CapeConversation

We met on Sun 29th June for a winter meditation and feast, the meditation curated by Mike and the feast by an assortment of chefs.

Brrr. It was cold, very fitting. Initially we were asked to tell of our personal winters, or perhaps, just one of them.

Most people could identify and name the deepest winters, the darkest nights of the soul, that they had endured. These ranged from existential crises – near suicide, doubt and despair; to career change and business failure; to sheer meaninglessness and dwarstrekking (aimless wondering).

Nic sang a song “Wintertime”, and Mike showed us some visuals and read some quotes by Elena Filatova, daughter of Russian nuclear physicists who worked at, lived near and were forced to abandon, Chernobyl. To this day hardly anyone lives within a 200km radius of the disaster. However life has continued and trees grow up through the roofs of houses, and animals roam freely thought deserted streets. See her photoreportage on angelfire.

The point being – life will prevail, even from the most dire of circumstances.

We were then asked to consider spring, and once again those who wished to told of their personal revivals, renaissances and resurrections. We entered into prayer for those who wanted it, asking for both the acceptance of the winter season as well as the hastening of springs.

More Brrr, but then we moved over to the fireside where we partook of soups, stews, roasts and wine. It was indeed a southern, midyear Yule.