Gather
Gathering through The Rose and Nightingale is an invitation to take part in the blessing of intentional, conscious and carefully curated circles of women coming together for the Beloved.
At their opening and closing, all gatherings are marked by some moments of prayer, reflection, and the raising of voices in sacred song. Within this, gatherings are an opportunity to hold space together: be at ease, unguarded, whilst participating with gentle rejunivating activities, nourishing refreshments, and sharing experience.
...in Fellowship
With the Word
Gather to dwell with the Divine Word as a committed habitual practice to deepen connection with the Noble Book. Recite, inscribe, memorise and reflect upon portions of the Divine Word in the process of a single sitting, in fellowship with other women, in a relaxing and supportive space. Hear women's recitation; share, practice and beautify your own recitation. Commit portions to memory and inscribe these portions of the Noble Book by mindfully and meditatively tracing over the scripture, further aiding memorisation. Listen to and share reflections upon and personal engagement with the same portions. This is a regular gathering taking place twice a month.
...in Noble Company
With the Greats
Gather in the 'company' of the greatest women of God and connect to the states of women truly moved by Love. These gatherings involve reading together engaging in reflective dialogue around the lives and works of some of the most blessed women of light. It's intention is to nuture love for them and learn to love as they loved. This series of gatherings will begin with reading and dialogue around the blessed life and states of Lady Fatima al-Zahrah. Circles of reading and dialogue will begin and end with singing of familiar odes written in praise for these great women, or written by them. This is a regular gathering taking place twice a month.
...in Song
With Praise Poetry
Gather to sing in love of the Divine Beloved, and His most beloved, the blessed Messenger ﷺ. Whilst all gatherings involve some songs of praise, these gatherings are devoted solely to praise song. Traditional odes composed by lovers of the Divine are used, typically in classical Arabic though often also in English, Persian, Turkish or Urdu. These may often involve the singing of complete recitals of such as the Qasidah al-Burdah or Mawalid sections. This is a seasonal gathering taking place twice in a season.
...in the Outdoors
With Walks of Remembrance
Gather in the blessed outdoors and make remembrance of the Divine Beloved doublefold: through being moved by the signs of Beauty in the natural world, and through harmoniously attuning with words of remembrance and praisesong as you walk and rest. Refresh through movement and physical striving in the the company of other women adopting the state of 'travellers' for a day or half-a-day. This is a seasonal gathering, taking place once a season: autumn, winter, spring and summer.
...in Honour & Nourishment
With The Blessed Olive Tree
Gather to honour and benefit from the symbol of the blessed olive tree as well as the blessed lands on which it grows, which remain under assault. Gatherings include recitals which mention the blessed olive tree, reflection upon recitals and opportunities to benefit from the nourishing qualities of the blessed olive tree. Each gathering also introduces an additional food or plant honoured in the Noble Book, inspired by 'the Plants of the Qur'an'. Gatherings include a light lunch in honour of the blessed olive tree and additional foods introduced. This is an occasional gathering taking place throughout the year.
...in Remembrance and Supplication
With The Sacred Calendar
Gather to mark especially blessed evenings and seasonal cyclic openings in the sacred calendar through the year, tuning hearts to the natural cycle of the mawasim. Gatherings involve recommended collective recitals for particular times of the year, and typically include a supplication for the opressed and those under assault. This is a seasonal gathering taking place in accordance with the sacred calendar.
...In Dialogue
With Texts and Talk
Gather with other women in the style of a traditional 'literary salon' sharing reflections, connections, creative responses and new ideas in dialogue around shared reading. Gatherings involve some pre-reading, and shared reading aloud followed by an open dialogue circle around the texts shared. This is a seasonal gathering taking place four times a year.
Questions
Where do gatherings take place?
Currently, gatherings are planned to take place in-person around Berkshire and Oxfordshire, depending on the type of gathering. Gatherings take place at different addresses which are shared privately with those who register. The calendar at the bottom of this page indicates upcoming dates for gatherings and also gives a closer indicator of location.
Is there a cost to attend gatherings?
Some gatherings have no cost to attend. These include:
-
Gathering...In Song With Praise Poetey
-
Gathering...In Remembrance and Supplication With the Sacred Calendar
Other gatherings may have a very minimal cost between £3-5 which helps to cover running of the gathering with beauty and wholesome nourishment, along with printed materials for individual use.
Is registration required everytime?
Registration is required each time a gathering takes place. If you are interested in registering a membership for a particular series of gatherings, you can indivate this via the RSVP when registering for the first date in the series. In this case, once signed up, registration is no longer needed for subsequent events.
Upcoming Gatherings
Multiple DatesSun, 26 Jan26 Jan 2025, 12:00 – 13:00Location Shared Privately on Registration
Multiple DatesSun, 26 Jan26 Jan 2025, 13:30 – 14:30Location is Shared Upon Registration
- Multiple DatesSun, 09 Feb09 Feb 2025, 12:00 – 13:00Location Shared Privately on Registration
- Multiple DatesSun, 09 Feb09 Feb 2025, 13:30 – 14:30Location is Shared Upon Registration
- Multiple DatesSun, 12 Jan12 Jan 2025, 12:45 – 13:45Location is Shared Upon Registration
- Multiple DatesSun, 12 Jan12 Jan 2025, 11:30 – 12:30Location Shared Privately on Registration
Multiple DatesWed, 01 Jan01 Jan 2025, 14:00 – 16:00Location is Shared Upon Registration- Multiple DatesSun, 22 Dec22 Dec 2024, 12:45 – 13:45Location is Shared Upon Registration
- Multiple DatesSun, 22 Dec22 Dec 2024, 11:30 – 12:30Location Shared Privately on Registration
- Multiple DatesSun, 08 Dec08 Dec 2024, 12:45 – 13:45Location is Shared Upon Registration
- Multiple DatesSun, 08 Dec08 Dec 2024, 11:30 – 12:30Location Shared Privately on Registration
- Multiple DatesSun, 01 Dec01 Dec 2024, 13:30 – 15:00Location is Shared Upon Registration