Welcome to the 2000
 Gathering of Circles
Cloudcroft NM
August 3 thru 6

Cliff Buchanan Cliff presides at the GOC Planning Meeting that is held each year and receives input from the people who attend the meeting and others who have concerns to be considered at the meeting. He tries to combine the information into a cohesive plan for the event and solicit volunteers to be a facilitator for the many tasks required to have a successful event. He also maintains the web site, the mailing list, designs and produces the brochures and mail outs each year. Cliff also prepares his "World Famous Pancakes" on Saturday morning for you to enjoy!

Pamela Scheler & Brett Messer  - Sweet Medicine Dance coordinator: This person is responsible for preparing the circle for the dance, (with a lot of help), explaining the purpose of the dance, and coordinating the drumming, the lighting of the fire, the processional, etc. Also, must solicit four male/female greeters for each of the four entry ways and make sure they have smudge paraphernalia.

Songs for the Rainbow Bridge Clan

Each year at the GOC, we join our voices to sing praises to spirit with songs that touch our heart and soul.  Many know the songs, many remember for a little while and then forget,  and every year new songs are shared.  Join Pamela and Brett as we relearn the old songs, discover new ones, and lift our voices as we discover the pure joy of singing from the heart.  (Words will be provided and tapes & CD's are available for a small donation to the GOC.

Wilma McCouol - Children's coordinator: This involves setting up children's activities of your choice. They might be a campfire, nature hike, scavenger hunt, craft making, etc. Your choice. One of the most fantastic things about the GOC is that it is a family affair. We can't forget to make it fun for the children too. You are welcome to solicit other people to help you. It is a big job.

Kristie Hunger - Sweat Lodge coordinator: This person will be responsible for making sure every sweat has a sweat lodge leader, that the sweat lodges are available, rocks are available, wood is available and so forth. They would also be responsible to see that our dress code is followed. Last year we brought in cut wood which seemed to work well. Sweat lodges and leaders should be scheduled ahead of time so they can be included in the Schedule of Events.

Kristie Hunger did the artwork on this years outstanding design. She also is in charge of the T-shirts. The design for this year symbolizes this coming together of difference and common bond through spirit and ceremony. In Native American tradition there are five directions; North, South, East, West, and Spirit/Void/Unknown. There are many different meanings for each direction from each different tribe, except the fifth, that is Spirit. Within the four earthly directions there is Air, Earth, Water, and Fire. Also represented with the directions are Wisdom/ Logic/Balance, Introspection/ Death/Intuition, Trust /Innocence/ Emotions, and Illumination /Enlightenment /Beauty.

Kristie Hunger will be holding a Prayer Fan Building Workshop. If you are interested please bring a donation of $5 for the cost of materials. The fans consist of a wooden handle, feathers, leather ties and decorations chosen for personal symbolism such as beads, bells,  more feathers, anything else available... Kristie has been making prayer fans for friends for a few years and now offers them in Lubbock at spiritual and new-age shops. Her first prayer fan

came in a dream right before she woke up one morning. It was eventually created using sculptey, some feathers, stones and a twig. Now the design has evolved into a beautiful art form. The prayer fans she offers to help make at The Gathering of Circles will be a simple and personal creation for each who participates

Rick Wallace Talking Stick and Give-a-Way coordinator: this person is responsible for this ceremony which is done on Sunday morning. They explain how it is done and deciding on one group or two and making sure it is completed in a timely fashion. Rick is handling this for us this year.

Dan

Walter

Dan Leonard & Walter Steeley - Port-a-potties and Forest Service permit: This person is responsible for obtaining the Forest Service Permit and makes sure we follow any Forest Service requirements. It is dry as usual this year and there always exist the possibility that we may not be able to have open fires. This person makes sure that port-o-potties are contracted for and delivered on time and that toilet paper is always available, etc. Also, makes sure that we clean up properly at the end of the weekend. All trash get carries out, etc. Thanks to Dan for taking care of our S__T and Walter for dealing with the Forest Service.

