Spring Ahead…March in the Red Tent

Spring Ahead…March in the Red Tent

On the day the women turned their clocks ahead it was also the eve of the New Moon; a powerful day, filled with the promise of growth and change and new life. Mother Earth was saturated from much, much rain and Her rivers and streams were swollen and pulsing, flowing swift and full toward the sea much the same as the women made their way to the farm and their beloved Red Tent Temple.

On arriving, we were pleased to see the results of the completed renovations of our space that now has a beautiful window wall so that we may look out on the trees and the trees may watch us while we are bathed in healing natural light.

During our free time, we rested and rejuvenated and reveled in each other. There was a special energy in this day. Was it the power of New Moon, the perfect time for starting over, making good changes, creating something new? Or was it the energy of Spring, felt weeks before we actually see it, as the Mother births Her beautiful changes to our Earth home? Or, was it the women luxuriating in the easy comfort and joyful gratitude of being together once again? Clearly it was all of these and more.

The call for one priestess had resulted in two and Jaz and Lezley formed our Priestess Team for the day and the Circle was called. Lezley Two Bears told the story of why bunnies lay eggs. Any circle that begins with such delightful storytelling is bound to be specially blessed and it was, for when we open ourselves to story, magic happens.

Jaz shared that the current moon is known as “Geese Returning Moon” and we passed the talking bowl and gave the moon our own names, connecting powerfully with our personal Moon.

We divided into three groups and created phrases of deep meaning to us and, with the talented Jaz composing the accompanying songlines, we created a song together and sang it in a round:

~ loving dancing children laughing

~ we are planting love

~ we are opening to the wisdom of life

Lezley then offered a ‘spring planting’ exercise in which we were able to identify the crops we wish to grow this year as well as those that no longer work for us. The talking bowl was passed again and we shared our hopes for this planting season in our lives. We all look forward to our harvests.

Our deep thanks goes out to Lezley and Jaz for a job well done. Also, thanks to Ananda for the amazing owl calls.

And then our time was almost done. It was lovely to have a bit of daylight left in which to clean up and pack up and the work is gladly undertaken by everyone as it is another way to extend our time together.

Then finally, the cars are packed, the lights turned out and the women must leave each other again and so we do. But as we go out into our worlds and back into our lives, we are lightened and encouraged by the joy and support and the love that we have shared. And we know that we are blessed.

Please join us on April 11^th for the next Red Tent Temple.

~ Diana Powers

Living Wide Open: Landscapes of the Mind

by Dawna Markova

I will not die an unlived life,

I will not live in fear

of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days,

to allow my living to open me,

to make me less afraid,

more accessible,

To loosen my heart

until it becomes a Wing,

a Torch, a Promise.

I choose to risk my significance,

to live so that which came to me as seed

goes to the next as blossom,

and that which comes to me as blossom,

goes on as fruit.

~

Red Tent Temple ~March 14, 2010~ Bloomfield, CT

Spiral Traditions Red Tent Temple
Sunday, March 14, 2010
11AM to 5PM at Auer Farm, Bloomfield , CT

A time to come into sacred space... to rest your soul and restore your spirit. A day to heal, as it should be, near the Dark Moon, as our fore-mothers did.

The Feminine Divine is rising. We need to nourish our energies and pay attention to our inner callings. We need time

to go within.

We need time, together.

We need sisterhood.

Please join us. Remember to bring a back jack, or pillows and/or a cover, so that you may "nest" within our shelter.Your donations, both monetary and material are welcome. (Check February's post for ideas.) For planning purposes, let us know if you plan to attend.

Special Request: We ask each woman to bring one red column candle in a glass container to help us replenish our supply. A fun prize will be given to the woman who finds the lowest price. Grocery stores often carry these candles for relatively low prices. Thanks. If you haven’t got time to pick up a candle, do not fret.... come anyway! See you on the 14th.

***REMEMBER THE TIME CHANGE***

02-21-10 Out With the Old

Out With the Old…February in the Red Tent

On a February day so beautiful it seemed to promise that Spring is not far behind, the women came from the Four Directions. Women of the Elements they are - Earth and Air and Fire and Water – and they carry those elemental gifts within and without. On this day they brought their diverse and unique spirits to the farm to join their sisters in the Red Tent Temple. As if some tribal drums had broadcast the message, they continued to come until hearts and spirits and the tent itself was thrumming with the energy of good women.

