It's time to light some fires in the darkness
Notes on grief, darkness, and the powerful fire that will see us through winter.
Well hello,
How are you all? It’s been a while since I posted here – not least because, in the time since I did, it feels as though my whole world has turned upside down.
You see, just over a month ago my best friend, roommate, soul sister, and familiar Kali passed from this world to the next – and while Kali hasn’t exactly been quiet since transitioning into spirit, the experience of losing her has been heartbreaking; as grief always is.
The experience of death and grief is always a powerful one, even for those of us with a certainty that life doesn’t end with physical death. And it’s that subject I really wanted to talk to you about, but one that I know can be triggering and upsetting for some people.
Consequently, I’ve added the main part of today’s share in a separate post – Grief and cyclical living: The sting of death and the beauty of life – if you would like to read it please feel free - I’d love to hear your thoughts. However, if you don’t feel able to think about those topics today I understand. In that case, feel free to continue on through this post and learn about some more updates from my world, as well as some of my favourite examples of Divine Feminism in the world over recent weeks.
Coming Soon: Are you ready to dive into the dark?
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re now fully into the throes of winter, so what better time to dive into the darker sides of the feminine, and embrace those fiery energies that are ready and waiting to illuminate a path through the winter?
With that in mind, I’m excited to share three things that are rapidly approaching on my radar that will support you in doing both of those things.
Arise and Awaken: Working with the Dark Goddess in preparation for the year of Divine Feminine Liberation
First up, next Friday I’ll be joining hostess Christina Miglino and 15 incredible teachers and practitioners for this super potent free online event. The other presenters are incredible and I can’t wait to take part in this event, so if you’d like to join me, just head over to this link and book your place.
Embodied Sekhem Level 1 and 2 initiations: Reclaiming the ancient alchemical energy of Sekhmet for ourselves
After lots of planning, I’m thrilled to tell you that Rachael Morley and I will be running our inaugural Sekhem energy initiations in the magical lands of Glastonbury this January.
The Embodied Sekhem container involves five weeks of online work together with three powerful days in Glastonbury, which will include ritual practice with the land, potent integration time with one another, and of course your Sekhem initiations.
Interested? Head to this site to learn more, and book your place by 21st December to enjoy a discounted price (payment plans are available).
Re-Kindling Her Stories for 2023
I’m tired of hearing the same old stories about those who came before us; stories rooted in a deep-seated fear and persecution of the feminine.
So join me this winter as we start 2023 with those whose true Her-stories have been buried, burned, lost and forgotten throughout the centuries.
Each session will include a deep re-telling of the story of one woman from the past and/or mythology, together with an invitation to dive further into that energy and how they can support our own stories. Sessions will run each Tuesday throughout January and February on a pay-what-you-can basis.
Have you heard?
If this Divine Feminist work is something you want to dive deeper with, of course you don’t have to wait. Check out the links below to learn more.
Honouring our wildness: Embracing what can be found on the other side of death
As we continue our journey through the 13 keys to self-reconnection and sacred balance that I outlined in my book of the same name, this week’s Divine Feminist podcast takes a look at the topic of wildness, and of the opportunities for our own re-wilding that lie outside of our traditional life and death binary.
The Guru Complex: Love, Light and Bullshit Bingo
If you’ve listened to mine and Yolandi Boshoff’s podcast yet, you’ll know it’s all about calling out and unpacking the bullshit that is oh so prevalent in this spirituality and wellness industry we both find ourselves in. But this week’s episode – on the subject of the Western world’s approach to gurus, and the ways we are so frequently conditioned to look outside of ourselves for answers, validation and more - goes broader still. It’s a good listen!
Introducing The Cailleach
Each month in the paid section of this Community space, we deep dive with a Goddess or other figure from Divine Feminist history and mythology, and this month we meet one of the most complex figures yet; Celtic Goddess of winter The Cailleach. With connections as wide-ranging as the Celtic Brigid and Hindu Kali, The Cailleach has more than a few stories to share. Join us over there to read more on her.
Divine Feminism elsewhere
We could write an entire newsletter on feminism elsewhere right now but, since this is the Divine Feminist, we see things a little differently to that. And as you know, I love to share with you articles that might just help you to think a little more optimistically about the world and remind you that there are others out there in the world doing their own work in their own way to create a more balanced and connected world.
The farmer who donated his land to the bees: We all know our Earth needs more than a little rewilding right now, which is why I adored this story about farmer Franz Nicol, who handed his patch of land over to the bees… or, more specifically, to his beekeeping neighbour. Imagine the beauty of farmland filled with wildflowers.
Rest is resistance: You’ve no doubt heard me talk before about the brilliant work of Tricia Hersey, the self-proclaimed Nap Bishop and founder of the Nap Ministry. Well Tricia’s book, Rest is Resistance, was released recently and it does not disappoint. So if you, like me, are tired of grind culture and the pressure to “do, do, do” then I can’t recommend this enough.
Feminism is good for boys: We’ve all heard the argument that to be a feminist is to be “anti-men”- something we’ve inevitably all disagreed with given how much patriarchal conditioning harms all of us. Which is why I loved this column from author Laura Bates on how research now suggests that challenging misogyny and gender stereotypes helps boys too.
LGBTQ+ victories in California: While LGBTQ+ communities across the world have many painful experiences to contend with in our world at present, there was one piece of good news this week when it was announced that 10% of public office holders in the state of California now publicly identify as LGBTQ+. It’s a small number I know, but to see people from oppressed and marginalised communities taking office is a huge and positive step forward, and hopefully the first of many across the US and beyond.
Archetypes: Have you listened to Meghan Markles’s Archetypes podcast yet on Spotify? It’s received some pretty scathing reviews, but I have to say that I’m really enjoying it. Meghan’s conversations with her guests about the various labels and identities we place upon those who identify as women are giving me more than a few lightbulbs of my own, and really helping me to think about the labels I place on myself and those around me.
OK, that’s everything from me for now.
As always, thank you so much for being here and not only being part of this space but of this work. I’ll be back in your inboxes next month but for now, I wish you a wonderful rest of the month.
Love,
Ceryn xx