For today’s offering of kindling for your Soul fire, a personal tale about Intuition which takes a spiral path in the time between the last New Moon & Now…
SEEKING INTUITION
Ever since our last New Moon Meditation Adventure, where we explored centering in our Souls, I’ve been scribbling notes for the next session, and over and over, I come to these words: “Intuition + Discernment.”
RITUAL INTUITION
At the beginning of February, in ceremony, I had a vision, as is quite common within the liminal space of ceremony:
After an invitation into the imaginal realm, with eyes closed, I saw a very old rag doll – dirty, well loved, at least a hundred years old, and fully intact. And again, in the imaginal realm, I placed it atop an altar as a blessing.
The doll was quite unexpected. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it at the time. I had never had a doll like that before in my waking life, nor had a doll like that ever appeared in my dreams.
Perhaps it’s a symbol of the inner child?, I thought to myself. I wasn’t quite sure, but I made a promise to myself hold this doll in my consciousness until it’s meaning became clear.
LIFE SPEAKS INTUITION
About a week later, I found myself in my favorite hours of the day: early morning reading Women Who Run With The Wolves. Though I had a stack of new books lined up which I had been planning to read, I had a strong urge, about a week earlier, to read this one again, cover to cover – something I haven’t done in twelve years.
The first time I read it all those years prior was an electric, life-altering experience and introduced the words “Wild Woman Archetype” to my inner universe – a phrase, a portal, a force I immediately and instinctively understood. And one of I have been walking with and toward ever since.
On this early morning, about a week ago, I turned the page to Chapter 3, “Nosing Out the Facts: The Retrieval of Intuition as Initiation.” Chills rushed over my skin, there it was, a remembrance: Intuition + Discernment.
Dr. Estes goes on to unfurl a folktale about a young woman who was given a doll (!) as a final gift from her dying mother. My eyes widened as I read this passage:
“Here are my last words, Beloved,” said the mother. “Should you lose your way or be in need of help, ask this doll what to do. You will be assisted. Keep the doll with you always. Do not tell anyone about her. Feed her when she’s hungry. This is my mother’s blessing to you, dear daughter.”
In the story, Dr. Estes explains, the doll is a symbol of intuition, passed down the matrilineal line. The doll goes on in the story to be a guide for the young woman. The doll tells her whether to go this way or that, helps her to do near-impossible tasks, guides her when to speak and when to stay quiet, when to act and when to be still. All the young woman has to do is ask the doll. And, as her mother instructed, to feed her when she’s hungry.
CREATIVE FLOW INTUITION
Sitting there stunned as Sun filled the room with light, a few questions emerged as clear as day:
How do we feed our intuition, our doll? What language does the intuition, does the doll speak? How do we ask intuition for guidance?
And with that, the mapping of next Monday’s New Moon Meditation Adventure poured out of me and onto the page.
By following my own strong urge to re-read this book, I was delivered clarity on the doll vision which had come through in Ceremony, and guided three steps deeper in the creative process of the New Moon Meditation Adventure on “Intuition + Discernment.”
My mind was blown as I was experiencing the mysterious, yet palpable flow of discerning Intuition, all while I was aiming to create an experience for others on the subject!
It felt as if everything I had been sensing and experiencing (internally and externally) was delivering me into this moment of crystal clarity.
REFLECTIVE INTUITION
I do believe – based on the countless experiences I have had, and witnessed other wild women have, again and again – when the woman gets clear on what her question is, her intuition, and life path itself, will guide her toward her answer, eventually.
I have learned that being intuitively guided asks us to pay attention, and to learn the very personal language of our own Intuition & also the very personal business of how best to feed our own Intuition.
The way my Intuition makes itself known may have things in common with yours, but will not be identical. Same goes for how it is fed.
This is why Ceremony/Ritual/Meditation/Circle is so important. It allows us the space to get to know the ways of our own intuition. So that, like the young woman in the tale, we actually receive the blessing of our Intuition – which is with us always. We need only remember her, feed her, and ask for her help along the way.
The reclamation of Intuition sits at the heart of our mission, and our international network of Circles, and our community space, because it is one of the primary superpowers of the Wild Woman Archetype.
May we continue to unleash it – together.
♥️ & Howls,
Chris
P.s – If you’d like to explore this topic more, join me on the New Moon!
YOUR TURN
In the comments below and/or in the privacy of your own heart, please answer:
How does your intuition make itself known to you?
Can’t wait to read ‘em!
On the Horizon
Join an international, intergeneration group of weird and wonderful wild-hearted Women in our online Cave (which lives on an app)!
We meet weekly in Circles, Workshops, Practices to keep our wild spirits lit!
Upcoming Weekly Gatherings:
Join us for an hour-long New Moon Meditation Adventure on May 7th!
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.
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.
Oh my wild mama, this was such divine synchronicity. It’s been over a year since I’ve been in a WWP gathering and recently I’ve been feeling the ping to circle back into your offerings, AND I also had this strong urge to read Women Who Run With Wolves so when I read this story I was like ooookay here’s the intuitive nudge!!! See you for Monday’s ceremony beauty 😘
Beautiful! looking forward to being together really soon, Alessandra! 💋
Hello! I completed the wild woman circle leader training in spring 2020 (yeah!). I was really into watching the video recording of circles and also Chris’s meditations and talks. I can’t remember my login for any of that, can I still view content? What do I need to do to get my info?