“Falloween” – A Spiritual Celebration of Halloween

“Falloween” – A Spiritual Celebration of Halloween

Honoring Harvest Time and Departed Loved Ones

By Ischa Lea

Entering the sanctuary grounds in childlike secrecy, Sean and I sneaked into the children’s meditation room where we quickly donned our individual costumes. And, like little kids, we excitedly peeked through the window trying to guess who the wonderfully costumed individual walking down the pathway might be. What an immense, gorgeous Mexican hat and mask he wore! Turns out, it was none other than our dear Andy, whose beautiful antique car became the culprit that gave its owner’s identity away!

Greeting us as we walked through the kitchen door at the Lodge and dressed in full regalia stood a lovely Native American, Sharon Ray, busily tending to several warmers to ensure that all food would be at the right temperature and delicious throughout the evening.

“Wow!” she exclaimed. “Ischa, you look so beautiful I want to take you dancing!” And a pretty good dancer she was, breaking loose on the floor later in spontaneous reverie as Peter Schaefer, Guardian Tree Spirit, played his haunting flute melody.

Barbara’s Garden Fairy

Gracing our assemblage, resplendent with iridescent wings and carrying her magical wand was Barbara McCaughey. Little did our garden fairy suspect that I had whispered a small wish as she glided by, that the garden fairies in the sanctuary grounds outside would have much fun playing through her in our midst. And which party would ever be complete without a fortune-teller also? Smiling, all decked in perfect attire and carrying a crystal ball in her hands, Sunburst’s Vedic astrologer, Valerie King, with subdued voice and eyes softly peering at our auras, stood ready to declare her mystical insights.

Alas! We couldn’t have a party without good food, right? Delicious finger foods and treats graced our buffet table as everyone indulged themselves while being entertained by several “Falloweeners” exhibiting their great talents through the performance of several heart-warming, hilarious skits:

  • As pretend stressed-out new parents, Heiko and Emily Wirtz, with newborn (a butternut squash with a drawn-on face), pacifier in her mouth, swaddled in warm blankets and sleeping peacefully in her carriage, made their grand entrance, inviting all to help cuddle their lovely “baby girl.”
  • Mr. Compost, Sean Fennell, was a comical sight to behold as he sauntered onto the floor adorned in “mud,” composting vegetables, fruits and every imaginable bug—worms, spiders, centipedes—as well as mice, butterflies and birds. Thankfully, none were real and the mud was dark chocolate frosting with edible gummy worms on his face and arms!

“Mr. Compost”

  • And what major event on Earth could ever go unnoticed by our inter-galactic friends? Beaming down in the midst of our celebration were none other than our cosmic buddies Spock (Craig Hanson) and Lt. Uhura (Miriam Lamb) from the USS Enterprise, as well as Lt. Lukara, wife of the great Klingon warrior Kahless, who proceeded to narrate a most intriguing story of how she met her husband.
The Star Trek crew

The Star Trek crew

Music, dancing, musical chairs and fun prizes completed an amazing event; but also gracing the room with their unseen presence and energy all evening were many departed ones, whose photographs adorned a beautiful altar honoring the Day of the Dead, stood guard over the Lodge and the evening’s numerous events.

It has been said that our divine Parents created their divine children through whom they might enjoy the countless worlds and all things therein. Falloween proved to be an awesome forum for them to do just that! Laughter and fun filled the air that night, expressed in joy unbounded. It was a true celebration of SAMHAIN, the Gaelic festive night marking the beginning of the darkest part of the year whereby the veil between realities becomes increasingly subtle. A time to revel in the harvest, rejoice in the light (bonfires) that will illuminate the long nights and invite the faeries and loved ones past and present to an awesome celebration!

An Unforgettable Weekend

An Unforgettable Weekend

By Ischa Lea

IMG_0483_CompletedLifeWheel

Sunburst’s founder, Norman Paulsen, once wrote, “If God is indeed all things, then all images should be treated with respect. With this in mind, waste not that which God has created. Be temperate in all pursuits.” The virtue of Temperance and good Earth stewardship were singular threads that wove together an intricate tapestry of expression in a recent Intro to Permaculture event sponsored by Sunburst.

The Permaculture teachings that were presented are predicated on people living and working harmoniously in loving and respectful relationships with each other, with the Earth, with all life forms, and with the world at large. Warren Brush, internationally known Permaculture expert, was the presenter.

All ancestors from the four cardinal directions were called upon and honored. We petitioned for their guidance and blessings as we completed a hilltop Wheel of Life. There, a 360-degree vista mirrored the circular Earth as we projected future endeavors for Sunburst. Like tiny hummingbirds, we each drank from the nectar of this undertaking, aware that we were reenacting an ancient sacred ritual symbolic of harmony, balance, and peaceful interaction among all living beings.

The Wheel represented the sacred cycle of life (birth, death, rebirth), its four cardinal directions, as well as its connecting points for Mother Earth and Father Sky. The center represented us, and our connection with the four elements (earth, air, fire and water), with each direction offering its own lessons.

The Twelve Virtues and Eightfold Path have been the backbone of Sunburst’s teachings and good stewardship of the Earth has been a practice for decades. It was evident that the concept of Fair Share in Permaculture embodied beautifully the virtue of Charity. Perseverance and Equanimity are critical factors necessary for maintaining sustainable, peaceful communities.

As we learnt the logistics of building a compost heap, I was struck by the teacher’s comment that even the small pile that we had built was adequate for growing enough food to feed one person for an entire year! I could not imagine that the loving efforts of one person who had gathered leaves, kitchen scraps, straw and horse manure for a few weeks could have helped produce such a magical piece of sculpture. And, I couldn’t have imagined that placing shovels-full of horse manure and smelly vegetables on a heap could be so much fun!

CompostImage

We ended our workshop with a Gratitude Circle, each holding a sacred stone infused with the energy of thousands of people worldwide who had sat in a similar circle. Not uncommon among participants were tears of release from old thought restrictions, as well as expressions of joy, excitement and deep gratitude.

Each participant was deeply touched and inspired. Warren Brush reminded us all of the power of stories to not only recount history but to create history! At every level of our being we were nourished. It was indeed An Unforgettable Weekend!

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