Helpful Information on Harvest Gathering 2003

One of the most important things about Harvest Gathering is that it is a weekend that is different from the rest of your life. There will be no TV, no computers, shopping, cars, telephones, etc. The weekend is a unique opportunity to experience a connection with Spirit and Mother Earth through the natural beauty of the outdoors, the ceremonies and teachings and the company of good people there. Leave your daily stress and routines behind!

RSVP

Please RSVP if you are coming to the gathering. The camp has a maximum capacity and after that number is reached, we will not be able to allow other campers onto the site for overnight accommodations, although they may participate in the gathering activities. Those who have RSVP'd will have their camping space reserved. Bring your own food, cooking supplies, tent, etc.

Sacred Fire and Protocol

The sacred fire is the heart of the spiritual gathering. It is the fire which carries our prayers and intentions into the spiritual realms and strengthens each participant with that connection. The sacred fire circle is a place for prayer and gathering in ceremony, but not for casual socializing. (Other campfires in the camp are available for those purposes.) Children are welcome at this fire and parents are asked to respect their children's limits in sitting quietly at this circle. Women and girls are asked to wear a long skirt around the sacred fire. If you don't have a long skirt with you, you can also wrap a blanket or towel around you or ask to borrow a skirt from someone else when you visit the sacred fire. Women on their moontime (monthly period) are asked to refrain from entering the inner circle of the sacred fire. Women are very powerful and spiritually open during their moontime. Seek out the native women present if you would like more information on women's moontime teachings.

Sunrise ceremony is at 5:30 am each morning. Morning prayers or a pipe ceremony, drumming, and teachings from native elders are some of the various things which may take place during these morning times. For those who make the early morning effort, sunrise ceremony can be one of the most memorable aspects of the weekend. The sacred fire will be lit at the beginning of the gathering and burn throughout the whole weekend. The time for lighting this fire will be determined by the ceremonial guests when they arrive. A fire keeper will attend the fire at all times and will be available to give direction if you are unsure of what to do around the fire (exiting or entering the circle, being smudged, offerings to the fire, etc.) Nothing is to be added or offered to the sacred fire except the medicines (tobacco, sage, sweetgrass, cedar) which the firekeeper has placed there. Please respect the directions of the fire keeper.

The elders and resource people who are coming to this gathering have agreed to come and share what they know and have experienced about their sacred traditions with us. They are available to answer our questions and talk with us privately and in groups. Do not hesitate to ask or begin a conversation, however, please respect the privacy of each person and never intrude on someone's quiet moments or personal space. Wait until people have finished speaking with each other before approaching with your own questions. Do not touch anything that belongs to someone else (especially sacred items which includes feathers, drums, pouches, medicines, tools, jewelry or the person themselves) without permission.

Sweatlodge Healing Ceremony, Tobacco and Women's Teachings

We have invited ceremonial sweatlodge keepers to this gathering. If you are interested in participating in a sweatlodge ceremony (men's, women's, mixed or children) please bring a tobacco offering for the lodge keeper. Tobacco is also required when seeking counsel or teaching from an elder. It is nice to wrap the tobacco in cloth, but if this is not possible, slip it in a small paper bag or give it in its original package. You can buy tobacco in drug stores or tobacco shops; (be sure it is not blended with whiskey). You may want to bring several pouches to the gathering for different elders or ceremonies. In the lodge, men must wear shorts; women, a long skirt & T-shirt. Bring a towel and water to drink and leave your jewelry back in your camp. Respectfully listen to the instructions of the lodgekeeper and respectfully ask your questions as well. Women on their moontime (monthly period) are asked to refrain from entering ceremonial spaces including sweatlodges and the inner circle of the sacred fire. Women are very powerful and spiritually open during their moontime. Seek out the native women present if you would like more information on women's moontime teachings.

Other Activities

A variety of other activities, demonstrations, lectures, healing sessions, etc will be available at Harvest Gathering including Yoga, Qi gong, Macrobiotic cooking demonstrations, Wilderness and outdoor survival skills, Maya abdominal massage, Reiki, and other Bodywork healing sessions. Special video presentations on important topics will also be scheduled. Please check back on this website in late August for a tentative schedule.

General Campground Guidelines

• No alcohol, drugs or pets.


• Please note that smoking is not allowed inside any building. If you smoke, please plan to do so outside and pocket your butts. No cigarette butts allowed on Mother Earth!


• Some buildings & cabins on the grounds are marked as staff housing. Do not enter these cabins.


• There are several outdoor firepits in the campground which are the only places outdoor fires can be built. Please do not create other fire spaces at the campground.


• Parents are responsible for their children at all times.


• The phone number for Camp Middlesex is 978-386-7704. Emergencies Only Please. You may also call the Spirit of Change office at 508-839-2228 and leave a message on our voice mail which is checked daily.


• Unfortunately, the waterfront at the camp will not be available for boating or swimming this year due to the placement of the sacred fire near that area, however there are plenty of hiking trails and beautiful, wild places at this campground.

Financial Donations

A donation box will be available to help support the costs of renting the campground and to provide travel money to the teachers, resource people and elders who have traveled here and spent their weekend to enrich us. They come to this gathering without asking for anything in return and do not attach a pricetag to their work. Please contribute generously to this box so that we can show our appreciation for what we have received and to support their work.

Volunteers and More Donations

We still have need of more volunteers to help set up the gathering, help out during the weekend, provide security and help take things down. We ask that you let us know in advance at 508-839-2228 or email harvestg@aol.com if you are willing to help out in these most important tasks. We also have need of blankets for the sweatlodges which you can take back home with you. Call and let us know if you can supply some blankets. Jugs of spring water are also needed. Flat cedar (white/arbor vitae), sage, sweet grass and tobacco are essential to the well being of the gathering, and all contributions of these medicines are gratefully appreciated. In particular, we would like to be able to cover the ground of the sweatlodges with large boughs of flat, smooth white cedar, so please let us know if you can supply these.

Giveaway

We will hold a giveaway/recognition ceremony at the closing which allows each person who attends to choose their own personal gift from those which have been donated. If you wish to contribute to this selection of bowls, baskets, blankets, candles, books, music, beads, feathers, artwork, jewelry, crystals, scarves, t-shirts and other assorted items, we welcome your contribution.

Other Things to Remember to Bring

• Your food and cooking supplies for the weekend.


• Sleeping bag and/or sheets and blankets, pillow, towels. flashlight. lawn chair.


• All medical supplies you may need: aspirin, prescriptions, etc.


• Garbage bags for cabin or tent site.


• Shorts for men/long skirt for women if you plan to participate in a sweatlodge.


• A potluck dish to share for the Sunday community feast.


• Giveaway item if you have something you would like to place with the other gifts.


• Potted flowers, squashes, gourds or other harvest vegetables to decorate the sacred fire area.

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