SLC: Lughnasadh Reflections and Radiant Offerings
August 2, 2025 | Lacey Woods Park, Arlington, VA
Under the generous glow of an 80-degree summer afternoon, 46 of us gathered beneath the canopy of Lacey Woods Park to celebrate community, harvest wisdom, and reconnect with the sacred rhythm of simplicity. The Simplicity Living Circle welcomed both returning kindred spirits and new faces drawn to our experiential, leader-full, participant-led gathering—a space where every voice matters and every offering is sacred.
We opened with gratitude and grounded presence, sharing the evolving vision of our circle: a living, breathing community where simplicity is practiced, not prescribed. We’re currently inviting volunteers to help support our monthly meetings—including fire tending, facilitation, and sharing personal practices. As announced, we’ll be holding potlucks in the pavilion in the months following both the autumn and spring equinoxes (October and April)—a delicious way to celebrate the turning of the Wheel together.
Dani leading on honoring Lughnasadh and the first harvest of simplicity living.
Honoring Lughnasadh: The First Harvest
Dani opened our circle with reflections on Lughnasadh (pronounced LOO-nah-sah), the Celtic cross-quarter festival marking the first harvest. This ancient celebration honors Lugh, the multi-talented god of light, crafts, and skill. In Irish lore, Lugh established the festival in tribute to his foster mother, Tailtiu, who died clearing the land for crops—an act of loving sacrifice for the people.
Lughnasadh invites us to pause and acknowledge what we’ve cultivated—internally and externally—since the year began. As Dani shared:
"This is a time for reaping, reflection, and radiant offering. Since the beginning of this year, we have nurtured the seeds of living more simply and with intention. Now, it's time to see what we have cultivated, what is ripe within us, and what we have to offer."
Coaching for Simplicity Living
Members coach each other through a powerful sequence focused on living more simply.
Members connect and identify what’s getting in their way and what needs to change to live more simply.
With this spirit in our hearts, we paired off and guided one another through a powerful coaching sequence designed to deepen insight and commitment to our simplicity path. The eight-step process included moments of stepping back, letting go, saying yes to the self, and moving into empowered action:
How do you envision simplicity living?
What’s important to you about living more simply?
How will you know you’re getting the results you want?
What’s standing in your way?
What needs to change?
How do you know this is what needs to happen?
What will you do, and by when?
What support do you need?
This soulful dialogue laid the groundwork for our fire ritual, as each participant had the opportunity to voice what they were ready to release—and what they were ready to welcome in. Speaking intentions aloud in sacred community has power. To be witnessed is to be affirmed. And in the flickering firelight, we offered both our burdens and our blessings to the flames, transforming thought into energy, and energy into action.
Walking Ourselves Home: The Mindfulness Walk
After the ritual, Dani led the group on a mindful walk through the shaded trails of Lacey Woods. Using the five senses—sight, sound, smell, touch, and even taste—we practiced grounding in the present moment. In a world of constant distraction and self-referential thought, mindful walking becomes a sacred reset. It reconnects us with the earth, with breath, and with now. It’s a simplicity practice that requires no special equipment—only intention.
Healing in Sound and Silence
Nikki provides individual gong sound baths to unblock and realign chakra systems.
Our closing meditation, guided by Nikki, brought stillness and integration. Her soothing presence invited each participant to lock in the day’s insights with breath and awareness. But the healing wasn’t over yet.
As the sun softened and dusk began its descent, Nikki offered individual gong sound baths—powerful vibrational experiences designed to realign and unblock the chakra system, restoring harmony between body, mind, and spirit. Accompanying her was the ethereal sound of a hand pan, played gently by one of our talented members. The tones lingered in the air like prayer, and together we dissolved into a shared stillness around the fire. By the time the final participants departed around 6:30 PM, the fire had quieted to embers—and our spirits were deeply soothed.
Dani & Nikki, co-founders of the Simplicity Living Circle
Announcements
🌿 Nikki’s Grand Opening of Rainwalker Healing
Join us in celebration! Nikki will be opening the doors to her healing sanctuary, Rainwalker Healing, on Saturday, August 9, from 3–6 PM in Rosslyn. Stop by to explore her beautiful space and learn about her offerings in sound, massage, hypnotherapy, and Reiki. Read more about Rainwalker Healing on MeetUp.
🌿 Dani Begins Full-Time Coaching This Fall
Starting in October, Dani will be coaching full-time! If you’re ready to deepen your journey toward intentional living, now’s the time. Reach out to schedule your free consultation. Stay tuned also for free in-person workshops on Life Mapping, Leaning into Your Life Purpose, and Vision Boarding.
Thank you for being part of this growing community of heart-led simplicity seekers. May the seeds you’ve planted bear abundant fruit. Until we meet again, may your path be steady, your breath be deep, and your fire burn bright.
In radiant offering,
Dani and Nikki
🌾 The Simplicity Living Circle