Dear One,
I am a citizen of the United States of America.
More specifically, I a mixed race woman born on a military base in California in the year 1984.
Within these identities – which have very much shaped my orientations, my blindspots, my strengths and my weaknesses – I am, above all: a member of the great family on earth.
That makes you, dear reader, family.
It is no secret that there is some seriously intense conflict unfolding in our family. This is not new, actually. Strife, despair, separation, violence, discrimination, greed – these have been going on in excess for a long long while now. The reason we are collectively freaking out right now is because the underbelly (or the shadow) of our shared life on earth is stepping into the light and we must face it.
We can no longer pretend that everything is alright. We can no longer believe half truths. We can no longer buy into the fantasy that someone or something is coming to save us. We have no choice but to open our eyes now.
Each member of our family here on earth has an important role to play. You know that, don’t you?
I hope so.
I write this letter while imagining us around a big table, breaking bread together & speaking heart to heart.
If I could offer one heartfelt suggestion to the family, it would be this: make space for the feminine aspect in your life now.
The feminine, which all humans carry as part of their divine inheritance, brings us:
• An instinctual Knowing (a form of guidance not entirely dependent on rationality or logic)
• An ability to listen to the Earth itself – all her mysteries, patterns & ancient wisdom
• Receptivity – a deep spaciousness where instead of doing, we allow for being (and in this space we become filled with understanding & insight – as if by magic)
• An innate understanding that we are inherently connected to all that exists
When we rush into action or conversation, without accessing the feminine gifts inside we run the risk of creating more of the same – strife, despair & conflict.
Albert Einstein famously said:
“We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
I believe it is the Feminine, with her vast array of gifts, will be our greatest guide now. For it is the Feminine that has not yet had a chance to lead. It is the Feminine aspect of self which offers a new way of thinking & living. It is perhaps the Feminine which is holding the solutions we need now.
The Feminine exists in all humans, but is experienced especially in the bodies & hearts of women.
My prayer:
As you move through these important days ahead,
Carry the Feminine wherever you go.
Remember your place in the great family on earth,
Make space for deep listening & receptivity,
Turn to the earth, itself, for wisdom & strength now,
And, perhaps, most importantly,
Reclaim the value of your instinctual Knowing.
For those of us who have been on the path of cultivating the Feminine principle within, this is the time to put those tools & discoveries to good use. Practice now. Even if you are wobbly, keep practicing. Even if you fall down, keep calling to the Feminine, the Great Mother – she will answer. Because our society has been built on the foundation of Patriarchy (an unhealthy expression of the Masculine), it is no simple task to allow the Feminine to flow through you – but it can be done. It must.
A dawn is coming where the Feminine & the Masculine aspects of life will come into harmony and balance. We have the opportunity to shift the collective through aiming to balance these within ourselves – moment by moment. To a large degree, The Wild Woman Project exists to provide support, education & deep understanding on this very subject.
In this noisy world, I thank you deeply for reading here.
Now, if you would, your turn: I welcome your wisdom in the comments below.
If you had one heartfelt message for the great family here on earth right now, what would it be?
Deep Love & Listening,
Chris
On the Horizon
Join us for an hour-long New Moon Meditation Adventure on December 30th!
Online, from anywhere.
Using a dynamic meditation journey, we will tune into the New Moon, to your own Inner Guidance, synced up with wild-hearted women from around the world. This offering will include music, storytelling, meditation, journaling prompts & intention-setting.
Can’t make it live? No worries. All participants will receive a copy of the recording with 24 hours of the session.
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"The Circle Leader Training Program at The Wild Woman Project was one of the most transformative and healing experiences of my life. I have received many tools, resources, support, and connections that I will carry on with me forever." ~ Hannah Devin, Graduate
We have Wild Woman Project-trained Circle facilitators is 26 countries, and 44 out of the 50 United States.
Chris Maddox is the founder of The Wild Woman Project where she teaches women how to utilize the gifts of the Wild Woman Archetype in their everyday lives & how to lead women’s circles in their local communities. She is the organizer & facilitator of the beloved annual WILD WOMAN FEST, a women’s retreat-festival hybrid which fosters a deep connection to nature, a direct experience of the divine feminine & profound spiritual sisterhood among the women in attendance.
An ever student of the great mysteries of existence and nature itself, Chris believes women are holding innate gifts & tools that society at large needs – now more than ever. She is committed to helping women remember their special magic and to bring it forward into every corner of their lives, for the greater good of the planet.
