Cohousing-L Mailing List: Spring Equinox

[PattyMara Gourley (pattymara]

Persephone Returns!  Yesterday, on the Spring Equinox, Tierra Nuevans
gathered in our meditation/peace garden to watch a play performed by a
dozen children and a few lucky adults.  I wrote the script, with the help
of Leah (age 8 who really knows her Greek myths) based on the story of
Demeter and Persephone, the mother/daughter team who care for the plants,
grains and living things on earth.  When Persephone is abducted to the
underworld, Demeter weeps and rages, until Zeus arranges for Persephone's
release.  Her return to the world brings Spring, but because she ate "one
tiny juicy red pomegranate seed" she must return to the Underworld for
half the year to comfort the spirits of the dead.  

In the context of world events, the celebration of the return of Spring
seemed all the more necessary to our community spirit.  The same garden
where we performed the play has been where we've gathered  for
candlelight peace vigils and memorial services.  The time we spent
together rehearsing, making costumes (flower/fern crowns) and throwing
together a ragtag set was priceless, and nourishing on a deep soul level,
where the flames of hope must be tended.  The same girls and boys who've
now marched in their first peace marches provided the community with a
much needed afternoon of whimsy and delight.  

I can't begin to describe the effect of seeing a dozen children ages 3 -
10, dressed in their fairy folk costumes, dancing down the garden path,
bringing the plants, baby birds, butterflies, trees and flowers back to
life.   And the humorous elements of Zeus, thundering down from Mount
Olympus, sending a red haired 7 year old Hermes off to the underworld
with a message to free Persephone from his 4 year old brother "spirit of
the underworld" swathed in black.  And the audience participation
chanting their (Greek) chorus line of "just one tiny juicy red
pomegranate seed". 

For some of the children it was the first play they have ever performed. 
I'm completely hooked on the buzz I feel as it all comes together, from
the first drafts of the scriptwriting to the scavenging for sets and
costumes to the final encore and curtsies and bows of the cast.  We've
celebrated Winter Solstice together for a few years, but this was our
first Equinox play.  Based on the response from the kids and the
audience, I'm looking forward to setting into motion a cycle of plays for
each turn of the season.  Persephone (Leah) and I are already adding
parts to the script for next year.  And Green Man (Little Bear, age 5)
has decided to wear his mask and costume forever, or maybe until next
week.

May the spirit of renewal, new life and the hope of Spring fill your
hearts with joy in these sombre times.  Celebrate with your communities
in any way you can imagine.  Kindle the flames of whimsy and possibility.
 Get up each morning and do something with the children.

coheartedly,
Patty Mara
Tierra Nueva, central CA coast....Sometimes known as "Maranara, the
cohousing fairy" where I'm off to an NVC workshop in my neighbor Kay's
house, and where Nathan (the spirit of the baby birds), age 5, is
celebrating his birthday with a bounce house on the village green.  

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