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You Are Invited!

We are Gathering Women’s Wisdom — A collective of individuals each standing in her individual power, awareness, and experience. A sisterhood of collective wisdom, safety, and support. Our gatherings are a container for deeper connection, authenticity, and joy. We offer and receive meaningful personal exploration and exchange, compassion, acceptance, and inspiration. In the welcoming embrace of these soulful playmates, we endeavor to each find nourishment for a self-sustaining, empowered life and thrive together.

You are welcomed to browse the posts to see what aspects we have navigated and get a sense of the group interest and focus.

This collective is supported by donations.
Your donation is deeply appreciated and can be sent through PayPal to cynthia@gatheringwomenswisdom.com.


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Shifting Consciousness

We are about to experience a window of time when, for the first time in 22,000 years a portal is opening with the purpose of balancing our physical, emotional and mental bodies in coherence. There have been many individuals preparing with great effort and commitment to come into a unified harmony for the purpose of establishing a network of living consciousness on and with our mother Earth. 

On February 22, 2022 there will be a group of individuals on the I AM path around the world who are focusing their energies, intentions and alignments within themselves, on the planetary network to shift consciousness on the planet. It will take place in Giza’s pyramids, Egypt, the axis of the planetary consciousness. Each of us are invited to be part of this shift. I will be happy share more information with you on the call if interest and time allows.
If you would like to learn about this click here. And it serves as testimony to the fact that many significant, supportive, and historical shifts are underway without our cognitive knowledge! There are lots of headlines reporting news of tragedy and reasons to be afraid. The I Am path, is an example of what is not being reported that is also true. You know people directly who choose to direct their lives and choices in a supportive direction for the greater good. There are now so many reflections of this on tv, in movies, and even celebrity bios.

  • Will Smith’s new biography is out and he talks about his daily 2-4 hour practice of morning meditation, reading, and visioning what he wants to see in the world. The same is true of Bobby McFerrin who spends 4 hours each morning meditating, reading and offering prayer.
  • Netflix documentaries; The Kindness Diaries where a guy drives from Alaska to Argentina supported only, by the kindness of strangers. Or Down to Earth, a global tour of ways groups of people are choosing to live in harmony with the earth in old and new ways. Or even the Big Little Farm about the journey of a young couple and their dog that unfolds into a community building establishment that was built in harmony and love.
  • The numerous works of Oprah Winfrey and of late, Brene Brown as feminine pioneers in the subjects of humanitarian studies.
  • There have been many others not mentioned some of which are local to you and are you!

We are waking up to the bigger, bigger picture for which we agreed to be born into this world, to be here now! Let’s be a stand for what we want to see in the world and recognize that those reflections around us that don’t match are just shadows of what was, of the past choices made, and that like shadows, they will vanish with more light.

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The “I Am” Path

We are about to experience a window of time when, for the first time in 22,000 years a portal is opening with the purpose of balancing our physical, emotional and mental bodies in coherence. There have been many individuals preparing with great effort and commitment to come into a unified harmony for the purpose of establishing a network of living consciousness on and with our mother Earth. 

On February 22, 2022 there will be a group of individuals on the I AM path around the world who are focusing their energies, intentions and alignments within themselves, on the planetary network to shift consciousness on the planet. It will take place in Giza’s pyramids, Egypt, the axis of the planetary consciousness. Each of us are invited to be part of this shift. I will be happy share more information with you on the call if interest and time allows.
If you would like to learn about this click here. And it serves as testimony to the fact that many significant, supportive, and historical shifts are underway without our cognitive knowledge! There are lots of headlines reporting news of tragedy and reasons to be afraid.

The I Am path, is an example of what is not being reported that is also true. You know people directly who choose to direct their lives and choices in a supportive direction for the greater good. There are now so many reflections of this on tv, in movies, and even celebrity bios.

