Green Witch Gathering 2004 REPORT

[MysticalMaiden]

I am unsure that I can do the GW Intensive justice by words, but I will try to give you an overall sense of the four days I spent at the Wise Woman Center.

Sharing space with such powerful energies was amazing...the woods, the gardens, the deck, the faeries, the mesa, the goats, the cats, Susun, Marie and a beautiful woman named Pamela from South Africa. Lots of magic was generated and no one needed to move anywhere or say anything - it was just swirling as is.

Thursday evening brought us the most amazing storm. Watching through the glass of the front porch, the lightning was so bright that you could see the color of the lilles each time she charged down from the sky. The energies of air, water, fire and earth were conducting the most amazing spiral dance for our enchantment for sure!

I have to say that we started out with a group of 10 (including Susun and Marie) and were down to 5 Friday morning and 4 Saturday morning. This may sound like a major downer, and it may have been in the beginning of the process, but like all processes the end almost never reflects the beginning. Having such a small group allowed for a level of intimacy that I do not think would have been achieved (at least by me) if the group was larger.

The mornings started out lazily as we woke with the sun...breakfast was informal and Susun milked the hungry goats. Mid-morning and afternoons were spent in the woods. We were guided by the goats and the rhythm of Marieís chants. This allowed for an amazing weaving of teachings, as we were learning about what was growing where the goats lead. This always seemed to mesh together and allow for an amazing lessen that could not have been more intriguing if it was planned...those are some smart goats!

Lunches and Dinners were yummy!!! A wonderful mixture of soups, beans, rice, vegetables - marinades, vinegars and of course tamari! I must say that Marie is an AMAZING cook, and one who is willing to teach those who are willing to learn. Susun worked her magic with the plants creating the most beautiful salads - a wise woman special for sure! Wild foods are so good.....

When the Moon came out (by the way - the moon was FULL - talk about adding power to an already powerful situation) we sat in the Tipi and sung songs by the fire. This was a wonderful opportunity to really absorb the chants we were taught and feel the 'trancy' power of their rhythmic power. Marie also shared a wonderful ritual that I am sure to use again.

The last day was a chance to slow down and focus on the Goddess, and our part in honoring her. I have been dreaming about my initiation as a Green Witch for quite some time, and all I can say is that the emotion it brought and the power I felt surpassed my dreams tenfold. The calling of directions and the power of elements swam through my veins and caressed my spirit. I am grateful that I waited until now, and did not do the intensive last year as I think that my apprenticeship and growing relationship with the Goddess and her plants lead things to an entirely different level. I am also grateful that I shared this experience with Pamela. It is a bond of sisterhood that will tie us together on the magical and mundane levels for all time. Actually, I feel that way about the group, not just Pamela but we were the initiates and entered into our commitment together...can't beat the power of that. And we were welcomed in by two powerful, beautiful, emotional, strong and knowledgeable women. The idea of sisterhood took on an entirely new level for me at that moment. This moment will guide me to find a way to share this with other women...the how is yet to be revealed, but it will be done. So Mote It be....

I encourage anyone and everyone to take an intensive at the WWC...a day workshop is an amazing experience in and of itself and is where I have obtained most of my knowledge of the plants, the Goddess and me...however, spending four days give the spirit and the body a chance to truly bond with the power of the land. My mind is still trying to wrap itself around this....
Blessed Be...

[karen joy]

Thank you soooo much for sharing Mystical Maiden!!! A beautiful description [;)]

[BrynneMorgan]

Sounds like you hade a fantastic experience! I can hardly wait to get there in August. I gotta ask though, why did the women leave?

Brynne

[luvmama]

Thank you for sharing, that was wonderful to read.
I hope to apprentice there next summer.
I wonder too, why did the group numbers go down? Did they not pay and want to stay for the whole thing??

[MysticalMaiden]

I wasn't sure that I should mention about the women leaving because I did not want to cause alarm or make anyone uneasy. However, it was part of the experience and I felt it had an impact on my expiereine.

I can't speak for the other women but I can say that things at the WWC are not always like they are in our daily lives. One of the most beautiful things is that emotions/feelings/thoughts are expressed at a level of 110%. This means that if love or compassion is felt - it is felt and expressed with the whole being. This is also true for disapointment or frustration. Sometimes people can mix up what thier mind tells them is happening, based upon past expierences and belief, and what the true intention or more importantly true emotion is. This is what I belive happened, but as I say I cannot speak for them - only for me.

Please don't let the fact that I shared this cause any doubt or trepidition in your decisions to go to the WWC. I have been going to workshops, correspondence courses and doing a live out apprenticeship for the last two years and I have never felt the need to leave. I can say that if you find something to be uncomfortable, use that time to identify what it is that is making you uncomfortable - not the action that the other person is percieved to be doing - but on the inside of you. This is hard, but an important part of embracing the wise woman within..... Susun expresses everything she does at 110% and that is totally inspiring to me. I hope to one day have half the sense she does in letting my true emotion be expressed rather than having it toned down by society or my past.

I can say that I have NEVER witnessed any interactions at the WWC that was mean, disrespectful or done with the intention to harm any woman there. So - don't worry. I hope that when each of you complete you time with Susun and the goats you will share your thoughts on this with us too.

