This Five Gates Grief Vigil is based on the work of Francis Weller from his teachings in “The Wild Edge of Sorrow”. This is a time where we invite our grief into the room, to be witnessed, held in the container of community, and then released.

In our culture, we are grief phobic, and often we ask that those suffering do so in silence and in solitude. Sometimes we even impose that on ourselves. Choosing to hold our grief solid, frozen, and alone, rather than risk making others uncomfortable with our sadness.

And there are a great many things about which to be sad. There are the obvious ones; the loss of a loved one, the ending of a relationship, an unexpected illness or diagnosis. But there are so many other griefs about which we do not speak or acknowledge in any way. The loss of species, the desecration of the natural world, genocide, war, the harm carried through the generations of our family, the times that we were unloved or unsupported by our parents or caregivers. We carry these griefs and they become heavy, cold, congested, frozen.

In this vigil, we begin the slow and gentle process of warming our grief, so that it may move. Not in an effort to eradicate it or somehow banish it.  But to come into right relationship with it. Perhaps, to even recognize that it is there at all.

We invite you to join us in this radical act of self care and community.

Grounded and held by Becquel Smith, Stephanie Hatzenbuehler, Paige and Ryan Redman.

Space is limited to 20 participants. Purchase of a ticket is required to reserve a spot.