Welcome to the August 2007 edition of the Laconneau Monthly Newsletter.
Laconneau Newsletter Archive: http://www.laconneau.com/NewsletterArchive.html
IN THIS ISSUE
- Book of the Month
- Upcoming Retreat
- Upcoming Festival
- Upcoming Pilgrimage
- Regional Events & News
- Contact Laconneau
AUGUST BOOK OF THE MONTH
Dark Ages America
by Morris Berman
Visit the Reading Room:
http://www.laconneau.org/readingroom.html
UPCOMING RETREAT
Laconneau Autumn Retreat
Sunday, October 21 - Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Artemis House, Greenville, NC
Join us for three days of meditation and teaching in La Chapelle de la Madeleine, as we host our traditional Autumn Retreat in Greenville, North Carolina. The retreat will begin on the morning of Monday, October 22 and end on the evening of Wednesday, October 24, 2007.
The Laconneau Autumn Retreat will lead us into the Autumn Festival, commencing on the evening of Friday, October 26 at the same location. Due to space and accommodation limitations, the retreat is limited to eight women, who are required to have completed the Level I class series. For more information, contact Elaine at Greenville@laconneau.org.
Retreat Fee: $475.00 (Includes lunch, but not accommodation)
Accommodation: $20.00/night payable to your respective hostess
Retreat Online: http://www.laconneau.com/Retreats.html
LACONNEAU AUTUMN FESTIVAL
Laconneau Autumn Festival:
Friday, October 26 - Sunday, October 28, 2007
Artemis House, Greenville, NC
The Autumn Festival, known in France in the Breton language as Noz Kala-Goanv, marks one of the two great doorways of the Celtic year. The Celts divided the year into two seasons: the light season at the Spring Festival beginning May 1st and the dark season at the Autumn Festival beginning November 1st. Some believe that the Autumn Festival was the more important festival, marking the beginning of a whole new cycle and, as the Celtic day began at night, that it may have marked the Celtic New Year. It was understood that in dark silence comes whisperings of new beginnings and the stirrings of seeds below the ground.
Whereas the Spring Festival welcomes in the summer with joyous celebrations at dawn, the most spiritually potent time of this festival is November Eve, the night of October 31st, known today as Halloween. While the Spring Festival, the other great gateway of the Celtic year, initiates us through light and brings sunshine and communion, the Autumn Festival is the yin to the Spring Festival’s yang - the via negativa rather than the via positiva. At the Spring Festival, we learn through relationship; at the Autumn Festival, we learn through separating and allowing to die that which is no longer useful or relevant in our lives. By doing so, we align ourselves with the endless cosmic cycle of death and rebirth.
For the Tradition of Laconneau, the Autumn Festival is a rich and deeply meaningful time. It is a time for remembering our history, which extends from the dimly lit shadows of ancient times through the early Christian era and the difficult, dangerous medieval centuries to this modern age. Through this festival, we remember the One we serve as well as our sisters throughout the ages whose courage and self-sacrifice have allowed us to participate in this rich inheritance. We remember them not in sorrow but in joy, for this is the time of the inward journey, the giving up of the old life in the sure knowledge of rebirth. Just as surely as all of Nature is reborn, so too is Her promise to us - the promise to be reborn and to once again rejoin the sisterhood of our Tradition. It is also a time when we remember with hope the ancient prophecy that forms the heart and hope of our Tradition: “Al cap dels sept cent ans reverdajara lo laurel.”
Never in recent memory has there been a time when it has been more important for strong women to come together, in full awareness of the disturbing changes that are taking place on a daily basis in the world around us. Never in recent memory has there been a time when it has been more important for strong women to join together in council in an attempt to find a real solution which truly reflects women’s values and their aspirations for the future.
This year, we will continue to hold the Autumn Festival in the old way and in full accord with the principals of our Tradition. Come join us in Greenville, North Carolina for this wonderful weekend of comradeship, council discussion, workshops, feminine spirituality and festivities. Lend your voice to the power and love of sisters such as yourself who feel a burning need to see change in this world.
Festival Fee: $275.00
Accommodation: $20/night payable to your hostess
Festival Online: http://www.laconneau.com/FestivalFall1.html
UPCOMING PILGRIMAGE
Warrior, Leader, Mystic, Saint:
Images of the Divine Feminine
September 25 - October 4, 2007
http://www.laconneau.com/Pilgrimages.html
Please Note: As of last month, the autumn pilgrimage has been filled.
This autumn, we will journey together through the timeless beauty of ancient France on a pilgrimage in search of the powerful hidden images of the Divine Feminine. Walk with us as we rediscover the truth behind the symbols that have survived centuries of persecution to emerge now at the advent of the new millennium.
Our journey will focus upon two historical female figures whose lives represented all of the values that we as women have come to recognize as being essential to the future survival of this troubled world. Mary Magdalene and Jehanne D’Arc, in times of great struggle and adversity, demonstrated a brand of courage, power and determination that marks them in time and space as perfect role models for the modern woman who seeks to rediscover the lost power of the Divine Feminine, and by so doing discover both her power and her true self.
