums on hand that you may want to try also.

NOTE: if you are a Healer, please bring a book or clip board and pencil. I will be printing out time sheets for people to sign up for your services and will distribute them to you in the morning on Saturday. Again, during the designated times, please only work on the folks wearing badges who have signed up on your sheets.

Many blessings and looking forward to an incredible weekend with all of you!

Much love,

Kris

2nd Annual Gaia Festival Debuts on West Coast

2007-05-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Kris Katsuko Oster
(805) 624-4361
kris@gaiafestival.com

May 17, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2nd Annual Gaia Festival Debuts on West Coast

Los Angeles-- Gaia Festival West Coast, celebrating multi-cultural, interdisciplinary and inclusive of all spiritual beliefs, debuts on Saturday, May 26 at 10:30 a.m. through Sunday, May 27 at Temescal Gateway Park, 15601 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. Tickets are available for full weekend passes ($180) and individual seminars ($10-$25).

Festival presenters are leading scholars and artists in their fields that have created dynamic, interactive workshops to engage the whole person: mind, body and spirit.

"Gaia Festival is a collaboration of diverse and multi-cultural artists, educators and business owners, to celebrate our connection to the living earth, Gaia, as well as pool our collective wisdom towards resolving the many issues and problems we are facing today," says Kris Katsuko Oster, co-creator of Gaia Festival with Stephanie Hamberger.

Ms. Hamberger organized the inaugural Gaia Festival on November 11, 2006 in New York centered on two workshops facilitated by Pagan author and activist, Starhawk. The energy and interest generated by the initial event led to the momentum necessary to develop the second event on the West Coast.

"We recognized a yearning for connection to our Earth Mother and conceived Gaia Festival to feed that hunger," says Ms. Hamberger. "Our goal is to begin a community that expands beyond the two day festival into a regular practice of goddess worship and earth nurturance."

Author, lecturer, Goddess advocate and native of Venice, California, Karen Tate (www.karentate.com), is the headline presenter and has played a major role in developing the festival program for this year.

"I was really interested in working with Kris and Stephanie on Gaia Festival because it's so in alignment with my own work, bringing the Sacred Feminine into mainstream consciousness," Karen explains.

Karen's workshop "Sacred Sites of the Goddess: Ancient Echoes of Herstory" will open the Gaia Festival program on May 26, 2007 at 1:15 pm.

Gaia Festival will share proceeds donated by sponsors and advertisers with its non-profit partners Temple of the Goddess Pasadena (www.templeofthegoddess.org) and global sustainability think-tank Empowerment Works (www.empowermentworks.org).

Xia and her attendant Priestesses from the Temple of the Goddess
Pasadena have developed a powerful and transformative opening ceremony to invoke Gaia and send healing prayers to ailing bee populations.

The opening ceremony will feature the drumming talent of frame drummer and singer, Miranda Rondeau.

Melanie St. James, Executive Director of Empowerment Works, is giving a lecture entitled "Social Permaculture" on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 2:00 pm. Melanie's organization practices a model of support and collaboration that creates a sustainable future for our planet.

About the Gaia Festival Founders
Hamberger is a photojournalist who has led pilgrimages to Glastonbury, Cornwall and Bath, England for Lammas celebrations since 2001 and is currently authoring a book about the sacred traditions of bread baking around the world.

Oster is a percussionist, myth scholar, sacred event organizer and web developer. In 2006 she spent 2 and a half months in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil completing research for her Doctoral dissertation in progress, "The Heartbeat of the Mother: Ritual Drumming & Revisioning Images of the Feminine in Candomblé."

# # #

Gaia Festival - Mistake on Website Link

2007-05-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Gaia Festival News & Latest Additions!

Link for Temple of the Goddess

Hi everyone, my apologies, I sent this email out with a bad link on it.

The link to the website for Temple of the Goddess should be www.templeofthegoddess.org!

Here is the announcement again with the correct link:

Gaia Festival
May 26-27, 2007
Temescal Gateway Park
15601 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

For more information:
Phone - 805.624.4361
Email - kris@gaiafestival.com
Website - www.gaiafestival.com

In two weeks, Gaia Festival West Coast will be birthed. We have many exciting new additions to the festival!

For those of you not registered yet, we still have room in the bungalows (shared quarters) for anyone who wishes to purchase a Full Festival Pass for $180, which includes all workshops and events, meals and overnight stay. Please register on or before May 21st so we can ensure we have plenty of bungalows and can inform our caterer of the correct number of folks needing meals.

Andrea (www.cateringbyandreala.com) is doing our catering and the all vegetarian menu she came up with is wonderful. I will post the menu this weekend on the festival website. And of course my in-laws Nancy and Dave Oster, who now have their own bakery in Santa Barbara, will be creating delectible desserts, such as chocolate/chipotle brownies and fresh baked breads.

If you wish to come to Individual workshops and events, here are the dates, times and prices:

5/26, 10:30 am CEREMONY: TEMPLE OF THE GODDESS -$5 donation
5/26, 1:15 pm KAREN TATE - $25
5/26, 3:25 pm JOAN NORTON - $25
5/26, 7:00 pm FUMBLING TOWARDS ECSTACY: JO COBBETT - $15
5/26, 9:15 pm FILM: "Signs Out of Time" about the life and work of MARIJA GIMBUTAS. $5.

5/27, 8:30 am YOGA: AL TAVERA - $12
5/27, 9:30 am BELLYDANCE: APARECIDA - $15
5/27, 11:20 am FRAME DRUM: MIRANDA RONDEAU - $25
5/27, 2:00 pm SOCIAL PERMACULTURE: MELANIE ST. JAMES - $5 Donation
5/27, 2:30 pm WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM: KEN & NAOMI DOUMBIA - $25

Plus drum circles, face painting, henna body painting, tarot card readers and vendors! Please see our website for the full schedule of events, www.gaiafestival.com.

********New Additions**********

In case you haven't heard, Gaia Festival has two non-profit partners this year, Temple of the Goddess, Pasadena and global sustainability think-tank Empowerment Works.

Xia and her attendant Priestesses from the Temple of the Goddess, Pasadena (www.templeofthegoddess.org) have developed a powerful and transformative opening ceremony to invoke Gaia and send healing energies to the ailing bee populations.

We will be planting the seeds of our intentions to bring peace and well being to all living things we are in relationship to on Mother Earth.