For several hours, we relaxed. Some wrote in journals, did artwork, or rested. Others shared stories, sought counsel, offered counsel, bore witness, and welcomed newcomers. There were tears and laughter and learning and love. We all nourished ourselves on wonderful soups – I think I counted six different pots – teas, fruit, salads, and finally, one amazing woman’s amazing fudge. Our special thanks to the Soup Artists and all the cooks as well.

Jaz brought an art project for us and we each made a heart card for ourselves and then wrote wonderful, magical messages in each other’s cards. It was good, loving fun and I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one who sniffed the construction paper to be delightfully brought back to a childhood where making cards was a frequent, joyfully uninhibited, and creative activity.

When it was time, Jaz, a princess of light and laughter, also our Priestess for the day, called the circle together. We began by naming into the circle our ancestor-women and any others we chose to place and hold within the rim of our sacred space. Jaz then led a meditation in which we identified, honored, and then released anything we had been holding within us that happened in the last year, in order to make space and new energy for the fresh life experiences to come in the current year. It was a moving and healing journey, and a powerful privilege to be a part of that circle. It was clear, as we then passed the talking bowl, that the women had felt the magic and gained much insight and gratitude from our circle that day. We ended in song and couldn’t help but notice that, unlike last month, it was still light outside, and just like last month, there was much light inside of each one of us.

After a bit more soup, much more laughter, always, much more laughter, and finally, cleaning up, the women said their goodbyes with hugs all around, and headed back out into the Four Directions to return home until the next Red Tent. Please join us there on Sunday, March 14^th at 11:00 a.m.

Special Request: We ask each woman to bring one red column candle in a glass container to help us replenish our supply. A fun prize will be given to the woman who finds the lowest price. Grocery stores often carry these candles for relatively low prices. Thanks. If you haven’t got time to pick up a candle, do not fret.... come anyway! See you on the 14^th.

The Red Tent

by Diana Powers

Today we came together in a specially blessed place,

for laughter and for wisdom, for sisterhood and grace.

Some came with long-felt longing, some, curiosity;

but each was drawn to be there in sacred trinity.

Our trinity, the Feminine, of Maiden, Mother, Crone;

so powerful, it helps us know that we are not alone.

We shared in conversation, and caring company,

and filled again our well of love with sweet community.

We drew the sacred circle and filled it from the heart;

the bold, the shy, the in-between, we came to do our part

to send the power up and out while healing from within,

and this bright ring of healing is where we all begin.

We bless each other with our trust, respect our right to be,

because we understand the gift that’s given when we see

that every path is sacred and every walk is true,

and so we honor our own paths and all those others too.

~

Red Tent Temple, February 21, 2010, Bloomfield, CT

Greetings Wonderful Women!

Soon, again, it will be time to gather in our Temple to rest and replenish our energies.

Before I list the standard information, I'd like to bring your attention to our current needs.

Our Red Tent is in need of more support around supplies and monetary stability. Please consider contributing in one or more of the following ways, so that we can continue this vital work of healing and reconnection.

We need donations of:

~CANDLES. Tea lights are too little to work for the day. We need larger ones that are contained in a holder or jar. They should be unscented. We need many.

~BACK JACKS. only two of our women own these floor chairs, and bring them when they can, but sometimes they cannot attend, and often there are not enough. This would be an exceptionally helpful and generous gift that we would be immensely grateful for.

~LARGE RED CLOTHS. For the floor covering, the larger and sturdier the better. We spend a little too much time on many small cloths.

~STORAGE BINS with LIDS. Our things are stored graciously by the farm, but often get dusty or stale in between tents. We need to store them in covered bins, to keep them protected, and so we can easily stack them.

~PLASTIC WARE - Either re-usable dishware for those who need it, and/or tupperware to pack extra foods to go home. Some need this bounty and we would like to be able to give it.

~SIGNS - some have trouble finding the building we are in due to lack of markings. If you can provide us with a large self standing, weatherproof sign, that would be awesome!!!

