But June is also that time of year when we celebrate graduations,
and congratulate our kids on their talents and skills at end of year concerts. A time of ripening energies as another cycle ends, and a new season of Summer Solstice begins. It’s soon the end of my Creative Circle classes, the end of
the Menopause Circle, and the beginning of a summer school with Ho Rites of
Passage, where I will finish up a year-long training in ritual facilitation.
I feel especially grateful because both my children have
grads this year, and last weekend was my 30th wedding anniversary. Two
of my sisters came to celebrate with the 100 or so guests, as we boogied to a
70’s theme and amazing music.
I had done something uncharacteristic a few days before and
asked for help in the party planning. So many friends gave us a hand, shopped
with me at Costco, moved lawn furniture, put up lanterns, pasted on Peace
signs; my daughter flew in from NYC to add garlands of flowers and psychedelic
lamp shades to the décor, and for once, I accepted all this help and didn’t try
to do it all myself. We were shopping and decorating for 3 days for this epic 70's party.
Maybe that’s why Dr Northrup’s newsletter today struck such a
chord in me today:
“The feminine is about standing for the highest in others
versus worrying about competition. It’s finding your tribe of sisters who will
be there for you—and support you when you cry, when you fall, when you need
someone to help with a meal. It’s understanding that interdependence is more
powerful than independence—that it’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to ask
for help.
It means that it’s time to take the phrase “I should be
able to do this myself” and transform it to “I really appreciate your
assistance. It makes it so much easier.” And it’s time to allow others the
privilege of giving to you—and for you to learn how to graciously receive.”
As I have a tendency to be a solitary, independent soul, this is a new learning
for me. Some of us have been trained to do it all ourselves,
to never show a sign of weakness, so this is good medicine for us. Time to
celebrate our interdependence with all of creation. At a recent Sweat Lodge in May, I
got in touch with my need for Mother Earth/Terre Mère, for grounding and sustenance. All my relations, we
said, as we clambered into the heat on all fours. Yes, all plants, all
animals, all humans, are my relations. I depend on them for my existence.
So that’s my invitation to you (and myself) this June, and for the
whole summer season.
How can you let down your guard, be less self-contained, ask
for help? How can you begin to open up to the feminine art of receiving from
others, getting support, not trying to Soldier On no matter what, (which often leads to bitter resentments and
hurt feelings when no-one reads our minds).
How can you open up to, and accept, your belonging in the tribe?
Have a wonderful summer, this incredible time of abundance and
celebrations.
Thank you for being part of my tribe!
Musemother/Jennifer
Note:
1 comment:
Thank you for this wonderful piece and for the wonderful celebration. It was so fun to dance with you and celebrate your great achievement of 30 years of partnership. In this day and age that is no small feat. Your sweet family had us a all a bit teary as they expressed their appreciation of your enduring love. And yes... we a need our sisters to hold us up sometimes... and to dance with. We partied in the 70's and we are still celebrating... Life!
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