Wild Women -
A Journey Through Stories
There is an inner wildness within every woman. Sometimes that wildness discovers a voice, sometimes that voice remains buried. Some women would have been encouraged to find that inner wildness within, for many more - it would have been required to stay hidden. Much of the world is afraid of powerful women, therefore their stories have not been encouraged. But do not be mistaken to think they have never existed - they are here, ready to be told and heard. Are you ready to journey with them?
Image by Rima Staines used with the Artist's permission. Rima can be found on instagram and facebook, and her artwork can be purchased via her website.
"I looked forward to Nana's 'Wild Women' every month! Nana's storytelling is beautiful and impactful - her love and knowledge of the stories she told is very apparent and was a delight to experience. To then be able to discuss the story in more depth with a closed group was something really special - you get to see the myriad of ways a story resonates with people; the way each person carries their own interpretation of it too. This was really rich, and opened my eyes to seeing a bigger and fuller perspective of the story that had been shared. This occasionally encouraged me to think differently and challenge me, but only in ways that added more depth to my own understanding of self. I've come away from 'Wild Woman' with a new knowledge and curiosity about my own wildness, and the motivation to let that wildness totally flourish in whatever way it chooses!" - Danielle
Introduction
“Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing." - Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Course Structure
We will be together for three months, and we will meet once a fortnight. At every meeting, Nana will tell you a story and then we will discuss the story in a circle. We will speak about the individual and collective meanings of the story, its symbolism and metaphor, and delve into its medicine for our communities. This course is participatory in its nature in order to delve deeper into the stories, supported our collective voices, which have for too long been silenced. In between meetings, there will be time to reflect on our thoughts and our dreams in relation to the story. There will be spaciousness.
These stories come from the oral tradition, which is estimated to be as old as culture. The stories below are at least few hundred years old, some being over 5,000 years old. Many have their roots in a pre-Christian age. Their richness offers many gifts.
Examples of Stories
Grandmother's Tale
France
This is also know today as Little Red Riding hood, but don't be fooled! This old tale has nothing to do with Charles Perrault's cleansed tale for the rich, religious folk, destitute of fervour and life, designed to tame a woman. This is a tale of coming of age, of becoming a woman, There is no red cloak. The red is the blood. There is no hunter - this girl can save herself through her own wisdom.
Cinderella (Mara Pepelashka)
Bulgaria
Can we have wildness if we are domesticated? How did women who had no choice keep their voice? A traditional Cinderella story about losing one's mother, but always feeling her presence through Mother Nature, about tending to the bones, the importance of ritual and grief.
Medusa
Ancient Greece
Living on the margins of society. Transformations. Power and Powerlessnes. A beautiful woman, taken by Poseidon, punished by Athena. The punishment - a transformation into a terrifying creature. Anyone who met her eyed was turned to stone. The one who was gazed at by men, suddenly became invisible. Medusa was punished for something that was done to her by someone of great power.
The Handless Maiden
Armenia
A tale of courage, of self discovery, of grief and belonging. In this old tale, we will see what it takes to face grief, illness and loss. The Handless maiden is a story that allows us to see the helpers along the way, and humble ourselves enough to receive help. A story that highlights the importance of the wild spaces, where we can find our own wilderness.
The Descent of Inanna
Ancient Sumeria (Today's Iraq)
An ultimate story of initiation. This story is bold, cruel and violent. It is also beautiful, tender and vulnerable. In the places of darkness, there is hope. In times of suffering, tenderness is required. In times of trial, your voice is powerful. A story of the life-death-life cycle. It teaches us how to come back from the darkness.
The Three Aunts
Norway
A story about spinning, weaving and sewing - a tale about the coming of age. A story about a woman's power and intuition, a story about help from a wiser generation and of respect for grandmothers. It has a little bit of humour, and it is a wonderful wholesome story to finish this incredible journey.
"This 6 month journey of inspiration and sharing has been both thought provoking, and nourishing. Not only are you a delightful and captivating storyteller, you invited us to unpack the stories and share our personal interpretations and responses. Rather than simply listening and receiving, we were actively engaged. You created a supportive, nurturing space of sharing and caring; and you held us all with so much kindness and respect. There was a unique alchemy in our coming together - allowing vulnerability, honesty and authenticity.
I feel grateful and honoured to have been in this group. Thank you so much." - Lina
The Medicine of this Course
We often tend to read stories written by men (as only men were allowed to read and write), at times stolen from women, where girls and women need to be rescued. The stories we are exposed to influence who we become. Listening to an oral story is incredibly powerful. Discussing this story in community is incredibly rich. It is time to remember the stories with wild, powerful women. The stories in this course have carefully been selected to represent a rich array of experiences and quests in order to support our individual journeys and growth. Stories have existing long before their content was psychologised, and they have deep, slowly unfolding gifts to offer us. When we are able to listen to stories together, in community, parts of us are met that we never knew needed seeing.
Practicalities
Attendance and Course Recording (for Online Cohorts Only)
This course will be recorded for those that will miss the occasional session. For online cohorts, participants will be required to have their cameras on during the sessions. The recordings will be available to course participants only. To maintain the integrity of the group, it is required that anyone who wishes to participate can commit to minimum 70% of sessions.
Who is this course for?
We will be exploring wild women and the wild feminine through stories. This course has a participatory nature, rather being didactic. It is through voicing and exploring our experiences that we deepen our relationship to story. The course is for adults all who identify as a woman and feel called to participate. The space will be free of racism, sexism, misandry, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. Autonomy and choice will be integral to the running of this course.
Content of Stories
These stories are for adults and they will deal with themes such as death, grief, rape, incest, violence and exile. They will be told and explored sensitively. If you have been personally affected by any of the above themes, please ensure that you feel resourced and supported in order to attend in a way that allows you to remain connected with yourself and the material. Although exploring stories in this way is therapeutic, this course is not intended as therapy session or space.
Course Content
The stories and material of the course are for personal use and growth only. There is a requirement of a commitment of confidentiality by all attendees. This means that any personal sharing by participants cannot be discussed outside of the group without the explicit consent of the person who shared them. Any recordings received are not be shared outside of the group. The content and structure of course cannot be replicated without the facilitator's written consent.
“Bone by bone, hair by hair, Wild Woman comes back. Through night dreams, through events half understood and half remembered…” - Clarissa Pinkola Estés
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
FLORENCE
I Just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this Wild Women workshop, it was so beautiful. Deep stories, a wonderful storyteller and sharings with incredible women.This experience will stay with me forever.
STAFANIE
Old stories and myth are one of the best counsellors for anyone who is feeling lost and disconnected. Listening to Nana’s soothing voice and the ancient wisdom of stories she tells is not only a powerful medicine but also a delicious treat.
ELENA
I loved listening to your carefully selected stories that you told us so wonderfully. I was always surprised by what the other women came up with in conversation afterwards and what it touched in me...Thank you for opening this secret garden and thanks to all the participating women for the respectful, enriching exchange!