  • Will Smith’s new biography is out and he talks about his daily 2-4 hour practice of morning meditation, reading, and visioning what he wants to see in the world. The same is true of Bobby McFerrin who spends 4 hours each morning meditating, reading and offering prayer.
  • Netflix documentaries; The Kindness Diaries where a guy drives from Alaska to Argentina supported only, by the kindness of strangers. Or Down to Earth, a global tour of ways groups of people are choosing to live in harmony with the earth in old and new ways. Or even the Big Little Farm about the journey of a young couple and their dog that unfolds into a community building establishment that was built in harmony and love.
  • The numerous works of Oprah Winfrey and of late, Brene Brown as feminine pioneers in the subjects of humanitarian studies.
  • There have been many others not mentioned some of which are local to you and are you!

We are waking up to the bigger, bigger picture for which we agreed to be born into this world, to be here now! Let’s be a stand for what we want to see in the world and recognize that those reflections around us that don’t match are just shadows of what was, of the past choices made, and that like shadows, they will vanish with more light.

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Beginnings and Endings

What is a beginning? Well, it’s what follows an ending. And what is an ending? It’s what precedes a beginning. Simple right?

Here we are coming to the actual end of the year, and the beginning of a new one. I always have projects that I want to complete by the end of the year or just want done so I don’t have to drag them into the new year! But, it’s true in the bigger picture, that really we are part of a continuum of time and seasons, months and years and this creates a sort of tension to help propel us forward and feel the experience of the “movement” of time passing.

I love the space between Christmas and New Years. It feels like “the space between the worlds” to me. It’s sort of a void where we all are accepting of delays in response and getting things done. We are kind of recuperating from the hectic-ness of holiday activities. I find myself reflecting on the year as I see it drawing to a close and I say my goodbyes to what was, and wasn’t as I had hoped. As I look forward I ask myself “What am I choosing to invite in this new year?”. I like having a theme as a guide post for the coming year. We all have so many interests and responsibilities but having chosen a thoughtful focal point can be very stabilizing and add potency to our time and choices. If you were to choose a word to act as a theme for your new year, what would it be?

“In reality, the law of Being, the Law of One, is that to achieve what I want, I must become it and act in accordance and resonance. I attract what I am, not what I want. Thus, fullness and balance will come to your life when all that you believed separated, coexists as One in you. The past lives in your genetics, the future lives in the potentialities of your DNA, both coexist in what you are in the present. The spirit is the vibration that activates the energy of the molecules that you call soul, forming the matter that you know as the body. The spirit was always in you, you don’t have to find it, you have to see it, feel it, be it and expand it from you.” YoSoy, Fullness 9/2/20

“Everything we do is expansive, looking for new forms of ourselves. Cells multiply, people reproduce. The further you go back in time, you will see a huge number of ancestors branch out, thousands of people who originated you, in a time when there were not so many people … Trees generate thousands of seeds, giving rise to hundreds of new trees. Stars explode creating planets, black holes expand creating galaxies … Mountains erode creating grains of sand. Everything expands looking for new thousands of forms, and yet, without ceasing to be the original.” YoSoy, Expansion 12/11/20

All of the aspects of my life that I recognize as endings are also evidence of expansion! This year I choose to be open to what else is possible – beyond what I have known, experienced or even imagined! I am inviting in new opportunities, people, and pleasures to explore. I am willing to be a neutral observer with no agenda or obligation to engage without my expressed consent. I am open to all of the changes that may be lining up for me to experience my greatest destiny.

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Relax into the Pleasure

Here we are at the ending of the year 2021. A traditional time of counting our many blessings, time with family and friends, and of course preparing to call in the new year. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it can be challenging for me to call in the things that “I want” because I feel like, (a) I’m not certain what they are, (b) I’m not sure it’s “realistic” for me, the situation, reality, and/or (c) I don’t want to “get my hopes up”. As I tell you this I realize I have some judgments about that. Setting judgments aside, I am taking a look at this for myself.

Calling things into our field is most potent when it is clear and complete. Like asking any question, the answer you receive is dependent on how the question is conveyed. If I’m asking for less than I want or need because I believe it’s too much and I need to compromise, then what comes will be influenced by that. Sometimes, after many years of this pattern of settling for less than what is needed, we become numb to what our heart and soul long for and therefore what options there are available.