The opening ceremony begins on Saturday, May 26th at 10:30am sharp, and will feature the drumming talent of frame drummer and singer, Miranda Rondeau.

We will be accepting $5 donations to go directly to Temple of the Goddess for those of you who wish to give something to a group of women who are helping create a Goddess and Earth-loving world. Of course, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Seasoned event organizer and founder of Empowerment Works, (www.empowermentworks.org) Melanie St. James enthusiastically jumped on board recently to help out with some of her practical magic!

Melanie is giving a talk called "Social Permaculture" on Sunday, May 27th at 2:00 pm. Melanie practices a model of support and collaboration that creates a sustainable future for our planet. The crisis humanity faces is of epic proportions and Melanie brings her education and vast experiences from the field to assist in creating bridges of understanding and cooperation.

Like Gaia Festival, Melanie brings together diverse, multi-cultural artists, scientists and businesses in order to pool our collective wisdom towards solving the many issues and problems we are facing today.

We will also be accepting $5 donations for Melanie's talk that will benefit her non-profit organization Empowerment Works.

Another way to help support Gaia Festival and its two non-profit partners is to buy raffle tickets at the Festival for $5 each. No need to be present to win, just be sure to write your address and phone number on the back of the ticket in case you need to leave before the drawings - we will do one drawing on Saturday evening and another on Sunday afternoon. We have some amazing raffle prizes!

The LA Philharmonic is donating two pairs of tickets for its concert series this summer at the Hollywood Bowl;

YogaWorks is giving away one free week of yoga classes;

Hollywood & Highland Center is donating a $100 voucher for the restaurant Vert and a one-night stay at the Radisson Hotel overlooking Kodak Theatre, the home of the Oscars;

Toni O' Bryan of Be Light and Ka-ching (check out her amazing office, it's the lime green house on Abbott Kinney Blvd and her website: www.kaching-creative.com) is donating an Avesa Balancing Session worth $129. Toni will also be on hand during the festival to give 8 minute mini treatments with her Egyptian Healing Rods.

More to come...

Julie James, one of the Gaia Festival Healers, is offering an Herb Walk through Temescal Gateway Park to show us the native plants and herbs in the area and how some can be used for healing purposes.

The walk will be gentle -- it's not a strenuous hike. The workshop is complimentary to festival badge holders only (pre-registered participants), and $10 for the general public.

The Herb Walk will take place on Sunday, May 27th at 9:00 am.

Gaia Festival - Two Weeks and Counting!

2007-05-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

Gaia Festival News & Latest Additions!

Event Announcement : May 11, 2007

Gaia Festival
May 26-27, 2007
Temescal Gateway Park
15601 W. Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

For more information:
Phone - 805.624.4361
Email - kris@gaiafestival.com
Website - www.gaiafestival.com

In two weeks, Gaia Festival West Coast will be birthed. We have many exciting new additions to the festival!

For those of you not registered yet, we still have room in the bungalows (shared quarters) for anyone who wishes to purchase a Full Festival Pass for $180, which includes all workshops and events, meals and overnight stay. Please register on or before May 21st so we can ensure we have plenty of bungalows and can inform our caterer of the correct number of folks needing meals.

Andrea (www.cateringbyandreala.com) is doing our catering and the all vegetarian menu she came up with is wonderful. I will post the menu this weekend on the festival website. And of course my in-laws Nancy and Dave Oster, who now have their own bakery in Santa Barbara, will be creating delectible desserts, such as chocolate/chipotle brownies and fresh baked breads.

If you wish to come to Individual workshops and events, here are the dates, times and prices:

5/26, 10:30 am CEREMONY: TEMPLE OF THE GODDESS -$5 donation
5/26, 1:15 pm KAREN TATE - $25
5/26, 3:25 pm JOAN NORTON - $25
5/26, 7:00 pm FUMBLING TOWARDS ECSTACY: JO COBBETT - $15
5/26, 9:15 pm FILM: "Signs Out of Time" about the life and work of MARIJA GIMBUTAS. $5.

5/27, 8:30 am YOGA: AL TAVERA - $12
5/27, 9:30 am BELLYDANCE: APARECIDA - $15
5/27, 11:20 am FRAME DRUM: MIRANDA RONDEAU - $25
5/27, 2:00 pm SOCIAL PERMACULTURE: MELANIE ST. JAMES - $5 Donation
5/27, 2:30 pm WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM: KEN & NAOMI DOUMBIA - $25

Plus drum circles, face painting, henna body painting, tarot card readers and vendors! Please see our website for the full schedule of events, www.gaiafestival.com.

********New Additions**********

In case you haven't heard, Gaia Festival has two non-profit partners this year, Temple of the Goddess, Pasadena and global sustainability think-tank Empowerment Works.

Xia and her attendant Priestesses from the Temple of the Goddess, Pasadena (www.templeofthegoddess.com) have developed a powerful and transformative opening ceremony to invoke Gaia and send healing energies to the ailing bee populations.

We will be planting the seeds of our intentions to bring peace and well being to all living things we are in relationship to on Mother Earth.

The opening ceremony begins on Saturday, May 26th at 10:30am sharp, and will feature the drumming talent of frame drummer and singer, Miranda Rondeau.

We will be accepting $5 donations to go directly to Temple of the Goddess for those of you who wish to give something to a group of women who are helping create a Goddess and Earth-loving world. Of course, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Seasoned event organizer and founder of Empowerment Works, (www.empowermentworks.org) Melanie St. James enthusiastically jumped on board recently to help out with some of her practical magic!

Melanie is giving a talk called "Social Permaculture" on Sunday, May 27th at 2:00 pm. Melanie practices a model of support and collaboration that creates a sustainable future for our planet. The crisis humanity faces is of epic proportions and Melanie brings her education and vast experiences from the field to assist in creating bridges of understanding and cooperation.

Like Gaia Festival, Melanie brings together diverse, multi-cultural artists, scientists and businesses in order to pool our collective wisdom towards solving the many issues and problems we are facing today.

We will also be accepting $5 donations for Melanie's talk that will benefit her non-profit organization Empowerment Works.

Another way to help support Gaia Festival and its two non-profit partners is to buy raffle tickets at the Festival for $5 each. No need to be present to win, just be sure to write your address and phone number on the back of the ticket in case you need to leave before the drawings - we will do one drawing on Saturday evening and another on Sunday afternoon. We have some amazing raffle prizes!