~MONEY - Obviously a cornerstone of any organization, we need to stabilize ourselves with at least a little bit of a safety net. If you don't want to bother with material items, or you have had some abundance as of late and are called to contribute to our cause, we would be so grateful!

Money is needed not just for supplies (as you see above) but to help provide for the rental fees of the space, and to begin to plan the future of our Temple.

DONATE ONLINE - using the easy Pay Pal button on the right sidebar of the blog!

*** If you desire to be honored or recognized in some way for your contribution, please LET US KNOW *** As such a new movement, we will begin to find the right ways to do this; for now you will be recognized and thanked verbally on the day of the Red Tent, following your donation, unless you specify another preference. Thanks!

See you on the 21st!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RED TENT TEMPLE

February 21, 2010

Auer Farm, Bloomfield, CT

11 am - 5 pm

RSVP: spiraltraditions AT gmail DOT com

Formal Circle at 3, with the vibrant JAZ as our Priestess!!!! (pictured above)

(What IS the Red Tent Temple? Read HERE, or HERE. )

Shield Workshop 2010

When: Friday, March 19th

Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Where: Virginia’s home

-contact for address-

West Hartford, CT

Cost: $75.00 per person

Includes materials for a 12 – 18” shield. Lunch provided

Bring feathers, crystals, and beads for decorating your shield

RSVP: Virginia 860- 523-8943

www.ElandraArts.com ~ 860-523-8943

Create your own personal power shield, family shield, or gift shield.

During this full day workshop of interpersonal exploration and creative adventure, Virginia will guide you using Native American techniques that have been passed down to her to share. Connect with your own personal power animals, guides, totems and sacred symbols through guided journeying. We will create sacred space together and receive inspiration from Spirit on this special day. You will be creating the hoop with branches or vines and painting your vision and inspirations on leather that is strung onto the hoops. The shield will then be decorated with sacred objects that will be provided, or that you choose to bring from home. Together, we will share our shields, and ceremony with them to seal in the energies.

No art experience is necessary, only the willingness to fully participate in this Sacred Hoop of Life…come and let Spirit lead the Way!

After registration, you will receive instructions for creating your shield hoop from a branch or vine. Please register no later than March 12th by mailing full payment to Virginia.

Maidens, Mothers, and Crones – Januar...

Maidens, Mothers, and Crones – January in the Red Tent

It was a silver gray day, clouds pregnant with something, Mother Earth at rest in the winter deep. The naked limbs of the trees seemed to beckon the women, “Come in, come in, and we will watch over and bless you.”

And come in they did, to the first Red Tent Temple of the new year and the special occasion planned for the day. The women were looking forward to this tent even more than they usually do as it would be a day that we would honor one of our daughters whose Moons have carried her into her Maidenhood.

Joy and anticipation informed the creation of the tent. Many hands made light work of draping fabric, lighting candles, creating altars, heating soups and water for tea. Every woman looked forward to providing McKenzie and Mia, friends and goddesses-in-training with the honoring that few of us were blessed with when we began our Moon times.

Once the tent was ready, we relaxed into our soothing communal energy and shared with the girls what the Red Tent is and what it means to each of us. Some drew, some told stories, others read cards or wrote. Throughout this time of peace and laughter, warm, winter food, and sharing, the girls and the women – maidens, mothers, and crones alike – received the gifts of the Red Tent community, creating an easy comfort and a soft, gentle magic away from the cares of the world and our daily lives.

As we gathered in circle, we passed the talking bowl and offered our gifts: gifts of advice, of elder-wisdom, of gratitude, and of prayers. The women also shared some of their stories and feelings that are always spoken among us into the safe container of the circle. The girls listened carefully and we know they will remember what they heard that day. Their shy, simple “thank you” was enough for us to know.

As our time together came to a close – how does a whole day go by so quickly – the rains came. The cleansing, healing waters were the closing sacrament as the Earth Mother took part in all the blessings of our very special day.

Please join us at the Red Tent Temple on Sunday, February 21^st, and help us to rest and rejuvenate, explore, and create yet another very special day for women. The trees wish it to be so and have promised to continue to be our welcoming guardians.

