Okay, the dogs and I got back from #NorthPointMarina and we were scoping out the best ritual sites on the shore that feature the fire pits and BBQ grills for my ritual tomorrow.

Here’s directions for folks who are coming:

Whether you’re taking the Union Pacific North Metra to the Winthrop Harbor stop or you’re driving in, you’ll be entering North Point Marina on the same road. As you head east towards the lake, you’ll come to a stop sign with a fork in the road before #HarborBrewingCompany and the Marina’s boating office.

Turn right. Keep following the road on the right all the way, past the stop signs in succession. The signs all point to South Beach.

You’ll eventually curve around and see parking lots on your right and a series of picnic tables and blue garbage cans on the left along the lakefront. The cans are numbered 4, 3, and 2. The picnic/fire pit zones with the 3 and 2 blue garbage cans are the ones I’m targeting as ritual sites for tomorrow.

Park in one of the lots across the road and you’ll notice my ritual setup, I’m sure. I’ll be wearing a flower crown on my head and either an all-white linen or all-red cotton dress.

These picnic spots are first-come, first-served so I may be there as early as 3 pm to stake our ritual spot.

We’ll be on sand so have appropriate footwear you can clean easily. I will see if I can find my 10×10’ shade pop-up. Bring a beach towel, blanket, or folding chair to sit on.

For foodstuffs, I’ll have cheese burek (Balkan phyllo dough specialty), a fruit salad, nonalcoholic black currant juice and Polish quince, black currant, and raspberry alcoholic meads. Some will be sacrifices for ritual, others for our enjoyment.

I have a sourdough pogaća (Serbian round bread loaf) for ritual as well as gluten-free oat bread that’s vegan for the gluten-free connoisseurs.

I’ve got disposable cups, plates, and utensils so no worries on that front. I’ll have spring water and alkaline-enhanced still water for our hydration needs.

While I’ll have a few spare floral crowns, feel free to make/bring your own if you can as well as dried rose petals and bay leaves, if you have them. They and various grains will comprise our rounds of offerings to the Slavic Deities as well as the rusalki of Lake Michigan.

Wear white, light-colored, or all-red clothing if you have such pieces. We’ll do some singing and dancing round the ritual fire so I’ll have small tambourines, little drums, rattles, etc. to create a joyful noise. If there’s something you prefer to play, do bring it.

I’ll have sunscreen and a spare wide-brimmed hat or two for anyone who needs it.

I’m very excited to welcome folks to my neck of the woods and to celebrate Kupalo and Vidovdan together! Slava!