Gathering As Flowers: becoming a bouquet for healing

October 22-25, 2026
West Marin County



We gather as flowers: becoming a bouquet of Prayer.
Some as buds, some with firm fresh petals, and some crisping around the edges.

Joani reminds us that in many cultures of this region, flowers are traditional offerings at meeting.

As flowers we offer ourselves to this new land;
To sing our airy blessings on this place, the ancestors here, and our own;
May we open, freely sharing our sweet beauty;
May we be supple, bending in the breath from the sea.

This land lies near the Pacific coast, to the north of San Francisco Bay;
This land tells of a rich past of tending, of gatherings, of ceremony;
This land speaks of those long silent calling for gathering;
For song and dancing feet to come again;
Newly tended by stewards whose passion is to offer a place for such gatherings:
This land is a special gift to us as guests.
We pray that we may be humble, good guests.

As we gather to Dance here, in this time of transformation, let us break open, as  seeds do.
That long held potentials germinate, sprout and seek conditions in which to take root.

Let us Dance here, with our ancestors, and the ancestors of this land.
Held by the old ones–buckeye, bay, and cypress–above the sea.

Let us dance together! Come! Join us! 

“Without delay, come to Dance here and henceforth in a new way.”

That our Dance be the flowering, seeding, and rooting of healing for this land, for us and for those who are yet to come.

We come prepared to gather, to sing, to dance, to offer the beauty of our presence, our care, our dreams, our humble selves as offerings to the land. We bring flowers from our homes, be they fresh or dried. Yes, please do bring flowery gifts to the land and spirits that welcome us here.


We gather Thursday, October 22, and conclude on Sunday, October 25. Details of the location in western Marin County near Point Reyes National Seashore, will be shared during gatekeeping.



The new site for the California Naraya, Dance for All People, is located in the traditional territory of the Coast Miwok (Tomales Bay Band), in West Marin County.  We should have lovely weather in  October, with highs of 75, and not much rain nor wind. It’s about  an hour drive from the Bay Bridge.

The property slopes from the highway entrance upwards to the coastal ridge–with spectacular views across Tomales Bay, and the long peninsula of the National Seashore. Populated by coastal grass, live oak, buckeye, bay laurel, cypress, and Bishop pine.

There is a (mostly level) meadow where we will dance, nearby areas for RV/parking and limited van camping, a newly constructed garage/workshop space which contains a fully equipped commercial-quality kitchen, showers and toilets, and both indoor and outdoor dining spaces.

At a higher level, approached by a path into which stairs are set at intervals, is “the “Greenhouse,” a magnificent building of wood and glass, where we can meet together, and which would easily house our circle should we experience inclement weather.

There are spaces for tent camping scattered throughout, including up to the ridge, a small cabin with attached bathroom (“the Office”), and 9 unique A-frame structures.

Each A-frame easily accommodates two or more people.  They all have AC power for light, heat, and devices such as C-PAP machines.

Some of these structures will be available to Dancers who are able to contribute generously enough to support rented RV housing for our Elders with access needs.

You will receive the  address and directions  upon registration and payment. 



Feeling the call? Curious for more information? Consider the Agreements, contemplate your intention to come.

  1. Fill out the registration form.
  2. Contact one of the Gate Keepers below–please email or text first if possible.  They will be happy to answer any questions you might have, hear your intent and help refine as needed, and review the agreements.
  3. Make your payment: see the info on the Support tab, and you can also find this on the registration form.
  4. Come and Dance!

Gate Keepers:

  • Cary the Faerie  (831) 588-8155  — cruzacupuncture@gmail.com
  • Four Swallows (760) 336-1788 — Skylermiles8585@gmail.com
  • Free Daddy  (415) 786-5012  — freedaddyinwc@yahoo.com
  • Jasmine Tea  (669) 203-7343 — jasteabulwzl@cruzio.com
  • Kwai Lam  (831) 818-2528 — ig@queerarts.com
    (new and returning dancers)
  • Malama ManyGifts  (530)-864-2134 — santacruznaraya@gmail.com (new & returning dancers)
  • Princess Teacup (510) 899-1700 — werd2thenerd@gmail.com (kitchen only).

Contributing What You Can

As tradition dictates we don’t charge for ceremony. That said, we have bills to pay…

The cost of hosting the ceremony–including land use, meals, supplies, transportation, housing, and honoraria for Elders–works out to approximately $300 per dancer.

All who are able to are asked to contribute on a sliding scale between $250-$650.

Dancers for whom that is a hardship should discuss their contribution with their gatekeeper. 

Participating BiPoC & Trans dancers  may receive extra support from NCPC towards their contribution: please  request when speaking with your gatekeeper. More info on this.

Dancers who are more financially resourced are invited to sponsor an Elder’s comfort, participation and travel expenses, and/or another Dancer’s costs. 

We accept payment through paypal.me/santacruznaraya (santacruznaraya@gmail.com)

Please classify payments on PayPal as personal, between Family and Friends, not as a business transaction.

We also accept a personal check made out to SC Naraya. Send checks via postal mail: M. MacNeil, 1252 E. 8th Street, Chico, CA 95928.

We welcome support in any amount from those not able to attend: use the payment information above.

Please complete your payment by 10 October.

To help us come together in a good way, we invite everyone attending:

  • To participate fully from our arrival on the land, Thursday, October 22, until the ceremony and cleanup are complete on Sunday, October 25.
  • To contribute our emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical energies to the ceremony and community to the best of our abilities.
  • To respect all people, items, and traditions in the ceremony.
  • To refrain from using alcohol, marijuana, and all other recreational drugs from Monday noon (72 hours prior to our arrival on Thursday) until we leave the Land on Sunday. 
  • To refrain from sexual activities that dissipate our energies from our arrival on Thursday to the ceremony’s end on Sunday. 
  • To observe infection risk reduction protocols—take a rapid covid/ flu test 1-2 days before leaving home, and again on the land if needed—and refrain from attending if symptomatic of any infectious disease.
  • To complete registration and payment of all agreed fees no later than Friday, Oct. 10th. (In exceptional cases, extension of the deadline is possible, but must be completed by contacting Malama  santacruznaraya@gmail.com before Oct. 10th.)