The time for the solitary circle, the circle of one, to end. I've known for a very long time, but finding the right circle, the right group, has seemed like too much work. I've stepped into circle, attempted to create my own circles. Now, a circle is in front of me. Do I step in or do I watch from the periphery?
The first circle I attended was in 1997. I had prayed feverishly for 3 things that year. I didn't "goal set", which I do now. There was no vision board (you better believe that visioning is now a huge part of my life). But, there was certainly a singular focus and an understanding that year that if I did not do "something" that my life would NEVER be what it could be, what it was supposed to be. So, I prayed and thought and visualized in my head for: 1. The love of my life 2. A great job to pull me out of the bonds of retail management 3. A connection to the Divine so real and powerful and would meet me spiritually in the deep primordial way that I so longed for. Within 6 weeks in late summer/early fall of 1997, they all came to be. My BFF was part of a women's circle and I was invited to come to a weekend with a Shaman from New Zealand, which changed my life and opened a door to something that (this is my ego talking), most people can only dream of - not because they cannot experience it - but because they won't. Those other two things. Yes, they happened as well. After meeting the Grandfather from NZ, I received a call from an old acquaintance that offered me a fantastic day job in property management AND I met the man I now call "husband". 1997 was a good year. From that time until 2001, I stood in a circle, twice a week plus equinoxes and solstices with a group of men and women that worked together in earnest and in pursuit of the higher teachings that truly have been mysteries for thousands of years. This was a magical time of my life - in both real and esoteric terms. But, somewhere along the way, I shifted. I know when it happened. It came with pregnancy. No longer the maiden - stepping into the power of the mother - my eyes adjusted and my place as equal and as a carrier of a different knowledge grew, which made the facilitator of our circle not very happy. Truthfully, it was time. Spirit knew it was time. Discord grew among the circle and unhappiness with the ego of our dear friend who had been our homebase, our "leader" in a way for so long. In 2001, I left that group, not entirely knowing why, but knowing it was the right thing to do. Over the next couple of years, I stepped in and out of other circles, trying to find a new spiritual home. It never happened. Maybe my fear of being hurt, my knowledge that I needed to focus on motherhood, I don't know. In 2016, I wrote a letter to her, my friend, my mentor, who taught me so much. The letter told her how grateful I was, I thanked her for opening her home and her life and sharing and teaching. A shift happened, as they do when you release. In 2016, I went to a full moon retreat. I had been leading a small circle off and on at my home for a year or so, when women were interested in coming, but truthfully, this isn't my calling. Am I a teacher? Yes. Coach one and one? Yep. Hold the energy. Yes. Serve as mentor. Of course. But, lead the group in that way. I'll leave it to others. At the retreat, I wasn't going to learn or to even be among sisters. I went to get away, to see if I could reconnect with that part of myself and to see if I could stomach being in a group in this way again. It was a beautiful weekend and I recharged myself in the way I needed. Now, here we are a year and a half later. My friend, the leader of the retreat, has formed a new sisterhood. A circle of women. I've watched this unfold the last few months as she has geared up to launch this new endeavor. The last few months have found me in great silence and listening for the calls of my soul as I heal from grief and embrace this middle life I have entered. I am listening to Spirit as she guides me forward. My business has changed. My direction has shifted slightly. And, she has told me that I need to be in a circle. No longer a solitary practitioner of her arts. So, I signed up. It did it. Once in March, once in April. No anxieties. No second guessing. Just the call and answer.
