OUR NEXT WISE WOMEN TALKING CIRCLE WILL BE:
WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21st
12:45 PM–3:30 PM, Avalon Acres
[This event is capped! The maximum number has been met for this special event.
Hope to see you in January! Please note 2026 circle dates and mark your calendar!]
2026 DATES for WISE WOMEN TALKING
- Wise Women Talking meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month at Avalon Acres* in Hollis, Maine from 12:45 PM–3:30 PM; here are the dates (with a few caveats-) for 2026:
JAN 18th (virtual unless someone wants to host at their house)
FEB 15th (virtual unless someone wants to host at their house)
MARCH 15th
APRIL 19th EARTH DAY FOCUS
MAY 24th (* This is actually the 4th Sunday, FYI)
JUNE 21st SUMMER SOLSTICE ceremony
JULY 19th POSSIBLE WATER LOCATION for this circle
AUGUST 16th NO CIRCLE FOR AUGUST
SEPT 20th FALL EQUINOX ceremony
OCT 18th
NOV 15th HONORING THE ANCESTORS
DEC 20th WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
[Previous WWT circles]:
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16th
12:45 PM–3:30 PM (Avalon Acres)
Honoring the Ancestors
(with POTLUCK!)
What are your ancestors helping you dream forward?
What sacrifices did they make, so that you or your parents could eat, go to school, live a comfortable life?
What family legends–good or bad–are you carrying? Is it accurate, or does it need a compassionate re-casting?
Do you know about the histories of the peoples who lived where you now reside?
Why is it important to know something about those who came before you?
In November’s circle, we will talk about these things and more! November is a special time of the year: the leaves have all but gone but winter has not fully arrived. We call this the liminal time, when the veil is thin and contact with your beloved ancestors is easy.
How would you like to honor them?
Do you know what would they give to have one more meal with loved ones, to sing in circle with friends! Let’s make our circle extend to our ancestors and honor the many paths they took so we could be here.
WHAT TO BRING (this is our annual potluck!):
__A dish to share! Feel free to create a ‘Family Recipe’ or family favorite!
__A travel mug for tea and camp chair unless you like the metal ones of Avalon
__Warm clothes for barn-sitting (we will go inside the house for our meal)
__YOUR AUTHENTIC SELVES! and a small offering to Avalon
__A picture of an ancestor (if you don’t have ANY pictures of family, bring a picture of yourself as a child)
CALLING UP THE CRONE
No matter your linear age
Sunday, October 19th, 12:45 PM–3:30 PM
In this circle, we pride ourselves on speaking freely, and are often brought to tears by others’ candid telling of an event, an experience, or an observation. In this circle, supporting each other looks like deep listening, and being able to hold space for the most vulnerable shares…
When one thinks of ‘Crone,’ there are several external images that arise: gray or white hair that may be unkept, or flowing, gnarled hands, a mystical look in the eyes, possibly hunched posture, possibly ratty or tattered, layered clothes. In archetypal terms, an image of a familiar may appear along these other visions: crow or raven, wolf, deer, horse, or even snake. Additionally, this archetypal crone certainly holds a staff.
But these images are what come to mind when we think of Crone’s external aspects. What does her interior look like? What echoes through the long, solid contours of her inner canyon?
Does she speak through her memory, her desires, her passions, her wise-mistakes or all of the above, at once?
We often forget that in a culture that prizes beauty and youth, it is a PRIVILEGE to reach 80, 90, 100. And the Elder carries a wisdom that is not read about or mimicked but rather cultivated. She can be elegant or saucy, loud or quiet…she can laugh loudly and make a fool of herself or call out fools among her in short order.
As we re-discover every month at Wise Women Talking, it is truly the LISTENING that makes us wise…
This month, we will take a GUIDED MEDITATION to the GRANDMOTHERS OF THE TAPESTRY, a web of Spirit Grandmothers who are constantly weaving magic, healing, and instruction into our experiences on Earth.
