Hawk’s Cry Lodge Winter Solstice Celebration

O

ur monthly community sweats are going strong, bringing in newcomers and regulars alike.  Themes this year have included the Five Shields, the Five Huaquas, the ‘Mystery of the Purification Lodge’ and our annual New Year’s Day ceremony where we set our intent for the coming year. We are lucky to have a community of generous and talented cooks who bring potlucks, hearty soups and other delicious food so that everyone leaves feeling nourished and blessed. On-the-day support for our gatherings also took a jump this year with volunteers organizing car-pooling, handling waivers and of course fire crew.
Thankyou everyone!  Our Kettle Committee is also finishing its first year of supporting and guiding the lodge behind the scenes – the name Kettle Committee comes from the collective noun for Hawks …

July brought our annual round of maintenance tasks which were tackled by a group of volunteers.  The high fire risk in this area means fire mitigation and weed whacking is high on the list – especially after the wet spring which brought taller than usual grass and wildflowers. The Colorado sun has been beating down on our beloved lodge since she was first built in 2015, so this year we celebrated with a brand-new canvas cover which looks very smart.  

Over the years we have held first and second gateway programs, with groups ranging from 5-11 students, depending on the year.  In 2024 it was time to start something different, and we launched Dharma Living, a three-year program now in its second year. The content is similar to a gateway program with a flexible curriculum that responds to student interests.  We hope to continue into year 3 in Spring 2026. 

This has been the second year of sending some of our students to join Red Lodge Ceremonial in Arizona. This is a great opportunity for them to meet the wider Deer Tribe family and take part in Eagle Dances.

Events this year have been promoted on our revamped website (www.hawkscrylodge.com) which had been removed during Covid and never quite recovered. Thanks to Kim Brun, one of our busiest volunteers it is looking great, and has made the process of sending out emails and registering for events, much more streamlined. 

Our thanks to Debra Shining Fox, for her regular visits and teachings this year, and also to Naide Bruno who supported us in a healing ceremony in April. We are very grateful for all the ways you and other A Road teachers that have supported our Lodge over the past ten years.