Welcome, ladies, to the most empowering opportunity for study of your life!

My spirit name is Danu Gray-Wolf, and I am a student of Sisters in Celebration. I am studying to be a high priestess. When I finished my first level of study, I realized that our student experiences may be beneficial to you as you meditate on this important step of your spiritual path. I hope what you find here will show you the personal growth potential of studying with this beautiful group of ladies.

When I began with Sisters in Celebration, I had very little concept of sisterhood. I was the oldest of two children and the only female. Most of my friends were boys, and I had six uncles and no aunts. The few female friends I had growing up meant everything to me, though, so I knew if I had the opportunity, I would love to be a part of some sort of sisterhood.

Level one, for me, was a beautiful experience of self discovery. I love to write, and I always wanted to create art, but I knew my strength lay in words, not a paintbrush. While working with my lessons, though, I tapped into a level of creativity that thrilled my soul. I began to write my own rituals and celebrations. I found myself making Goddess bowls out of clay. I found so many beautiful ways to express myself creatively.

Loving our Bodies

Another very important milestone for me was learning to actively love my body. I thought I already loved my body, but after level one was completed, I felt a deep connection with my physical self that didn't exist prior to taking these classes. I made "body blessings" a priority before each and every ritual, just so I could give myself love and validation. Below is a small ritual I wrote for a body blessing. Feel free to try this yourself!

Body Blessing Ritual

Take a salt bath to purify your body. As you soak, visualize all of the negativity attached to you falling into the water. While sitting in the tub, allow the water to drain and visualize the negativity being neutralized with the salt and returning to Mother Earth. Next, dry your skin by patting it gently with your favorite towel. Stand in front of a mirror (and a lovely candle if you have one handy), and look at your body. Don't be critical…be very accepting of your body, and touch each part of yourself with love and reverence as you read the following aloud:

"Body Blessing"

Goddess, bless my mind,
That I may think on you.

Bless my eyes,
That I may see the beauty around me.

Bless my throat,
That I may speak my truth.

Bless my heart,
That love may flow unconditionally.

Bless my hands,
That I may give in your name.

Bless my stomach,
That I may feel content.

Bless my genitals,
That I may know I am a sensual being.

Bless my feet,
That I may walk in your path.

Finally, massage your favorite oil or lotion into your skin, and with each area you cover, send it love and acceptance.
c- 2008, Danu Gray-Wolf

What Others Think of Us

Another lesson I learned from level one was to stop dwelling on what others thought of me.

Growing up (and spilling into now), I had a mind numbing, path stopping fear of not being accepted/approved of/validated by other people. That fear kept me from doing so many things, including not finishing my book and getting it published. I have turned a lot of that around, but when I write my book and I work creatively in my business, I still find myself holding my breath and waiting for someone to say, "What? You're not a CHRISTIAN???"

Dr. Wayne Dyer, famous author and speaker, said something very profound that I still take to heart. He said that we will be free when we stop listening to the "good opinions" of others. The following ritual was written to help me with regaining self worth and dignity.

Banishing the Need for the Good Opinions of Others

Items needed:
Candles: black (ending thought pattern), white (growth, new beginning), and green (abundance, healthy perspective, creativity).
Stones: Carnelian, Malachite, and Moon Stone.
Incense: Smudging tools and Nag Champa incense.
Cord for unbinding.
Scissors to cut cord.
Oil for self blessing.
Healing wand.

Outline:
Light candles and place stones on altar.
Purify space
Cast circle with healing wand.
Invoke Shakti.
State intention/Invocation/Poem while holding cord.
Cut cord, releasing need.
Self blessing.
Gratitude to Mother.
Open circle.
Ground.

Invocation/Poem

I come into this circle,
Honoring Mother, Myself,
And to address the need
To bind the good opinion of others.

Mother Shakti is all seeing
All knowing, all loving,
She knows what I desire
And She grants me my wishes.

She teaches me to honor my body.
She loves me into loving myself.
She shows me how to honor my core
And to live in gratitude and peace.

Who has the right to cross her wishes?
Who is better or more powerful that She?
Great Mother, teach me how to listen to you
And not the "good" opinion of others.

c-2008 Danu Gray-Wolf

Celebration: The Turning of the Wheel

Finally, I would like to thank Sisters in Celebration for teaching me to celebrate all things, from my body, to the cycles of Earth. If you are used to experiencing ritual, you may like the following Spring ritual:

Spring Ritual: "Nurturing the Child Within"
Items needed:
Candles: pink, white, yellow
Smudge tools.
Quartz crystals, rhodochrosite, chrysocholla, or any stone that helps heal the emotions or promotes self love and acceptance…rose quartz, lapis lazuli, amethyst, etc.
Spring flowers or cuttings of blooming bushes.
Fire source, either outside or indoors under controlled conditions.
Paper and Crayons
Outline:
Light candles and purify space
Cast circle and invite Goddesses and others into your circle
Invocation / Intention
Body of Ritual:
1. Think back on your childhood; pull up memories with detachment…as an observer.
2. Write your disappointments or painful memories on pieces of paper; use a black crayon to signify "letting go". Fold these pieces of paper as you speak what you wrote out loud. Say, "I release ___, back to neutral, back to the light, and into the arms of Mother." Toss the papers in the fire and watch them burn with gratitude in your heart.
3. Next, write what you loved about your childhood in bright or pastel crayons. Draw a beautiful picture if you wish to express yourself in art. Make your "picture" childlike and colorful.
4. When you are finished with your picture, sit quietly with it and thank Goddess for Her love for this little girl that you are celebrating.
5. Get up and hang your picture on the fridge. :)
Open circle and ground.

c- 2008 Danu Gray-Wolf

May you bask in the glory of your Mother and of yourself. May you see the beauty in all of life and her cycles. Come join us; we are your sisters. Laugh, cry, and dance with us as we encourage and support each other in our journeys!

In Her love,
Danu

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