What are the Wise Ones who have gone before you weaving on your behalf?
PLEASE BRING:
__AUTHENTIC SELVES!
__A comfortable camp chair and warm clothes for sitting in the barn; you may also want to bring something that covers your eyes for the guided meditation
__An item for the ALTAR that signifies your TRUST IN THE UNKNOWN
__An offering to Avalon: tobacco, herbs, cornmeal, a special rock/crystal, a song, poem or prayer
__A travel mug for Tea/ coffee (Tea/ coffee and other goodies provided)
Hope to see you there! **We are also celebrating our 2 year anniversary of WISE WOMEN TALKING as we started this circle in October of 2023…WOW!
Reach out with any questions: ninepillarshealing@gmail.com
SOUND BATH WITH JENSYN!
Sunday, Sept 21st, 12:30–3:30 PM
**I made a special page for this event, so please CLICK HERE to learn more and to register!
The following details the remaining 2025 Wise Women Talking CIRCLES:
__September 21st **Equinox Ceremony-time-out-of-time circle! Sound Bath with Jensyn Pelletier (suggested donation $20)
__October 19th **Calling up the Crone (no matter your linear age)
__November 16th **Honoring the Ancestors (and building an ancestor altar)
__December 21st **WINTER SOLSTICE–this circle will be held at SUNDOWN, a 3PM- 6 PM, followed by pot luck and of course “goodie bags” to get you through a soulful holiday
In Lieu of a our regular meeting, I am offering a Introductory CLASS on SHAMANISM for our AUGUST circle; if you are interested in joining that class, please click HERE
SUNDAY, JULY 20th, 12:45 PM- 3:30 PM
Avalon Acres
July’s circle has NO AGENDA! (however August thru Dec DO have themes…)
As always, WE ADHERE TO THE TENETS OF COUNCIL:
- SPEAK FROM THE HEART
- LISTEN WITH THE EARS OF THE HEART
- BE SPONTANEOUS
- BE BRIEF
PLEASE BRING:
__AUTHENTIC SELVES!
__An offering to the land: tobacco, crystal, rock, flowers, plants, cornmeal, a poem, a song!
__A travel mug for tea (Avalon will provide hot water and tea!)
__A CAMP CHAIR or something to sit on–we WILL be outside in the Medicine Wheel
As always, if you have questions or suggestions, reach out: ninepillarshealing@gmail.com
As a reminder, August’s circle is a teaching class (Intro To Shamanism), For more info, click HERE
SUNDAY, JUNE 8th, 12:45 PM- 3:30 PM
Nancy’s Cabin *(This is an alternate location than Avalon for June!)
223 Stone Road, West Newfield, ME 04095
As Mary Katherine will be out of town on June 8th, Nancy has offered to hold our monthly circle in her lovely healing space, “The Cabin.”
To know more about June’s circle, or to RSVP, pls contact Nancy Cole at her email:
SUNDAY, MAY 18th, 12:45 PM- 3:30 PM Avalon Acres
WE’LL DIVE INTO JOANNA MACY’S
WORK THAT RECONNECTS!
As always, WE ADHERE TO THE TENETS OF COUNCIL:
- SPEAK FROM THE HEART
- LISTEN WITH THE EARS OF THE HEART
- BE SPONTANEOUS
- BE BRIEF
This month, we will have a mini-teaching on The Work that Reconnects, as well as our usual sharing circle.
PLEASE BRING:
__AUTHENTIC SELVES!
__An offering to the land: tobacco, crystal, rock, flowers, plants, cornmeal, a poem, a song!
__A travel mug for tea (Avalon will provide hot water and tea!)
__A CAMP CHAIR or something to sit on–we WILL be outside in the Medicine Wheel
Hope to see you there! Also, you may be interested in the EVENT the day before on Sat, 05/17, our first ever ANGER CEREMONY. For more info, click here
SUNDAY, April 13th, 12:45 PM- 3:30 PM
AVALON ACRES
SEE YOU NEXT MONTH!
