Message from Susan Ann . . .
Greetings. The spring time of the year allows my soul and spirit to proffer praises to the morning. I now sleep with my French doors flung wide open to the night elements. I am awakened each morning way before dawn, when the birds sense the first intimations of light. Not long after that, my own little canary begins his song, and the spring morning has again shared its gifts with me.
During these mornings of early rising, I have found myself reflecting upon women, women in circle, and women in relationship and the deep sense of connection women seem to desire if not require. Much of the draw of Crones Counsel for me is relational connectedness that happens at Counsel. I am enlivened by being able to “take-in” other women – their thoughts, feelings, and experiences – and then connecting this to my own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The more numerous and diverse my interactions at Counsel, the more I seem to be able to expand my understanding of the broader human experience. Feeling together and moving together the way we do at Counsel seems to enliven me. It increases my energy, my zest, for life.
The vision of Crones Counsel to “counsel with one another” allows each woman to experience a heightened sense of authenticity, validation, and response/ability. As psychologist, Janet L. Surry has explained “The ‘I’ is enhanced as the ‘we’ emerges.” When we come together and “see” and “hear” together, something happens. We become connected, and connection is the core of women’s power and creative energies.
I look forward to this particular kind of “magic” that I know will happen again in October. I look forward to being with the women who have opened the doors of my mind and to meeting the new women who will open yet other doors, other ways of sensing and feeling and knowing.
As a Mother Board, we are so thankful for Melinda and Lani who are planning, scheming, and creating the container that will hold all of us for five glorious days. Many of you will be assisting in the creation of the Mt. Shasta Gathering and to you we say “Thank You” and “Carry Forth.”
To those of you who have been away for awhile, take the leap and come to Mt. Shasta. You have not been forgotten and would be welcomed back with joy and love. And, to each woman who will join with us for the first time, we wish for you nothing but full welcome and full immersion into the magic of Crones Counsel.
“The horizon of our limits is infinitely expandable, more is possible, and what is perceived to be extraordinary is, in the larger framework of reality, both necessary and ordinary.”
– Jean Houston
There is so much excitement for this event that our registration numbers are higher than they have been for many years for this early in the game. And, the resort chalets are 80% full. We couldn’t be happier with this set of circumstances. Let us know if we can help you with any aspects of registration or housing and we will be a glad to assist you.
Register here: https://www.cronescounsel.org/registration
If you have questions about registration please contact: cronenancy@q.com
To make your room reservation contact: (800) 958-3363 or (530) 926-3030
Many of you have requested information about offering a workshop. Please send all workshop proposals to:
Melinda Field at truemelinda@gmail.com or Lani Phillips at info@wisewomanink.com
We are requesting that your workshop resonate with the theme for our gathering, The Eternal Spiral.
I existed from all eternity
And behold, I am here;
And I shall exist till the end of time
For my being has no end.
Alternatively, workshops about intergenerational connections between young women, mothers, matriarchs and crones will be welcome. If you are fierce and on fire with another possibility for a workshop, write it up and it will be given due attention and consideration.
We look forward to hearing from you. The work shop proposal form: WORKSHOPS FORM CC 2015
A Note about Wisdom Circles by Marian Karpisek
Wisdom circles are a traditional and treasured part of Crones Counsel. Each morning, after the general storytelling session, we create sacred space for small groups to meet in Wisdom Circles. We meet to speak and listen from our hearts as we get to know the others in our circle at a deeper level. Within these intimate circles, each woman is supported as she shares her story, her concerns, and her thoughts.
Each woman will be assigned to a specific circle. You will receive the name of your Wisdom Circle and information about where your circle will meet when you get your packet at registration. This year the theme of the Wisdom Circles is also the theme for the gathering: The Eternal Spiral.
The Wisdom Circles provide a safe space where every woman can feel free to speak and know that what she says will not go beyond those present in the circle. The intent of the circle is to simply listen and hear what is being said. Unless the woman who is speaking asks for feedback, no suggestions are given.
Bring a token that represents yourself to put on your circle’s altar and be prepared for what may be a life-changing experience. Your presence makes a difference for everyone in the circle.
Indra’s Net, Webs of Action, Arms of Connection
“Far away in the heavenly abode of the great god Indra, there is a wonderful net which has been hung by some cunning artificer in such a manner that it stretches out infinitely in all directions. In accordance with the extravagant tastes of deities, the artificer has hung a single glittering jewel in each “eye” of the net, and since the net itself is infinite in dimension, the jewels are infinite in number. There hang the jewels, glittering “like” stars in the first magnitude, a wonderful sight to behold. If we now arbitrarily select one of these jewels for inspection and look closely at it, we will discover that in its polished surface there are reflected all the other jewels in the net, infinite in number. Not only that, but each of the jewels reflected in this one jewel is also reflecting all the other jewels, so that there is an infinite reflecting process occurring.”- Alan Watts
At Counsel this year, for those of you who are interested, we will create webs within Crones Counsel to further all of the activities of the counsel. Each of us is indeed a glittering jewel. We each bring something unique and powerful to the Gathering. Now, we will be able to bring something unique and powerful to the ongoing evolution of Crones Counsel as an organization. There are opportunities to work in various areas – public relations, archives, local crone circles, the newsletter, outreach, research and development, education, materials production, crone poetry, ritual and ceremony…. and so much more. Think about the area in which you would shine the brightest and let us know. We look forward to having everyone become a jewel in our beautiful, beautiful web.