Initiation: What is your soul, your expanded self?
February Gathering Feb 5th, Elements of Wellness
What do you reach for? What barriers hold you back from transformation?

We gathered to begin the story. The story tells us who Psyche is and what initiation is. Tells us about reaching for that which we love, expanded self. We began by telling the story while we created sacred space by casting a circle and invoking the elements.

After this we introduced the group, went over ground rules, and talked a little bit about Grove Philosophy, the Cornerstone of Choice. Then we opened the floor for a check in.

We introduced the concept of initiation, and of soul as the expanded self. The whole group had a chance to discuss, what is that thing that I reach for, what do I love so much? What do I love beyond all reason?We also discussed, what are the barriers that keep me from reaching that expanded self?

We moved from discussion space into ritual space, and ritualized dealing with the barriers. We named 5 of them: Fear, comfort, and 3 others as we danced with the barriers. Each barrier was represented by several priestesses holding cords. Participants tugged, stepped over, danced under, and otherwise worked with the barriers to understand how each of these barriers keeps us from reaching for our dreams.

The barriers dance turned into building energy as we toned, clapped, and moved together.

After the energy, we each had an opportunity to check out about anything that was working us. We closed the circle, and many went out for dinner at a local restaurant.