JOIN US! SHARE, LISTEN, SHARE, LISTEN…
That’s what we do…
WE ADHERE TO THE TENETS OF COUNCIL:
- SPEAK from the heart
- LISTEN with the ears of the heart
- BE BRIEF
- BE SPONTANEOUS
Last month, we shared and listened by asking the question “What are you passionate about?” and “How do you experience the highs and lows of living?”
We will continue with our “drawing from the hat” method of query; last month proved to be a good starting point for leadership to be shared by all members. Nancy and I want everyone to feel heard, acknowledged, and mostly empowered. Part of being empowered is to have a say in how this circle unfolds, transforms, and evolves…
WHAT TO BRING:
__Authentic selves!
__A camp chair or other comfortable sitting equipment
__An offering for the land: tobacco, dried flower petals, a stone or crystal, cornmeal, a song! A poem!
__A travel mug for tea; Avalon will provide the hot water and tea!
Sunday, March 16th, 12:45-3:30 PM
AVALON ACRES
(Pot luck!)
JOIN US! SHARE, LISTEN, SHARE, LISTEN…
That’s what we do…
Nancy and I have decided to get back to the “roots” of Wise Women Talking, following the tenets of COUNCIL, which are:
- SPEAK FROM THE HEART
- LISTEN WITH THE EARS OF THE HEART
- BE BRIEF
- BE SPONTANEOUS
AND! We’re doing something a little different this time: WE WANT TO HEAR from YOU on the TOPIC! Usually, we put forth some idea or concept to explore more deeply but we both feel the WISE WOMEN of this circle have LOTS OF GOOD IDEAS themselves!
We will take a moment for everyone to put their ideas into a big bowl; someone will ceremoniously pick one and we will see what unfolds…
Because this circle is so close to 1) St. Patrick’s Day and 2) the Spring Equinox, we will celebrate both of those events by having a POT LUCK!
WHAT TO BRING:
__An offering for the land: some tobacco, a favorite rock or crystal, some dried herbs/flower petals, cornmeal. The land also appreciates singing! Bring a poem to share, Irish poets very much encouraged!!
__A travel mug for tea or coffee, which I will provide
__A dish to share! I have serving spoons, utensils, plates, bowls. Although it does not need to be GF or vegan, that is always appreciated!
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out! Email me: ninepillarshealing@gmail.com
Sunday, February 23rd, 12:45 PM– 3:30PM
Avalon Acres, Hollis, ME
Nancy and I will be holding a Honoring Water ceremony, as it is our tradition in February to honor water and sing the water song, Neebeewabow. There is a wonderful video of this beautiful song on Youtube, and if you plan on coming to next month’s circle, I strongly encourage you to start practicing the song.
In the past, we have strapped on snow shoes and headed to Avalon’s lovely little creek, about a 10-minute hike. Because there are a few folks who find cold weather challenging and/or hiking difficult, we will be singing this song to the snow, just outside of the barn.
Additionally, we will have a group healing circle after we honor the water; my two massage tables will be set up in the office and, if you joined us on 12/15/24, you know that healing together is a POWERFUL EXPERIENCE!
We will sing the water song to the WATERS OF OUR BODIES; you are welcome to pray, sing, hold space in my office if you are not the one on the table (ie, do NOT let the fact that you don’t know how to do reiki stop you from joining this powerful circle!).
WHAT TO BRING:
__An offering for the land: some tobacco, a favorite rock or crystal, some dried herbs/flower petals, cornmeal. The land also appreciates singing, which we will surely be doing!