The LA Philharmonic is donating two pairs of tickets for its concert series this summer at the Hollywood Bowl;

YogaWorks is giving away one free week of yoga classes;

Hollywood & Highland Center is donating a $100 voucher for the restaurant Vert and a one-night stay at the Radisson Hotel overlooking Kodak Theatre, the home of the Oscars;

Toni O' Bryan of Be Light and Ka-ching (check out her amazing office, it's the lime green house on Abbott Kinney Blvd and her website: www.kaching-creative.com) is donating an Avesa Balancing Session worth $129. Toni will also be on hand during the festival to give 8 minute mini treatments with her Egyptian Healing Rods.

More to come...

Julie James, one of the Gaia Festival Healers, is offering an Herb Walk through Temescal Gateway Park to show us the native plants and herbs in the area and how some can be used for healing purposes.

The walk will be gentle -- it's not a strenuous hike. The workshop is complimentary to festival badge holders only (pre-registered participants), and $10 for the general public.

The Herb Walk will take place on Sunday, May 27th at 9:00 am.

Margaret Starbird Workshop on Sunday, May 6th, L.A.

2007-04-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

Event News & Reviews

Event Announcement : May 6, 2007

Joan Norton, who is a main presenter for Gaia Festival, is organizing a wonderful event with Margaret Starbird, the best-selling author of "The Woman With the Alabaster Jar" and "Magdalene's Lost Legacy" on this upcoming Sunday May 6, 2007 from 1-5pm. I'm definitely going and hope many of you can make it as well.

"Mary Magdalene: Bride and Beloved" will take place at the Woman's Club of Hollywood, 1749 N. La Brea, Los Angeles. Tickets at the door, $25.

Bring your friends and have a good time also listening to Ki Longfellow, author of "The Secret Magdalene"....as well as seeing the fantastic art , the wonderful and nourishing books, and food, too. Plus, a wedding cake to symbolize Divine Union...As Above, So Below. For more information about the event, visit Joan's website http://www.marymagdalenewithin.com/

Also, I wanted to tell all of you about a wonderful event I attended over this past weekend at Remo, called Women's Drum Day. This was the first time I attended, mostly to meet a new friend and potential healer/presenter at Gaia Festival named Joy Krauthammer.

Joy performed a heart opening/awakening, and ethereal piece on Tibetan and crystal bowls. My heart chakra was activated and it was deeply moving. Joy is an eclectic mix of gypsy and faery, angel and trickster, and her music shimmers just like her lavender, gold-speckled scarves. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will be able to make it to Gaia Festival this year, I know everyone will be completely entranced by her!

Second to facilitate was Christine Stevens, who is very well-known and still so humble and kind! She almost moved to Colorado and I'm so glad she decided not to go! Christine has so much love and positive energy radiating out of her too - she magnificently led us through fun and empowering movement exercises. My favorite was when she had us each pick a colored scarf and then find the person who had the same color. Once we found our color-twin, we took turns being the mirror for each other in a dance. My twin, no big surprise here was Joy! We were in complete sync and everything flowed easily and naturally. (That sounded really egotistical, but Joy and I are two wild birds of a feather! Thankfully, my husband Shaun calls this a healthy "ego system")

Next, Chris Gasci tore it up on the congas with a brilliant beginners class on Cuban rhythms and conga technique. I've played this style for many years and still learned so much from her. Cuban conga drumming is difficult to teach and she did it with grace and humor.

The last facilitator was Janice Hope and I had no idea what to expect. In case you ever do a workshop with her, I'm not going to say much because it would spoil it for you! I was really resistant at first, grumbling about how much my back was hurting and I could tell that my breathing was really constricted in my chest. She had us doing deep breath work to release "stuff," "crap" whatever you want to call it...well, let's just say I did some major releasing of old sadness and it felt really good. Janice's work is really powerful.

Remo's Jerry Zacharias really took care of the ladies...oops, that sounds kind of kinky, but seriously...he was there all day long, running around and getting drums for us. He was so helpful and kind, and has the coolest positive energy. I think Jerry facilitates a weekly drum circle at Remo on Tuesdays so check it out - http://www.remo.com/portal/events/index.html

The program as a whole was perfectly balanced - fun, heartfelt, sacred, opening, releasing, healing. And there was a lot of really good food!

Email or call the fabulous Laney who organizes this event twice a year and ask to be placed on her mailing list - Laney at joyfuldrumming@cheerful.com or 818 353-6628.

You won't regret it!!!

Blessings to all,

Kris

Gaia Festival Schedule At-A-Glance

2007-04-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

Gaia Festival - Celebrate our Ancient Connection to the Sacred Feminine
May 26-27, 2007
Temescal Gateway Park
Pacific Palisades, CA.

Gaia Festival Workshops & Events:

May 26, 2007:

10:30-11:00 am Opening Ceremony - "Invoking the Divine Feminine"
Gaia Festival opens with a ritual circle of all participants and presenters, led by Rev. Karen Tate and members of the Temple of the Goddess from Pasadena. Public Ceremony. $5 suggested donation to the Temple of the Goddess of Pasadena.

1:15-2:45pm - “Sacred Sites of the Goddess: Ancient Echoes of Herstory” workshop with Karen Tate. $25 fee.

3:25-4:55pm - “The Magdalene Circle: Connecting with Mary Magdalene Within” workshop with Joan Norton. $25 fee.

7:00-8:00pm - “Fumbling Towards Ecstacy” - A Dance Workshop with Jo Cobbett. $15 fee.

9:15pm - Film Screening of “Signs Out of Time” – Documentary about the life and work of Marija Gimbutas. Film duration is 58:40 and will be followed by brief discussion. $5 suggested donation to Gaia Festival.

May 27, 2007:

11:20am-12:50pm - "A Musical Journey Through the Elements: An Introductory Frame Drum Workshop” with Miranda Rondeau. $25 fee.

2:00-2:30pm. "Social Permaculture" - 30 minute lecture by Melanie St. James, MPA of Empowerment Works. $5 suggested donation to Empowerment Works.

2:30-4:00pm - “Celebratory African Drum/Dance Workshop and Performance” with Adama "Ken" and Naomi Doumbia. $25 fee.

4:30-5:00pm - “Closing Ritual of Thanksgiving”
Gaia Festival closes with a ritual circle of all participants and presenters, led by Rev. Karen Tate and members of the Temple of the Goddess from Pasadena. Public Ceremony. $5 suggested donation to the Temple of the Goddess of Pasadena.