~

To My Daughters

by Corey Alicks

I’ll tell you about power:

We are born with the potential

for every daughter we will ever have

embedded like pearls in the dark flesh of our ovaries.

You were already there, in me,

while I was yet curled within my mother, as she was,

inside my great-grandmother;

each mother birthing her grandchildren, through her pelvis,

ivory cradles protecting secret worlds within our own seas,

worlds of fierce hearts and minds beyond knowing.

Is there a greater power than holding the entire

universe in your belly?

All of Creation? What about our own galaxies pouring forth?

The summoning of all that is love

and alive into our very breasts, our marrow,

our coursing blood, a luminous milky way

so bright it blinds, with all the power and force of life,

heaven meeting earth, giving to those worlds we hold,

that we see in the irises of our daughters’ eyes.

~

Red Tent Temple, January 17, 2010, Bloomfield, CT

Welcome to your new year, dear women, It's your time!

Let us gather in honor of the feminine divine in our magical Red Tent Temple.

Please join us. Bring a Sister, a Mother, a Grandmother, and most importantly, YOU.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Red Tent Temple ~ January 17 ~ Auer Farm, Bloomfield, CT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Recreating the Women's Moonlodge for today's culture~

Please forward this to anyone you wish to be invited!

~ It is scheduled for Sunday, January 17, 2010, from 11 am to 5+ pm.
~ Set up will be from 9-11am.
~ A brief opening/orientation circle will be held at 12 noon if there are more than a few new women attending.
~ 11-12 am and 12:30-3pm will be free-form, organic time, where you can do what you wish in the space.
~ Formal Circle will be held from 3-5pm
~ 5-7 pm will be community time (farewells, hugs, networking, resting after circle..) and break down of the space.

Located on the beautiful land of Auer Farm we will be held in the arms of Mother Earth while we retreat safely and honor the feminine spirit. The Red Tent will happen every month, on the Sunday closest to the New (dark) Moon.

Inside the Red Tent .........you will find a space to heal and be heard. To be your whole self. To go within and tap into your divine creative source. There will be space to rest, journal, cry, connect with sisters, breathe, meditate, and reconnect with what ties us all together: being woman. Womb or not, bleeding or not, all women from all walks of life are welcome.

Suggested Donations of $10.00 to $20.00 are requested to help pay for the rental fee and hopefully create some funds for Red Tent supplies and future needs.

There will be a beautiful storytellers chair, a grievance altar, a community altar, herbal teas and homemade soup. It is sacred space to go within and honor your divine feminine being. A place to remember.

Young women of Menarche age are welcome for all of the day except the formal circle at 3:00 which is adults only.
Nurslings are welcome until walking age.

This vision is held in the spirit of community and collaboration. Everyone who sets this up is working on a volunteer basis, which makes your attendance and contributions integral. Please take a look at the share list below to see where you are called to collaborate to keeping this vision alive and well. On the side bar to the right, there is a donation button you can use to make financial contributions if you are not able to attend but would like to help.

It is vital to our culture and to our next generations that we reclaim our innate Spiral Traditions. We are a culture starved for authenticity and community - but we don't have to be. The Red Tent Temple is a transformational and Global movement.

RSVP's are important. We need to know how much soup to make or request, who can Priestess, and who can bring what. When you refer to the share list below - please email us on what it is you are called to bring or do, so we can keep this day organized and wonderful.

Priestess for Circle
Set up -
Break down
Providing Soup/s-
Breads -
Providing herbal belly tea/s-
Welcomer, Greeter -
Drumming, music,
Cloth bringers (Collective: We really need more than one woman for this. It will take a lot of cloth to paint the room)
Red Tent Journal -
Pillow, backjack, mat bringers-
Altar objects -every woman is encouraged to bring something for the altar, to be charged up with energy while she attends. Taken home after.
Candle provider-
Talking Bowl/stick bringer -
Healers; energy healers, body workers, oracles, wanted to serve either for free or at lowered cost. -
Massage Table -
Markers -

Belly Blessings,

The Red Tent Temple Team

Origins of the RTT Movement: ALisa Starkweather