There is much courage in compromising and getting through tough situations for the greater good. However, how would one know if they got stuck there? Would that be for “the greater good” really? When you take a moment quietly to yourself and consider this question, are you willing to know the answer? I’ve just had a personal experience with this dynamic. I can see how I have been practicing this old pattern of fitting into the “allowable box” to make it easier; for myself and others – probably. But this is so ineffective. And, I wasn’t consciously choosing this practice, it had become a habit. You know a habit – the thing we learn to do without thinking…?

Thankfully, we have friends in our life who can and do distinctly inspire us to live more fully, engage more with life, take risks and find pleasure, satisfaction and personal growth. They are the ones who on occasion invite you to engage more on a level that is not “normal” for you. At that point we can choose to step out of our comfort zone, or not. And there’s no shame in either choice. Every choice is just a choice – not the “right” answer. Time to let that go…

When I am struggling with a choice, I realize it is in-part because it involves others so it’s not totally my decision; it helps to strip back any others in the equation and look at it from just my perspective of what I need and want. At that point I can at least be clear about my feelings, desires and preferences. Now comes the really important part; the meantime. And let’s remember, “The middle is messy. But it’s also where the magic happens.” -Brene Brown

I heard a voice the other morning as I woke up in bed; “Relax into the pleasure of it.”. This really caused me to think. First of all, to think about pleasure, what pleasure was it that I had, to relax into. That was different. Secondly, the use of the word “it” seemed to apply to many things, perhaps everything! What a concept! And you know what? At that moment there was pleasure; my warm cozy covers in the early morning light, looking out my window feeling the still and calm of it inside and out. I would have totally missed that otherwise thinking about the to-do list of what comes next!

All of life is in process of becoming something else; we call it transformation, evolution, or “the only constant is change”. That being said, there is a whole lot of “meantime” going on. I realize making peace with the “in-between” time and actually looking for the pleasure points in it – I find joy in many ways. And I also see how this is a new shift in my awareness. It feels more truly authentic, unapologetic, whole, and centered. It feels more supportive to Life and to my life; more honoring to those who came before me who made countless sacrifices for my life to be healthy and happy.

I hope your “Wish Lists” are big this year. I hope you pull out all of the stops and put it out to the Universe without editing, without compromise, trusting divine timing and knowing you are massively supported in your successes!

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The Gift of Change

What’s on my heart of late is colored by the many recent shifts and changes in my personal life, some of which I am happy to share when we are together. Many of them, no in fact all of them good, healthy, expanded, and well – a bit uncomfortable.

This Thanksgiving we had two less family members at the dinner table. And yet although it initially felt like a loss, it was smooth, calmer than normal, more equitable and pleasant. Hearts were present and open and it felt more authentic and less forced (which comes with a very mixed or conflicted vibration). In retrospect, we have experienced a shuffling and redistribution that is more aligned for all concerned. And there is a freedom of expansion present that is new.

There has been a new clarity about patterns in myself, my home and work life that are more compelling than before. And, there is movement around them more than ever and I am encouraged, even though it feels uncertain where that movement will take me. What’s happening? It’s freedom of expansion, transformation, death and rebirth; aka; evolution.
Let’s back up a bit for a better perspective. No, I really want to move forward. Let’s explore what might be possible if we open our awareness to Magic and Alchemy, if we remember (“re” – “member”) or connect to our ancestral birthrights. Who were your ancestors? What were some of their experiences and abilities? Which part of the earth did they come from? Where did they live their life? What did they love?

If you see life as continually evolving and connected, then we are the continuation of our ancestors and not as separate as we may have thought. Perhaps we are the current metamorphosis of them… When I think along these lines, I feel a wee bit less like “myself” and more a definite part of something much bigger. There is an underlying sense of purpose that catches my attention and an equal measure of uncertainty. It’s been supportive for me to acknowledge these places in my awareness and to be with them without judgement, without an effort to control or fix. But instead allow the awareness of the question or the missing clarity, actually draw that clarity to me; to create a sort of vacuum effect by allowing the empty space to be not only present but a dominant piece.

