Womxn's Temple: Nourishing our Roots

The doors to the world of the wild Self
are few but precious.
If you have a deep scar, that is a door,
if you have an old, old story, that is a door.
If you love the sky and the water so much
you almost cannot bear it, that is a door.
If you yearn for a deeper life,
a full life, a sane life, that is a door.
~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés

WELCOME SISTERS
Welcome sisters, take your seat in the circle for the New Year's ceremony on January 3rd! As the days grow lighter, we gather together to nurture and support one another and hold space to share our challenges and our wisdom.

We gather to heal, rest, and thrive in the sacred presence of each other. Hip to hip, heart to heart, hands holding our feet; our ceremony is an act of love, rooted in Mother Earth.

Our invitation for this evening is to nourish the deeper roots of your being, to experience being held and cherished. Who are you? What is your deepest longing? What is important for you? What does the future hold for you? Come relax and listen to the song of your soul.

This Temple is co-hosted by Shailoh Phillips and Yashodhara van Vilsteren (Awakening Women Teacher) who will share Temple practices and embodied mythology from the lineage of the Wisdom School, founded by Chameli Ardagh. See https://awakeningwomen.com/about/#
The evening will be accompanied by live music and drumming by Kelsey and the Universe.

THE MYTH OF THE NORNS
For this gathering, we will be diving into the ancient Norse mythology of the Norns, the powerful female creatures who live by the well of fate, under the cosmic tree Yggdrasill. From the ancient writings of the Poetic Edda (Iceland), we have the story of three Norns called Urd (the Past), Verdandi (Present) and Skuld (what shall be). The stories show striking similarities with the Moirai (fates) of Greek mythology.

MEET THE NORNS MEDITATION
From the Awakening Women School, there is a free meditation available that guides you into the primordial well to meet and converse with the Norns. If you are curious about the practices and would like to get a taste in advance, you are welcome to try this at home before (or after).
​​https://awakeningwomen.com/living-goddess-well

EMBODIMENT PRACTICES
We explore myths as maps of our consciousness. Myths invite us to connect our personal story to the larger patterns we are a part of. This magical combination of myth and embodiment opens a sacred door to the entire universe.

This evening includes the invitation to practice nourishing and supporting touch to yourself and others - including giving and receiving a foot massage. We view our bodies as portals into the vast mystery of being, connecting us all the way from the tiniest trembling particles to the vast expanding galaxies. We open a ritual space, bringing our attention into the body as an entrance into the cosmic dance of life, death and rebirth.

We practice respectful touch with loving kindness, guiding you to create a brave space, where you can voice your needs and boundaries. If you want some alone time, we offer a relaxed corner to retreat.

TIMES
18.00-18.45 - Arrival, vegan soup provided; please bring snacks to share
18.45 - Temple doors open, live music by Kelsey and the Universe
19.00 - Ritual opening ceremony
Temple with nourishing touch, storytelling, music, singing, sharing circles, dance, foot massage (nourishing your roots)
21.30 - Closing
You are welcome to stay afterwards until 22.00

PLEASE BRING
- your intentions, dreams and visions for the new year
- festive comfortable clothing that you can move and dance in
- a (small) towel
- your favorite massage oil
- snacks to share
- flowers or objects to contribute to the altar

EXCHANGE
We ask a financial contribution to make this special evening possible. We are open to other forms of exchange of money is currently tight for you. Please be welcome, whatever your situation.

QUESTIONS & CONTACT
feel free to contact Shailoh at +316 30161205

SHARED PLAYLIST
Here is a collaborative playlist to get you in the mood for our Temple: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3fGQl22yr3WT1qE9bZuUBI?si=47e61d55a2364654

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Yashodhara (she/her) originally from Holland, lives near Munich and has been practicing with Chameli and Awakening Women since 2005. She has participated and assisted in many Awakening Women seminars. Yashodhara was the team leader of all German temple group trainings when Chameli taught them. For 16 years she has been facilitating women’s temple evenings, days and weekends. Yashodhara also offers temples for couples, private sessions in Tibetan Pulsing Yoga and The Journey of Brandon Bays.

Shailoh (she/they) is an artist, educator and researcher dedicated to listening to the cry for a more beautiful and just world. Trained in cultural anthropology, philosophy and arts education, she has been working in the cultural field for over 15 years. They have been holding women's temple and queer sanctuary in Amsterdam in the lineage of Awakening Women since fall 2022, bringing in an ancient legacy of music and sacred belonging beyond gender. Shailoh is currently working on a PhD on narrative, arts and palliative care practices with University of Twente.

Kelsey and the Universe
https://kelseyandtheuniverse.com/en/about-me/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFyz_URwWgc

DIRECTIONS
The entrance is on the back of the building (walk around the left side). The location is a 5 minute walk from the tram stop, and 10 min walk from Amsterdam Lelylaan train station.
It is easily accessible by car. Parking costs €2,40 per hour and is free after 19.00 uur.

*This is a women’s temple circle. We use the term womxn as an explicit invitation to all women and nonbinary folks who feel called to be part of these sisterhood practices to join. And yes, trans women are women and entirely welcome <3