GATHERING
Our Annual
Gatherings
ABOUT OUR ANNUAL
Around 50 women from near and far gather by the beautiful Weeks Bay in south Alabama each year to connect with each other for inspiration and guidance, and to welcome the Sacred Feminine into our Grandmothers' Gathering.
We invite you to sign up to receive our emails for information on our next Gathering. Together we will share our stories and be witnessed by our powerful Grandmother Sisters. We connect with each other organically, holding the rim while we sit in circle, in workshops, meditation, music, and healing arts — sharing laughter, tears and more.
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Upcoming Gathering
Our 2024 Gathering of the Gulf Coast Grandmothers in October 2024 was as special and wonderful as it could be. Registration for our next gathering typically opens in summer. will open this summer. Be sure to subscribe to our emails and follow us on social media for more information about our next gathering.
MORE ABOUT THE GATHERING
Our overall goal for the Gathering, which begins with the Opening Ceremony and ends with the Closing Ceremony, is to open our hearts and minds and receive points of light into our lives so we can see ourselves and the world differently.
The incorporation of the The Circle Way process, including world renown principles, practices and agreements, allows the grace of heartfelt communication to manifest and heart connections to be made within each Gathering. Approximately eight women are randomly selected at the beginning of the Gathering to sit together in a small circle each day. Two women are co-facilitators throughout the duration of the Gathering and the discussion is focused around the Gathering theme which changes each year. The small circles are a safe place to share our stories, honor our voices and claim our empowerment as we soothe our souls and transform our lives.
Some of our recent themes have been "I Am Enough", “The Sacred Feminine”, “The Evolutionary Woman”, “The Turtle Path—Connecting our Inner Lives with our outer surroundings”, “Living our Legacy”, and “Dragonfly Medicine—Celebrating Transformation”.
When we meet, we put our names into the Circle and close it around us, building a container of love.
At the Closing Ceremony we say, "The circle is open but never broken."
ELDER CEREMONY
The Croning Ceremony, or Elder Ceremony, is a special circle where those who have reached the age of 70 are honored with a purple shawl and the collective appreciation of all in attendance. It is a time of joy!
For women, reaching the status of Crone can be a major milestone to be celebrated, as Crone is related to the word “crown”. More women are reclaiming the name of Crone in a positive way, and see it as a time to joyfully welcome one’s position as an elder within the community.
HEALING ARTS ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS
Along with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and daily small circles, at each Gathering time is provided for special workshops, lectures, healing arts from fellow attendee practitioners, and free time for rest, meditation, and conversation.
THE MARKETPLACE
The Grandmothers offer a Marketplace and Silent Auction to raise money to support another Grandmother’s attendance at the Gathering.
THE GIVEAWAY
At the Gathering we also practice detachment through a Giveaway Ceremony where we each part with some possession which we value, telling its story and passing it on to another Grandmother to cherish.
THE PARTY
On the last evening together, we welcome all to participate in a "talent show" and dress up for the occasion. Music and laughter, silliness and sincerity are all found as we celebrate our collective unity and our individual expression.
We are the ones we've been waiting for.