The expansion continues to grow as we roll out the “welcome mat” and experience this new “in our face ” clarity as the gift we have been waiting for! We can see it as progress and not a “problem”. Of late it feels to me like a time of gathering honesty with myself about my values and beliefs. And then to be willing and active in recognizing those like-minded individuals who are aligned with me. It feels purposeful to consciously choose who I spend my time with and how . For me, that includes people yes, but also screens, TV, music, social media, news, etc. I am amazed how much I have available to choose from that is free, easy to access, and just what I need right now! You each are part of this for me.

We have the option to dive deeper in our connection with each other. We can share our experiences, tips for success, unanswered questions, etc. when we gather or even outside of those two times each month. I would like to deeply acknowledge you all, for the significant part each of you have played in my well-being. I would deeply value hearing from you what support you receive or would like to be part of with this group. Is it supportive for you? If not, what would be? Let’s “clean out the closet” so to speak, and make some creative and empowered choices.

Here are some things to consider before our zoom call and perhaps share on Saturday:

  1. Who were your ancestors?
  2. What was their Magic or Alchemy?
  3. How do they show up in your life?
  4. What do you draw from for support?
  5. How does “support” happen for you?
  6. How is this group supportive for you, or is it?
  7. And if not, how might it be more supportive?
  8. How might you invite in supportive people, experiences, and qualities to your life right now?
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The Time of Harvest

At this time, we find ourselves in the vibration of the full moon and lunar eclipse in Taurus (lessons to learn about money, possessions, property, and physical health). Sandwiched between the full moon, lunar eclipse on the 19th and the Sun moving into Sagittarius on the 21st, there is much shifting in and around us!

The lunar eclipse is the first in a new 2 year cycle and is square Jupiter, asking us to set our priorities right, and it is trine Pluto, giving us that inner drive to clarify our desires and the determination to figure out what to do next.

When our Ego (Sun) and our Mind (Mercury) meet the karmic point of least resistance (South Node) in the sign of wisdom (Sagittarius) I can almost hear Paul McCartney singing “When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be”. It also reminds me of Trevor Hall’s song The Fruitful Darkness, click here to check it out which has a powerful message that we have all we need at any given moment.

We are moving ever closer to the seasonal activities of holidays and social time reconnecting with those we have relationships with. It’s useful to have a keen awareness of the energetic “climate” present. We are being invited perhaps even encouraged or challenged to navigate higher energies. Allowing your power through you, is essential now and for the next couple of months. This could be finding your balance in troubling times, or speaking your truth, or allowing your gifts to be expressed out into the world. Whatever it is for you, resistance will be uncomfortable and will serve to slow the progress.

If you are dealing with something that is not moving forward and you keep having delays, ask yourself if there’s something that you need to learn, something shifting or wanting to come in that needs space provided. It’s a great time to allow ourselves to “re-write” our scripts! The higher vibrations continuing to come in are influencing the growth and balance at this new higher vibrational level.

This is a golden opportunity for healing old wounds, shifting long term patterns in relationships and making strides in self acceptance. No matter what, it will be a “different” experience this end-of-year than any other as we are all feeling the influences to deepen our connections with ourselves and speak our truth as an example. Things understandably might feel unfamiliar and that’s not to say there is something “wrong”. We want to be on the lookout for any un-supportive self-talk and be clear about what we now choose to tell ourselves.

In my home this holiday season we will have less family around the holiday table. Significant things have shifted for us. I want to hold out the welcome mat to how things might be different in an enjoyable way, perhaps a long held desire now has a place to land.
Each of us has innate wisdom for how to care deeply for ourselves. Nothing is too small or insignificant either. One example I can share is that I am taking more opportunities to ask “What do I need in this moment?”, lighting Palo Santo wood or Sage around my bed before sleep, or taking a moment in a busy day to be still and “let my soul catch up”. I would love to hear what you find provides deep support for you.

These opportunities we have created to gather are about the exchange of ideas and experiences we have skillfully created into being, that offer value to ourselves and others. We can share from our harvest; the abundance that we posses. The wisdom you have is a gift. And none are too small or too large. This is a safe space to “practice” stepping out with our heart and voice, allowing each of us to be seen and heard.

