What We Carry: A Nature-Based Community Grief Circle

In this three-hour circle, we will co-create a container for the grief that lives in our bodies and hearts: grief for personal losses and grief for the state of our world. Drawing from the teachings of Francis Weller, Joanna Macy, and in humble recognition of the human practice of communal grieving across many cultures and traditions, we will weave together explorations of grief through movement, artistic expression, connection with nature, sharing and deep listening. As part of our gathering, we will work with foraged natural materials and provided art supplies, to create a visual landscape of your grief, whether literal or abstract, to creatively express and witness your experience of loss. You are welcome to bring photographs, clippings, or other personal items you'd like to incorporate. No artistic experience necessary. All are welcome. A community grief altar will be co-created for honoring loss and cultivating capacity and space for grief to flow through. You are invited to bring objects that cultivate a sense of connection (to loss or to hope) and that hold personal or collective meaning to place on the community grief altar. We will practice remembering how to hold grief in community, cultivate space and respect for the pain and suffering in our world, and deepen connection with one another, the earth, and our web of teachers/mentors/ancestors/guides. No prior experience with grief work or ritual is needed — only a willingness to show up. Although therapeutic in essence, this circle is not therapy, it is community. There is no pressure to share or perform. You may witness, move, weep, or simply breathe alongside others. All of it belongs, and all of it is welcome. This group is co-hosted by Rachael Coccia, LMHCA, a grief and trauma counselor whose background in environmental activism, hospice work, and death doula training informs a deeply rooted approach to grief tending. Her grief group facilitation is centered around the work of Francis Weller and Joanne Cacciatore. Drawing from existential psychology and ecopsychology, she supports people in healing their connection to themselves and the Earth through outdoor therapy and group facilitation. moongladetherapy.com If you have questions about the event that would help you decide if it is the right space for you, you can email [email protected]