__A travel mug for tea or coffee, which I will provide
__WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES: since we’ve re-located up to my office, it’s a little tricky getting situated on the floor with the bolsters and pillows. Make your circle time comfortable for YOU! And wear sensible, comfortable clothes…bring anything that will support your comfort
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out! Email me: ninepillarshealing@gmail.com
OUR NEXT CIRCLE is SUNDAY January 19th! 12:45 PM–3ish
In the great and mighty year of 2024, our theme was “Fearless Expression,” which I feel like we carried out BEAUTIFULLY! THANK YOU WISE WOMEN!
I also want to re-iterate one powerful lesson that keeps coming up for me as I co-host and co-lead this circle: If you don’t leave with more questions than answers, Nancy and I have not done our job.
What do I mean by this? A few traits I’ve seen in the Wisest of Women I know is that they are 1) ok with a bit of ambiguity and 2) are curious and 3) ask lots of questions. I have seen all 3 of these wonderful traits in all of you, in myself and in Nancy. So, it is an honorable act to say “I don’t have all the answers…” and quite divine to hold one’s heart OPEN long enough to welcome what comes…
Without reflection, our lives would not have much meaning. And without community to reflect with, we’d tarnish the moral and spiritual fabric of our living. That’s one reason I feel the Wise Women Talking is so powerful; I am remiss in thinking that Nancy and I should have named it ‘Wise Women Listening,’ for that is where and how God speaks…IMO
The theme (loosely, of course-) for 2025 is hard to package in a sound byte, so I’ll make it a little story instead: Nancy allowed me to fictionalize a story she shared in our last circle (12/15) about the miracle of the Divine Spirit, ie. “God is In Me!” I won’t recount the story now but If you’d like to read it, it’s published here, on my website.
What struck me–as it always does–about story-telling is that one must decide where to start and where to end a story. Too long, and it loses its poignancy. Too short, and it skimps on enjoyment for the reader (and thus, power).
Nancy wanted me to recount all the ways Spirit had worked on her since the incident that the story describes. But that would have made for a long newsletter! Although she was very nice to let me fictionalize it, our walk with Spirit, the Divine, is truly ours alone to share…
The theme, then, of 2025 will be: what Story is Spirit trying to tell through you? If you are standing in your “fearless expression,” what emancipation from old ways, old patterns, distorted “truths” is your walk with Spirit trying to initiate? Spirit will never, NEVER be done with you…not even when you die! So, are you open to integrating the wisdom Spirit is calling you toward? What does it even mean to get really clear on that? (much less follow through..?)
The Story That Spirit Continues, Whether You Know It Or Not…
ALSO, we’ll add this in (from Nancy-):
“Perhaps 2025 is THE year to speak to fear, doubt, worry, unnecessary pain and suffering created from our thoughts AND feelings that we do NOT actually feel ( again the body theme) keep us from being harmonious, raising the vibration…I’d like raising the collective vibration to be a WWT ‘umbrella theme’ as ‘fearless expression’ was in 2024.”
WE WILL DISCUSS ALL OF THIS TERRITORY as a group on Sunday, 01/19. Please ARRIVE between 12:30-12:45 so we can start PROMPTLY at 1 PM.
Have a question? Email me here or text me at (207) 939-6863.
*You may see a few new names on this long email list! All WOMEN or those who IDENTIFY as women are welcome. Bring a Friend!
OUR NEXT WISE WOMEN TALKING CIRCLE WILL BE SUNDAY, December 15th! FULL MOON HEALING CIRLCE! See more details below Molly
Our next circle of the Wise Women sharing their full truth and beauty will be on the full moon in Gemini, the sign of communication and the ‘twins.’ As we gather for this last full moon of 2024, we will “digest” what this year has shown us by simply honoring the vessels that bring us into our days: OUR BODIES.
Nancy recently posed two questions to me: “What’s the body know?” and “What is the difference between healing and curing?” I love thinking about my body having its own wisdom! Of course it does! But how often do we recognize that, or acknowledge it?
[More on what Nancy’s take is on both of these in person!]
As for curing v. healing, I have honestly never considered the difference.
