The concept of rite of passage has woven its threads across cultures and time, marking significant transitions from one phase of life to another. They are rituals that serve as profound guidance, shaping identities and fostering a deep connection to self and community. The roots of rites of passage delve deep into the historical and cultural fabric of societies worldwide. From the elaborate ceremonies of Native American tribes to the sacred rituals of indigenous cultures, these ceremonies have symbolized the crossing of thresholds, signifying growth, wisdom, and a new phase of life. Ancient civilizations understood the profound impact such transitions could have on an individual's sense of self and their place in the community.
I first learned about this concept in my mid twenties when I worked with at-risk youth at Pacific Quest in Hawaii. It was there and then that I realized that I myself had in fact been at-risk youth. The greatest gift that I feel I can offer my community, after years of processing and healing from the harm that resulted from lack of direction, intention and purpose during the tender and impressionable years of my early adolescense, is to provide resources and opportunities not only for young women as they enter adulthood but also for those of us who never had the opporunity to feel seen, celebrated and inititated into our communities with purpose, honor and intention. It is for this reason that I am advocating for the revival of rites of passage.
The modern day rituals still in tact that recognize and celebrate our transformative moments are things like birthdays, getting a drivers license, graduating highschool, turning 21, graduating college, weddings, babyshowers, etc. Personally, none of these rituals have ever felt like an initiation into a new phase of life. They never felt like an honoring of who I have been, who I am, or who I am becoming. They never felt like an acknowledgment of the growing responsibility that I now accept for myself or my community. They also felt and continue to feel void of spirituality, which, I happen to know, is essential for a balanced and healthy life.
The absence of rites of passage from adolescence to womanhood left me without a guiding compass for my individual journey. It made me vulnerable to misguidance due to a lack of knowledge and clarity about my own values and boundaries. I believe it's time we recognize the importance of providing young women with a roadmap for embracing their power, beauty and divine femininity as they step into womanhood. For the record, it is just as important for boys entering manhood, but that's not my area of expertise! I have, however, heard more and more about mens groups and I am so grateful that safe space for men is being created and I praise the people doing this important work.
I am excited to announce that in 2024 I will be working with two incredible women to offer workshops as well as our first destination retreat that serves as a rite of passage for women. Together, we will journey into wholeness through sisterhood, empowerment, exploration and ceremony. We will honor and celebrate the phases of womanhood, alchemize our pain and fears into our greatest gifts, learn to embrace our sensuality, power and beauty as the divine feminine and ultimately come home to ourselves. This transformative experience will be guided by myself, Pamela Dunn from Becoming Tula Coaching and Danielle Robin from Of Wood & Clover. Stay tuned for more information in the coming year and join our retreats email list to keep in touch!
As we embark on this journey into the heart of womanhood, let us collectively acknowledge the importance of rites of passage in shaping our identities. By embracing the divine feminine, honoring the phases of womanhood, and fostering a sisterhood, we can pave the way for a generation of empowered, confident, and self-aware women. Join us in this transformative experience as we weave together the threads of tradition and modernity, creating a tapestry that celebrates the beauty and strength of the feminine spirit.
