Friday, June 20, 2008 at 2:00 pm

America’s Stonehenge, located just over the border in New Hampshire, is a big megalithic complex constructed over 4000 years ago. It is about one hour drive from Boston. The site consists of stone walls, chambers and standing stones that are aligned to the equinoxes and solstices.

The solstice is a turning point. It marks the longest day in the year when the sun has reached its furthest point to the north before it starts its journey to the south again. It is the time when the sun is at its utmost strength and when the earth is opening to her full creativity, vulnerability and expression. It is in this moment of fullest light that we become aware of the change it foretells.

The intention of this year’s ritual:

According to the Dagara people in Africa we are in a nature year. Nature is all about change, transformation and truth. We are also not far away from the year 2012 when according to the Mayan calendar the 4th world of fear and separation will transition into the 5th world of illumination and peace. Among us we begin to see more leaders and teachers who carry this 5th world energy. We each hold a piece of this larger dream. To make this vision real we need to focus on the dream, on what is possible and begin to live it as if it is already fully in place.

In this solstice ritual we call on the power of community to imagine together what a world like that looks like. We align our energies, give this vision power and celebrate. Remember that energy follows attention, remember the 100 Monkey theory and know we have the power to change the world.

Katja Esser and Valerianna Claff guide you through this very participatory ritual where we will connect with the vision of the 5th world of illumination and peace. What dreams and visions you hold for our world and how do your actions contribute to that dream. Each year, we tap into the endless messages that the flowers carry. Again come with a flower that represents your vision and action for a heaven on earth.

Also this year we will create a colorful procession through the site. We encourage you to carry banners or flags that symbolize unity and rainbows. Let your outfit be an expression of your dream already in existence.

This ritual is highly participatory and it is quite a production. We need your involvement during and before the ritual! Please come early to help to decorate the shrine with flowers, to set up the archways and the ritual space. We will be arriving around 11:00 AM to begin setting up the space. Helping brings your energy to the ritual. By 1.30 PM we will explain the details of the event.

We need drummers and singers to keep the energy up. Drummers please meet with us at 1.00 PM so we can review the ritual with you. We also like gatekeepers that escort people into the ritual space.

Gathering time for the ritual is 1:30 PM; please come early: Please arrive in the parking lot by 1.15 PM, so you may hike to the site. At the site at 1.30 PM you will get a layout of the event and your part in it. It is a collective experience.

Location and cost: America’s Stonehenge is privately owned but is open to the public. The entry fee is $9.50 for adults(check for detailed rates). In addition there is a suggested $5 donation per adult at the ritual site to cover expenses. America’s Stonehenge stays open till sunset on the Solstice. The celebration is followed by lively music. For details go to www.stonehengeusa.com .

This is an open ritual. We encourage children to come, as long as they are accompanied by adults. Bring a friend and please pass this information on.

What to bring: (Very needed:) Your single flower that expresses your vision and additional flowers with showy heads, drums and bells if you have them, natural bug repellent, raingear, and potluck food with your own plate, cup and flatware to prevent further accumulation of garbage. Bring a snack and water for before the ritual because it lasts a while. Leave your potluck food in the car until after the ritual, just make sure it stays cool.

Who to call: Please contact Katja at (617)365-4024 or Valerianna at (413) 296-0330 if you want to volunteer. Email: katjacreates@ritualexpressions.com or Valerianna@verizon.net. Check out Katja's web site www.ritualexpressions.com

Directions: From I 93, take exit 3 in NH, take Rte 111 East (app. 5 mi., crossing Rte 28) to Island Pond and Haverhill Rds. (there will be a sign here for America’s Stonehenge on your right). Follow Haverhill Rd. south to entrance. The earlier you come the more chance there is to park close to the building.

Valerianna Claff is an artist, teacher, sound healer, and ceremonialist. She is steward of RavenWood Forest Retreat in Western Massachusetts which is dedicated to deep healing, soulful self-expression, and the nurturing of sacred relationships between the Earth and Her creatures.. She has over 20 years of teaching experience and combines her lifelong exploration of creativity, spirituality, music and healing to invite authentic self-expression and deep transformation. At RavenWood she paints, sculpts, offers private healing sessions, and facilitates groups and workshops. She teaches at Clark University and The Rhode Island School of Design. She completed Priestess Path Apprenticeship with Alisa Starkweather and has studied a variety of shamanic and vibrational healing modalities. Her CD, Breath and Bone, is a collection of original songs and chants. Valerianna has been co-facilitating Solstice Ceremonies with Katja Esser at America's Stonehenge for the past 5 years.

Katja Esser is an inspirational artist, mask and costume designer, ritualist, photographer and performer. She has exhibited her work in the Netherlands, New York and Boston. Katja has studied different forms of movement and voice. She has created sacred ceremonies for the seasons since 1992 for small and large groups of people of which the summer solstice at America’s Stonehenge is most well known. She is very involved in african based spirituality with Malidoma Some and the East Coast Village which has brought her to Africa a few times. She creates rituals and gives talks on colleges and universities. Katja sings with Bonesong, an improvisational sacred singing quartet that sings in a cave. She has performed with the Theater Behind The Mask in schools and at First Night. Katja has an extensive website www.ritualexpressions.com at which her work can be viewed.