We gather to celebrate the preparation of the coming of Spring!
Vasant Panchami is the birthday of Saraswati- the patron saint of learning, music, and the brilliance of ideas. She guides our study of yoga and holds Tosha in her luminosity.
This season is a magical season- marked by the blooming of the acacia - the brilliant pop of mustard yellow that heralds the awakening of the sun season and the indication that the winter will not last forever. This flowering tree seems to honor that which blooms in the dark; the ideas and love that keep us lit through the cold.
Join Suzanne in a celebration of beauty and light.
We will begin by creating an alter to spring/creativity/Saraswati- this could be expression of thanks to music for keeping your heart happy in the winter, it could be an offering of gratitude to your craft or your art that awakens the inspiration within. This altar creation could be a way for you to court the muse- by bringing her treats and beauty- to ask her to inspire you with her creative flow.
We will then learn a mantra to Saraswati- opening and dusting off our voices and creating space for the gathering of our creative desire. You do not have to have a “singing” voice or have any prior sanskrit knoweldge. Chanting mantra is a meditation in its own - an opportunity to tune inward collectively.
Even though we are deep in winter- Vasant Panchami celebrates the stirring of desires within. It is associated with Kamadeva- the God of Love- and the original cupid- credited for re-awakening the worlds passions.
Kamadeva is reborn as the son of Krishna and Rukmini and awakens the desires of the earth (and humans) and thus the world blooms anew.
Once we have chanted and opened the river of creativity we will sit for a meditation session to open to the listening within. From there we will explore and share our creative stirrings together- helping to clarify what we want to put energy into as spring comes.
Friday, January 23rd
2:30-4:00
Half of the proceeds will go to Arcata Fire Relief
