New Year, New Start, Rebirth at Huerto Cafe, Sat. Jan. 28th, 2017 from 4 p. to 7 p.

Photos by Jodi Burke, Fotini La Guardia and Fco. Nava

Opening Ceremony Materials

Last night, after a refreshing slumber, I dreamt that our community had come together to celebrate our new moon, the Chinese New Year, a new start and rebirth through ceremony that propelled us into the future with hope, inspiration, love, healing and support. This morning I realized that the dream had been made real through our New Year, New Start, Rebirth event at Huerto Cafe on Sat. Jan. 28th, 2017.

We gathered on the day of the first new moon of the new year.  The new moon in Aquarius comes bearing the gift of expanded consciousness and long term visioning that takes into consideration our extended community and our planet Earth.

Our sacred opening ceremony was led by Cree shaman Michael Dixon.

We came together to celebrate with special rituals honoring the four elements of Earth, Fire, Air and Water, creating a positive transition into the New Year.

As always, the atmosphere at Huerto Cafe was welcoming.  Our guests were greeted warmly and offered Hierba Buena or Raspberry aguas frescas immediately as they entered.

Our gracious hostess, Rocio Meillon explains the appetizer menu of delicious delights, curated by Chef Charlie Flores and inspired by the 4 elements, representing and offering culinary enjoyment to our guests.

Our own Lois Schroff offered demonstrations and new found research on the practice of water meandering, the consciousness of water and water memory.

We were blessed to have with us poet Marty Brojan who wrote and read a special piece, created just for the occasion.

Some of the numerous and delicious appetizers served throughout the afternoon and inspired
by the 4 elements being celebrated.

Of special note was the cocoa avocado mousse representing the element of air...quite amazing.

The beautiful work of our local artisans were represented in several forms.

  

At the tail end of the afternoon the drumming trio of Fer, Diego and Jorge gifted us with uplifting, move to the beat rhythms.

Some of our guests were inspired to dance.  Others were happy to just watch and listen.

Lastly we took our written intentions of things to let go into the past
or desires we'd like to bring into our futures and transformed them
via fire during our closing circle.

From all of us at Huerto Cafe we'd like to thank all the generous souls who contributed to this special afternoon.  Our positive hope was that we could harmoniously come together to acknowledge and celebrate Mother Earth, our place in the universe and our roles as stewards of nature and each other.

Namaste.