A Quilt of Sarongs

Sometimes you can pinpoint the moment of transformation. Sometimes you just know the catalyst that inspired you to trust your wings and fly. For ten women, many of whom, did not know each other, that moment in time occurred in Kadavu, Fiji at the Papageno Eco-resort. On this spiritual retreat, each woman chose for herself from a myriad of events, which ones would benefit her in reclaiming the whole woman within. We rode the undulating waves of what it truly means to be a Divine manifestation of the Archetypical Female with ritual, cultural immersion, nature, and Cava. Beginning with the dark of the moon, we explored the crone and the sage woman within. Here we honored tears and mourned the fact that America cheered Jackie Kennedy's stoicism when her husband died, instead of applauding her tears as she was carried, weeping behind his coffin.

We learned to have no fear when it comes to letting old parts of us die and to hold our boundaries. During the maiden ceremony we journeyed to a place of darkness and fear. Here we discovered self-trust, self-reliance, and the right to claim our power and personal gift. The temptress visualization led us to meet the sacred slut within. This ritual added self-acceptance, liberation, and fun to our repertoire. And we skinny-dipped in the ocean under a crescent moon. To honor the mother we immersed ourselves in nature. This face of the Goddess implores us to own our wishes, dreams, and creativity and bring them to fullness. We explored the culture through learning mat weaving, tapa making, visiting the school and participating in the Sacred Turtle Calling Ceremony. We relaxed into nature by collecting shells and lucky pods, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and swinging on hammocks. During the Cava circles we danced, laughed and joined the Fijian family. Every event and excursion was optional, thus supporting each woman in her search to find and trust the healer within. There was no judgment or expectation. We listened as ours sisters shared fears, tears, and dreams, sometimes revealing a belief in smallness. We were vulnerable together, exposing our hearts. The sisterhood responded by mirroring back a beautiful, larger-than-life reflection of the Goddess. I owe who I am today to Cat Walker, Madame Mermaid, MamaDawn, Criky, Headlight, Macarena, Jewels, Bra Burner, Lily, and Slip-n-Slide. This spiral of our empowerment was woven together in a quilt of sarongs.
Vinaka.


Blessed Be!
Jamie