Kia ora koutouWelcome to our November newsletter!I am trying to maintain a sense of peace, even though there is a dash of exhaustion swirled in. After having a very busy last few months, and as we reach the end of the year, my energy levels are waning, so I have decided to take a month off from 15th Dec-15th Jan.To be completely honest, as we continue down the road of trials, the main question I ask myself these days is how can we stay focused and move forward when the world around us is in such crisis, social, political, and environmental? I usually try to keep my newsletters upbeat, positive and event-focused. Centred around the good work that happens in the Red Tent. But something happened that literally 'blew me away' last month and it feels like my centre has been scattered to the four winds...More on that later...In this newsletter, I will be sharing lots of juicy info with you all and can't wait to let you know what's been going on behind the scenes at Red Tent Aotearoa.
FACILITATOR TRAINING:
Photo credits - Elemental Media
First of all, I want to congratulate the latest group of women to complete the Red Tent Facilitator Training.
What an honour it was to spend time with these Goddesses!
They came from all corners of Aotearoa to spend 5 days together in the safety and sanctuary of the Red Tent. Traversing the peaks and valleys, finding comfort, community, confidence and compassion.
Our time together was magical, and even though a month has passed it feels like the bond is stronger than ever.
Today we are having our one-month Zoom check-in and I can't wait to see them all again!
Women came from Auckland, Waikato, Westport, Greymouth, Methven, Invercargill and Christchurch. So, keep an eye out for Red Tents starting all over the country soon!
Please check out
and share with any women you know who would benefit from this gathering of support and safety.
Women who have each others' backs, women who no longer compete, or compare are showing up for themselves and each other in the Red Tent.
WILD FEMININE SOUL MEDICINE:
Three weeks ago almost 70 women joined us at Staveley Camp in Canterbury for a weekend of transformation and belonging.
It was magical from the first moment, 'til the very last, with a million phenomenal synchronicities (meaningful coincidences) throughout the weekend that have changed so much for so many!
I felt so grateful to be able to spend time with such incredible, magical women in such a stunning location! And mother Nature definitely put on a show for us...
There will be many more pics and shares to come about this weekend very soon, and for those who came to the retreat and were set on attending my Healing The Mother Wound workshop, I'm so sorry it wasn't able to take place. I am working on putting it online in the new year and you'll be the first to know when it's open for enrolments.
During the Saturday morning breathwork session gale-force winds of up to 150kms per hour whipped through the area and with them they destroyed our beloved Red Tent. ;-(
This all happened so quickly that it almost seemed unreal. The image of the tent blowing across the field is seared into my mind...
It seemed to culminate in many unresolved traumas surfacing in that moment that have continued to haunt me daily.
I am working through this with the help of our guest speaker last month
who is a mind/body connection therapist and I highly recommend her!
When I started to take in the enormity of losing this place of safety, zen and transformation I started to understand how deeply having this space meant. It was a part of me and every time I remember what happened my heart sinks all over again.
I think because it was SO sacred, unique and meant so much to many women it is even more devastating...
The amazing Amber Johnson has set up a 'Give A Little' funding campaign to replace the tent with a bigger, stronger version, I am eternally grateful for her support.
If you can find it in your heart to donate and share it all the women who will benefit from this space send you thanks and love.
Receiving is hard when you're the one who is used to giving. I'm so appreciative of all the loving words and generous donations so far, thank you all so much for understanding the sanctity of this space and the need to replace it.
UPCOMING RED TENT CIRCLE:
We've found a temporary home for our next circle at
, which also happens to be the new home of The Cacao Ambassador.
We are so excited to be welcoming Jenny Malcolm to be our special guest speaker at
.
Tickets are on sale now for this event that will take place on Sunday 12th Nov from 3-6 pm, I'm really looking forward to seeing you all there!
MELAINA FARANDA IS COMING TO AOTEAROA!
I am thrilled to announce that my dear friend and international author of over 50 novels Melaina Faranda is coming to visit.
While she is here she will be performing a Myth-telling at the
on Tuesday 14th Nov starting at 6:45 pm.
This is how our ancestors shared stories for millennia, without blockbuster CGI but - voice to ear, imagination to imagination, heart to heart.
If you yearn for the alchemy of in-the-real gathering with others for the love of storybooks your place soon.
Numbers are intentionally limited for a more intimate sharing within the gorgeous atmosphere of the Mary Potter Community Centre.
Tickets are selling fast for this event and all are welcome, although this is not a children's event ;)
There will be brownies and chai for sale at intermission so bring your pocket money.
Melaina is also offering a three-day creative writing workshop while she's here at Manuka Cottage in Addington. There are still spaces available, but this one will be closing this Friday so please get in contact if you are interested or
.
Uncover Your Writing Potential: Building Confidence Through Creativity.
If you're drawn to words, writing, and stories - and have ever felt creatively stuck, scared, lacking in confidence, are looking for support and guidance, or simply just longing to grant yourself time and permission to truly engage with your creative soul... Here's your one-off absolutely not-to-be-missed opportunity to do so in person with Melaina Faranda - Australian author of over fifty published books.
As well as having worked with numerous major publishers, Melaina is a manuscript consultant and masterful writing facilitator of various workshops, courses and retreats across Australia and the UK that continually receive rave feedback.Over three days of this one-time-only Christchurch workshop (November 17th-19th) you will be guided through a non-stop variety of exercises, tips, tools, and techniques, including the secrets of learning how to self-edit your work.Prepare to be amazed by your own breakthroughs and word count!
Here's What Past Writing Workshop Participants Have to Say:
‘What an incredible ride! Never have I learnt and understood and been able to apply so much in such a short period of time. Melaina is an engaging, exciting facilitator deftly alternating between leading and encouraging, showing and enquiring. My bag of tricks, and my confidence in my writing have multiplied so much in just 3 days. Wow (again!) Thoroughly recommend you stop procrastinating or deliberating – just do it, you won’t be sorry.’ - Bron
‘Melaina is very energising and engaging. I currently feel excited and ready to finish my book and would recommend this course, especially for anyone wanting to get started! Or be inspired!’ - Steph
‘Amazing momentum, ability to articulate knowledge well, oozing talent and creative ability.’ - Jenny
'Melania's Unlock Your Creativity workshop was one of the most inspiring workshops I have attended in 40 years of attending workshops.' - Lynn
'I wasn't sure what to expect when I signed up for Melaina's writing course but I decided to do it because I wanted to explore creative writing more and I'm really glad I did. Melaina was incredibly inspiring and took us through many different ways to access the creative part of us. I'm now looking forward to writing more on my own. I'd recommend this to anyone who has ever considered trying to write or for someone who wants to get back to writing - it's a wonderful way in.' - Nick.
I'm really looking forward to seeing you soon at one (or all) of our upcoming events, please stay in touch and reach out if you need support.
Ngā mihi nui,Jill Natalia.
