Otter Creek · 2026Reserve your place

The fifth gathering · Monroe, Michigan

A Day ofMeditation& Fire Ceremony

Hosted by Panoka and Deer Walker

Saturday, September 19through sunrise Sunday, September 20, 2026

Follow the day
Before the first gathering

The story of the day

The seed of this day was planted in a dream.

Panoka saw the whole day unfold: people gathering on this land to greet the Sun, sit together in silence, share music and food, and tend a sacred Fire through the night.

It is a day of ceremony, rest, and sound—a place to come and simply be. There is nothing to prove or perform here. We make room to soften, to listen, and to let go of some of what we carry through the intensity of the times we live in.

In the dream, Panoka saw where each offering would happen—the Cedar Circle, the Oak Opening, the First Woods—and how the Spirit Fire would move with the gathering. This is the fifth year the community has been welcomed to live that dream exactly as it came to her.

Panoka walking beneath the evening sky at Otter Creek
“We invite you to welcome the shift into the magnificent colors of autumn, grounding into our Earth Mother and embracing the healing energy of the Fire and the darkness of the Moon Mother.”
A musician offering flute music at a past Day of Meditationmusic woven into silence

Saturday · sunrise to midnight

Move through the day in the way you are called.

Join for the whole journey or any portion of it. The day flows from silent meditation into music and spoken word, then toward a shared feast, drumming, conversation, and fire.

DawnStillnessFeastFireNew day

The dream, hour by hour

The day’s path

Tap each chapter to see the detailed offerings and guides.

6:30–8:00 amArrival & Opening CeremonyCedar Circle · Just past the Peace Pole
  1. Arrival

    Otter Creek Lodge Community Building

  2. Sharing the Dream & Vision

    Greeting of the Sun and lighting of the Spirit Fire · Flute by Youzar · Invocation by Kathleen Graf · Welcome song by Audrey and Mike, The Clark Singers

8:00 am–12:00 pmMorning MeditationPeace Pole in the Cedar Circle

Musical meditation woven into the silence. Fresh and dried fruit, nuts, and tea will be offered.

  1. Light of the Sacred Fire

    Deer Walker · Flute by Youzar woven into the silence

  2. Singing Bowl Meditation

    Karrianne Spens-Hanna & Rachel Webber

  3. Silence Woven with Flute

    Youzar and others to be announced

  4. Bells & Vibration

    Ben Moore

  5. Fruit, Nuts & Tea

    Kimberly · With thanks to The Women of the Grove

  6. The Clark Singers

    Audrey & Mike

12:30–5:00 pmMoving the Fire & Afternoon MeditationOak Opening

The Spirit Fire moves with us. Musical meditation continues, woven into the silence.

  1. Moving of the Fire
  2. Saxophone

    Joseph Dugan

  3. Cello

    Abby Alwin

  4. Poetry Reading

    Jacquline Ann

  5. The Clark Singers

    Audrey & Mike

  6. Offering to be announced
  7. Gongs

    Valerie Weir

  8. Offering to be announced
5:00–7:30 pmShared Feast & Community WeavingCommunity Building & Oak Opening
  1. Shared Silent Dinner

    A light evening feast, offered and received together

  2. Community Weaving

    Outside the Community Building · Guided by Karrianne Spens-Hanna

  3. Honoring the Setting Sun

    Oak Opening · Mike Noble

8:00 pm–sunriseMusical Meditation & Fire CeremonyCeremonial Grove of the First Woods

Fireside music and guided conversation give way to a silent ceremony carried through the night.

  1. Evening Musical Meditation

    Alexander “Greater” Vlachos · Karrianne on piano and guitar · Youzar on flute

  2. Community Drumming Circle

    Guided by Panoka Walker

  3. Fire Ceremony Woven into the Silence

    Sunday, September 20 · Guided by Panoka Walker

  4. Greeting of the New Day

    Guided meditation and closing ceremony

Held on this land

A day shaped by presence.

People seated with singing bowls and instruments in the Cedar CircleA meditation guide seated among singing bowlsA musician making a sound offering outdoors
“You are welcome to join us for the entire day or for any portion of it.”
A musician seated outdoors with a wooden instrument during the gatheringTwo guests walking hand in hand along a woodland path

Midnight · The First Woods

Keep the Fire through the silence.

At dusk we gather for drumming and guided conversation. At midnight, words fall away. The Fire Meditation Ceremony carries us through darkness toward the New Day.

Guests resting around a glowing fire during the nighttime ceremony

Fire Ceremony · a previous gathering

Come as a good relative

A few things to carry with you.

Things to bring

  • Your love offering and good vibrations
  • A small, meaningful item for one of the altars
  • A yoga mat, rug, or blanket for meditation
  • A reusable drinking container—please, no plastic bottles
  • A healthy dish to share and your own feast bundle (a plate/bowl and silverware)
  • A small camp chair or blanket for the fireside ceremony, if desired
Traditional dress

In keeping with traditional ways, women are asked to wear long skirts with shoulders covered. Men are asked to wear long pants and a modest shirt.

Things to know

This is an alcohol-, cannabis-, and substance-free gathering. It happens rain or shine. Please leave dogs at home.

Camping

Campsite tickets are available if you would like to pitch a tent and park your car nearby. Sites are primitive, with no electricity or water. Small camp stoves are permitted; individual fires are not.

Make an offering

This is a community event. If you feel called to help hold the energy through music, spoken word, drumming, or food, please reach out to Panoka.

rain or shine · love & good vibrations

You are invited

Step into the dream.

September 19–20, 2026Otter Creek · Monroe, Michigan

Reserve your place

Registration hosted on Luma

Reserve your place