Description
Gather with us on the land at Rising Fawn Gardens to celebrate the life and works of Saint Hildegard of Bingen on her Feast Day. Hildegard was a 12th century abbess, herbalist, composer, artist, and mystic. Her life’s work is remarkable for its embrace of the feminine face of God and the sanctity of nature.
During the first half of the day we will enjoy a presentation on Hildegard’s life, learn about the daily rhythms of monastic life in an eleventh century monastery, and explore Hildegard’s theology of the divine feminine life force for which she coined the word “viriditas.” We are blessed to be joined by a cantor who will lead us in song and share some of St. Hildegard’s choral compositions.
We’ll then put our hands to good work tying a rosary in devotion to the Divine Mother. While we tie we’ll listen to St. Hildegard’s beautiful music and discuss the rosary’s sacred anatomy and quiet power.
Our lunch will be based on St. Hildegard’s teachings about nutrition, herbs, and spices and we’ll share a meal of spelt bread, soup, salad, quenched wine, and her famous Cookies of Joy.
With rosaries in hand we will venture into the forest for shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice of immersion with nature. A tea ceremony will follow before moving into a communal prayer circle to share our hearts and close our time together.
While this gathering is centered around wisdom from the Christian tradition, we will engage with the teachings and practices in a way that emphasizes the universality of our Divine Mother’s love. The rosary has ancient roots that connect us to our prehistoric ancestors and their worship of the great goddess. The Lady invites each and every one of us into her rose garden of prayer.
Itinerary
9:30 AM - Intro to the day
9:45 AM - Invocation, Music
10:00 AM - History and Viriditas
10:30 AM - Rosary tying (+ the architecture of the rosary)
1200-1:30 PM - Lunch based on Hildegard’s teachings on nutrition
1:30-2:30 PM - Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)
2:30-3:00 PM - Tea Ceremony
3:00 PM on Communal Prayer Circle
Tickets
Ticket sales include Lunch.
$140 per-person
Event Facilitators
Ali Banks
Ali is a practicing herbalist, mother, and medicine maker. The wild plants of our southern Appalachian forests hold a very special place in her heart. Through her connection with the wild green world Ali is a lifelong apprentice of the divine feminine in all her forms. She and her husband Joe have stewarded their herbal apothecary business, Forest Folk Fungi, for 10 years.
Karen Persinger
Karen grew up in a large family surrounded by the traditions of the Catholic faith. A devotion to Mary and praying the rosary have been comforting rituals she continues to embrace. As owner of Rising Fawn Gardens, she feels a sacred connection to the natural world and is happiest when sharing the awe and mystery of nature with her grandchildren and the visitors to RFG..
Maria Gonzales
María Gonzalez completed her Forest Therapy guide training with the Association of Nature Forest Therapy Guides. María’s background in cultural and experiential education informs and inspires her guiding practice.
Allyson Ford
With a lifetime of music held in her heart, Allyson Ford is a lyric soprano, and carries a beautiful, clear, early music voice. With 32 years of working in sacred music, she understands what music can bring to the sacred. She serves as a cantor at Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church on Lookout Mountain, regularly serving weekend and special Masses. And while she loves studying and singing early music, music of Ireland and indie folk music, she also loves running in nature and taking care of animals.