0 Comments
Let me go back and explain some things about me. I am not a feminist. There was a time when I would have claimed that title and you can be sure that I am SO GRATEFUL for those women in our past who have worn this as a crown to allow me the freedom to be whomever I choose to be. I am a woman. A daughter, a sister, a friend, a mother, a wife, an entrepreneur, a priestess. I am all of these things and I get to choose these things. But, there came time when I no longer could say, "I am a feminist" in the way we view it in our society. I believe in gender roles (there, I said it). I believe that that MAJORITY of us fall into gender roles and are happy to be associated with our gender while some do not. To each their own, but, I am comfortable in my woman-ness and know I can be a badass woman who loves, parents, relates, and leads ferociously. This Goddess-worshipping Southern woman chooses her own path each and every day and revels in being a W-O-M-A-N. And, this is why I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this movie above all others. I mean really. I am even going to see it again. An island full of warrior women. They are lovers and fighters and teachers. Diana's mother, Queen Hippolyta, is the perfect feminine archetype. She is soft and loving and wears her wrinkles like a beautiful piece of art, all while wielding a sword and shield to protect her tribe and her family. Her sister, General Antiope is the harsher of the two. Beautiful, hard, and aged like a fine wine to show that beauty is not only for the youth but those in mid-life and beyond, she has a softness for Diana and her students that is rarely revealed. I identified so much with both of these characters. Hippolyta, the leader and the mother, Antiope who teaches in much the same way as I parent, I am nearly at a loss for words and cannot get enough. To me, this movie is everything that represents women at our best. It is the story that needs to be told. Is there a group of Amazonian women living eternally due to their connection with the gods? Well, even I don't think so. Nevertheless, this is the story of women and our abilities, it is what I didn't even know we needed right now in this moment in time. We need this for each woman from 18 to 88 and for each girl who is growing up now. I need it for my daughter to show her what she can do. I need it for my son so that he knows that women can be strong. I need it for me to remind me that being in my mid-life can be beautiful and fierce. We have needed this story for longer than I can say.
I was not going to let the Moon see the movie. It is a little more violent and edgier than we normally allow her to see. I have tried to stand my ground. But, my hubby is the one who is insistent. I don't know if he is worried about her in some way or just knows somewhere inside that the girls of this generation, in the face of where we are as a society, needs this. With this aaaaallllll said, I'll leave you with this quote from the movie: “YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU BELIEVE. YOU HAVE GREATER POWERS THAN YOU KNOW.” - Antiope [Affiliate Links Below]
What does living your most inspired life look like? Does it include connecting with other amazing women who motivate you? Sharing your unique gifts with the world... bringing the change you know is possible? What about waking up each morning, feeling deeply GRATEFUL for the day ahead? A life where you feel truly aligned in your body, mind and spirit? If you’re saying yes, yes, YES! to these, I have a special invitation for YOU (and all the women in your life)! You’re invited to join Inspiring Women with Soul,where an esteemed lineup of awe-inspiring, trail-blazing women will be sharing the essential keys for living a soul-powered life, filled with passion and purpose! Inspiring Women with Soul, features 30+ visionaries — including luminaries like Marianne Williamson, Alice Walker, Danielle LaPorte, Shiva Rea, Jean Houston, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Lisa Nichols, Sera Beak and so many others! They’ll share insights and practices that can put you on a path to personal fulfillment AND planetary healing. A path that is uniquely YOUR OWN, and yet part of the collective solutions to the biggest problems of our day. And, you’ll be joining a global community of more than 80,000 women — a community of powerful, kindred souls, who celebrate your heart’s desires and challenge you to live out your highest calling! I hope you’ll participate in this unique online series presented by The Shift Network. RSVP here for Inspiring Women with Soul — at no charge: https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/iws16/dcroy30/ During this unparalleled 8-day gathering of women, you’ll discover: • Key practices for self-acceptance & speaking your truth • Tools for stepping into soul-powered leadership & service • A sustained sense of peace & love • How to increase your ability to flex & flow with all of life’s hiccups • Ways to increase your confidence, self-love & self-care • A more profound connection with Spirit Plus, discover how to name and claim your purpose so you can make your greatest contribution to our world! It’s becoming clearer each day that this is a time when the qualities of the “deep feminine” are imperative for reshaping our world and our future. And if you’re a woman committed to “being the change,” we need YOU! Your passion and your wisdom are not only vital for your life... they’re also key to solving the issues facing our precious planet and our global family — poverty, sex trafficking, violence, political corruption, environmental destruction, to name just a few. Join women from around the world, and together, write the next chapter of history and co-create a brighter future for the girls who’ll one day be the next generation of inspiring women — and all of humanity. RSVP here for Inspiring Women with Soul — at no charge: https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/iws16/dcroy30/ Yours truly, Dana |
Categories
All
Meet DanaI’m Dana Croy and I am a modern day mama. Balancing family and work is not always easy (not to mention a little self-care). Though being Mama to two fantastic kiddos is a huge part of my life, that was not always the case. I wear many other hats and invite to sit down and find harmony with me. Archives
August 2021
|