The events of the Aquarius Festival held at Flourish Sanctuary proved to be a resounding success, leaving attendees with a profound sense of positivity and connection. Over the course of eight enlightening days, participants immersed themselves in a diverse range of events, fostering spiritual growth, education, and fun. The events showcased a vibrant program designed to promote the original Aquarius values including alternative health and healing, sustainable energy and agriculture, political awareness, artistic expression, community building, and spirituality.
Kicking off the festival at Flourish on Sunday, May 14, the elders and guests of Widjabul Wia-bal country opened the proceedings with a heartfelt Acknowledgement and Acceptance to Country as well as a blessing for Flourish and everyone present. The sense of unity and respect for the traditional owners resonated throughout the event. This was followed by Sarah Schmiedler’s workshop on activating our innate self-healing abilities which encouraged participants to rewrite their life stories, igniting a powerful sense of personal empowerment. Gigi Indigo then led an engaging discussion on living a high-frequency, healthy lifestyle, providing valuable insights into holistic well-being. The evening closed with Shivam Rath’s captivating Mantra Hop music concert, creating an atmosphere of spiritual harmony that reverberated through the sanctuary.
Monday, May 15, centred on Alternative Energy and Agriculture. John Button’s presentation on regeneration and the greening of sacred Arunachala which shed light on sustainable practices and inspired attendees to embrace ecological responsibility as a spiritual path. Karina Miotto followed with a workshop that highlighted the connection between spirituality and environmental stewardship, empowering participants to make a positive impact on the planet.
Politics, Democracy, and Disaster took centre stage on Tuesday. Rich Latimer shared his invaluable experiences and wisdom derived from coordinating emergency services during floods, emphasising the importance of building resilient community networks. Julian Robinson presented Social Dharma, a framework for applying spiritual values in community development projects, drawing upon his extensive fieldwork and retreats for conscious community co-creation. The evening concluded with a radiant and uplifting mantra music concert by Gary Dozier and Kathryn Riding, reaffirming the festival’s celebration of life and divine energy.
Art and Artists were celebrated on Wednesday, with a morning meditation session led by Matarishvan from the Yoga Ecology Centre with a focus on fostering creativity and inspiration. This was followed by Mac McGauley’s talk on bringing meaning and depth to life through artistic mediums such as pottery, stained glass, architecture, and building struck a chord with attendees. Matarishvan returned in the afternoon to guide a workshop on creating mandalas, a profound experience that united creativity and spirituality. In the evening Mata ran a Havan.
Thursday was dedicated to Community. Starting with Julian Robinson’s session on mindful communication and conscious community development fostered deeper connections among participants. The Hackett Family, represented by Toni, Steve, Taliesin, and Jordan Hackett, facilitated an engaging workshop on Family Life Partnering, sparking meaningful conversations about community bonds. The evening was enlivened by Jazmin LJ Tassell’s Biodanza class, a simple yet uplifting system of movement and music that embodied the spirit of unity.
The festival took a reflective turn on Friday with a focus on the Day of the Dead. Tim Wu gave a fascinating talk on the Taoist perspective of the cycles of life and death which provided profound insights into the human experience. A panel discussion with Tim, Jagad and Saskia Kouwenberg explored the intersection of death, spirituality, and social change followed, allowing for a deeper exploration of this important topic. The evening closed with Shunya & Friends, who played their original music with chants, creating a captivating soundscape that resonated with festival-goers.
Finally, on Sunday, May 21, the Day of Renewal, Haqiqa and Huseyn of the Nur Aski Jerrahi Sufi Tariqat led a moving Islamic service, guiding participants through the Adhan (Call to Prayer), the Ayat al Kursi chant, and a spiritual prayer of protection. This was followed by a Zhikrullah ceremony, a traditional practice of Divine Remembrance, further ignited the fire of love in attendees’ hearts.
Throughout the festival, Flourish Sanctuary was pleased to host esteemed VIP guests Philippe Petit and Judith Friedman at the exquisite five-star guest house Black Sheep Farm that is part of the land. Additionally, the retreat accommodations welcomed a multitude of guests from around the world, further enriching the festival experience.
The success of the Aquarius Festival would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of Julian, Jazmin, Toni, and Seiko. Their tireless work in both the lead-up to the festival and throughout its duration contributed to its seamless execution and the shared positive experience of all attendees.
Flourish Sanctuary was proud to provide a unique contribution to the Aquarius Festival which proved to be an enlightening and transformative contribution that fostered a sense of unity, education, and joy among all who participated. The rich program of events, ranging from spirituality to healing to community development, exemplified the sanctuary’s commitment to providing enriching experiences.
Over the coming weeks some talks from Flourish’s program will be played on the Jagad Hour (7-8AM Mondays on NimFM (FM 102.3) and more information on the events will be released on Flourish Sanctuary’s website www.FlourishSanctuary.com.au. The next event to be at Flourish Sanctuary is a Social Dharma retreat which extends on the ideas presented at the Aquarius Festival. Flourish Sanctuary eagerly looks forward to hosting future events and invites all interested individuals to join them on this remarkable journey of growth and exploration.
Article by Jagad