Taking a little time to check in, we will hold a healing circle this month. The set-up will be as follows:
__Gathering in my healing room (inside, warm!), we can have 2 treatment tables up. Nancy can take one and I can take one; if there’s other reiki practitioners in our group, or other kinds of healers, they can also place hands, sing, do what Spirit urges them to do to help in a healing way. We all hold space spectacularly! After about 10-15 minutes, a new person gets on the table and we start a new 15 min round until everyone gets a turn
As stated, this will all be contingent on how many attend. As you know, just being together, talking honestly and singing is healing! So those who are “waiting” can actually focus their heart energy on the highest good for all in the circle and the hands-on healing will then be amplified.
We will end our time by stating ONE THING we will do to CARE FOR OUR BODIES throughout December in order to honor, trust and “bow deeply” to all that our bodies do for us. (*Maybe start thinking about that NOW? date of this email: 12/06)
I will offer you a RITUAL For the Solstice (to take with you- a little baggie with some instructions, herbs, etc), which is Saturday, 12/21.
PLS BRING:
__A travel mug for tea or coffee, which I will supply
__A comfy pillow you can sit on–I’ll have a few but the space in my office is not conducive to chairs set up (but can handle a “slumber-party” style pillow seats)
__any healing songs, rattles, balms, or other “sacred tools” you may happen to use–totally optional!
__ALSO OPTIONAL: I will have the Hopi basket out in the bathroom to collect ANY amount of donation you can spare for the Hurricane Helene victims in Western North Carolina. I have two very close friends who are supporting efforts in this area, and with the colder temps, things are getting VERY GRIM for a lot of people. The stories they have told me are just heart-breaking. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY no requirement to donate; just an ask, if you are able.
As always, Nancy and I look forward to seeing you and deepening with you. We journey together! Side-by-side and honoring each step. AHO!
Our next Wise Women Talking will be WISE WOMEN (NOT) TALKING!
On Sunday, November 24th, we will honor our forebears and focus our energies on the Ancestors.
At this very Special WW, we will build an Ancestor Altar, learn about the old tradition of a dumb supper, and take a guided journey to gather the wisdom of our lines
November. Ah, sweet Samhain. On November 1st, we enter the ‘dark half of the year.’ This heralds a time of slowing down, inner reflection and counting our blessings. The leaves are now barely hanging on to their branches as if to ask: What are you hanging onto for dear life?
As wise women, we know we must LET GO for things to settle into their rich darkness, compost themselves and grow again come Spring.
November, then, seems like a perfect time to honor the Dead. In fact, I’m very much looking forward to my annual viewing of Coco on Friday night (11/01). “Dias de las Muertos” is a beloved holiday in Mexico and the Latin American countries. How often do you remember the stories your grandmother told you or the hymns your grandfather sang? What special “family tradition” do you recall with pride that your family incorporated into the upcoming holidays?
On Sunday, November 24th, we will have a slightly more formal circle so that we can take a “time out of time” moment and celebrate the blood and bone ancestors we came from. We will also create a table of our “gratitude” replete with family recipes, favorite dishes your family is fond of, or any other “special treat” that brings to mind family and home.
WHEN: Sunday, November 24th at Avalon Acres
TIME: 12:30-3:30 PM* [a little longer than usual]
WHAT TO BRING:
- A dish to share that is somehow special to you: A family favorite, or a dish that was beloved by an ancestor.
- Something that one of your ancestors made OR something that they gave you OR something that represents them (in your eyes)
- A picture of an ancestor
- Comfortable clothes for sitting in the barn and a chair that is comfortable
- Your travel mug for hot tea, which I will provide
The farm table will be set with REAL CHINA–I am not messing around! In this vein, feel free to dress up a little, as if you were welcoming a dear family member to supper–
As always, Reach out via text or email to find out more!
