2025 Seasonal Gatherings

SPRING EQUINOX GATHERING

Featuring Yucatec Maya Jarana Dance Group

Thursday, March 20th, 2025 – 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

6:15 Welcome and Opening Dance Performance

6:30 Explore the Sun

• Astronomical and cultural significance of the March Equinox, with Isabel Hawkins, Astronomer, Exploratorium; Lori Lambertson, Science Educator, Exploratorium
• Jason Del Aguila, Observer of the Mayan Day Count
• Yucatec Maya Jarana Dance Group Performances

7:15 Sunset Observance and Closure                                                                                                              

         

Chávez / Huerta quarterly virtue:  HOPE – The east is commonly associated metaphorically with the rising sun , birth, new beginnings, & hope.  And the Spring season begins a new cycle in nature and the planting season of agriculture.

Directions:  See instructions on the right

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Future Events

SUMMER SOLSTICE GATHERING (Check back for updates)

 June 20th, 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm

          Astronomical & Cultural Significance of the Equinox

          Ancient Festivals of the Agricultural Cultivation Season

          Chávez / Huerta virtue:  Determination / Si Se Puede

          Led by Tory Brady – Exploratorium Teacher Institute

                 and Vivian White – Astronomy Society of the Pacific

         Directions:  See Map

 

AUTUMN EQUINOX GATHERING  (Check back for updates)

September 22nd – 6:00 to 7:15 pm

Astronomical & Cultural Significance of the Equinox

         Ancient Festivals of the Harvest Season

         Chávez / Huerta virtue:  Courage – Viva La Huelga

         Led by Rabbi David Cooper

Finding Ourselves in Space and Time. Our ancestors’ understanding of what are – solstice, equinox and (yes) sunset was turned upside down pretty recently by Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton. We forget how radical a change it was. We will get to see how frightening it was to be the first person to see the world differently. And of course we will watch the “sun set” over our equinox markers and feel where we are in the annual cycle.