rituals

In celebration of the event’s 20th anniversary, Harvest Gathering founders, Liz (Guerra) Walker and John M. Boye are returning to perform our opening ritual!

Harvest Gathering Fire Circle | photo by Ieva Sireikyte

Ancestral Temple Ritual with Jessy VanHentenryck

We ask our ancestors to join us for the open community dinner on Thursday night and allow attendees to contribute small food/drink offerings at the dedicated ancestor table. These offerings will be silently processed and buried on the way to opening ritual. The 11PM ritual is specifically about our community ancestors as the temple is already open.

Our community is vast, and not all of our members have had the ability to be part of a ceremony for our beloved dead. We are all tied together with an invisible strand, even across the veil. This ritual will make that strand physical. This ritual will specifically honor Sheila Herrick, Thomas Graf, Sally McMahon, Shaugn “The Bard” O’Donnell, Bren Shepherd, Cori Taylor, Kat Heftner, Lisa Kennelly, and those close within our community that have traveled through the veil. Each participant will leave with their own threads to connect them with the dead.

Attempt Towards Light a Thelemic Ritual with Frater Strangiato

Frater Strangiato’s attempt towards Light, Life, Love and Liberty is usually fueled by The Magickal Current 93 (Thelema) and Ritual Saturday night will be a double banishing ritual aimed at clearing and banishing the spot Ed has been using for his Labyrinths. There will be positive affirmations manifesting positive thoughts as The Magus imbues the space with a safe-space for all paths that individuals may practice.

Flame of Life Opening Ritual with Liz Walker & John M. Boye

The purpose of this ritual is to set the “tone” for the gathering and weekend’s activities. the theme of the ritual is Sacrifice, represented by the Stag Lord. He represents for us a sacrifice we must all make to evolve to our true destiny. A sacrifice of ego; of fears and insecurities. As we cut down the corn, so do we break down our walls, bad habits, and old patterns. He, who willingly accepts his fate, sacrifices himself for the land and for the divine purpose, for the well-being of human kind. As we approach the balance of light and dark, we are standing at the threshold. We are about to leave the summer months of light and abundance and step into a time of coldness and dark. The time of abundance is coming to an end.

Journey to the Shadow Goddesses: A Musical Ritual with Jenna Greene

Join Emmy-nominated musician Jenna Greene on a guided musical journey into the realms of the Shadow Goddesses. This mystical meditation weaves together original songs, powerful archetypes, and thought-provoking words to deepen your connection with the darker parts of yourself. This connection is often called “shadow work.” Jenna perceives shadow work as both introspection and action regarding fears, blockages, harmful patterns and habits, setting boundaries, and protecting your energy.
Known for her uplifting songs and workshops on positive affirmations, you may be surprised to see Jenna presenting on the subject of shadow work. She writes, “If you’ve met me, you know that I am wild about mantras and positive psychology. But there’s much more to healing on all levels. I spent so many years focused on lightwork and affirmations that, when I came to a dark time in my life, I threw false positivity at it. Traumatic events soon followed, and my own patterns kept me from breaking free. While at The Morrigan’s Call retreat several years ago, I encountered the stories, symbols, and strength of the goddess Badb, who is an aspect of the Morrigan. This event began my passion for shadow work. I went on to study the dark goddesses Kali, Hela, and Hekate. I began to experience “lighter” goddesses, like Frigga, on a deeper, darker level. Through this work, I created songs, meditations, and daily rituals. I learned deep lessons on facing fears. This event – part guided meditation, part musical, part ritual – is an introduction to that journey. I’ve created this musical in a way where each participant gets to be the star and make this their very own empowering story.”

Rocking Ritual : A guide to ignite your inner ritual artist that resonates with Gina Martini

Public ritual can be a struggle for many a Priest and Priestess. There is not much out there on creating and performing a kickass public ritual that is safe and meaningful for your community. Until now… Learn how to create, prepare and perform powerful public rituals, for and with people you might not share “Perfect Love and Perfect Trust” with, just yet.

The Journey Inward: A Meditative Ritual of Reflection with Mary Kimball and Aali Herron

We will at the at the river’s edge for this meditation ritual to focus on the positive energies of community, love, acceptance, understanding, home, family, etc. At the end of the ritual everyone will take home talisman infused with those energies.

Welcome Home Magic and Ritual with Gina Martini

Join in to renew and expand the magic of the phrase Welcome Home with Gina for a short ritual on the bridge. She’ll be talking about the history and the magic behind why we use Welcome Home and discover how you can contribute and bring this magic to your home.