Welcome Winter...those were the first words of my Sacred Dance Ritual that my troupe and friends presented for Winter Solstice. The performance was exceptional.Of course there were technical challenges, I had to forgo the video portion of the show just so we could continue on with the presentation, but none of that seemed to matter. So briefly, from the beginning...I was inspired by some music, some fabric and glitter and from the season, to write a sacred dance drama. At the time it kept swirling around in my head, but I had no place to perform it. I had asked a couple of groups if they were interested, but to no avail. I asked my soul sister if it was crazy to write, choreograph and design a piece that had no where to go...and she encouraged me to just go ahead and do it. 
The images, words, and everything just flowed from me. I was so delighted being a channel for the Beloved's creativity. I asked one more group if they were interested and they said, "YES!" Now we had a place, date and time. We were to perform for the CUUPS group at the local UU Church for their Winter Solstice. I learned how to do voice-overs, edit music, export to other programs and add vidoe backgrounds. I had so much fun. I chose to include my dancers spouses in the drama and they were more than willing to perform. We had our Holly King, the Spirit of Fire, the Spirit of Frost, the Summer Queen, our live percussionist and I was the Winter Queen. We had very limited time to rehearse all together, but I didn't let that stop me. I really had to put aside ego and perfectionism and just trust that my dancers would be able to receive my vision and do their parts to make it come to fruition. What a wonderful gift I was receiving.
We purchased props and fabric...a torch, flameless candles, a holly head wreath(made by yours truly), sparkly swathing, stars, a giant yellow balloon, and the list goes on...
The evening of the performance, I went and had my make-up done. I find that this helps me to get into character...designing the look with a pro...and then watching as I am transformed from my mundane self to my sacred self. As we added glitter, shimmer and jewels...I felt myself becoming icy, cold, still, silent, and introspective like the winter itself.
I went home and started putting on my costume...blue, white and silver. It made me think of the North East where I grew up. The gray-blue of the cold winter sky, the silvery shiny lake all frozen over, and the pure white blanket of snow you could see when arising at dawn. 
We arrived at the church one by one. Slowly adding to the excitement. Some of us decorated the stage with glittering fabric, snowflakes and stars. Others just decorated each other. 
We took our places at the back of the sanctuary as our guest where welcomed in and seated as most of the lights were off. As the music began and the words "Welcome Winter" were spoken, I felt all of our energies joining as one. 

Jenn was center stage with drum, feathers, sage...purifying and casting the sacred space in which we were to dance. We processed up the aisles and took the stage. As soon as my foot touched the stage I was transported out of time and space. Beauty, joy, and inspiration flowed. There was poetry, music, song and dance. I can't say what happened next. We were just purely in the moment...giving our gifts. It was magical to be a part of it. Later, many people from the audience said it had been so magical for them, that they had felt transformed, transported, that it had been an experience. I really felt as though my gift and vision had been fully received.

Through this process I learned to let go of expectations, to create just for the joy of creating, to trust that the opportunity to share my gifts would come and to become vulnerable with my vision and trust my dancers' abilities to co-create with me.
May you become aware of the gifts and opportunities that are present and may you share them with yourself and others during this Season of Light.


Blessings of Beauty, Joy, Loving, Light and Compassion,
Saahira Ruhi