Note: If you wish to stay for the weekend, we have a festival pass available, all workshops, overnight stay and meals inclusive. Please see our website for prices: www.gaiafestival.com. Or call Kris at 805.624.4361 for more information.

Gaia Festival - Celebrate the Feminine Divine

2007-04-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

Gaia Festival, Pacific Palisades, California. May 26-27, 2007
Date & Time:
Saturday, May 26, 2007 - Sunday, May 27, 2007
Starting 10:00 AM

Location: Temescal Gateway Park
15601 W. Sunset Blvd.
Pacific Palisades, CA

More Info: 805.624.4361
www.gaiafestival.com

Remembering our Ancient Connection to the Sacred Feminine
Please sign up early - space is limited!

Hi [fname],

Please sign up early - space is limited! We are actually running low on lodging, but have about eight spaces left. Trying to find out also if I can reserve more bungalows, so please let me know asap if you want to stay overnight.

Register today:
www.gaiafestival.com/registration.html

Please forward this on to your friends by using the "Forward to a Friend" button on the bottom of the email. Bright blessings, Kris

Featured Events / Workshops:

"Sacred Sites of the Goddess: Ancient Echoes of Herstory"
1.5-hour workshop will be followed with a book signing.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 1:15 pm
Facilitator: Karen Tate

"The Magdalene Circle: Connecting with Mary Magdalene Within"
1.5-hour workshop will be followed with a book signing.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 3:25 pm
Facilitator: Joan Norton

"Fumbling Towards Ecstacy" - A Dance Workshop with Jo Cobbett Followed by a Campfire Drum Circle
2 hour costume optional dance/drum circle. Please wear non-restrictive clothing for ease of movement and feel free to dress up as the goddess that you are, or your favorite deity. Faeries, angels, druid, sorceresses, wizards also welcome! Use your imagination!
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 7:00 pm
Facilitator: Jo Cobbett
Location: Stewart Hall

"A Musical Journey Through the Elements: An Introductory Frame Drum Workshop"
2-hour workshop. All levels welcome. Frame drums provided, but please bring your own if you have one.
Date & Time: 5/27/07, 11:00 am
Facilitator: Miranda Rondeau
Location: Woodland Hall

"Celebratory African Drum/Dance Workshop and Performance"
1.5-hour workshop will be followed by a 30 minute performance and a book signing. All levels welcome. Drums will be provided, but bring your own if you have one.
Date & Time: 5/27/07, 2:30 pm
Facilitators: Ken Adama and Naomi Doumbia
Location: Woodland Hall

Members of the Temple of the Goddess from Pasadena (www.templeofthegoddess.org) will be facilitating a magical opening and closing ritual, not to be missed!

Plus yoga, drum circles, art exhibits, and complimentary body and energy therapies from onsite healers.

Recorded Teleconference with Karen Tate

2007-04-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

Recorded Teleconference from 4/19/07

with Karen Tate: Author, Goddess Advocate, Ritualist, Sacred Tour Operator

Did you miss the teleconference? No worries! We recorded it!

The teleconference was a great success - except for my intermittent stammering!! However, Karen Tate was brilliant as usual and had a lot to say about the new face of Goddess spirituality, her favorite sacred spots and thoughts on the divine masculine. Click on this link or copy it into your browser to listen to the recording: http://www.gaiafestival.com/Teleconferences/Karen_Tate_041907.wav It's a pretty big file so it may take a few minutes to load if you're on a slower connection. Enjoy!
Copyright 2007 Soul Pilgrim and Gaia Festival

Tax Time Relief for Gaia Festival - 15% off Passes

2007-04-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hi [fname],

Please sign up early - space is limited! We are actually running low on lodging, but have a few spaces left. Trying to find out also if I can reserve more bungalows, so please let me know asap if you want to stay overnight.

For tax time, I reduced the prices 15% and will extend these rates until April 20th.

www.gaiafestival.com/registration.html

Please forward this on to your friends by using the "Forward to a Friend" button on the bottom of the email. Bright blessings, Kris

Featured Events / Workshops:

"Sacred Sites of the Goddess: Ancient Echoes of Herstory"
1.5-hour workshop will be followed with a book signing.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 1:15 pm
Facilitator: Karen Tate

"The Magdalene Circle: Connecting with Mary Magdalene Within"
1.5-hour workshop will be followed with a book signing.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 3:25 pm
Facilitator: Joan Norton

"Fumbling Towards Ecstacy" - A Dance Workshop with Jo Cobbett Followed by a Campfire Drum Circle
2 hour costume optional dance/drum circle. Please wear non-restrictive clothing for ease of movement and feel free to dress up as the goddess that you are, or your favorite deity. Faeries, angels, druid, sorceresses, wizards also welcome! Use your imagination!
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 7:00 pm
Facilitator: Jo Cobbett
Location: Stewart Hall

"A Musical Journey Through the Elements: An Introductory Frame Drum Workshop"
2-hour workshop. All levels welcome. Frame drums provided, but please bring your own if you have one.
Date & Time: 5/27/07, 11:00 am
Facilitator: Miranda Rondeau
Location: Woodland Hall

"Celebratory African Drum/Dance Workshop and Performance"
1.5-hour workshop will be followed by a 30 minute performance and a book signing. All levels welcome. Drums will be provided, but bring your own if you have one.
Date & Time: 5/27/07, 2:30 pm
Facilitators: Ken Adama and Naomi Doumbia
Location: Woodland Hall

Members of the Temple of the Goddess from Pasadena (www.templeofthegoddess.org) will be facilitating a magical opening and closing ritual, not to be missed!

Plus yoga, drum circles, art exhibits, and complimentary body and energy therapies from onsite healers.

Gaia Festival, Pacific Palisades, California. May 26-27, 2007

Date & Time:
Saturday, May 26, 2007 - Sunday, May 27, 2007
Starting 10:00 AM
Location: Temescal Gateway Park
15601 W. Sunset Blvd.
Pacific Palisades, CA
More Info: 805.624.4361
www.gaiafestival.com

Teleconference With Karen Tate, April 19th, 7-8pm

2007-04-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Join Karen Tate and Kris Oster, organizer of Gaia Festival West Coast, on Thursday, April 19th from 7-8pm for a call-in teleconference.

