We embrace our vulnerabilities, and communally strengthen our boundaries to protect us in this season of cold.

Winter Solstice with Baltimore Reclaiming

Saturday, December 18, 2021

In 2 Parts:

Part one: Noon-2:00 p.m. at the Clifton Pleasure Club (info below)

Part two: 7:00-9:00 p.m. via Zoom (room open at 6:45)

The arc of the sun across Baltimore skies right now makes the idea of the “dark time of year” so apparent. Even when the sun is the highest in the sky, there’s less light, and these conditions almost beg for rest, quiet reflection, and revelry around a warm fire. Even in a world that seems keen to speed up right now.

These days are also a reminder of ways we’re vulnerable, ways we need to fortify ourselves and the community around us. Our ritual arc this year centers on the Pentacle of Care, with its points of Interdependence, Boundaries, Vulnerability, Integrity, and Creativity. On our journey in this pentacle, we’re traveling the pathway between Boundaries and Vulnerability.

How are these concepts working in your life? What are the ideal conditions that allow you to feel vulnerable, yet also maintain healthy boundaries? How might the world around you challenge these ideals? Whose boundaries are not being honored? Whose vulnerabilities aren’t being held with care? What do the impacts of climate change, challenges to abortion policies that protect people who can get pregnant, rampant wealth inequality, continued racial injustice, and other world stage dramas do to your sense of boundaries and vulnerability? What do you need, to fortify your boundaries and create a space that allows you and your beloveds to trust in being vulnerable?

Our ritual for Winter Solstice will be taking place in two parts on Saturday, December 18.

Part one: From 12 noon to 2:00 p.m., please join some members of the Ritual Planning Cell at the Clifton Pleasure Club to begin making fire cider (it takes 4-6 weeks to mature, so this batch will be ready around Imbolc.) If you’re local to Baltimore but can’t make it, feel free to share your address and we’ll bring you some. You can also follow this recipe to make your own: https://mommypotamus.com/fire-cider-recipe/

Part two: From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., we will convene on Zoom for a ritual to empower our tonics and ourselves, with the magic of the Pentacle of Care. Bring your fire ciders, or another infusion of your choice (tea, soup, etc.).

Our link is here, and will be active at 6:45 pm on Saturday, Dec 18.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85777057471?pwd=TnR4SFkxN2FHWTA4dDZaU2w4SkwyUT09

Location: This ritual will be held at the Clifton Pleasure Club (2803 Grindon Ave., Baltimore, MD 21214, accessible by the 28 and 54 bus lines). Our event will be in the yard outside the club. Restrooms are available inside the Clifton Pleasure Club. The yard is accessible, the building is not. If you have questions about the physical space, please contact Pansie at matthew.smith.pa@gmail.com.

Time: Please arrive beginning at 6:00pm for a 6:30ish start.

Please Note: Due to the state of the Covid pandemic, our rituals will be privately held for the first half of the year, at least. If you have already been to a Baltimore Reclaiming ritual or class in the past two years, you are invited back to celebrate with us. If you are new to us, please keep in touch for changes and other offerings that may allow us to connect in new ways. Members may bring a guest.

Face Masks: At the Summer 2021 Baltimore Reclaiming Community Meeting, we agreed that we would move forward with in-person rituals, and follow CDC guidelines regarding face masks and social distancing; with the first two rituals of the year, at least, being held outdoors. We are asking everyone who is able to wear a face mask. (Some disposable masks will be available for those who forget, or do not have their own.)

Who is Baltimore Reclaiming?

Baltimore Reclaiming is a radically inclusive community of witches who use our magic to bring transformation, justice and healing to ourselves, Baltimore and the world. We are a group of witches, artists, pagans, healers, activists, queers, priestesses, anarchists, theater geeks, feminists, and other good humans. We see our work as teaching and making magic: the art of empowering ourselves and each other. In our classes, workshops, and public rituals, we train our voices, bodies, energy, intuition, and minds. We use the skills we learn to deepen our strength, both as individuals and as community, to voice our concerns about the world in which we live, and bring to birth a vision of a new culture. We gather, mostly on the Sabbats, to work magic, often for personal healing and also for the healing of our society and planet. We believe that the work we do together in our sacred circles really can change the world.

Cost:

Baltimore Reclaiming does not charge for our events, but we do have considerable expenses, including renting the ritual space and buying supplies for the ritual! We recommend a $10-$20 donation per person. No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you are inclined to donate, you can do that in person with cash, or Venmo RPC treasurer, Zac @Zac-Lawhon. Suggested donation is $10-$20.

Drugs & Alcohol:

All Baltimore Reclaiming events are drug and alcohol free. We respectfully request that you do not use drugs or alcohol before or while attending our events.

What to Expect:

New to Baltimore Reclaiming? Visit our Rituals page to learn more about what to expect at an event.

Dress Code:

Wear whatever you like! You are welcome to wear everything from jeans and a t-shirt to a tuxedo. Often, people like to wear something special for ritual which might mean a favorite dress, a special shawl, a flower crown, or something else. We encourage you to wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. This ritual will be held ENTIRELY OUTSIDE so please come prepared.