Galentine’s Day Celebration: A Group Ritual Recipe ~ Amanda Petrocelly

This Moon Cycle at The Wild Woman Project we are shining our attention on the realm of Friendship. Inspired by the archetype of Aquarius, we are exploring friendships as an evolutionary & revolutionary force in our lives and in our world. Friendship can be a magical bond, our chosen families, those we feel most like ourselves around. 

 

In a society that puts so much emphasis on romantic intimacy, I’ve always been a huge proponent for normalizing affection and intimacy between friends. My best friends are some of the most cherished people in my life, so why wouldn’t I want to hold hands, send love notes, and take every opportunity to thoroughly celebrate them? 

 

My desire to extend affection to my friends grew deeper roots and, in my opinion, was given a public endorsement when the “Galentine’s Day” episode of “Parks & Recreation” aired in 2010. In this episode, fictional character Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) declares February 13th, the day before Valentines day (and also my birthday) Galentine’s Day. She describes Galentine’s Day as “ladies celebrating ladies… like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas”. In my world, a new holiday was born. 

 

I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the beloved Women in your life this Galentine’s Day. I created this Ritual to help get you started, but the sky’s the limit on what you can create. 

 

Note: If some of your dearest Women reside in a location too distant to gather for Galentine’s day, perhaps a video chat is in order, or maybe you’d like to use some of the below inquiries as a springboard for creating a really awesome card (or email if that’s how y’all roll). Also, here at The Wild Woman Project we are celebrating Revolutionary Friendship all Moon Cycle long, so if you can’t get with your Galentine’s today – anytime is a GREAT time for this Celebration. 

Set aside some time for you and your closest friends. If possible, it’s always special to make the occasion a little more luxurious than usual. Whatever this means to you and your friend group is perfect. Perhaps, you will indulge in some special treats, a luxurious activity, or decide to dress a little special for one another (and yourselves). 

 

When in the planning phase, I would recommend dividing the tasks to create your amazing celebration. Asking each person to contribute their own touch helps create joint ownership over the celebration and allows the group to truly co-create a meaningful experience. Just like your friend group, it’s always more delightful when everyone contributes their own special flavor. Or perhaps you will choose to spoil your friends and simply invite them to attend. Only you know what’s most nourishing for your group. 

If you feel called to simple stop at step one and enjoy a celebration together – GREAT!

 

If you feel called to take your celebration a little deeper with some guided inquiry I offer you the following: 

 

Take turns answering the following questions, in whatever way makes the most sense for your group (you can go around in a circle and answer each of the following questions, you can “popcorn” answer these questions, or you can write these and other questions on slips of paper and pull from a hat). In answering the questions you can choose to direct the response to one person or answer for each person present, depending on how many people are in your group and how much time you have. These questions are intended to honor and celebrate the friendship you have cultivated and nourished together. 

 

 

~ How did you meet each other? More specifically, do you remember the exact moment you spoke to each other? 

 

~ What was your very first impression when you met? Was it correct? 

 

~ What is your favorite memory of each other? 

 

~ Is there one memory you share that was not pleasant at the time, but is now a great story? 

 

~ What is your most embarrassing moment (that you now laugh about) your friends have witnessed? 

 

~ Recall a challenging time in your life and how someone in the Circle helped you through it. 

 

~ Recall a time when someone in the Circle had your back in a sticky situation. 

 

~ Was there a specific moment you knew you would be friends for a long time? 

 

~ What is your favorite thing about each other? 

 

~ What are your friend’s greatest strengths? How do their strengths positively impact your life? 

 

~ Name something someone else has done for you that made you feel special.

 

~ If there was a movie made about your friend, who would play them? Why?

 

~ What was your favorite moment you’ve shared over the past year?

Now that you’ve spent some time looking back on your epic friendship journey, let’s look forward a little. . . 

 

As mentioned in the above step, you are invited to approach this inquiry in whatever way makes sense to your group. An alternative option might be for each person in your group to grab a paper, write their name on the top and then pass clockwise allowing every person to answer one (or all) of the questions in writing on your paper. Then, you will each go home with a love letter you can hang onto and draw love and support all year long. You can also add to this step by creating a Galentine’s Day card for one another. 

 

~ What is one intention you’d like to hold for your group from now until next Galentine’s Day? (Perhaps an energetic intention, going on a special trip together, or perhaps seeing one another every month/ week/ etc?)

 

~ What are you looking forward to experiencing together this year? (Perhaps a special birthday, wedding, child birth, graduation, etc)

 

~ What is one thing you’d like your friend to remember when she faces challenges this year? 

 

~ What is one thing you are visioning for your friend in the coming year? (Maybe an energetic intention, a new job, or any other goal you know is important to her). 

 

~ Is there a song or a quote you’d like to “gift” your friend for inspiration in the coming year? 

 

~ And any other way you’d like to express your love! 

Options to Elevate Your Ritual: 

 

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