Walter will be leading a "12 Step" workshop at 7:00 PM Friday night for those who wish to participate.

 "Shamanic Journey" – Cliff Buchanan

Cliff will lead a "Shamanic Journey" to the "lower world" to find your "power animal". Your power animal is a "helper" to help you understand yourself through understanding the various traits and characteristics of your power animal. Cliff will use the powerful sound of the drum as a vehicle for your travels. Discussion will follow. Cliff is a computer consultant in Odessa, Texas and has led many Shamanic Journeys, sweat lodges, and gatherings.

" Inner Light Essays" - Thomas Rene St. John

A synopsis of Metaphysics that offers a deeper understanding, insight and appreciation of familiar and not so familiar topics. Learn keys to more effective meditation and pronunciation of mantras (vowel sounds) by group participation. Enhance the spiritual evolution and unfoldment of your thoughts and understanding of the circle, square and triangle thus revealing the value of ritual in our lives. Find how this understanding can assist in personal and business affairs when used with the Natural and Cosmic cycles of life. Learn simple but effective principles and exercises that will improve your conscious awareness of your inner soul personality and your attunement with It. Mr. St, John was raised Catholic, Jesuit educated and has been an active student in an authentic Mystery school for 30 years. Essays offered on a Love offering basis. Free guide and reference handout available.

"YOGA in the Morning" – Tom Casey

Tom will facilitate early morning activities with various forms of Yoga. Begin the day with physical stretching and Hatha yoga postures. Raja yoga meditation will follow. This combination provides an energy wake up and awakens higher levels of consciousness. The goal is to awaken the sleeping powers of self-realization into the Bliss of Samadhi

Wilma McCoul
 

"Gathering of Circles is for Kids!"
Wilma McCoul

As a young person in the world today, you have an incredible opportunity to make positive change on the planet. These activities have been created to encourage the strengthening of your inner voice and personal power. You are the bright light of hope for us all. You are the future generations.

The meeting ceremony-During the ceremony we will pass the talking stick and have fun getting to know one another with a couple of activities. Come and meet all the other kids who are at the gathering.

Nature walk: There will be two nature walks. The first one will be to collect objects in nature that "speak" to you. Sometimes the shape of a stick or the lines in a rock have a personal message that on;y you can hear or see. You will spend time collecting these objects to use on your very own alter which you will discover during the second nature walk. What is an alter? Come and find out!

Nature as art/Art as nature: this will be an activity that involves nature as expression. A variety of art materials will be available and you are welcome to bring your own things or art supplies.

Balancing Chakras - Wilma McCoul

Gather with Wilma and discuss the aura, the chakras and different methods of balancing and healing these energy centers like Reiki, Healing with Stones, visualization, Yoga, candles, massage, etc.  Also discuss Earth religions like WICCA, maybe Druidism, whatever areas or paths you have studied.  "Take what you like and leave the rest."  What paths have gotten us to where we are?  Wilma is from Odessa and has studied WICCA for seven years. Living tolerance and acceptance is very important to Wilma and she believes sharing experiences helps manifest peace and teaches us empathy.

Group Massage - Suzanne Greenwood

This will be a workshop about touching and being touched. People of our society have so many issues about touching another person. This will be about being able to put your hands on another person and connecting with that person in a non-sexual way. Also, you will be receiving touch and energy from others in this fashion. It is an experience you will not want to miss. Suzanne is from Alamosa, Colorado.

Talking Circle - Carol WhiteWater Dawn

Carol teaches at Dine College on the Navajo reservation in Tsaile, Arizona. - "This is the most healing, therapeutic process I have ever experienced." Through the talking circle each participant has an opportunity to speak from their heart without interruption or judgment and with full attentive support from fellow participants. Attendance is a commitment for the duration of the circle. Please no late comers and no observers.