Ostara Conscious Dance at The Retreat

Ostara is on the Spring Equinox and is one of the eight sabbats of the Wheel of the Year, which takes place in March. This festival is named after the Germanic goddess, Eostre. It is often associated with dawn and fertility, new growth, flowers blossoming, eggs, hares and the promise of new life. This is a time of renewal, growth and light.

Join SunFire Dance at The Retreat to celebrate the turning of the wheel at our Celtic Calendar Conscious Dance, Ostara, on Saturday ,21 March, where we will meditate on the significance of this festival and season in our lives, dance as wildly or mildly as you wish to an eclectic mix of music and gather around the fire for a ceremony. release, poetry and song.

We bring our conscious dance to The Retreat in the New Forest, where we have opportunities of dancing in their beautiful Centre Studio, outside on the lawn, and later in the year at the walled garden, in the woods and around the lake. We will also be gathering around the fire at some of our events. So if you love dancing in nature under the glorious sky, then please join us in an immersive and free-flowing conscious dance.

Conscious Dance is an embodied practice of movement and free flowing dance that integrates emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing. We embark on a movement journey allowing moments of gentle flow, natural rhythm, release, playfulness, elation, stillness and reflection. When we move, we can quiet the mind and innately embody the rhythm of the music, freeing our selves and opening us to new perspectives. There are no steps to follow, just your own feet and your own heartbeat moving spontaneously to an eceltic array of music. There will be moments of guided meditation and others where you can deep dive into the music.

The event begins with an opening circle, setting intentions, followed by a meditation, an hour and a half dancewave, closing circle, then we gather and socialising around the fire. You are welcome to bring musical instruments for our gathering around the fire in song. You are invited to express youself freely through your unique dance and movement.

"We dance for laughter,

We dance for tears,

We dance for madness,

We dance for fears,

We dance for hopes,

We dance for screams,

We are the dancers,

We create the dreams."
- Albert Einstein

What to expect:

• A safe and sacred space where you are invited to connect to yourself and others in community.
• A guided meditation and visualisation.
• Ecstatic Dance soundwave to get you moving spontaneously to the music where you can express yourself freely.
• We use our Silent Revolution headsets for an immersive experience. You can choose to dance in the Centre Studio or outside on the lawn under the stars (weather dependent).
• Gathering around the fire after our dance in ceremony, release and celebration.

Music is an eclectic mix of world, tribal, African, Celtic, Latino, Indigenous, Trance, orchestral to get you expressing yourself in a variety of ways.

Who should attend:

Whether you are new to conscious dance or a seasoned dancer, you are very welcome. Whether you are coming alone or with a group, you are very welcome. This event is for over 16s only. Join us to celebrate the significance of Ostara an the Spring Equinox, connect with yourself and others in community.

Agreements:

• We keep the dance floor (or lawn) a conversation free space so that you can immerse yourself in the process.
• We dance barefoot (or in non-slip socks) to connect us to the Earth.
• We dance sober - so please arrive sober and remain so for the duration of the event.
• This is a phone-free process. However, if the group agrees we will have an opporunity of taking photos and videos for a 'posing' track as it is such a special venue and we realise that you may want a momento and some shots around the fire. Cameras are to be put away for the majority of the dance, so that we can express ourselves freely without inhibitions.
• We respect ourselves and others in the dance.
• If you would like to dance with another seek their non-verbal consent (a smile or nod) and thank them after your shared dance with your hands in prayer or Namaste position). If you would prefer not to dance with someone, place your hands on your heart as an indication that you prefer to dance solo in your process at that moment. You may accept or offer an invition as you feel called to.
• Our facilitarors may offer guidance. Everything is by invitation.

What should I bring:

• Water bottle
• Comfortable clothing that you can move in.
• Warm layers as it is still chilly this time of year.
• Warm coat if dancing outside or by the fire (though you will soon warm up once you start moving to the music).
• Notebook if you wish to write any insights or intentions (optional).
• A log for the fire or offering you would like to release or give thanks for.
• A poem or song you would like to share by the fire (optional).
• Musical instruments for sharing songs around the fire (optional).

Calendar Conscious Dance 'Turning of the Wheel' dates for 2026:
We will be gathering at The Retreat for some of the eight sabbats throughout the year. Litha & Yule will be celebrated dancing on the beach for the Summer & Winter Solstice.

Imbolc (Start of Spring) - Sunday, 1 Febrary 2026, Branksome Chine Beach 16:30 - 19:00

Ostara (Spring Equinox) - Saturday, 21 March 2026, The Retreat in the New Forest, 19:00 to 22:00

Beltane (Gaelic May Day, Festival Beginning of Summer) - Friday, 1 May 2026, The Retreat in the New Forest, 19:00 to 22:00

Litha (Summer Solstice) - Saturday, 21 June 2026, Branksome Chine Beach, 04:30 - 07:00

Lughnasadh (Harvest Festival/First harvest of grain) - Saturday, 1 August 2025, TBA 19:00 to 22:00

Mabon (Autumn Equinox/Second harvest of fruit and vegetables) - Sunday, 21 September 2026, TBA 19:00 to 22:00

Samhain (Beginning of Winter/Halloween) - Saturday, 31 October 2026, TBA, 19:00 to 22:00

Yule (Winter Solstice) - Sunday, 21 December 2026, Branksome Chine Beach, 08:00 to 10:00

Listen to Imbolc's playlist by clicking the link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xr1VFZZiCLHMZO4m6lwjV?si=yqSv6nUcSsiTwWVFC5nFSA&pi=zUxUGqEATi2pc

Your ticket purchase contributes to the hire of the venue, firewood, insurance, equipment and running costs; and is very much appreciated so that we can continue to offer our events in so many beautiful locations in Dorset.

Refunds

Refunds are currently available 7 days prior to the event. You are also welcome to change your ticket to a different date or give your ticket to a friend or acquaintance. Please email Judez at [email protected] to inform us of any changes and queries you may have.

Venue

Address: The Retreat, Lyndhurst Road, Hinton, Christchurch, BH23 7EF
Telephone: The Retreat 01425 205524

Parking There is free parking at the venue.

Crew: If you would like to crew at this event (in exchange for a ticket) and help us set up, tend to the fire and clear up at the end, then please contact us at [email protected].

Collaborations: If you hear the calling and would like to offer your gifts and collaborate with SunFire Dance at our events, then please get in touch with Judez ([email protected]).

We look forward to celebrating the Turning of the Wheel with you at The Retreat.

'Dance the change you choose to be - in yourself, your family, your community and in our world!'
- Judez Lancaster

www.sunfiredance.com

[email protected]

ABOUT JUDEZ LANCASTER Judez has a background in drama, dance, voice, and breathwork modalities. Conscious dance has been a vital part of her life and journey. Her vision is to create safe spaces where individuals can express themselves freely, without restrictions, and can utilise conscious movement to release, receive, embrace and heal, as well as revel in the joy of the dance.

SUNFIRE DANCE

Sun - born in the place of the Sun. Invite a ray of sunshine and light into your life. No matter how dark, cold, frozen or bleak life may seem. Move and ignite your passions.

Fire - it only takes a spark to get the fire burning. Fire can also burn away the old, that which no longer serves us. Out of the embers, new shoots and regrowth can form to transmute it into new life, new hope, a new dawn for you. Fire for warmth, for life, for nourishment

Dance - dance to move energy, dance to energise, dance when filled with sorrow, dance when filled with joy, dance to connect with others, dance to connect with self, dance your journey, dance of life.

Looking forward to seeing you on the dance floor.

www.sunfiredance.com

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