The Threshold into Balance: An Equinox Gathering

We will gather together just past the Autumn Equinox, one of the points in the circle of the year that brings day and night, darkness and light, into balance. It is a threshold, a doorway, a portal into seasonal shifts, rebalancing, and integration both within each of us and for all of nature. 

Our gatherings include an attunement with the land and surrounding expressions of the divine through trees and plants, creekbed and stones, and within our own soul. There is time for silence, a solo wandering, and sharing, ritual and connection. Poems are welcome around this theme of equinox and dark/light. We gather to practice a deeper listening to the withinness of the alive world around us and within. Sacred conversation. 

If you'd like to meet up together after our gathering, around 6, for dinner at a nearby restaurant in Bridgewater for conversation and hanging out, know you are welcome! 

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Things to Know: 

• This is an inclusive and affirming space, open to all. It's important you come with respect and openness too for all the human and more-than-human others. 
• As much as you are able, open to a sense of curiosity and wonder, and to what is yet unknown. 
• Participate as you feel led in the way you are led. While some parts of our gathering are conversational, other parts are silent, and other parts are listening to others without comment or opinion. You are welcome to share during our council/circle time. 

What to Bring:

• A folding chair, camp chair, or blanket to sit on
• Your open heart
• Your journal and pen
• Water bottle and whatever else you need to care for yourself
• Layers of clothing. 
• Bug spray if you need it
• Something for our altar that symbolizes this seasonal shift within and/or around
• A donation if your heart leads

About Hone Quarry:

We meet on the land called Hone Quarry since the early 20th century, although timbering and quarrying was carried out much earlier. As much as we know, this land is part of a wider stretch of territory that historically served as a doorway for muiltiple indigenous tribes moving north and south, trading, hunting, and warring prior to European settlement. It seems to be the boundary of the traditional territory of the Manahoac and the Monacan peoples, which we recognize and honor. Hone Quarry is part of the George Washington National Forest with a small campground and picnic day-use area. 

Hone Quarry will map on your GPS. Set it before you leave your house if you've never been here, as there is no WiFi or cell service at a certain point on the way out. We drive for about 1.5 miles on Hone Quarry Rd to the day-use area along a paved but very bumpy pothole and crater-filled road. So drive slowly and watch for the holes!

Look for our sign in the large parking area that you'll arrive at before the campground. If you reach the campground or the concrete bridge over the creek, you've gone too far.

If you have any questions, the best way to reach Valerie is via text 540-405-9201 or email svchurchofthewild@gmail.com