MARI SELBY: A grove of Eucalyptus and Madrone trees high in the hills of Berkeley, California hides a small coven of women who come to honour the Mother and her many names. Whether the Solstice, or Samhain some of us come to this coven as initiates, some as priestesses. I am in my twenties. I come with Hope in my hands, Joy in my heart and on my lips, searching for Wisdom. Joy takes up residence and guides me on a course that continues spiralling on.
Amidst a circle of women’s smiling faces lit by the open fire in the centre, Wisdom and Joy are present. The teepee’s sides are heaving in Oregon’s wet October winds. When we go outside to relieve ourselves, our breath is frosty. Inside we are singing, “Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.” The talking stick is passed and another story is shared, another song is sung. All night we pray, chant and honour each other and the Samhain season. I am in my thirties. I wear a little Wisdom about my shoulders, and make believe that it’s much more. Joy etches my soul and colours my days whenever we women gather with Spirit.
Around a leaping and crackling fire a circle of women pass a smudge bowl and invoke the Goddesses and her many names. The Santa Fe December sky hold stars fierce in their brilliance, the air is crisp and raw. We savour the fire for heat and for the rarity of an open blaze in this arid country. We share our stories, and chant, “We circle around, we circle around”. We pass slips of paper around to consign our fears, shadows, and hurts to the flames. Joy and Wisdom come unannounced and fill every woman’s body. I am in my forties. I come with Laughter on my lips, Joy in my heart, and enough Wisdom to know I have much to learn.
After decades of circles where Joy and Wisdom spark the hearts of women, I attend “The Women of Wisdom Conference in Seattle”. This conference is not in groves of trees, teepees, or around a fire pit, however I feel the call from Virginia to Seattle. I fly there full of Mystery, not knowing the reason why I came, and recognize Joy once again. I discover a joyous celebration of women coming together from several countries, diverse faiths, and different ages, ethnicities, and experience. Teenage women strong and present are steeped in the joy of women’s gatherings, and the elder’s eyes spark with joy as the circle spirals on. I am in my fifties and mistakenly think too often that there is nothing new under the sun. Surprise! Wonder and Hope embrace me as I see the powerful legacy generated by nineteen soon to be twenty years of a community tradition. At the closing ritual we look with Wonder into our new sisters eyes and feel the joy of our hearts connecting once again, even though we have never met. At the closing ritual we all sang:
May we be a sisterhood in love.
Carried by the love of my sisters
I'm carried by the love of my sisters
Sister won't you join with me
They can’t deny us in unity
Sister, won’t you join with me
They can’t deny us in unity.
I’m carried by the love of my sisters.
May we be a sisterhood in love.
~ author and composer Shawna Carol
The Women of Wisdom Foundation is a National Women's Organization based in Seattle, providing diverse and innovative programs that offer women opportunities for personal growth and transformation. WOW promotes women's spirituality, creativity and wholeness, and empowers women's voices and their contributions to the world, honouring the Divine Feminine in all. http://www.womenofwisdom.org/
February 16 - 20, 2012 marks the 20th annual Women of Wisdom conference and is titled, “Radiate the Divine Feminine: Our World is Ready”.
This week’s exercise: Do you know the joy of delighting in being a woman? Have you ever sat in a circle, chanted, or danced with women and spirit? What was it like? Did it spark memories, or make you feel proud for being a woman? Perhaps if you haven’t had the pleasure now is the time to rejoice in your womanhood. Take a chance and find the next circle and celebrate.
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Biography
