Ladies of the Moon.

This last weekend, I was unplugged and at the Red Spiral Women's Retreat. As one of the organisers, I truly get the most amazing sense of satisfaction and pleasure from this event.

For months before hand we, the staff, meet, discuss and decide the events of the weekend. Our efforts are made while not really knowing how it’ll be received nor if our decisions will work. We try to smoothly blend into each part, making this themed weekend into a gentle stream of events and ideas. Instead of thrashing the attendees roughly from one thing to the next, like water crashing against rocks and tumbling onwards.

This year was our second, and I have to say our best yet. We brought on board a new staff member, Kadri, who was responsible for the catering. We knew she was more than capable as a professional chef and she rocked it, we had truly excellent food.

Attending ladies came from far and wide, not really knowing what to expect. They found sisters who shared, loved, sang, laughed and cried. Women whose strength spread, whose kindness enveloped and whose support lifted each other.

I watched and saw changes in many women’s lives, some were small changes, others were large but all were appreciated and deeply needed. I heard comments like ‘This is the best therapy ever!’ and ‘I wish I had come last year too. I shall be here every year now I know how wonderful it is!’

We, as staff, were thanked and thanked, hugged and kissed, blessed and praised. The months of planning and the hundreds of emails between the staff were worth every moment to see so many happy women and to know our retreat had made a difference in their lives.

I really do think modern society is missing this important and beneficial ingredient in a woman’s life. To feel safe and be able to discover your inner depths, your strengths with other women, to share and work through life’s problems, but most importantly, to be free to dance, sing and laugh. These are things we all need.

There were many special moments for me. There is one that stands out a lot, I was stood under the beautiful full moon and off to my left where silhouettes of the women dancing around the fire and the drums vibrating the air. It was like being back with the Ancestors, a thousand years ago. It just felt so right, deep down in my bones.

Personally, I’ve found that I need to be a part of this every year, to help build it and connect with other women. I need to recharge in this very special and time-honoured way.

I’m truly honoured and privileged to share the Red Spiral Women’s Retreat with so many wonderful women.