About this Event
At the Sacred Fire Grief Ritual we will use sound, movement, and song to move through grief together, bringing reverence and healing to our suffering, and creating space for something new to grow.
We use Francis Weller’s “Five Gates of Grief” as a structure, opening each gate as it’s own entry point to grief. The Gates will first be introduced at the Somatic Grief Ritual by Collective Effervescence on April 25th. The Sacred Fire Ritual is designed in collaboration with this event, and participants are encouraged to attend both, though not required.
At this ritual, we will enter each of the Five Gates of Grief by reading aloud some of the griefs offered at the Somatic Grief Ritual. We will then open the space for any grief we find ourselves carrying now to come through. This can take the form of spontaneous expression or sharing something prepared beforehand. We will honor these griefs by speaking them out and offering them to the flame for transmutation.
Informed by the celtic practice of keening, at each gate we will use words, sound, singing, wailing, and movement to connect to and express our individual and collective grief. Together, we will metabolise our experiences through this somatic integration and expression.
We find the preparation and integration are incredibly helpful with grief work. Because of this, we offer two integration zoom gatherings for participants, one before and one after the Sacred Fire.
Online Integration Gatherings are scheduled for:
Thur. April 30th 7:30-9:00pm (Integration of Somatic Grief Ritual/Preparation for Sacred Fire Ritual)
Tues. May 12th 7:30-9:00pm (Integration of Sacred Fire Ritual)
It is strongly recommended that you attend these zoom calls if possible, even if you can only listen in. These spaces will allow us to connect with each other, share insights and questions, and tend to our soft and brave selves as we engage in grief work.
In order to help us get to know you and your journey with grief, we request each participant complete this short entry form:
Important Details (please read attentively):
We will be outside for this ritual- please dress accordingly. There will be indoor space available, but plan to be mostly outdoors. Our rain date is scheduled for Sat, May 16th from 6-9pm.
We ask that you arrive between 5:30pm-6pm. The ritual will start at 6pm. Please try to be on time as to best support our group's container. Arriving early gives you time to land and start settling into ritual space before we begin together.
The ritual will last between 2 and 3 hours. Afterwards, those who wish may remain around the fire, either in quiet contemplation or in gentle conversation.
Snacks and beverages will be provided but please eat dinner before arriving, and bring along anything you need to support yourself. Chairs will be provided, but feel free to bring mats, cushions, or blankets that you like. A water bottle is recommended, as is a journal or notebook.
We will be in the park and playground lot directly to the side of Hope Central Church (the left side if you are looking at the front door). There is a designated parking lot in front of the property with free parking. We are also only a few minutes walk from the Green Street stop on the Orange Line.
This ritual is offered freely to the community and all are welcome. There are costs, however, including rental of the space, and we rely on your donations to cover these costs. Please consider donating, within your means, but please come whether you can donate or not. Donations can also be made at the event in the form of cash or venmo, if you would like to avoid the transaction charges from eventbrite. Your generosity is deeply appreciated. All donations go directly to the costs of this event, and support the continuation of grief offerings in our community. It is our intent to hold this ritual seasonally, as a regularly occurring practice for our community. Your donations make that possible. Thank you, sincerely.
*Important Disclosure*
Grief work can be very tender. It can be an opportunity to connect with deep pain and grief that has not had a chance to be acknowledged, expressed, or held. Ritual creates a container where we open to these parts and allow space for movement and healing. However, it is important to know that engaging with grief can also feel intense and destabilizing. The facilitators will offer supportive practices and be available throughout the ritual for grounding or other assistance. However participants are encouraged to consider their current physical and emotional capacity, resourcing, and support when deciding if this is a good time to enter into a ritual like this. If you find that you are in acute grief or may need additional support- please let us know before the ritual, we would love to know where you’re at. If you would like more details or want help discerning if this is the right thing for you please email Amelia Gossett [email protected]
Additional support is also available- you can schedule a one-on-one phone call with one of our facilitators or request a text check-in. You can also join our whatsapp group to stay connected with each other and share your experiences. More grief resources can be found on our growing shared Grief Resources Document.
If possible, we strongly recommend scheduling at least one full day after the ritual in which you can simply be with yourself and your process without obligations. We also suggest calling upon your loved ones for support- let them know what you will you be doing and when, and how they may be able to be there for you. This might mean making plans with a friend to take a walk together, or asking a loved one to share a meal. Nature can be another strong source of support, and spending time outdoors before and after a grief ritual can be of great aid.
Preparing for the ritual through activities like mediation, journaling, creative activities, or time in nature can also deeply enhance your experience. Reading about, contemplating, and engaging with Francis Weller’s Gates of Grief beforehand can help prepare you for the journey and deepen your experience. Here is some more information and resources that you might find supportive.
We also find the gifts of ritual deepen with our practice. Ritual muscles strength over time, as does familiarity with the practices. Trust and community bonds strengthen as well. It is our intent to offer this practice several times a year, and hope that you will find yourself returning again to the Sacred Fire. We’ve created a Communal Ritual Calendar to help our community stay in practice together. If you have any events to be added to this calendar, please just email [email protected] and we would love to include them.
And remember, some say that the ritual begins the moment you decide to attend. Let your intention open you up to possibilities. Allow space for things to surface within you- they may be coming up for healing. We each contain great wisdom within, when we bring awareness and curiosity toward ourselves, some of those deep knowings can rise up. Tending to your grief and the grief of the world is both sacred and deeply needed. I hope you each accept that honor with gratitude and compassion toward yourself.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Hope Central Church, 85 Seaverns Avenue, Boston, United States
USD 0.00