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Deeper Truths

It’s Fall, the leaves radiate color that was previously unseen. The air has a damp chill that seems to comfort the land. And mother Earth is reminding us of the naturalness of change. Our experience with the cycles of each year may make it seem routine, normal, even constant. And yet there is a consistent and subtle urging from Gaia telling us to listen, to feel, and to adapt. Life is ever changing!

As our planet Earth traverses the solar system, within a galaxy of spinning stars and planets, within the greater Universe; so too do we move through space and time. Each perspective, experience, and lesson, brings us to a deeper truth. When this happens sometimes we react by thinking we are wrong in a previous perspective or belief. The downward spiral of that perspective might take us into self doubt, mistrust, or even paralysis for awhile. However, if we look to Nature as a blueprint for Life, we see that change is constant and actually supports the continuation Life!

This month has a significant acceleration in and around “deeper truths”. We might choose to be open to experiencing this shift as normal and natural. Change brings unsteadiness, but unsteady is consistent with all movement! Otherwise, we’d never walk! We can set an intention to recognize shifts and changes as a natural and important part of growth. And, it would be understandable if that “muscle” might need a little exercise.
Through the seasons of our life, there are many stages, as in the Maiden, Mother and Crone. Throughout time, caregivers have had the same experience of change; birthing, protecting and loving, then letting go. The “quieter” we become in the awareness of life around us, the more details will be noticeable. And the more I become the observer in my relationships the more they can be an exploration of Love.

At any intersection of change there is an interruption of routine and we have an opportunity to reclaim our true authentic self. It can be uncomfortable experiencing the fracturing and breaking down of the existing structure in place that has allowed us to feel “safe” in our routine. But has it actually been an accurate assessment? It is very human to “fill in the blanks” and bring order to chaos, but looking at the deeper truth might include accepting that life is chaos and intended to be for maximum creativity. And we can choose to be the alchemist; bringing creativity to the chaotic party of Life!

Here’s a poem to illustrate both a deeper truth and reclaiming one’s true authentic self: I will believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is: I believe in my power to transform indifference into love. I believe I have an amazing gift to keep hope alive in the face of despair. I believe I have the remarkable skill of deleting bitterness from my life. I believe in my budding potential to live with a nonviolent heart. I believe in my passion to speak the truth even when it isn’t popular. I believe I have the strength of will to be peace in a world of violence. I believe in my miraculous capacity for unconditional love. I will believe the truth about myself no matter how beautiful it is. ~Macrina Wiederkehr from Seven Sacred Pauses, Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day

Are you willing to see your beauty? Your strength and compassion? Are you willing to claim your gifts and therefore be in a position to use them in your alchemy? To risk being of sound mind and heart, connecting to your own source of inspiration rather than following others in an attempt to be accepted and worthy? It’s all good. Remember that we are here to explore Love. However we choose to experience our time here is perfect! And we do choose, consciously or not.

My intention is to open myself to the deeper truths that are unfamiliar to me. To see this unfolding of my world as an opportunity for being more clear about my personal truth and therefore claim access to my power of choice and influence. And to follow that quiet voice inside as my guide rather than the many external perspectives, for my self-measurement. My sacred question is, “Do I have the courage to move freely into uncharted waters? To consciously explore Love? And to remember who I know myself to be, to trust my ability to navigate?” This, is what helps steady my uncertain movement through time and space.

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Align With Love

I love seeing Marie Kondo on Netflix demonstrating the value and practicality of claiming one’s space and organizing it in a way that sparks joy and a feeling of support and ultimately empowerment. Of late, I have been wishing for the book on “inner organization”! 

Currently, since the end of covid-lockdown, I have had a growing list of both situations and physical things that require my attention. I choose to live as consciously as I can and see every opportunity as a growth opportunity. An Oneida elder once taught me the endless value and beauty of considering a conflict and saying to one’s self “What am I to learn from this?”. It can bring a powerful and significant shift in perspective that puts me in the driver’s seat. I also believe it is closer to the truth than anything else I could tell myself.

