Seasonal Ceremonies
Summer Solstice
The summer solstice, in the Northern hemisphere, is a time to celebrate the good life. Nature is at its peak of fertility, and we celebrate the potential for a good harvest. The long days give us plenty of time to slow down and relax and to go on vacations. It is celebrated through outdoor feasts and picnics, with singing, dancing, and bonfires.
Come celebrate the solstice as we welcome Summer in with drumming, dancing, socializing, and a bonfire at Dockweiler Beach—the only beach in LA County that allows bonfires. This is an all-day beach event, but you can drop by any time you feel like it!
Solstice comes from the Latin "sun stands still." That's because of the impression given on the days on either side of the solstice—that the sun at noontime had not moved from where it was the day before. For the Ancients, it was a mystical time of the year. Bring your drums, your voices, and your own sense of wonder, and join us between the fire and the water’s edge. Bring something to BURN in the fire, you choose what that is. Together, it can be a marvelous and mystical time again! ALL DAY LONG if you like!
This ceremony is co-sponsored with the California Men's Gathering.
When:
Saturday, June 21, 2008.
Gather at Dockweiler State Beach. Alex will be there very early in the morning to save us a space where we can enjoy the beach ALL DAY LONG! (Yay, Alex!) Check it out:
- 6:00 a.m. – Alex drives his giant RV there and saves us space.
- 10:00 a.m. until – People arrive leisurely all day long as they feel like it, hang out, eat snacks, and enjoy the beach & each other.
- 6:00 p.m. – We light the bonfire!
- 7:00 p.m. – We drum until the sun sets on this Summer Solstice!
- 10:00 p.m. – Park closes, we go home.
Location:
Dockweiler State Beach is directly WEST of LAX, under the normal take-off flight path. Access to the parking lot is at Imperial Highway and Vista Del Mar. I-105 ends by dumping you onto Imperial. There is access to Vista Del Mar from the North via Jefferson, Culver, or Lincoln. It becomes Highland in Manhattan Beach. Thomas Guide Pg 702. Mapquest.com (click here) will show you how to get to the intersection, but there is not much detail. Call if you need help 323-871-0276 before or 310-666-8253 day of the event.
Look for Alex’s 37’ long black and gold motor home with a CMG banner on it and giant tie-died flag.
What to bring:
- Drums, rattles, instruments, if you have them. Poetry and stories to share!
- Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
- During the day you’ll need SUNSCREEN!
- At night you’ll want a jacket—it may be the beginning of summer, but it gets chilly when the sun goes down!
- BRING SOMETHING TO BURN! Please keep it to paper, wood, or organic materials.
Parking:
Enter the beach parking lot by crossing Vista Del Mar on Imperial and turn right past the kiosk. You can park on either side of the first cluster of buildings and we’ll try and have a CMG Banner so you have a landmark. Arriving before dark will make this easier. Sundown is at 8:08 pm and “Civil Dark” is at 8:36 pm. If you want to avoid the $5 parking fee, you can park on Vista Del Mar NORTH of Imperial, right above the cluster of buildings. There are a couple of diagonal pathway/ramps down from the road. They are not really well maintained and I wouldn’t suggest it after dark if you’re unfamiliar with it. You will also have farther to walk by two to three times.
NOTE: The earlier in the day that you come, the easier it’ll be to find nearby parking. Parking is pretty full by noon, and stays that way until about 6:00 when beachcombers start leaving.
Cost:
The event is free, but donations will be accepted
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With plans for more ceremonies, please refer to this site often.