I’m finding it helpful to add more good things in. More reading a physical book or newspaper, more steps outside, more looking to the sky. The more good I add in each day the less I have left for the negative. It’s making me stronger, which in turn makes my family stronger.
mmm…so beautiful. More good things.
thank you. xoChris
Take time to consciously inhale fully, to exhale completely. That simple, common act will help relax you, allow you to refocus on the positive when the sea of negativity threatens to swell. Inhale. Exhale. Together we can ride this tide and channel the balance of divine love.
Thank you, Kathleen. Great reminder. xoChris
Life is one long dance… It’s much more fun to let go and dance along, moving through the stumbles, the falls, the insecurities..
Tapping into the sacred rhythm of the heart, the music of the Earth itself… Get your hands and your feet in the dirt as often as you can. Nature needs your love now. Even a loving thought, filling the moment with joy, is powerful medicine, even as you sit in whatever job you’re working, and feeling however you’re feeling.
And let yourself feel. Feel what is truly there inside, and find the strength and courage to be honest and communicate openly.
Learn a thing or two about non-violent communication and practice it. Practice it with yourself.
Be gentle in your mind and body… We are growing and unfolding in just the right timing.
Patience. Breath. Love.
Thank you, Dear Jess. Received & felt. xoChris
Remember that there is always enough. Fear of loss often keeps us from acting in a way our hearts know is right, but if we remember that we can and are receiving everything we need and more, we don’t have to be afraid to act.
Love this insight, Sam. Thank you so much for the reminder. There is always enough. xoChris
Very appreciative of this article and conversation as a movement towards positive action.
It has been helpful for me to allow space for the NUANCE, COMPLEXITY, and HUMANITY in conversations. Often I experience in myself and others in a dualistic thinking, this side or THAT side. With us or against is. If I don’t call that person a bigot, then I must be a bigot myself.
This can divide us further. I think human experience is rich and complex, and we can make space and time to witness and process from multiple perspectives. So many facets to an idea, perspective, person. My hope is this way of thinking and discussing can open us to ourselves and eachother.
Yes, Maya. Love this.
“allow space for the NUANCE, COMPLEXITY, and HUMANITY in conversations…My hope is this way of thinking and discussing can open us to ourselves and each other.” – very important remembrance.
xoC
Hi follow wild ones,
A message from the Netherlands. I find it very helpfull knowing that there are more wild womans, trying to become more connected with the wild femined side, just like I AM trying. Feeling the sisterhood. Thank you all for being there and making yourself visible! ❤
The sisterhood is so palpable and real! So with you, Norma! Big love to you!
I’m spending time meditating while looking at the Statue of Liberty, and remembering that she was there before this time and she will be there after. Also, I’m taking a improv class at UCB to infuse more laughter, light hearted behavior, and playfulness into my week. ❤️️
I love the big picture perspective of the Statue of liberty meditation & also the laughter/lightness medicine. Thank you, Love xoC
Ashley, funny you mentioned the Statue of Liberty, just the other day I was thinking of the message on her plaque which sadly seems to have been forgotten.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
I am finding the ancient Hawaiian ho’oponopono practice to be very healing and clearing right now. It’s simple. Whatever feeling you are feeling at the moment, look at it and say aloud or to yourself: I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you. Over and over until you have cleared any emotional triggers around the issue. Most likely the next issue will organically enter to be cleared. I have been doing the practice sometimes up to a hour a day, sometimes spontaneously to myself in the moment. The founder explains, it calls in The Divine and leads us to love.
Dear Nansee,
YESSSS! Thank you so much for this reminder.
This practice has become essential at WILD WOMAN FEST – with our beloved Kirtan artist, Carrie Grossman.
Much Love xoC
I wholeheartedly agree that the balancing of increasing my (our) feminine energy can be a powerful medicine- a healing salve- to the frustrations that exist in our present world. Like a negative charge diffusing too much positive charge, I see the inherent value and beauty in that receptive power. I am so grateful for this sister hood.
P.s. Nansee- I too LOVE ho’oponopono, make things right. 🙂
With love,
Emily
mmm…With you, Emily. Grateful you are here. xoChris
Beautiful, encouraging and wise. Thank you for this, Chris.
<3Rita
Thank you, Rita. much much Love. xoChris