Sacred Darkness
Winter Solstice Vigil
December 20 - 21, 2024
Cloudland Canyon Park
Rising Fawn, GA
Something sacred and magical happens in the forest after dark. Something wild and mysterious takes over and if we allow it, we become a little wild and mysterious too!
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A Vigil can be a very unique and soulful experience. While they often entail a solo immersion in nature, our Winter Solstice Vigil will be a group ceremony honoring the longest night of the year. Together, we will hold vigil through the darkness with feasting, traditional storytelling, poetry reading, an all-night fire, and at times silent reflection.
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Our group yurt will provide space for naps, warming up, and post-sunrise sleep. However, most of our time will be spent around the Solstice Fire that we will ceremonially light at sunset (5:35pm) and keep aflame through sunrise (7:46am).​
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Schedule
Our vigil ceremony will start on Friday at 5:35pm and end on Saturday at 7:46am. During this time there will be feasting, storytelling, and invitations to engage with darkness in special ways. Below you will find information about arrival and departure times.
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Arrival & Setup
You must arrive by 4:30pm ET so that you have time to park, unload any items you have, and settle in.
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Closing & Departure​
After we close our vigil ceremony Saturday morning at sunrise, you may want to take a nap, go on an early morning hike, or brew some coffee. Later we will end our gathering with a sharing circle form 12pm-1pm.
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Required Attendance
All attendees are expected to stay from 4:30pm on Friday through 1:00pm on Saturday. If you cannot commit to the full experience, please do not register.
What is a Vigil?
Words from Dana O'Driscoll
The term “vigil” itself gives us some understanding of the nature of this work. The term vigil derives from Latin vigilia, which means “wakefulness.” When we look at a few dictionary definitions of “vigil” we get the following kinds of phrases: “a devotional watching, or keeping awake, during the customary hours of sleep“; “a purposeful wakefulness”; or “a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray.” All of these definitions offer us useful understanding and insight into the nature of a vigil and why one would take it on. The Winter Solstice vigil is certainly a vigil–not usually so much of a solemn one, but one of wakefulness, watching, and sacredness where we work to tend our fires and eventually, welcome the sun back over the land.
Preparation & More Info
We will camp at shared campsites at the state park. Campsites have a water spout, but do not have electricity. Showers and restrooms are within walking distance.
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You will need to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and camping supplies. Some supplies are available for borrowing, but please confirm this with me before you register.
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We will camp rain or shine. However, in the event of forecasted severe weather, The Cavewoman Way reserves the right to cancel the event. If the event is cancelled, registration fees will be refunded.
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Our agenda will include a blend of scheduled activities (such as guided hikes, fireside storytelling, and stargazing in Astronomy Field) and free time. During free time, you can hike, nap, rent a boat at the lake, or whatever else you'd like to do! (Boat rental availability is determined by the park, and is subject to weather and water levels).
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Photos from Retreat Park
All photos in slideshow were taken at Pickett State Park!