Winter Solstice Celebration
Winter Solstice Celebration
Topa Institute, Ojai Santa Paula Road, Ojai, CA, USA
Dec 21, 2025
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Details of this retreat
You Are Invited to the TOPA Institute Council House
Winter Solstice
Sunday, December 21st, 10am - 9pm
A Day to Remember and Call in the New Year
10am-12:30pm and/or 2-5pm and/or 6:30pm-9pm
Three offerings all weaving together .... Come to one or all three!
with Gigi Coyle as Guide and Guardian and Topa’s Team
10am-12:30pm: A Guided Peek Inside The Box: Remembering the Gift
Open to the first 20 people with RSVP (760) 920-8235 via text or virginiascoyle@gmail.com
What inspired this creation and how are the teachings relevant today? What does it have to do with rites of passage, the ways of council, and community? How might such a sharing contribute to the present and future of each who come, as well as what is now the TOPA Institute?
Back in 1992, a collaboration of artists, writers, visionaries and social change agents formed the Terma Collective, which published a limited edition of 3,000 copies of a journey called “The Box: Remembering the Gift.” The Box is filled with artwork, poetry, writings and ritual objects from different traditions and cultures, all designed to help awaken our imagination and connection with and manifestation of the human psyche. It inspires us to make the journey, even through the brokenness in our world, in our own lives, facing our Sorrows, opening to Grace, and choosing Reconciliation. By turning and returning to ourselves, we can embrace the whole journey, remembering, becoming and joining others in the change, we are seeking. Its intention was and is to share many of the gifts we have received and carry them on through calling forth community.
12:30-2pm: Please bring your own lunch, if joining us for the afternoon
2pm-5pm: Maps of Wholeness: What is essential in your life?
Bring your colors, crayons & markers
Open to the first 20 people with RSVP (760) 920-8235 via text or virginiascoyle@gmail.com
Maps of wholeness exist in nature, in different traditions and cultures throughout our world whether it be the 4 directions of this Earth, the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism, a circular world view, the medicine wheels of Indigenous peoples, or our different stages of life. While there are differences, there is also a quite universal understanding of their import and the circle of life.
What has become of great interest working with ways of council, rites of passage and ceremony for over 45 years now - is to invite people to create their own maps of what is essential through inquiry and a simple creative process accessible to all. For the last 10 years, I have been working deeply with individuals, communities, couples and NGOs - offering M.O.W. as a practice. I look to share with some of the extended TOPA community in support of strengthening a committed team of care.
5:30pm-6:30pm: Supper will be available a Taco Truck
6:30pm-9pm: Calling in the Light on the Longest Day of the Year
An evening council to share song, dance, words, all prayers for our shared future. Any gifts are welcome, not required and will directly support this land sanctuary in the year ahead - up to each person to listen to their means and follow their heart.
Bring your light whatever time you come! ... RSVP at virginiascoyle@gmail.com
Winter Solstice
Sunday, December 21st, 10am - 9pm
A Day to Remember and Call in the New Year
10am-12:30pm and/or 2-5pm and/or 6:30pm-9pm
Three offerings all weaving together .... Come to one or all three!
with Gigi Coyle as Guide and Guardian and Topa’s Team
10am-12:30pm: A Guided Peek Inside The Box: Remembering the Gift
Open to the first 20 people with RSVP (760) 920-8235 via text or virginiascoyle@gmail.com
What inspired this creation and how are the teachings relevant today? What does it have to do with rites of passage, the ways of council, and community? How might such a sharing contribute to the present and future of each who come, as well as what is now the TOPA Institute?
Back in 1992, a collaboration of artists, writers, visionaries and social change agents formed the Terma Collective, which published a limited edition of 3,000 copies of a journey called “The Box: Remembering the Gift.” The Box is filled with artwork, poetry, writings and ritual objects from different traditions and cultures, all designed to help awaken our imagination and connection with and manifestation of the human psyche. It inspires us to make the journey, even through the brokenness in our world, in our own lives, facing our Sorrows, opening to Grace, and choosing Reconciliation. By turning and returning to ourselves, we can embrace the whole journey, remembering, becoming and joining others in the change, we are seeking. Its intention was and is to share many of the gifts we have received and carry them on through calling forth community.
12:30-2pm: Please bring your own lunch, if joining us for the afternoon
2pm-5pm: Maps of Wholeness: What is essential in your life?
Bring your colors, crayons & markers
Open to the first 20 people with RSVP (760) 920-8235 via text or virginiascoyle@gmail.com
Maps of wholeness exist in nature, in different traditions and cultures throughout our world whether it be the 4 directions of this Earth, the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism, a circular world view, the medicine wheels of Indigenous peoples, or our different stages of life. While there are differences, there is also a quite universal understanding of their import and the circle of life.
What has become of great interest working with ways of council, rites of passage and ceremony for over 45 years now - is to invite people to create their own maps of what is essential through inquiry and a simple creative process accessible to all. For the last 10 years, I have been working deeply with individuals, communities, couples and NGOs - offering M.O.W. as a practice. I look to share with some of the extended TOPA community in support of strengthening a committed team of care.
5:30pm-6:30pm: Supper will be available a Taco Truck
6:30pm-9pm: Calling in the Light on the Longest Day of the Year
An evening council to share song, dance, words, all prayers for our shared future. Any gifts are welcome, not required and will directly support this land sanctuary in the year ahead - up to each person to listen to their means and follow their heart.
Bring your light whatever time you come! ... RSVP at virginiascoyle@gmail.com
Getting Here
Topa Institute, Topa Institute, Ojai Santa Paula Road, Ojai, CA, USA