Pilgrimage Online: http://www.laconneau.com/Pilgrimages.html
GEORGIA: August Events
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Atlanta Women’s Circle 9:00PM
East Decatur, GA
For Students who have completed the Level I Course
Sunday, August 12, 2007
North Georgia Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Gainesville, GA
For Students who have completed the Level I Course
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Introduction to Laconneau 6:30PM
Decatur, GA
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Magdalene Seminar 9:30AM-5:00PM
The Link Counseling Center and The House Next Door
Atlanta, GA
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Women’s Circle 9:00PM
Decatur, GA
For Students who have completed the Level I and Level II Courses
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Level I Beginner’s Course 10:00AM
TBD
Georgia Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarAtlantaGA.html
Georgia Coordinator: Lorrie - georgia@laconneau.org
THE CAROLINAS: August Events
Saturday August 11 through Sunday August 12
Laconneau of the Carolinas Weekend
Saturday 10:00 AM through Sunday 1:00PM
Film: Cathares: Secrets and Legends
Book Discussion: Dark Ages America: The Final Phase of Empire
by Morris Berman
Greenville, NC
For Students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Women’s Circle 8:30PM
Greenville, NC
For Students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Greenville Circle 8:30PM
Greenville, NC
For Students who have completed the Level 1 Course
Carolinas Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarGreenvilleNC.html
Carolinas Coordinator: Elaine - Greenville@laconneau.org
WASHINGTON, DC: August Events
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Museum Visit to Sewall Belmont House 3:00PM
Washington, DC
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Women’s Circle 9:00 PM
Washington, DC
For Students who have completed the Level I Course
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Level IV Advanced Training 10:0AM-4:00PM
Washington, DC
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Level I Beginner’s Course 10:00AM-4:00PM
Washington, DC
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Book Discussion 3:00PM
1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Women's History
by Constance Jones
Washington, DC
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Women’s Circle 9:00 PM
Washington, DC
For Students who have completed the Level I Course
DC Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarWashingtonDC.html
DC Coordinator: Lorely - dc@laconneau.org
PENNSYLVANIA: August Events
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Level I Beginner’s Course 10:00AM
2020 Walnut St., Philadelphia
Monday, August 13, 2007
Tea and Discussion 7:30PM
Women’s Circle 9:30PM
2020 Walnut St., Philadelphia
For Students who have completed the Level I Course
Monday, August 27, 2007
Film Screening 7:30PM
Warrior Queen
2020 Walnut St., Philadelphia
Philadelphia Calendar Online: http://www.laconneau.com/CalendarPhiladelphiaPA.html
Philadelphia Region Coordinator: Anna - philadelphia@laconneau.org
REGIONAL NEWS
Georgia News: In July, the Atlanta and Gainesville circles held a very successful yard sale to raise money for La Chapelle de la Madeleine. There are plans for an additional yard sale in the fall.
The location for the Magdalene Seminar in August has been confirmed. Laconneau Georgia will hold the presentation at the Link Counseling Center and The House Next Door on August 25th, 2007. Many Atlanta-area organizations have been contacted and we expect a great turnout for this important event!
News from the Carolinas: The Garden Walking Path outside La Chapelle de la Madeleine has been completed. All are invited to come and walk the path.
A young women’s group is beginning in Greenville. To help get the group started, Voices, the feminist women’s organization on the East Carolina University campus, will be hosting a showing of Iron Jawed Angels at the campus movie theater, followed by discussion.
The Carolinas are pleased to announce the beginning of a new Circle in the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill). Members of the new circle are welcome to attend Laconneau events in both Greenville and the Triangle area.
The Greenville circle will have a yard sale on Saturday, August 4th.
The first Laconneau of the Carolinas weekend is scheduled for August 11 and 12. The purpose of the weekend is to give the Carolina Sisters a chance to get together for meditation, a Women's Circle, book discussion, movie, yard work and time together. Women from other circles are welcome to attend. If you plan to come, please contact Greenville@laconneau.org.
Washington, DC News: The circle invites everyone to visit the Sewall Belmont House and Museum on Capitol Hill on Saturday, August 4 at 3:00PM (see http://www.sewallbelmont.org). The Museum is the headquarters of the historic National Woman's Party and was the Washington home of its founder and Equal Rights Amendment author Alice Paul.
Philadelphia News: The Philadelphia circle will celebrate their first moon together this month!
CONTACT LACONNEAU
Please contact your coordinator with questions or updated regional information.
In Georgia: Lorrie georgia@laconneau.org
In the Carolinas: Elaine Greenville@laconneau.org
In Washington, DC: Lorely dc@laconneau.org
In Pennsylvania: Anna Philadelphia@laconneau.org
Contact Information Online: http://www.laconneau.com/Contact.html
Please visit our website, www.laconneau.org, for the complete calendar, further articles, the book of the month, Laconneau’s history and further information.
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