As keynote speaker for this year's Gaia Festival, Karen Tate is one of the most respected, and I dare say down-to-earth, Goddess advocates in Los Angeles. Her vision to bring Goddess consciousness and spirituality to a large, mainstream audience has earned her a special place in the hearts of many women and men in Goddess communities throughout California and abroad.

In this teleconference, Karen will talk about how she honors Goddess in everyday life, powerful sacred sites that she feels most drawn to and the new face of Goddess spirituality that is transforming how we see the divine feminine and Gaia, Earth Mother.

The last 15-20 minutes will be dedicated to answering your questions. If you wish to send a question for Karen prior to the event, please email it to her at karentate108@ca.rr.com.

We are both looking forward to connecting with you!

More About Karen Tate
For over two decades, Karen's work has been fueled by her intense interest and passion for travel, comparative religions, ancient cultures, and Goddess Spirituality. A prolific writer, published author, and tour organizer, Karen's most recent work blends her experiences of women-centered multiculturalism evident in archaeology, anthropology and mythology with her unique literary talents and travel experience throughout the world to pen "Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations."

An ordained minister, independent scholar of the Sacred Feminine, and graduate of The Women's Thealogical Institute, specializing in Goddess and Women's Spirituality, Karen's particular emphasis is on the roles of women and the study of comparative religions and ancient cultures in a modern or reconstructed context. It is no surprise then that she is the founder of the educational, art, and cultural organization, The Isis Ancient Cultures Society. An Adepta within the International Fellowship of Isis, Karen was ordained by one of the founders, Lady Olivia Robertson, at Clonegal Castle in Ireland. More than a decade ago, the author began the Iseum of Isis Navigatum, a hearth of the Goddess within the FOI, which continues to fulfill her calling to help mid-wife the rebirth of the Divine Feminine in contemporary society.

Karen resides in Venice, CA with her husband, Roy, her life partner for more than twenty years. They are the creators, artists, and caretakers of the Isis Temple of Thanksgiving.

Karen will be co-facilitating the opening and closing rituals for Gaia Festival on May 26th & 27th along with members of Pasadena's Temple of the Goddess (http://templeofthegoddess.org) and will present a workshop, "Sacred Sites of the Goddess: Ancient Echoes of Herstory."

Space is limited, so please register early at http://www.gaiafestival.com/registration.html
Festival passes are 15% off until April 15th!

Teleconference Information:
Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 451-6000
Access Code: 896461#
When prompted enter the access code that has been assigned, followed by the # key. Once connected to the conference, you will be able to talk and have access to the touch tone commands listed below.

Participant Feature Keys
Press 3 to exit the call
Press 4 for conference instructions
Press 6 to Mute/Unmute

Revised Gaia Festival Schedule

2007-02-09T23:52:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest schedule -- it is still subject to change so, after you register I will email or mail the final schedule a few weeks before the festival.

Workshops/Events Schedule & Descriptions for Gaia Festival 2007

Saturday, May 26, 2007

“Opening Ritual: Invoking the Divine Feminine Through Song and Music”
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 10:30 am
Facilitators: Karen Tate, Stephanie Hamberger, Kris Oster
Music and Song Offerings: Miranda Rondeau
Location: Outside of Stewart Hall

Gaia Festival opens with a circle of all participants and presenters, led by Reverend Karen Tate, an Adepta within the International Fellowship of Isis. Karen will lead the group in prayers of gratitude to the Great Mother Goddess and will invoke Her qualities of peace and abundance. Miranda will play frame drum and offer songs to Gaia.

Post ceremony, 11:00am - 12:00pm:

• Book and vendor table will be open for participants to peruse
• Healers, massage therapists will be available for 10-minute mini treatments
• Opening drum circle will provide a festive, upbeat atmosphere. Facilitator TBD.

-- Lunch will be served at 12:00 pm --

“Sacred Sites of the Goddess: Ancient Echoes of Herstory”
2-hour workshop will be followed with a book signing.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 1:15 pm
Facilitator: Karen Tate
Location: Stewart Hall

Rev. Karen Tate, scholar of the Sacred Feminine, author of Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations, and her new book, Walking an Ancient Path, expected out in early 2008, will open the Gaia Festival with her presentation of sacred sites of Goddess around the world. Learn more in this lecture, discussion group and interactive ritual presenting:

• Discovering the Feminine Face of God around the world
• The essence of Goddess in her most ancient places
• Learn about places of healing, transformation and manifestation
• Making pilgrimage to sacred sites closer to home
• Unveil long hidden truths buried beneath the sands of time
• Who are the New Goddess Advocates?
• What is Goddess Spirituality and does it offer hope for the future?

Karen will sign copies of her book, Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations after her presentation. Books will be available for purchase at the festival book table.

About Karen Tate

For over two decades, Karen's work has been fueled by her intense interest and passion for travel, comparative religions, ancient cultures, and Goddess Spirituality.

A prolific writer, published author, and tour organizer, Karen's most recent work blends her experiences of women-centered multiculturalism evident in archaeology, anthropology and mythology with her unique literary talents and travel experience throughout the world to pen Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations.

An ordained minister, independent scholar of the Sacred Feminine, and graduate of The Women's Thealogical Institute, specializing in Goddess and Women's Spirituality, Karen's particular emphasis is on the roles of women and the study of comparative religions and ancient cultures in a modern or reconstructed context. It is no surprise then that she is the founder of the educational, art, and cultural organization, The Isis Ancient Cultures Society. An Adepta within the International Fellowship of Isis, Karen was ordained by one of the founders, Lady Olivia Robertson, at Clonegal Castle in Ireland. More than a decade ago, the author began the Iseum of Isis Navigatum, a hearth of the Goddess within the FOI, which continues to fulfill her calling to help mid-wife the rebirth of the Divine Feminine in contemporary society.

Karen resides in Venice, CA with her husband, Roy, her life partner for more than twenty years. They are the creators, artists, and caretakers of the Isis Temple of Thanksgiving.

Karen was nominated for the Pagan Pride Day 2006 Community Service Award.

Karen can be reached at karentate108@ca.rr.com. www.karentate.com

-------------------

“A Musical Journey Through the Elements: An Introductory Frame Drum Workshop”
2-hour workshop. All levels welcome. Frame drums provided, but please bring your own if you have one.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 3:45 pm
Facilitator: Miranda Rondeau
Location: Stewart Hall

The frame drum is one of the oldest sacred instruments in the world. In the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean the frame drum, mostly played by women, was used for religious functions, rites of passage, and communal bonding.

