Limited partial scholarship assistance is available. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Hecate: The Wisdom of Cycles
At the Fall Equinox, we listen to an old, old story. Can you hear their voices? Demeter tells a story of loss, grief, and darkness. Persephone tells a story of awakening, desire, and wholeness. Two paths through this familiar tale. But, at the three-fold crossroads, Hecate stands. She waits for us. What is this third path to which she points?
Long, long ago, as the days were growing shorter, as the light was growing golden, in the heart-breaking beauty of the last breath of summer, Hecate heard a sound. Was it a cry of fear? A cry of joy? She knew only that it was a cry of change. That something new was coming into the world.
Later, when she heard the cries of Demeter, seeking in vain for her lost daughter, Persephone, Hecate lit her torches to fight off the darkness of the strange new season called winter. She found the grieving mother, brought her to the Sun God who sees all, and together they learned that Persephone had gone to the Underworld. And together they went in search of her there.
And when they found her, and when the bargain had been struck, and when Demeter left to return to the world above, awaiting the return of her daughter in the new cycle of the seasons that was the compromise wrought between the love of a mother for her daughter, and the love of a king for his queen… Hecate stayed. She stayed not as a prisoner. Not in thrall to the seasons. Free to come and go as she pleased, Hecate stayed as counselor to the new Queen of the Underworld. Wouldn’t you like to know what she taught her?
Join Expanding Inward this fall as we explore the deep wisdom of a being older than the seasons themselves. Through trance, movement, song, and story – we will cross the threshold into Hecate’s realm, listening to her counsel, perhaps learning why these cycles came to be. Come, stand at the crossroads with us in the ever-waning light, and hear what she has to tell you.
Registration and Logistics
This event will be held September 22-24, 2017 at the Cedar Valley Unitarian Universalists Society in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The address is 3912 Cedar Heights Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613. Registration will begin at 12:00 noon, Central time on Thursday, June 29, 2017
**Note: Early registration is available through July 31. Beginning August 1, minimum pricing will increase by $25.
Dates and Times:
Fri. Sept 22 6:30 - 10pm Dessert and beverages will be offered
Sat. Sept 23 9:30am - 10pm Continental breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening dessert will be offered
Sun. Sept 24 9:30am - 12pm Continental breakfast will be offered
Lodging:
Blocks of rooms have been reserved at two nearby hotels under “Expanding Inward”:
- Super 8 Hotel 7515 Nordic Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 319-553-6868, Room rate of $85 plus tax per night.
- AmericInn Lodge & Suites 5818 Nordic Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 319-277-6166 for $109.99 plus tax.
The hotels are 10 minutes away from the event location. You must book by August 20th to receive the group rate.
Please contact Brittany at [email protected] if you are interested in sharing a room.
Travel:
Flying
If you are flying in to the area and need airport transfer to the hotel, please book your tickets so as to arrive in Cedar Rapids CID (larger airport about an hour and 15 minutes away from Waterloo/Cedar Falls) prior to 1:30pm on Friday the 22nd and your departure after 4pm on Sunday the 24th.
If you are flying into Waterloo ALO (smaller airport 15 minutes away from event), please arrive by 3pm Friday the 22nd and schedule your departure after 1pm on Sunday the 24th.
Note: For those traveling by plane, we will offer a shuttle service before and after the event for a nominal fee.