Summer Solstice 2024

Celebrate the summer solstice with earth-based rituals led by Wild Soul River.

NEW DATE: June 27th

5:30-9pm
The Clark - 225 South Street, WIlliamstown, MA 

We will gather on Stone Hill at The Clark 225 South Street, WIlliamstown, MA to celebrate Summer Solstice around a fire. 

Parking available at the Lunder Center, the Library, and the Main Entrance. There is a 5-10 min walk at an incline.   For accessibility support, call 413-458-0524. 

• Drum or Noise Maker for the drumming portion
• Snack to share after the ritual
• Chairs will be provided

FORAGING WALK WITH ARIANNA COLLINS
5:30–6:30 pm
Naturalist and wild edibles enthusiast Arianna Alexsandra Collins from the Hoosic River Watershed Association and Offerings for Community Building leads a foraging walk.
Advance registration required; call 413 458 0524. Capacity is limited.

FLOWER CROWNS
6 - 7 pm
Braid lavender, mint, chamomile, and seasonal flowers from Full Well Farm into your own crown. First-come, first-served.

RITUAL TIME
7 -8 pm

SMOKE AND BELL CLEANSE 
Enter the space intentionally with meditation and the ceremonial practice of burning sacred herbs and ringing bells. These practices energetically cleanse and purify the body, mind, and spirit as we enter sacred time and space with our human and other-than-human kin.

WELCOME THE DIRECTIONS 
We unite to honor the directions—East, South, West, North, and Center—invoking the elements to celebrate the abundance and vitality of the sun-soaked season.

WHAT IS SOLSTICE?
The history of the summer solstice and how different cultures celebrate the longest day of the year. We will explore Northern European animism and its connection to indigenous perspectives.

DRUMMING & SINGING
justin's words will give rise to community singing, drumming, dancing, and merriment. Bring your own drum or noisemaker to join along!

BIDDING THE DIRECTIONS FAREWELL
The evening's rituals close by bidding farewell to the energies of the directions, expressing gratitude to the directions and elements—East, South, West, North, and Center—marking the conclusion of a sacred ceremony and acknowledging the cyclical nature of their spiritual journey.

FIRE SPINNING
8–8:30 pm
Watch Fire Poi light up Stone Hill and dance in the moonlight with local fire dancer Damion Cotter.

S'MORES AND TEA
8-9 pm
Complementary s’mores and cold herbal tea provided by Wild Soul River; first-come, first-served.

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Arianna Collins (she/her) is an environmental education professional with twenty years of experience in teaching, curriculum design, program development, project administration, daily operations, public relations, and community engagement.

justin adkins (he/him) has sought solace in the natural beauty of Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont since 2004. As a co-founder of Wild Soul River—an abolitionist herbal gathering space in Williamstown—he shares his passion for foraging and dedication to collective learning and healing. justin also serves as President of our local Trout Unlimited chapter and consults nationally with DEI Outdoors.

Rebecca Guanzon (she/her), an herbalist and practitioner of various energetic healing methods, holds over twenty years of trauma-informed care experience. A graduate of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, she specializes in medicine making, energy work (including Reiki), and individual herbal consultations. She is a co-founder of Wild Soul River.

Jon Nopper (they/he) has worked in education and trauma-informed child welfare settings for eighteen years. Their joy and passion for life come from introspectively examining the existence and human condition in all wild and beautiful places.

Damion Cotter (he/him), based in Stamford, VT, has spun Poi and Rope dart for fifteen years, often incorporating poetry and dance into his fire performances.

 

More information: The Clark