In this workshop:

• Learn basic technique, playing with hands and fingers.
• Vocalize and play the basic strokes and sounds of the frame drum
• Explore different rhythm and stroke combinations
• Perceive the elements of nature - fire, air, earth and water - behind the drum strokes

About Miranda Rondeau

Miranda Rondeau is a singer, songwriter, musician and frame drummer whose music is inspired by the inward journey. Her chanting transcends language, bypasses the intellect, and is devotional and shamanic in nature.

She has performed in southern California since 1994 as both a soloist and within various percussion ensembles at colleges, universities, drum festivals, women’s conferences, and ceremonies. Miranda offers frame drum workshops and classes in the Los Angeles area.

She has studied with Master frame drummer/author, Layne Redmond as well as performed with Italian virtuoso frame drummer Alessandra Belloni.

Miranda sees drum, dance and song as sacred arts that have the power to heal.

Miranda can be reached at mirandasmuse@gmail.com.

-- Dinner will be served at 5:45 pm --

Film Screening of “Signs Out of Time” – Documentary about the life and work of Marija Gimbutas
Film duration is 58:40 and will be followed by a 35 minute panel discussion.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 7:00 pm
Panel: Karen Tate, More TBD
Location: Stewart Hall

----------------

“Yoga Trance Dance: Ecstatic Poetry of Movement”
1.5-hour workshop. Please wear non-restrictive clothing for ease of movement.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 9:00 pm
Facilitator: TBD
Location: Stewart Hall

Free the body and mind through yoga trance dancing. The facilitator will guide the group through a series of breath-initiated movement based on yoga asanas with music. The movements are designed to release creative blocks and revitalize prana - the body’s life force.

From Shiva Rae’s website: “Yoga and dance are two great rivers that lead us back into our bodies and rejuvenate us with prana – the vital energy of life. Yoga awakens the breath, fluidity of the spine, and inner power. Free-form trance dance cultivates natural movement, intuition, and creativity.”

More information on this workshop coming soon.

---------------------

“Drumming for the Soul: The Spirit of Fire”
1-hour drum circle. Drums to be provided, but please bring your own if you have one.
Date & Time: 5/26/07, 10:30 pm
Facilitator: Kris & Shaun Oster
Location: Outdoors around campfire

Drumming in a circle around a fire invokes the energy of the ancestors. Shamans called on the ancestral spirits of their people to bring healing to the entire community.

In this drum circle group class, we will work on a series of rhythms and chants adapted from the African-Brazilian religion Candomblé. Participants are also encouraged to dance in celebration with the drums.

--------------------

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Morning Yoga
45 minutes. Please wear non-restrictive clothing for ease of movement and bring a yoga mat.
Date & Time: 5/27/07, 9:00 am
Facilitator: TBD
Location: Classroom I

Gentle stretching with basic yoga asanas. Last 10 minutes of session will feature Shaun Oster playing a crystal bowl and crystal didgeridoo for Shavasana, deep relaxation pose.

-- Continental breakfast will be served from 8:30am - 10:00 am --

Morning Activities, 10:00am - 11:00am:

• Book and vendor table will be open for participants to peruse
• Healers, massage therapists will be available for 10-minute mini treatments
• Optional drum circle to awaken our kundalini energy

“The Magdalene Circle: Connecting with Mary Magdalene Within”
2-hour workshop will be followed with a book signing.
Date & Time: 5/27/07, 11:00 am
Facilitator: Joan Norton
Location: Classroom I

Christianity was grown upon the ground of the Goddess. She was called
The Magdalene, Watchtower of the Flock, The Divine Bride. She is our own Goddess of the Western World.

Since the release of Dan Brown’s bestselling novel The Da Vinci Code and the film adaptation, starring Tom Hanks and Audrey Tatou, the public at large has become interested in learning more about the mysteries of the Feminine Divine embodied by Mary Magdalene, who is known in the story as the Holy Grail.

Today, Mary Magdalene is speaking to many, asking to be given Her rightful place and stature.

In this interactive, circle-based workshop,

• We will hear Her stories, we will fill our eyes with Her images, we will listen to Her voice in poetry, song, and prayer.

• We will create ritual for letting go of the old denigrated images of Her.

• We will go deep into ourselves through guided meditation to experience the Magdalene within our own soul life.

About Joan Norton

Joan Norton, M.A., M.F.T., a Jungian psychotherapist in practice for 25 years and a channel for The Sedona Journal of Emergence for 12 years, is the author of The Mary Magdalene Within. The book is based on a personal visionary encounter with Mary Magdalene in 1996 and illuminates the true equality of consciousness of The Sacred Marriage, the balance of the Divine Feminine and Masculine.

Joan organizes Mary Magdalene seminars in the greater Los Angeles area and hosts the Mary Magdalene Circle, a monthly study/prayer group that takes place in Hollywood, California.

Joan can be reached at jnorton4@socal.rr.com. www.marymagdalenewithin.com

-- Lunch will be served at 1:30 pm --

“Celebratory African Drum/Dance Workshop and Performance”
1.5-hour workshop will be followed by a 30 minute performance and a book signing. All levels welcome. Drums will be provided, but bring your own if you have one.
Date & Time: 5/27/07, 2:30 pm
Facilitators: Ken Adama and Naomi Doumbia.
Location: Classroom I

There are hundreds of rhythms that drummers and dancers throughout West Africa know, and each of these rhythms tells its own story. A drummer must be knowledgeable of the meanings of the rhythms to speak effectively with the drum. Each jembé rhythm and dance has a purpose, a time, and a place. Some rhythms honor groups of people, other rhythms mark certain occasions.

In this workshop you will learn and experience the rhythms and dance movements of different West African celebratory and initiation rites.

About the Doumbias

Dr. Naomi Doumbia
With a Ph.D. in Comparative Philosophy and Religion from C.I.I.S., Naomi Doumbia has studied the philosophies and religions of the world and spends most of her time abroad in Africa and Asia writing and conducting research. Through her work, Dr. Doumbia aspires to bring to light the healing and transformative powers of the world’s indigenous, spiritual traditions. She also received her formal training and certification in Bihar yoga in Kerala, South India.

