Morning: Grief Workshop    
In the morning the day will start with introductions and group check-ins as we explore types of grief, their significance in our lives, and what each of us in bringing. We will prepare alters for the ritual together.
Afternoon: Grief Ritual
In the afternoon, after a lunch break, we will utilize a Dagara ritual to feel and release our grief into a community-held container. No grief is to large, as we come together to remember how to grieve in community.
               
What to Bring
We encourage you to get a good rest the night before the ritual and to take some gentle time preparing what you would like to bring to place on our community altars.  We ask that you bring the following items with you that day, if you have them:

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• Layered clothing-- to regulate your own temperature

• Lunch--There is a concerted effort to stay in ritual space so please make sure you bring a lunch.

• Snacks-- if you need a boost during the day.

• 5 Natural materials that are ok to leave (i.e., leaves, pinecones, flowers, rocks)

• Flowers for the altars

• Alter items you would like to take back home (photos of those who have passed, objects that are sacred or special for you).  There will be an ancestor altar and a forgiveness altar.

• Red, Blue or black cloth (if you have it)

• Percussion Instruments (drums, rattles, shakers)

• Electric, scent-free candles

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"The Grief Ritual was a deeply moving experience – both for me individually, as well as a bonding experience with the other participants. The facilitators created a sacred safe space for us to come together in community, and release whatever heavy energy has accumulated in our bodies and minds.

The process was gentle and evocative.   Powerful yet kind.  It spoke to feelings I knew I had that I wanted to relinquish, and it also opened the space for negative energy that I was unconscious of that needed release.

It was so helpful having leaders that inspired trust, respect, and who created an ideal container for the work to emerge.

I left feeling lighter and more connected to myself and my community.

Highly recommend this work – especially in an individualistic culture like ours that doesn’t often honor the need for emotional safety and release."

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Jan Passion, Consultant

Pleasant Hill, CA

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“I absolutely loved this workshop. I was very nervous to attend because I was not sure that I would feel comfortable grieving around my neighbors. I also felt like I was too busy and could not afford to take the time. Now I see that I couldn’t afford not to! So many layers of grief peeled off during this ritual that I can’t even express. I learned things about myself that I hadn’t even known,  layers of unexpressed grief from childhood and adulthood griefs were released. I feel so much more freedom now. 

Maggie is very gentle and the process allows total permission to be yourself. If you’re not comfortable with a public display of emotion you’re not required to show that. But if it does seem appropriate you’re invited to release whatever wants to be released. There is tremendous permission given to support others or not, to grieve or to not, so there is no pressure to do anything that doesn’t feel right to you. That ultimately makes  The experience end up feeling extremely safe. I’m pretty sure I’m not  The only one who ended up expressing much more grief than I had intended, all because Maggie made it so safe.”

– Laura Cornell, PhD.