No other time in history have we had so many choices. Never before have we had so much ___, fill in the blank! And not just on the positive side of the spectrum either! I feel pummeled by the sheer volume of activity, information, awareness, necessity, importance; I could go on. Perhaps now you have a sense about the overload of my circuits? Clearly, an overloaded circuit is not the most stable or productive support tool.

Drawing from the knowledge and experience I have, I remembered my training in Permaculture. It operates from the perspective of concentric rings starting at the center with the most important sphere of influence, and traveling out with distinct differences, to the fifth ring which holds space for the “wild corridor” those untamed beings. It is essential in planning purposeful space in a homestead for example. So I got the biggest paper I could find and started drawing concentric rings. I caught myself putting “home” and “family” at the center and then corrected it by putting “self” instead. That, helped to center me in an instant.

You see, I’ve been experiencing myself checking out as a result of mentally spinning. I encounter overwhelming volume of things requiring my attention, some of which I really don’t want to do, and then in a fit of exhaustion or mental hysteria, I check out. I will admit, in that moment it feels like the most powerful thing I can do for myself. However, it’s a bit like a snowball, overtime the list gets bigger and the pressure compounds.

One teacher of mine, called us the planet the “duct tape generation” because we are having to come up with fixes to things we encounter broken. We need to make it up as we go in order to preserve life in support of getting to a better tomorrow. We, are the ancestors of the future. We are the ones who are using what we have to make a difference that will influence all of the tomorrows. I don’t want to check out in the face of an uncomfortable feeling like overwhelm. I want to learn how to powerfully choose how I will respond, not expect perfection because of course, I am “in process”! So I have my gigantic drawing of what my concentric rings are and will use it to help me navigate through setting priorities, self care, patience and trusting the future.

That feels more aligned with “Love” than “Fear”. I will use that as my guide along the way.
Here is a beautiful song just released by MaMuse called Her Speak that offers loving and powerful medicine aligned with this topic. Treat your heart and mind to a listen!

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I Fall Down, Meanwhile I Keep Dancing

Relationship, actually means “to expand through exchange”. Later it was used as a way to create a more stable survival by marrying daughters to older men who were well off to provide a union through relationship between families. A quinceanera or coming out ball, was to show the daughter in order to open bidding. Our ideas of romance come from Roman perspectives on the beauty of the world but also encompasses the basis of slavery or ownership, not the origin of “relationship” which is about expansion and is constant and necessary.

All relationships help us see something beyond ourselves. They cause us to expand. We are always looking for a new relatedness so we can expand internally and feel free. Every relationship is born from a need of our own selves. You might ask, “What do I need to learn from this relationship? For what purpose? Am I looking for a relationship to fill some voids within me? Or am I looking for a relationship to expand myself?” Until we understand what we need from the relationship, it repeats.

To ask these questions of myself, and actually hear an honest authentic response requires my humility. I must be willing to be vulnerable to whatever that truth is. But to do so is a clear act of true self care, respect, and an investment into really being present with ourselves.

What do we believe? Beliefs are tools to let us know who we are inside, now. In order to know the deepest parts of who we are, we need to go back to all the records of the heart, and our beliefs are the path or the map to who we are at our core. We can use beliefs and track them to be aware of what we feel, not get rid of them. Our awareness of our beliefs can be used for our personal evolution. The vibration of our own voice will help bring that consciousness to us. So speak your truth or sing it!

These days are seeming to move faster and quicker everyday. I am reminded about the term “the speed of light” and how there is more light coming into this plane than ever before. I’ve decided to give up my attachments to how things “should be” or even how I want them to be (I’m still working on that one), but instead see these times as an invitation to surf! There comes a point in the rising waters when walking just doesn’t work, and we adapt to a better means of travel. I find that I also need to respond to the inner voices, from my previous beliefs; that tell me it’s too much, or I can’t do it. Instead of shutting that voice down, I respond with “Let’s see. Maybe we can!”
Maybe now, in this place and time, we can do more than ever before. Let’s just relax into it, and see how it unfolds.” I do believe there is a bigger plan, a higher power, a Source of energy and life force. I choose to allow that energy into my life, here and now.

Are you willing to receive support, love, and divine blessings? I am!