Love & Liberation Forest Party | March 2024
From Sacred to Ratchet
Jump to the bottom for a photo gallery of our Forest Party.
There is something really powerful & magical about bringing people together with music, dance, and nature.
As we were emerging from a season of winter, there was much for us to express and acknowledge. Individually, many of us internally felt the slow, dark energy of winter. Collectively, we experienced the heaviness of humanity as we witnessed the continued, oppressive colonization of Palestine, Sudan, the Congo, and many other indigenous peoples.
In a world that is increasingly disconnected, isolated, and exhausted, we need to imagine & create different ways of being together. We needed to shake it off, move our bodies, and welcome in what spring was ushering in.
The only way for us to heal is together. Through the Collective, through Beloved Community, through being in deep relationship with one another.
And so we gathered together under the redwood forest of Oakland - a healing act in-and-of itself to connect with Mother Earth. Imagine - almost 100 Black, Indingeous, and People of Color at the center, aligned in heart & spirit, bringing the wholeness of who we are - from the sacred all the way to the ratchet beings that we are.
That is literally what we as the Embrace squad imagined when we first created the Forest Party! We longed for a space where all the parts of us could show up, be present, and held with love. The spiritual part that is connected to the sacred. And the soulful part of us that loves to dance, move, laugh. But we struggled to find a gathering or community like this that brought that full range into the same space. And so we created the space of belonging we had been looking for - and it turns out so many others were looking for it, too!
First, we opened up with the four directions - honoring the land and the spirit of those who have stewarded the land long before us and who continue to do so long after we are gone. Led by our beloved community member, Xochitl - who also celebrated their Born Day with us.
Our Embrace Squad co-founder, Lotus Wong, then created a container for us to be in relationship with each other, and to break down the barriers of disconnection. We danced around until we found a new connection and shared with each other:
“What is something that is springing or blooming into your life?”
“Share about a time when you felt truly seen, valued, or like you belong.”
Suddenly, no one was a stranger and everyone was a possible friend.
Our community leaders ushered in the vibes, moving from sacred to movement and dance vibes, each with their unique offerings:
Honoring Our Ancestors: Reverend Mutima led us in a movement and prayer to connect with and seek support from our ancestral guides.
Sister Cypher: Embrace co-founder and gifted musician, Inertia Dewitt, brought the energy with a sing along and invitation for the sisters to stand in our power.
All Night Jamming: DJ AshEL, Mazin Jamal & Nico kept the music flowing on the drums and guitar throughout the whole event.
Late Night Dancing: DJ heyLove brought out the big energy with a BUMPIN’ set that kept us all moving from dusk till closing.
Offering To the Land: Floral Altar
Our Sister Angels, Inertia & Tati, created a floral altar as an offering and blessing to the land that held us for this beautiful day. Using foilage and branches from the forest to adorn the space.
We dance under the moonlight and closed with a grounding circle - passing out roses and flowers to honor all of our sisters.
Our Embrace Team
Embrace leaders and volunteers
Big love to this team that brought this event to life with such great love & intention (both captured in this photo and beyond). We are blessed.
Ready to dance again?
These forest parties and time with community are so energizing and nourishing for us, as we hope it is for you, too. If you loved vibing with us, or you are ready to get in on this community, we invite you to join us for next forest party on August 31. Mark your calendars and follow us to stay connected to our upcoming offerings!
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