Beyond the Veil: Ancestors and Descendants
Tradition holds that the veil between the worlds thins as we move into the dark time of the year. The voices of those who have come before, our ancestors of both blood and spirit, reach out to us -- speaking to us of legacy, of healing, of lessons learned.
And perhaps our voices reach out too - in dreams, in trance, in parallel time - to our descendants of blood and spirit. The diaphanous scrim of Time billows in both directions.
In these times, many of us find ourselves questioning the value of legacy. When my legacy includes genocide, racism, oppression, misogyny, power-over and toxic patriarchy, how do I honor my ancestors? How do I forgive them for the situation their legacy helped build? The situation I find myself currently mourning and raging in?
In these times, many of us find ourselves questioning the possibility of the future. Will we have descendants? What inheritance will we leave for them? What will they need to forgive us for?
At the same time, every bit of who we are, physically, spiritually, intellectually, became manifest in form because we had ancestors. We had ancestors who behaved and believed in ways we find abhorrent, certainly. We also had ancestors who fought back, and forged forward, and instilled in our blood- and spirit-lines everything we know about courage, compassion, creativity and joy. And every day of our lives we have a new opportunity to sow the seeds of our own legacy. When everything I do or say, I see through the lens of its impact on those who will come after me… how does that alter what I do, or say?
All of these voices - our own, our ancestors’, our descendants’ - how can we open our hearts and souls to hear them more clearly? We’ll mine wisdom from our teachers, our ancestors of spirit, from our community, from the archetypes and energies that have guided so much of our community work across the years. What does Inanna know about family? What does Hecate know about choices? What do Tam Lin, and Orpheus, know about faith? What does Pandora know about courage?
Join us as we sing, dance, share stories, give offerings, dream the future, and hold space with those who have gone before and those who are yet to come. Join us at our final Expanding Inward event, to celebrate the seven-year cycle, honor the legacy our community arises from, and open the way to what comes next.
Registration and Logistics
This intensive will take place October 4-6, 2019 at Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, IA. The address is 120 E Boyson Rd, Hiawatha, IA 52233-1277. A block of rooms will be available at a nearby hotel. (See Lodging below)
**Note: Early registration is available through August 4th. Beginning August 5, minimum pricing will increase by $25. Registration will close on September 20.
Dates and Times:
Fri. October 4 6:30pm - 10pm Dessert and beverages will be offered
Sat. October 5 9:30am - 10pm Continental breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening dessert will be offered
Sun. October 6 9:30am - 12pm Continental breakfast will be offered
Lodging:
There is a block of discounted rooms available for our group at the
Days Inn
2215 Basis Ferry Road
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 378-3948
Friday October 4 Check in
Sunday October 6 check out
Block expires September 20 (two weeks prior to event)
Room rate: $59.95 double, $65.95 king single
Mention the "Expanding Inward" group. The block is called is "EXIN".
When making reservations, give the reminder that the room should be scent free is so desired.
The hotel is just over a mile from the retreat center.
Travel:
Airport
https://flycid.com/
The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is located just 15 minutes from the hotel and 20 minutes from Prairiewoods.
Ground transportation
https://flycid.com/ground-transportation/
There are currently six national rental car companies operating out of the Eastern Iowa Airport and several taxi services. Uber and Lyft ride share also operate in the area.
If you are interested in sharing rides please email Marsha at [email protected].