Ken Doumbia
Mr. Doumbia is a professional West African performer and has toured the globe with the most distinguished ballets from his region, including the famous Ballet du Senegal and Ballet D’Afrique Noire. Mr. Doumbia is also an experienced acrobat and fire-eater and incorporates these talents in some of his performances. Mr. Doumbia has practiced yoga for the last twenty years in collaboration with his dance activities. He received his formal training and certification in Bihar yoga in Kerala, South India.

Mr. Doumbia offers the very popular jembé and sabar styles of West African dance and drum instruction, providing his students with an enhanced experience of traditional forms of dance and music. Mr. Doumbia’s unique style of teaching enlightens his students to the stories and knowledge behind the rhythms and the movements. Mr. Doumbia draws from the West African tradition of storytelling, which expands the students’ consciousness about the richness and wisdom of African cultures.

Ken and Naomi can be reached at africanyogi@hotmail.com. www.westafricanroots.com

Angels & Serpents

2007-02-09T23:29:00.000-08:00

The patriarchal world strives to deny its dark and “lowly” lineage, its origin in this primordial world, it does everything in its power to conceal its own descent from the Dark Mother and–both rightly and wrongly at once–considers it necessary to forge a “higher genealogy,” tracing its descent from heaven, the god of heaven, and the luminous aspects.

--Erich Neumann, The Great Mother

When I was a teenager, I suddenly had this irrepressible urge to have a pet snake. My mother was not pleased to say the least, but I was able to sweet talk her into it (that’s what I call “snakey,” but I digress). We went to the pet store and I picked out a beautiful California Kingsnake that had alternating cream and burgundy stripes. I adored and loved my new snake who I named “Ralph.”

It felt so natural to be in relationship with a serpent.

Fast forward: I’m a sophomore in college and taking a Religious Studies class on the Bible. It’s the first class and my professor hesitates when she gets to my name in the roll call, as all teachers did during the undergrad years.

“Um, Seraphine, Christine. Wow, your last name carries a lot of responsibility.”

Responsibility, indeed. My maiden name, Seraphine, is related to the word Seraphim, which is the name for the highest order of angels in Hebrew mythology.

The name Seraphim is a combination of the Hebrew word rapha, which means "healer," and ser, which means "higher being." The root of the word Seraphim may also come from the Hebrew verb saraph, “to burn,” or from the noun with the same spelling which means “a fiery, flying serpent” (Lindemans 2004).

 Seraphim are brilliant and human eyes must not gaze upon them, lest they be instantly incinerated. The essence of the Seraphim is love and they continuously sing the Trisagion around the throne of God– “Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh” or in English, “Holy, holy, holy.” Yet in the Book of Numbers, chapter 21:5, the Seraphs are fiery serpents sent to punish the Israelites:

And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died [. . .] And the Lord said unto Moses: 'Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole; and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live.'

Even more strange, are the names of the angels reputed to be Seraphs or related to serpents: Raphael, Satan and Michael. The angel Raphael, because of his relationship to the healing arts, is often depicted with the caduceus, a staff entwined by two serpents facing each other–a motif that is echoed in paintings depicting the fall of Adam and Eve. How can Satan, whose name ha-satan actually means “adversary,” and Michael, the great Archangel who defeated him, belong to the same order of angels? Isn’t one the epitome of hubris and evil, and the other the exemplary of postulate, God-loving and good?

Perhaps the most pivotal story in the Hebrew Bible is the fall and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. My namesake, the serpent, makes a grand appearance in the guise of Satan. The serpent in the story has a unique relationship to Eve that has been explored extensively in art.

Many paintings depict the snake directly facing Eve; the snake will often have the visage of a woman, perhaps even the face of Eve herself. The two mirror each other and form a gestalt or, with the tree in between, the caduceus. Eve has an affinity with the snake and both share an intimate relationship, held together by invisible threads; woman and serpent are forever forged into association with one another.

My snake Ralph was my constant companion in high school, and after I left for college, I gave him to a young boy who lived on a farm. Years later, I heard he had died in the barn that he lived in–he was not caged either, which shows remarkable loyalty and love (and possibly that he enjoyed hunting all the barn mice). It may not be the typical image of a serpent that comes to mind, but it is typical of a Seraphim.

Gaia Festival 2007 - Early Bird Registration Now Online

2007-01-26T21:17:00.000-08:00

May 26-27, 2007.
Temescal Canyon Park, Pacific Palisades, CA.

Workshops | Art | Music | Film | Drum Circles | Yoga | Dance

Early Bird Registration now available online: http://www.gaiafestival.com/registration.html

Presenters/Workshop Facilitators include:

Karen Tate, Author of "Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations"
Miranda Rondeau, Frame Drummer/Singer/Songwriter
Joan Norton, Author of "The Mary Magdalene Within"
Many More to come!

The Gaia Festival was dreamt up out of a need for re-connection to nature and our bodies. We are taught to ignore our instincts, the wisdom of the body and rely on authorities outside of ourselves. This does not mean that we don't need wise mentors and guidance from time to time, but it does mean we listen to our inner, body based wisdom first and foremost.

The weekend will feature key presenters who help transform the perception that matter is just flesh, rocks, water, objects. Matter (which comes from the Latin mater meaning "mother") is energy, and has never been separate from mind or spirit. Each participant will have the opportunity to explore diverse healing modalities through workshops and group activities, such as the drum circle and yoga trance dance, to re-connect to their inner rhythms and the rhythms of nature.

Also Featured at the Gaia Festival:

Screening of "Signs Out of Time" - a film based on the life and work of Marija Gimbutas. Produced by Starhawk and Donna Read, and Narrated by Olympia Dukakis.

Community Bread Baking -- Create your own delicious Goddess-shaped breads to bring home!

Drum Circles -- feel free to bring your own drum

Art Work by Tyr Jung and Scott Michael Potter. Lydia Ruyle's Goddess banners will fly!

2007: The Mysterious New Year

2007-01-02T19:58:00.000-08:00

Rarely am I ever skeptical on a new year -- it feels so good. A clean slate, starting fresh, newness...because I have so many projects that are flowing into this new year, it is more of a deepening of what I gathered and learned from 2006.

It doesn't feel at all like a clean slate.

Since I've never had this experience, I am not excited and not depressed and not indifferent. I am, I exist, I journey.

The circular movement is spiraling down into each area of my life that holds so much power and meaning for me. Something new will be born, but it may take a lot more time than I had anticipated. So much about last year was relinquishing control: first the trip to Brazil for two months, starting my dissertation, starting a new sacred travel business and starting a new job. A lot of starts, but in general things are ongoing, flowing at the pace that is being set by nature. As much as I sometimes want to push everything along, my inner voice is saying, "Slow down, stop."

