Reclaiming the Wild Woman Sisterhood
The Arrival
It was a late summer day on the eve of the new moon in Virgo, we gathered on the land known as Mount Eden. Mount Eden, once inhabited by the Leni Lenape, is lush with greenery and wild woods. One by one we gathered. First Mary and myself, readying the land for our special union…or was it a re-union, a returning of the tribe of sisters of those who gathered many lifetimes before. Yes, as we gathered we remembered one another, somewhere deep in our bones, we knew each other.
First to arrive was Sophia, a beautiful and graceful warrior princess who was ready to take charge, helping prepare our ceremonial space.
Ana Marie arrived next, filled with divine love emanating from her heart; she embraced the role as ambassador and my right hand woman. She corralled the energies of the women and helped me gently and lovingly shepherd them. Amy arrived shortly after, infusing the gathering with her warrior spirit and her deep knowing sight.
One by one they came: Sharon “Talking Feather” brought her drums and took her place as the Rhythm Keeper, offering us the Spirit of the Drum and uniting us with the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Karuna brought the gift of Fire to our circle, holding the honorable role of Fire Keeper and filling us with her magic, invoking stories as Bard, Storyteller. Aelis brought the great wisdom of her Puerto Rican Grandmothers, Lynn brought the whimsical, playful energy of the fairies and Melanie showed us how to be reflective, watchful and observant, teaching us the way of the deep introspection. Kate held the vessel of the Great Dark Mother while Kim stood strong and firm, as the Great Oak Tree, our anchor. Mary of the Angels was our Wise Woman Faith Keeper and lent me the wisdom of her experience as I took my role as Way Shower.
I prayed to Great Spirit that those who were willing, ready and open to do the work of the Wild Women would come. Although there were others who were expected, suddenly they dropped off and we were twelve, the Ones who heard the Calling and were ready to step into its power. I knew in my place of deep knowing that each woman who attended was there to be initiated as priestesses of Gaia. They received this honor so they may also offer this remembrance of the Wild Woman to women who came after them.
Gathering in Sacred Circle
The twelve formed a circle around the table for our first meal together. Each brought forth food prepared from their hearts and with their hands, introducing and joining their energies that formed the sacred circle. Delicious foods were prepared and we ate and laughed and bonded.
After our meal we headed down to the fire, where a medicine wheel was formed. We called the Seven Directions, East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within, and invoked the Spirits of our Grandmothers to stand with us in Circle. At the stations of the wheel we took our place for healing, kneeling before the directions at Grandfather Fire. We offered tobacco as we prayed.
In the East, we offered prayers for mental healing; South, spiritual healing; West, emotional healing; and North, physical healing. As each sister took their place at the fire and prayed, we gathered around her with drums and rattles, raising the energies and supporting and protecting her from behind.
We wore masks that represented whatever had held us back from being in our true wild nature. We sang songs and drummed until we released those energies and summoned up the wild energy of our primal nature. As the Wild Woman within in each of us emerged, we tossed our masks into the fire, shedding the layers of fear and conformity. A sense of lightness, freedom and bliss was raised and our bond grew closer to one another.
Throughout the weekend we moved our bodies with yoga, dance and natural expression, we journeyed into shamanic realms and encountered nature in ways not experienced before. We came to know ourselves, each other and Mother Earth on deeper levels, developing trust and a sacred sisterhood with Gaia as our Mother.
Entering the Womb of the Mother
The sun began its descent on Saturday evening and we gathered at the site of the sweat lodge for a fire ceremony that would infuse the Stone People, the rocks that would bless the lodge with its heat.
Days before a black bear and her cubs came to the lodge and blessed it with their medicine leaving behind claw marks on the outer layering. In procession, Ana led us to touch and merge with the energy of the bear claw marks, receiving the medicine offered.
We offered stones we carried from our homes to the fire, placing prayers into them as they entered the pit. The skies opened and rain began to fall, growing increasingly harder until it became a torrential down pour. Our Fire Keeper, Karuna, took on the challenge to start the fire in the hard rain. We encouraged her and raised the energy by singing songs and chanting. With the blessings of Grandfather Fire and the Fire God, Agni, she breathed life into the kindling. Large flames erupted, licking the pellets of rain, devouring them in its heat.
As the flames roared beside her, Karuna told us stories of the beautiful goddess, Sita and her many incarnations that linked her to all the elements. Sparks flew around Karuna and the orange glow illumed her face, making her seem a creature of the fire herself! She was a powerful force and a dedicated servant for her sisters. We held her in reverent regard. Standing by with support to keep the fire strong was Sophia and Mary. They tossed logs onto the fire so Karuna could get lost in the stories and take us on a magical journey.
Karuna remained with the fire as we left to prepare ourselves for the cleansing and healing of the lodge. We returned to the lodge when the stones held the fire and the logs were glowing embers. Amy and Aelis remained outside the sweat, holding the sacred space with a heartbeat on the drum and whispered prayers.
One by one we entered the womb of Mother Earth represented by the dome shaped dwelling called the sweat lodge. It was dark inside, dark and very moist from all the rain. In the center was a large hole, a pit where the hot stones were placed.
Karuna ushered in the first round of stones and placed them in the pit where they were met with gratitude and cedar. The door of the lodge was closed and the only light that remained was the warm glow of the stones. Mary blessed the stones with water and we prayed and sang songs. This went on for four rounds. Each round the door was opened as Mary announced, “All my relations!” Karuna then brought in more stones, Mary and the rest of us offered more water, prayers and songs.
Within the womb of darkness we died to our old selves, releasing and letting go of the veils of false selves and blocks to our path. We embrace the love of Gaia and felt her hold us tenderly in her womb. We had faith that the steam of the stones carried our prayers to Great Spirit.
We left the lodge with reverence. As each emerged they received deep, pure and heart drenched hugs from each other. We were all soaked to the bone with rain water and sweat. Free from the layers shed, we danced in the rain, giggling, playing, splashing in puddles and opening our hearts! The energy shifted greatly and we loved each other with a new bond and trust.
Back at the Raccoon House, Sharon played the doumbek and chanted about The Oneness as we danced in the energy of freedom and playfulness. We proceeded to the dining room and shared a meal with our new senses. Sister to sister our hearts connected through sharing our stories and singing more songs.
The morning rose and we came together for our final day. Again there were experiences to engage our bodies and spirits that linked us closer to the wild nature and Earth.
Vessels of Shakti
A circle was formed. We summoned Shakti energy and the Great Dark Mother, Kali. Our chant grew louder, stronger and more intense as we felt the Shakti rise and the Wild Woman emerge. When Shakti was fully present, we took turns in the center of the circle as each of us channeled the primal energy that would heal the recipient. It began calm, with hand laying. The drums grew stronger, words were channeled, songs and notes were sung out, bodies moved in primal movements. Each received a unique healing. Much heaviness, darkness and low energies were released and love and power infused. Hours passed till each one had her turn. More layers were shed, now even closer to the core of our wild nature.
Parting Priestesses
It came time for our final meal together. Each one of us was exhausted by the powerful work done. We were tired and weary, yet deeply grateful. A sense of sadness lingered but also a deep knowing that we would all be together soon. We had a bond, once forgotten, now remembered. We arrived as seekers, curious and unsure. We left priestesses who stood strong and confident in their power, deeply connected with each other and the Wild Woman!
