Women's Wisdom Circle

New Moon, New Beginning

dena@artistjoyful.com (ArtistJoyful) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:01:00 +0000

New beginning: last night, under the influence of the creative possibilitys of new moon, we held our first Wisdom Circle ceremony at Piccolo Pastures in Elk Grove. It is such a beautiful place, and the ecumenical garden where we gathered for ceremony is lovely.

Men and children were invited and we had a potluck. It was wonderful.

The energy of sincerity and openness was palpable as we delved into introspection, responsibility, shadow healing and truth, and celebrated the lavishly abundant bounty and harvest. Although four days before the actual equinox, we decided to combine our regular meeting with the Equinox - Mabon celebration.

It was perfect because it was aligned with the new moon. We blessed each other with "Plenty - More than enough."

Every month we meet, we complete the ceremony with a healing circle. The healing circle last night was especially powerful. Joyce, a grandmother of the West, did a prayer of healing. I woke up this morning free of a pain that I had been experiencing for many months. I give thanks for this answer to prayers, this grace.

Equinox is a time of balance. The times of day and night are equal. It is a very good time to invite men into our circle, encouraging balance and harmony and deep peace. I am grateful to every man woman and child that attended last evening. Gatherings like this, focused on these things, and especially at the time of the new moon, do much to energetically infuse this world with much needed balance and peace. Here we may celebrate another new beginning.

A Bit of Herstory

dena@artistjoyful.com (ArtistJoyful) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:24:00 +0000

The first year of the Wisdom Circle went by in a flash. Our first evening Sonie and I expected maybe 20 of our students and friends. Instead, 75 women showed up. Besides saying, "Holy Cow!" we determined that there appeared to be a need, a longing, for experience in Women's Wisdom now. What "women's wisdom" means to each individual seems to be different - as unique as each woman with the longing. Our circle has been always organised around that premise.

It is our self-definition that we are here to encourage each woman to access her own "inner crone" - that place that knows within her heart, where we connect with divine. Women of many different faiths and spiritual paths have attended our circle. All are welcome. It is our idea that as we all share our strengths and wisdoms, each woman will be introduced to more tools that may serve her on her faith walk.

The first year of our circle's monthly focus structure was planned in about 10 minutes. I consulted my own medicine wheel of stones, and it was very apparent what we would be doing each month. Our second year the planning was more of a combining of both Sonya's and my understandings. This year, I used a drawing by Joy Fox to open me to inspiration and guidance.

The Grandmother's are women over the age of 50 who have stepped up to be of service to the circle, and are able to hold the energy of the direction which they occupy in the circle. The circle would not exist today without the selfless service of these women. They spend time every week helping to plan, gather materials, making donations in love and service. I will be ever grateful to them.

Tha Auntie's are women under the age of 50 (or over) who have stepped in to serve the circle in some way. We have promised, and I have been working on a training for the Auntie's and Grandmother's and anyone else that wishes to learn more about those things we do in and around circle.

Grace

dena@artistjoyful.com (ArtistJoyful) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:44:00 +0000

I have had requests from the Grandmothers that we explain more of what we do in our Wisdom Circle ceremonys. What do things mean? Why do we do them a certain way? Why do we change some things, and keep others the same? What is the reasoning behind how we approach the circle each month? Why don't we talk about these things in the circle? I decided that perhaps I can share some of the answers to these questions here, in the format of this blog. Please, let me know if this works for you, or not. Also, if you have any questions, I will be glad to address them here.

Originally, when Sonie and I started the Wisdom Circle, we saw it as a way to share with women that had approached us (individually) some of the teachings that we had experienced during our lives and studies. We came up with the idea in October, and began our first circle in December 2006. We have remained true to the original concept of it being an experiential sharing through sacred ceremony, rather than a class. This means less talk, and more walk. In other words, any instruction, explanation, or verbal communication has been minimal as possible and focused on deepening the experience for an individual, not necessarily intellectual understanding. We have always been open to further explanation offline, outside of ceremony.

I think that perhaps this forum will open up to the possibility of more communication. I have so many things that I would love to share here, that I see only time providing any limitation, as even now at this moment, I need move on to some other business at hand. I'll be back soon.

Wisdom Circle Undergoing Big Changes

dena@artistjoyful.com (ArtistJoyful) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 06:35:00 +0000

It appears to be the time for change. Everyone's going through it in one way or another, willing or not. My partner as co-founder of the Women's Wisdom Circle here in Sacramento, Sonya Snow, just withdrew from the leadership of the circle this month. We are just beginning our 3rd year of meeting once a month in sacred circle space to celebrate every woman, and experience leaning on the wise woman residing within each one of us.

I have a lot of sadness about her departure, yet I applaud Sonie's courage to walk the path that guidance has so clearly indicated to her, no matter how difficult. Ever since we began the circle, we have walked the "lesson" of the month. We didn't plan that. Obviously, Spirit did. The more we lean into guidance to show us the way, the more we are delivered into our challenges. It is glorious, and most times, truly, a challenge. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this way. I am grateful to Sonie for standing beside me as we helped birth this circle into existance these last couple of years.