The next Wise Women Talking will be on Sunday, October 20th from 1 PM-3PM at Avalon Acres! see below picture for details and journal prompts
I WANT TO BE FREE!
How do you know you’re not?
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE?
“In our world today, there is no end to the distractions that will steal your energy, break your focus, or otherwise ‘entrap’ you. So, the question becomes: How calm are you on the inside?”
DOES CALMNESS lead to Freedom? Could simply making different choices be a road to freedom?
Nancy and I spoke this week about the rich territory we get to inhabit when WE ARE NO LONGER DISTRACTED by phones, YouTube videos or other mind-candy (take your pick: Facebook, a silly meme, or even a ‘How ya doing’ text-). Where do you land on those ‘entrapments’? How is your ‘screen hygiene’?
I just read an article in my Atlantic that spoke about the torrent of disinformation out there–one of the points the journalist made was: People who are fearful will believe ANYTHING that upholds the notions of their fears; there is not enough incentive to seek what might quell their fears or what might mitigate them.
Is it a choice to feed our fears? What fear are you feeding, that you’d like NOT TO? How do we know that what we seek is “good for us”?
AND: What are you “over-seeking” from the outside? Can “calm” even be a reality in this present state of the world?
These are the pillars of wisdom-talking we’ll engage in on Sunday, October 20th in our beloved Wise Women Talking Circle.
WHAT TO BRING/KNOW:
__Circle begins promptly at 1 PM this time and goes until 3 PM
__Feel free to journal on any of the above invitations. It’s good to do some internal wondering before circle, if you are so called (bring your journal to circle if you want-)
__A camp chair that is comfy
__A Tea mug/ to go mug for tea (hot water and tea are supplied!)
__An Offering for the land of Avalon (special herbs, tobacco, a beloved rock, crystal-)
If we have time, we will make another mandala for the Earth in the Apple Orchard. This was a powerful moment last month, and Nancy and I both agreed that it was deeply felt by all, as well as well-received by Mother Earth!
We’ll end our circle with some delicious sweet treats that Nancy and I will provide; if you are GF, feel free to bring something that is GF (since I can’t guarantee what I make will be-)
ALSO: It is our 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! We opened this WISE WOMEN TALKING adventure in October of 2023. What a lovely milestone! I’m going to dig up our discussion/prompt from that time for reflection…see how things have changed, or not.
As always, BRING A FRIEND! and reach out to Nancy and Mary Katherine if you have any questions! We look forward to seeing you…
PREVIOUS CIRCLES:
The next Wise Women Talking will be Sunday, Sept 22nd, from 12 NOON- 4 PM.
YES, we are meeting TWICE as LONG on Sunday, Sept 22nd! It’s a special day! The Fall Equinox falls on the 22nd this year and so we will be doing some ceremonial work followed by a potluck.
Harvest time is a beautiful time to gather, count our blessings and relish the BOUNTY of the growing season. Avalon Acres is the perfect place to set the table, pour ourselves a tall glass of iced tea and gather in a sacred way.
How wonderful it will be to gather together at the FALL EQUINOX! It is a time when we enter into the Cardinal Air sign of LIBRA, which is symbolized by the Scales of Justice. Truly, it is a time of balance, of “reaping what you have sown” in terms of the rich harvest, and relishing the abundance that the end of summer brings…
This is also the time on the wheel where we enter the WEST DIRECTION, having spent the time since the SUMMER SOLSTICE in the South Direction.
The West Direction invites us into the dark waters of intuition, the dreamscape of the soul/psyche, and the turning toward (and inward) what is absolutely necessary for our journey moving forward (and turn away from that which we can no longer carry).
Although it is a time to reap, it is also a time to discern: What is MINE to keep? What is trying to dream itself forward in my life? How might I distill myself into my own soul’s knowing?
Leaving the South, we leave behind the child the wonder. It is in the West that we get to metabolize all of the WONDER the child brought out in us, brought back to us, brought FOR US.
