Wise Woman Wisdom ...
 The Sacred Feminine & The Village of OurSelves:
Enhanced Communication within our Inner Family
by Ellen Weaver

We are each rich, multifaceted beings, a whole village or family of selves, of different ages, and with varying degrees of health and well being. Some are frightened, some strong, some intensely creative-- some are stuck in past moments of trauma or have taken on traits of important others in our lives, especially from childhood. And there are adult selves eager to bring our whole Self fully forth into the life experiences we took birth for.

Connecting with the Divine Feminine in any of Her forms or manifestations invites the alignment, harmony and aliveness we need for this work. The workshop on May 16th will be a day of recognizing our inner selves without blame or judgment, forming networks & alliances with ourSelves and the Sacred Feminine, and attending to building a healthy sanctuary space around our whole "village".

One way of growing and healing is to meet, honor and assist these inner villagers, make sure they know one another, and help them learn to work together. We may not always like who shows up. However, when we stop, breathe, and offer them "a place at our table", the healing begins.

Through imagery, experiential exercises, sound, movement and teaming up with guides and allies, we will connect with who we are as "a village of selves". Our day together will help us attune to the largest places within us, and enhance our abilities to be in clarity, compassion, generosity and authenticity.

What I call "the Village of OurSelves" has its roots in my training with Jean Houston that began in 1986, in work with ES Gallegos and Deep Imagery that I've been developing for 13 years, and in studies with Richard Schwartz and Internal Family Systems. Inviting the Sacred Feminine and the allies we may need in the moment, (animal, plant, angelic, archetypal, ancestral) to work with the different aspects of ourselves, and helping them heal and integrate has been a major aspect of my work.

There are protectors within us who need to be part of the healing team and need transforming work of their own. They were usually pressed into service during extreme times in childhood, and have hardened into roles that can more usefully be expanded, softened, and sometimes altered radically.

People experience great happiness when an exiled part of themselves is redeemed, when parts of ourselves are released from bondage and oppression, and when other "villagers" are able to off-load their hardened layers. There is not only the joy of feeling this part of themselves in new and happy circumstances, but also in being relieved of the weight and pain this part was formerly exuding into our systems.

We are meant to have a well-functioning internal family even if we didn't have good models for it growing up--even if we weren't able to provide good modeling as parents raising our own families. We have the opportunity now to bring healing to the parts that need help, co-create healthy environments with them, and step by step, integrate. Aligning ourselves with the greatest healing and spaciousness available through the divine feminine provides many bridges, openings, and possibilities.

We also need to be strengthening and rebuilding torn places in the sacred boundary at the edge of our "village"--i.e. the far edge of our energy field. "Good fences make good neighbors;" --it is important to have a good container for our village with gates in our fence through which we can choose to say "yes"
or "no" to whatever is knocking. Without the boundary, everything comes in, and before we've noticed, things or people have taken root--and it may not be what we wanted to plant and tend and grow.
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Every part of us deserves a good life. And when more of ourself is operating within a healthy system, there is much more energy available for following through with our life dreams and plans. Guarding our exiles takes a lot of energy. Experiencing, even subliminally, the darkened places within us is confusing and constricting. Shining light gently into darkened spaces, placing lovingly what we find there on the altars of divine presence, and into the center of our village co-op, really helps.

Ellen Weaver, CSW-R, MTh is Director of MotherTree in Woodstock, NY. She is a body-centered psychotherapist, spiritual counselor, mentor, teacher and healer. She has taught at Omega, the Benedictine Health Foundation and many other settings.

 

Wise Woman Center -- Workshops for Women
Join us this year for spirit healing and herbal medicine workshops, intensives, and apprenticeships with Susun Weed and other Wise Woman teachers. The Wise Woman Center in Woodstock NY exists to re-weave the healing cloak of the Ancients. This land, this sacred sanctuary for women is a place for the teachings of the Wise Woman way. The Goddess lives here, as do goats, fairies, green witches, and elders. Located between Woodstock and Saugerties, 5 miles from the NYS Thruway, the Wise Woman Center is easily accessible while private enough for nude swimming. You'll receive a map and directions when you register. Nourishing wild-food vegetarian meals are included with all workshops.

See the Calendar of Events & Workshop schedule (and to register) for this year, click here.