URBAN PILGRIMAGE AT GRACE CATHEDRAL: Beyond the Walk: Ritual and Ceremony on the Labyrinth with Judith Tripp and the Reverend Dr. Lauren Artress

In the Spring of the year, the outer world beckons. It can be a time of innovative ideas, risk-taking adventures, and new seeds planted in the hope of the future. At this Pilgrimage we will come together to explore what it means to create beautiful and meaningful rituals and ceremonies on the labyrinth inspired by the rising spring. 

Our Friday session will focus on the part ritual and ceremony plays in our lives and how to become comfortable and adept in the role of ceremonial leader.  On Friday evening, we will participate with Grace Cathedral's monthly Candlelight Labyrinth Walk, experiencing a simple and beautiful journey into sacred space with special exquisite music by French musician Catherine Braslavsky. 

On Saturday, we will reflect upon our Friday evening experience to explore the elements of ritual creation. Lauren and Judith will take you behind the scenes of the choices they have made to create the ritual that concludes our program.

Along with the general theme of exploring the role of ritual and ceremony in our lives, we will discuss the pragmatic elements of ritual creation including:
    •    Choosing the theme—seasonal, special occasion, anniversary
    •    Designing the sequence and the importance of pacing
    •    The use of storytelling
    •    Developing the voice to guide a ritual
    •    Using your intuition to guide the flow of events
    •    The use of music, poetry, scripture to enhance the experience
    •    The use of flowers, candles, sacred objects and altar building

Schedule:

Friday, March 8  1:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 9  10:30- 7:30 pm  Including a late lunch break and a hosted reception following our private ritual on the Grace Cathedral labyrinth.

Suggested Reading List:

• Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice by Lauren Artress
• The Sacred Path Companion: A Guide to Walking the Labyrinth to Heal and Transform by Lauren Artress
• Circleway, the Story of the Women’s Dream Quest by Judith Tripp