These are the themes we will be calling up in our sacred space making as well as the theme of judgment. Nancy and I both have uncannily (but maybe not surprisingly) been working with the concept of judgment; as we enter the “scales of justice,” it is important to know the Judge Within.
Recently, I retreated at Avena Botanicals and had an extremely profound message from Rose: “Judgment contracts your true power.” What a great piece of wisdom from this plant! It feels like something my Summer mind can’t quite handle but maybe my Fall mind will gladly investigate. Has Judgment contracted YOUR true power? How? Why?
So we do hope you can circle up to speak your truth, listen with your heart, and enter the West Direction threshold with us on September 22nd!
What to know/bring:
- Notice the time is a little longer for this circle [12:30 PM– 4 PM]; that’s because we are going to have a pot luck from 3-4 PM so please bring something that feels special, nourishing, a family favorite, whatever! It is such a privilege to share the harvest and eat together!
- As usual, bring your travel mug for tea and/or your water bottle.
- Bring a camp chair, if you have one. We will circle up around the ceremonial firepit and we will have a fire!
- Bring something for the altar, which we will create together. The themes referenced in this email might be an appropriate place to think about what that object is.
- A potluck dish to share; a small piece of paper indicating the ingredients is alwasy appreciated!
- Any herbs, cornmeal, tobacco or other prayers to offer the land of Avalon.
- If you have a drum, please bring it. Rattles are welcomed as well.
- Please forward this email to any woman or those who ID as one who you think needs this circle
Lastly, Nancy and want to introduce you to what we are calling a LAND DESPATCHO, which we will be making in the apple orchard. You may be familiar with the despatcho ceremony, or prayer bundle (which you may bury or burn). This one will be OPEN to the ancestors and the spirit of the apple trees, which we honor at the Fall Equinox. Therefore, it will be “wrapped” in our love, in our song.
Nancy and I hope to see you there. Enjoy your summer!
The next Wise Women Talking circle is Sunday, May 19th from 1 PM-3 PM at Avalon.
On Sunday, 05/19, we will gather OUTSIDE (instead of our usual barn circle). I’m hoping for a dry day so we can have a fire. Please bring your travel mug and/or water bottle; we’ll share in a little tea, coffee and sweet treat afterwards.
In the meantime, please consider these topics for our “threads” of wisdom as well as a bit of journaling for you to get in reflective mode:
CHOICE 1:
The blessing of the Grandma Driver:
You’ve been there. You’re trying to get somewhere fast, possibly trying to turn back time because, let’s face it, you’re going to be late. However, in front of you, on the road, is the slowest driver this side of the Mississippi. “Get the lead out!!” you scream. “You drive like my grandmother!” [actually, my grandmother was a bit of a lead-foot. Don’t get in her way when she’s off to bingo].
But poke, poke, poking along she does not speed up. Or he. It could be grandpa. You’re just about to take it up to 70 in order to pass, but the right opportunity is not presenting itself. UGH!
And then,you see him: A state trooper in his slick whale-gray SUV, some tricked-out little parking lights on like he’s waiting for the drive-in movie to start.
Thanks to Grandma, you DO NOT go sailing past him. Just then, you are utterly thankful for Grandma/Grandpa driver. They saved you from an enormous speeding ticket!! And lots of embarrassment…
So: What is your “Grandma blessing”?Something that stunk to high-heaven but turned out to be a peach pie, only you couldn’t see it? Some “block in the road” that slowed you down just enough to thank your lucky stars?
CHOICE 2:
What would their “Be the Change they want to See in the World” selfies look like?
CHOICE 3:
As women, how do we express ANGER? How does this emotion fit into our spiritual life? Does it have a place?
Sunday April 28th 1-3pm is our next Wise Women Talking Circle at Avalon.
