D.E.V.A. Skt;

(One who is playful & beautiful; To shine; The illuminated one;

Internal pleasure potency; Divine reality.)

Divine Expressions of Vital Alchemy

DANCE COLLABORATIVE

Facilitated by Debra Sawyer & Hazel Aura G.

“DAY OF THE DEAD” DANCE

part of The LAKE STREET CHURCH Experience

“Rooted, Connected, Transformed”

607 Lake St. / Chicago Ave. Evanston

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3^RD

(In order of appearance) :

Candace esslinger – Drum call, Materno de Altares in the north

Weyler Greene – The Grim Reaper, Cuentisto

Lee Stangland –  The observer Angel

Linda ponterelli – Drum call, Materno de Altares in the south

Michael Elliott – Ancestor

Chuck Ginsberg – Ancestor

Debra Sawyer – Materno de Altres in the east

Diane Yoder – Materno de Altres in the west

Hazel Aura G. – Ancestor

Jennifer VanTreeck – Ancestor

Catherine Willows – Ancestor

Special Thanks & Praise to :

The Reverend Robert Thompson – for all your support, encouragement & humor

Adrian Griffith - chief bottle washer, button pusher & all around Angel

Regina Rowe – Aztec Shaman : consultant & skull cookie provider

All our Beloved Ancestors

Customary observance of “The Day of The Dead” includes: the making of altares (altars) filled with ofrendas (offerings) such as fruits, flowers, incense, candles, hot chocolate, pan de muertos (bread of the dead), as well as photographs of the dead and some of their favorite foods, feasting, visiting, gifting, church attendance, cleaning and decorating family graves, eating and keeping company with the dead in the cemetery. You'll find the festival decorated with bright yellow-orange marigolds, as well as the animated figures of calacas (skeletons).  You might hear special songs & poems (calaveras) during the celebration, or write one of your own.  These range from satirical poems poking fun at someone, to rhymes about death, to songs about someone you cherish.  In the middle of this fun and reverence, you will certainly see ofrendas – gifts, and an altar dedicated to remembrance. Unlike the American need to find fear during this season, this ancient holiday mixes fun, reverence, remembrance and respect.  It's a season when you get to spend time with those who have passed into the next realm and think about yourself with future generations. Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in the spiritual realm did they become truly awake. PEACE

STRADDLE THE THRESHOLD BETWEEN THE WORLDS

THE MYSTIC FACE PIERCING THE VEIL

DIVINING THE FUTURE

THE SCORCHING EYE SIDE SEEING INTO THE GRAVE

PLEASURING THE PAST TO CELEBRATE THE DEAD

& REMIND THEM OF THE WOMB OF THE GREAT MOTHER

SET EXTRA PLACES AT THE TABLE

TO MARK THE HIGH HOLY DAY

LEAVE OFFERINGS FOR THE FEAST OF SPIRITS

WHEN THE SAINTS COME OUT TO PLAY

BREATHE IN THE MIST

THAT RISES AT MIDNIGHT

FROM THE BURIAL MOUNDS

& SPEAK WITH THE VOICE OF THE ABYSS

AN ORACLE FOR THE NEW YEAR

GREETING CHAOS WITH A KISS

THE GATES OF FAERY STAND OPEN

IN TIME OUT OF TIME

EVERYWHERE & NOWHERE - HERE & THERE

WHEN THE HARVEST SICKLE SWINGS

& THE ATMOSPHERE IS RARE

ALL SOULS MUST RETURN AT COCK-CROW

WHEN THE TRICK CAN NO LONGER DARE

ONLY NOW

LET THE DEAD WALK

TO SHOW THE LIVING

THAT EVERY ENDING

IS BUT A NEW BEGINNING

Brown Bough & Besom                   Hazel Aura G.