The Hopi Soyal Winter Solstice Ceremony begins on the shortest day of the year and symbolizes the second phase of Creation at the Dawn of Life. Soyal is the ceremony practiced by the Hopi intended to establish the mood for the coming year. Its prayers and rituals implement a plan of life for the coming year, ceremonially turning back the sun toward its summer path. 
Preparation for Soyal begins the day following the New Fire Ceremony and lasts until the actual Soyal Ceremony (usually around the date of the Winter Solstice). The arrival of the Soyal at winter solstice opens the Kachina season on Third Mesa every year. The Soyal Kachina emerges from the kiva and walks slowly, as if incredibly old or just awakened from a long sleep. Soyal stumbles and weaves while the people reach out to help him. He sings in a low, weak voice as he sprinkles cornmeal and places pahos at the kiva.

Limit 50 people - Please RSVP

We will begin the ceremony at 5:30 p.m. We would ask that you be at Shambhala Center, parked and in the Community Room near the kitchen (please do not come into the Meditation Room) by no earlier than 5:00 p.m. Since the ceremony is on a Sunday, parking meters do not need to be fed. PARKING AT THE SHAMBHALA CENTER IS LIMITED TO 10 VEHICLES.  All other parking is on-street. Please do not park in any Dudley Square lots.  

Please remember that this is a ceremony and you should walk and dress appropriately. Small talk leads to big talk, so please come in quietly. Women wear a skirt with shoulders covered, no sleeveless or “cleavage” please. Men, no shorts, sweatpants, muscle T’s, etc. Also, there are no shoes permitted in the Meditation Room, so, please take your shoes off at the entrance of the Shambhala Center and place them under the bench. There will be an apprentice there to help you. When you enter the Meditation Room, please find a seat and remain quiet. 

We will be doing the traditional feasting after the Ceremony. Each participant is asked to 

donate something towards this, like sandwiches, salads and sides, chips and crackers, or desserts. Please let us know ahead of time what you are bringing, so we do not end up with all chips or cookies. We will have coolers and tables available as well as serving utensils, napkins, plates, etc. 

Ceremonial Herbs will be available for purchase before and after the ceremony. You can pay by cash/check, or PayPal and Venmo.

 Gifting Gourd– There is always an expense for us to prepare for Ceremony. Any gift you give will be greatly appreciated. Please make your check out to Cosmic Pathways, LLC. Thank you!