Our focus for the April circle will be a little bit of a mash-up. Nancy and I thought there was so much more to explore from March’s circle! So we will re-visit those ideas and explorations. For those who were there, you will recall the lively discussion about how we “use” our bodies as power portals, and to get what we want. Is this a “legit” use of our bodies? Are they sovereign in ANY service we sign them up for?
For our time on April 28th, we will also be offering a healing circle. Nancy and I both (and many who join each month!)are energy healers and we have both been called to offer this in our Wise Women Talking community. So, for April, we will be doing a little more than talking!
In addition to the two areas of focus above, we also want to open the floor to YOUR suggestions for topics. These include things you may have mentioned to me before! There is literally no end to all of the important and critical territory Wise Women of all levels and ages could discuss, share, witness and bring to the surface. We are all ears!
[Our focus for our previous circle, March 17th, is below]:
[From Nancy]: “February has brought me many opportunities to grow, evolve a little. My body and I finally started working together these past 25 years, and I think its greatest teaching moment for me was: I don’t need to do everything right all the time, just some things most of the time. It’s been and remains a process for me.”
Do you have a ‘process’ that works for you when outcomes are not what you expected? I would love to learn what they are.
Meanwhile, “Breath. Smile. Go slowly.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Here’s a few prompts for you to journal on should you choose to share fearlessly:
What IS my relationship with my Body?
How do I use my body as a Gateway to healing, to awakening?
When things don’t turn out as I expected, could my ‘process’ be upgraded, refined, or traded in altogether?
FEB CIRLCE: 02/11/2024 from 1 PM–2:30 PM [POSTPONED TO MARCH]
Prompt for 02/11 circle: Are you using your finest gifts? How do we know what our gifts are? How committed are you to seeing your “superpowers” uplift others and your community? What conditions need to be in place in order to have your natural-born gifts and talents thrive?
[Prompt from 12/30/23 CIRCLE] Arrive before or by 1 PM and bring your snowshoes! We will take our circle into the magical woods of Avalon and stop to have a moment to discuss 1) our greatest accomplishment in 2023 and 2) our hardest lesson (but well worth it!)
PREVIOUS CIRCLES: Sunday, OCTOBER 15th, 2023 from 2 PM- 4 PM; SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12th from 1 PM– 3 PM; SAT 12/30/23 SNOW SHOE AT AVALON 12:30-3 PM
Have you ever felt like the small talk, office talk, neighborly hellos sometimes just…fall short of what you REALLY want to say?
Do you yearn for honest sharing moments with OTHER WOMEN who are navigating their triumphs and trials with a courage and candor you respect and can be inspired by?
Are you ready to return to COUNCIL, to the support you need in revealing your
FEARLESS EXPRESSION
in what you’d really like to get off your chest?
IS there something you need to not only say OUTLOUD but also to yourself?
WELCOME INTO OUR CIRLCE where you are free to FEEL your emotional reality and GIVE THOSE EMOTIONS VOICE. So often, when women “get emotional” we’re seen as being “too much,” “hysterical,” “out of control” or some other demeaning label that sends us the message that our voice is invalid, and our feelings don’t matter. In other words, we’re told to make ourselves small and quiet, so as to be more palatable for those not ready to accept or hold our emotional truths.
Join Mary Katherine and Nancy Cole in an intimate, safe container that will allow you to experience all of the above and more. The world feels heavy these days; there is much to unravel, and much to celebrate. Come and sit, listen and speak, be held and be seen. We will also perform a small ceremony together on the land so please bring something natural to offer the land.
WISE WOMEN TALKING meets on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of each month at Avalon Acres, 2 pm-4 PM [unless otherwise stated; please check the “Next Circle” info at the top of this page]. On occasion, we will also drum, conduct ritual and–for those familiar with the practice–offer mirroring.
For more information, email Mary Katherine at ninepillarshealing@gmail.com
The first meeting of WISE WOMEN TALKING is Sunday, October 15th, 2023
Embodying the Divine Feminine 