Last year we placed our prayers into our new homeland. We asked her permission to gather and called in the women. It is with great honor and responsibility we welcome you to this land, may you treat her as a dear friend and love her tenderly.
In gathering within nature we must recognize her elemental power, and that it's not always comfortable, but in that edge is where the growth begins.
"As you step up to the waters, greet her as if she is a friend. Start slowly with your hands, then face, then feet...let her get to know you so the next time you come she will remember you. For the waters is a living being, each river with her own personality. Be slow and respectful, don't rush your greeting."
-adapted wisdom shared by Abuela Estella, gifted to her by Abuelo Timoteo from the Dokwok Clan of the Bribri people
Land that can hold a gathering like Origins is rare, and for that land to also have humans that stewards the earth with integrity + values the mission of Origins is rarer still. This land holds it all with an overflowing heart.
The Sanctuary
Community
What is it to be in right relation with the community as a California roots gathering transplanted to Costa Rica?
Learning how to be in right relation, and also taking every step possible to activate this way of being is the foundation of planting our gathering within these soils. We’ve be collaborating closely with the local Costa Rican community to be in harmony with the land, support of the local economy, and to uphold an exchange of reciprocity.
Together with Movimiento Ancestral we are co-creating with a few of the indigenous communities of Costa Rica, specifically from the BriBri, Boruca, Ngobe, and Huetar with hope for relations to build with the other 4. Elders, daughters, and granddaughters are a part of Origins creation, nourishment, and workshops, storytelling, and ceremonial offerings.
Alongside Eco Feria Dominical we are committed to only supporting local, organic farmers. The quality of our food should not diminish just because our gathering holds a quantity of a couple hundred women. We are here to make a positive impact on our planet and contribute to the well-being of our local community. In Costa Rica only 5% of the produce is organic....think about that...only 5%. Be a part of the solution not the problem. Support small farmers and stop supporting the chemical companies!
Growth
This land will be our homeland for years to come and we are inspired to see the gathering spaces come alive! Last year we focused our energies on building our outdoor kitchen, glamping village, campgrounds, spa, showers, toilets, and getting familiar with the land. This coming year we'll be fine tuning the creations already built and adding more comfort. The campgrounds will be receiving more shade, bathrooms leveled up, workshop spaces refined, and our spa given more love so you can receive more love.
Origins Gathering will always remain an intimate gathering. This year we’re hoping to have a couple hundred women at each gathering, and in years to come we'll never go beyond 300. Our vision is to create a village during our week together, and this energy tends to get harder to tether with more people. Just because we start small doesn’t mean we need to go big.
Collaboration
There are so many collaborations that make Origins Gathering possible, from our Volunteers to our Instructors to our overall OG babe team. We offer deep gratitude and reverence for everyone who has supported Origins over the years! We appreciate all the men who show up to support, build, and contribute to the spaces that hold us women as we gather. Thank you to the children for inspiring this village...the children are what this is all for! We hold a vision that we are creating a better world for the next 7 generations to inherit.
This past year we've been collaborating with one of the founders + producers of the Eclipse and Symbiosis Festivals! While our vision for the land is on a much smaller scale of people gathering, the divine masculine support this relationship is bringing to Origins has been deeply appreciated. We look forward to continuing on this relationship. Together we're creating some epic places and spaces on the land and teaming up with other visionaries + community builders. As our land's steward, his collective vision of bringing people together for transformational experiences and appreciation of nature weaves beautifully with our gathering’s mission. We are curious and excited to see what fruits grow from this collaboration.