I will try to come down for a consultation Tuesday in August to get to meet BrynneMorgan and I hope to meet Luvmamma next summer.

Blessed Be - Nothing to Worry about - Continue on with and open mind, heart and spririt and allow the excitement to come in!

[luvmama]

Yes, I have picked up on subtle references to women leaving, apprentices "running away" things like that. It really does peak my interest knowing that I reallyreally want to apprentice (just waiting until my kids are old enough to do without me for four weeks or so)
I know it must be intense, the experience. I also know Susun's energy is really strong, and there is no "beating around the bush" with her. She says exactly what is on her mind and seems to welcome confrontation.
Its one of the reasons I really like her though...I find it so refreshing and I really admire that because its hard for me to be like that. I was raised with no skills at confrontation because I was not allowed to practice it (with parents) so I tend to get flustered and cry, even when I really don't want to. And its hard for me to accept criticism without taking it personally, even when I know I shouldn't! So those things kind of weigh on my mind when I hear the little whispers of apprentices leaving etc
It would break my heart to have a bad experience and have the WW tradition remind my of that- I have integrated it into my core and its so important to me! (see look, there I go, just worrying....)
But I am strong, and am used to hard work and feel I could take on the mental rigors of apprenticing.........and I want it so bad. These thoughts are just the things that swirl in my head when I think of apprenticing.
So thank you for sharing your experience of your time at the WW center, it really helps...
I would like to meet you to MM.

[MysticalMaiden]

Having the understanding that you are uncomfortable with confrontation and your reactions to it will be of great benefit to you - not just at the WWC, but in life. I think that the growth that will come from your time apprenticing will be tremendous since you have already done so much work! Susun can be the softest and the hardest woman I know. Like you, I admire this quality and hope to be able to emulate it one day. She is very open and sharing what you just shared her would be beneficial as she may have some suggestions to help you... She has taught me MUCH outside of the realm of the plants and has helped me grow in many ways.

Life is an experience of what you make of it. You have the power of intention...you can use it to stay 'safe' in the know or you can use inention to manifest your wildest dreams. It is just up to you to put the inention to work.

I would love to meet you too. Be sure to let me know the month that you will be at the WWC so I can come to meet you...or maybe we will be able to meet in another venue before that!

[Joanne]

Hi.

Just wanted to share also (what others have related)about why they have decided to cancel intensives/leave WWC. Some women find it hard to be out of constant contact with families/spouses for a few days. They want to be in phone communication (e.g., cell phones). While at WWC, cell phones are distracting and keep you from fully being in the experience. Also, if it is a live-in intensive that means being and staying at WWC. Some women comment that they want to take intensives, etc. but want to stay at a hotel or B&B with all the creature comforts at the end of the day. Susun insists on no phones and that you stay on-site when that is part of the experience; some people expect Susun to negotiate or make exceptions--then maybe this is NOT for you.

Another issue is food--giving up your coffee, pop, etc for a few days and if you thrive on fast food and junk, you will not like sitting down to beans, salads, soups, etc...


I am a roughing it tent camper-no electric and carry in water; I have friends who want beds, showers, bathrooms (not woods or pit toilets), AC, no bugs, curling irons, coffee makers, microwaves,etc.. make-up, all the foo-foo stuff every day. They would never function outside of the control of home and to subject them to a camping experience would freak them out! I think the same is true for some women going to WWC and getting outside their control/comfort zone. It brings up physical challenges, doubts, fears, vulnerabilites, emotions, etc...

Women need to take the time away for themselves undistracted and be fully PRESENT each day. I think they try to (and expect to) create the experience the way they want it, rather than let it create them. Allow for flexibility and change.

[BrynneMorgan]

Well all the stuff Joanne mentioned is no problem for me (so no one worry[:o)]) I camp fairly regularly in the desert/mountains, though sadly not yet this year. No electric, no bathrooms (and usually no porta potties), no water, (bring your own), etc. I'm not looking forward to the mosquitoes at the WWC, but I'll survive. I've already weaned myself off of coffee in preparation for the trip (I wanted to do it anyway, now I had motivation) and I look forward to new foods, ideas and information. I still smoke though. I've been working at weaning myself off of that too, but it's much more difficult!

Brynne

[MysticalMaiden]

[:)]I too am a smoker... What I do when at the WWC is only smoke in my truck...no place else. All butts go into my ashtray and that way I don't freak out and I don't pollute people who do not want to be polluted. So, if you are unable to not smoke (I don't even pretend to want to not smoke, I like it) then you may want to pitch this idea with Susun. Also...the added benefit is that she has wonderful ideas on how to wean oneself off of ciggs when ready....

Can't wait to meet you.

Joanne, thanks for your post...it explained a lot that I didn't even think about!

[Guest]

MM! I would LOVe to hear those ideas.. I am ready to let go of my smokes- but some part of me is very resistant. HELP! Thanks for all of your wise and thoughtful words... My reason for not smoking is not because I think its bad- I dont- for some people- it doesnt harm them in the slightest... but I feel for me its best to let it go now.... Thanks! Aimee