I am breathing more deeply than ever before and meditating. Peace is within and without, along with the usual family chaos and messy room :-)

I am thankful for all of the lessons I have learned over the past year and welcome the new ones which will unfold gracefully and gradually.

A Shamanic Journey: The Reappearance of the Serpent

2006-11-14T21:10:00.000-08:00

It seems like I'm never far away from my serpent friends and guides. And they have never left me...

I've been working with a shaman for about two months now, journeying into other worlds to retrieve different lost soul pieces. I had a dream a few weeks ago about being deep in the jungle of the Amazon in Brazil. We were wading through the river, and then there was a boat that everyone was getting onto. I was the last one in line to get on, and I felt a sort of foreboding, as if there was danger nearby. I sensed it was behind me and beneath me. I looked down into the clear, dark water and I saw the heads of two anacondas. I knew I was about to be ambushed–as this is how they hunt, they wait for their moment, hidden and then jump to strike. I told the person ahead of me that they needed to hurry and get on. Then one of the snakes leaped out of the water, coiled around me and dragged me under.

I woke up.

Later that week, I had an appointment with my "Shaman Lady," Deborah Gilbert, and told her about my dream. It seemed significant that I had this dream a few days before seeing her again. On that evening, we both journeyed back to the Amazon where the snakes spoke to both of us. When Deborah was about to enter their world she said she saw two serpents of fire begin to coil around each other and create the sign of kundalini. She stepped into this world through this fiery serpent gateway (another interesting point: my maiden name Seraphine, comes from the word "seraph," which means "fiery serpent").

They told Deborah they were my allies and they had come to protect me and give me a message. They told her that I need to pay attention to the weather, as in a parallel life I was a shaman who called the rains, wind and kept balance in the atmosphere. They wanted to help me remember and retrieve those powers again. The snakes took her down into an underwater cave where a piece of my soul had been held, perhaps by its own fear. This piece was reintegrated into my body that night.

When I journeyed to the serpents they told me I was a long lost lover and that they had grieved for me. They wanted to tell me I was loved and that they were protecting me.

I've had three profound sessions with Deborah, journeying into mysterious, dark realms. It has been a few weeks since this session and I'm feeling drawn to continue the saga. To see where the adventure leads me...more to come.

Churches in Brazil: Rosário dos Pretos & Bonfim

2006-11-02T18:24:00.000-08:00

Even though the Candomble terreiros were my preferred place of worship while in Bahia, I must also point out two Catholic churches that touched my soul.

A Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos (The Church Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks) stands in the Pelourinho and reminds us of how the African slaves really built the city of Salvador, not the Portuguese. Although they built every church in Salvador, and I believe they built over 300, and the fact that they were forcibly converted to Catholicism, they were only allowed worship in this one church. According to Bahia-Net online, it took about one hundred years for the slaves to complete the church. Since they had to build other churches during the day, they were only allowed to work on Rosário dos Pretos at night.

There are statues of black saints and the ambiance has a unique feeling to it, unlike any other church I've ever been to. The Tuesday night mass, which begins at 6pm, is also completely unique. The mass is given in Portuguese except for the songs, which are also sung in Yoruba with the accompaniement of drums, agogo and shekere. African rhythms accompany the hallelujahs! Everyone present was singing along, clapping and dancing. The church was completely filled and many people had to stand along the sides and back of the church.

The liveliness and joy I felt there was just as sacred as any mass I've heard given in Latin. I'm trying to get a copy of the liturgy book if there is one. I would love to learn the songs.

The Senhor do Bonfim Church is set atop a hill overlooking the city. The main attraction for many believers (and non-believers alike) is the Sala dos Milagres, the Room of Miracles. Everywhere you look there is a picture of someone's beloved or a plastic replica of their diseased body part. There are notes and prayers all over the wall. It is surprisingly not as creepy as I imagined it to be, but more of a glimpse into the universal need for healing, contact with deceased loved ones and connection to the divine.

Aboriginal Art for Sale -- with a cause

2006-11-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

My friend Johnnie Aseron is in Australia recording an album of indigenous peoples from all over the world. He's selling some of his paintings to support the cause. These were done by Australian aboriginal artists, both well known.

Here's a link to the paintings: http://member.telpacific.com.au/redfez/paintings/

For more information on Janet Nakamarra Long - http://www.aaia.com.au/janet.htm
For more information on Malcolm Jagamarra - http://www.authaboriginalart.com.au/Artist.asp?Artist=Malcolm%20Jagamarra

Getting back on track!!

2006-08-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from my honeymoon and trying to get back in the swing of writing -- dissertation writing of course!!

I received some wonderful emails while I was gone and it just helped me to focus in again on what my personal goals are. Now that I'm a married woman, there is also the relationship itself, the marriage, that has a life and goals of its own. Both are equally important and I am now learning to balance the two.

For the last part of our ceremony, the entire wedding party and guests made our way to the ocean to offer white roses to Iemanja, one of my orixas, in thanksgiving for all of the blessings she has bestowed. She is the orixa that women appeal to for good husbands in many parts of Brazil. One year before meeting Shaun I made an offering of coral and pearl necklaces to Iemanja at the ocean, the beach in Carpinteria. I had written a list of all of the qualities I desired in a soulmate and slipped it inside one of the coral pieces, like a small scroll. I waded into the waves and threw the necklaces and scroll in with my prayer for a good husband. It felt wonderful to include a ritual of gratitude at our actual wedding!!

My other orixa is Oya/Iansa, whose colors are dark red and brown. I bought these color min votives for the tables at the wedding in honor of her. She is the orixa who protects and guides independent women. I've done more research on her lately and am writing about her trickster-esque qualities in one of my dissertation chapters.

Over the next 5 days I will be finishing up Chapter 1 of my dissertation, which outlines my thesis and introduces some of the main ideas of the study. I will post it as soon as I've heard from my advisor, Laura Grillo, and have polished it up according to her comments.

The only other ritual I feel that I need to do soon is an offering to Oxossi, Shaun's main orixa. We need to make his favorite fod and place it in the woods somewhere, as his domain is the forest.

I'm embarking on an exciting new journey with my beloved and wish for complete cosmic support!

Axe,

Kris Oster