September 22 – 26, 2010
“Weaving”
Hotel Albuquerque

Albuquerque, New Mexico
The 2010 CCXVIII gathering was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The theme was weaving: weaving stories, weaving lives and weaving our community together.   This years’ winning logo depicts Spider Woman known in Native American folklore as the creator of all things. This illustration shows Spider Woman weaving against the background color of the New Mexico flag. The New Mexico sun emblem is shown in the mesh of the weaver’s creation. The 9 weft and 9 warp threads represent the 18 years the CC has been gathering.

The 18th gathering of the Crones counsel was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico right next to Historic Old Town Plaza. New Mexico is unique in its history and architecture. Its’ adobe buildings, some dating back to the 1700’s and Native American influence made it an outstanding place for the gathering. Albuquerque is famous for sacred spaces and spiritual vortexes. People travel from all over the globe to experience the unique atmosphere of this part of the Southwest.

The Counsel met here in September to commune and break bread with elders, grandmothers and wise women from virtually everywhere.

 

At the beginning of the gathering a weaving was started. It was raffled off and the winner was named on the last night. The weaving was then finished and was presented at the closing ceremony the next morning. Before being given to its’ new owner the weaving was first passed around the circle to be blessed by each member.

Each night there was a gathering that began with a drumming ceremony. Each of the directions were called upon and addressed. At the opening ceremony skeins of yarn were “woven” throughout the circle.

The members got a chance to visit probably one of the most unique shopping “centers” in the U. S. Olde Towne Plaza. This is the place to buy drums, ceremonial clothing, beaded jewelry and all sorts of western and Native American art and articles. It boasts some of the oldest churches and neighborhoods in the United States.