The Lunar Passage

The Lunar Passage
- A rite of passage for teens

Welcoming you to step onto the Lunar Passage. We will gather by the fire in a beautiful yurt, in an orchard under the moon, in the Stroud Valleys. Together we will embark on a journey towards a greater connection to ourselves, our bodies, and the intuitive wisdom of the land. Expect a cosy space with a wood burner, snacks, warm drinks and candle lit seasonal altars.

A rite of passage is a ceremonial journey and marking of an important life stage and coming of age. Many of our cultural rites of passage have been lost, and we believe that re-weaving them is integral for our development and sense of self within community. The lunar passage is for 15-17 year olds who are open to exploring their relationship with their body, their womb, the moon and the earth. This journey will be held by Mali and May who will be your big sisters and facilitators of the Lunar Passage.

So much can be going on at this time, having both been through it, we feel it's so important to hold a safe space to explore, support and celebrate the transition into adulthood and authentic expression. The flow and the grit - everything is welcome.

Through this journey we hope to guide and be there for you in cultivating deeper connections to yourself, the seasons, the cycles, the earth and the web of community we will weave together. Spaces like this often seem quite serious but know that we will be bringing and prioritising fun, connection, creativity and a relaxed space without judgement where we can laugh and cry together.

Topics we will cover (we want to co-create this journey together and are totally open to suggestions and will follow where your questions lead us):

Celtic seasonal festivals and the moon
earth based wisdom
deities and archetypes from this land and beyond
sex and relationships
sacred sexuality and sensuality
consent, boundaries and your sacred NO
desire and your sacred YES
body image
menstrual cycle awareness and harnessing the cyclical wisdom of the internal seasons
pleasure
pain
embodiment and radical presence
ceremony
womb connection
disconnection and uncertainty

Practices we will explore (all practices are completely invitational and you are welcome to opt in or out and simply be in the space in whatever way feels comfortable):

making with foraged materials, seasonal and herbal crafts, and creative connective activities
opening our voices through song and exploration of the breath
gathering, listening and sharing around a fire
learning through stories
embracing rest through yoga nidra and sound baths
embracing ecstasy through dance and somatic movement
earth and moon based rituals
womb connection and ceremony
nutritional and herbal wisdom for our cycles
space to ask questions both anonymously and openly

Many of these topics speak to notions and explorations of the feminine, menstruality and the womb. It is important to us that this is a gender expansive space that doesn't reinforce polarity teachings or binaries, so please self assess whether you would feel comfortable in this space.

The Lunar Passage will begin with a 'Seed Gathering'. This will be a chance for you to meet us, the land and the space in the Springtime for a taster evening of The Lunar Passage. We hope from this 'seed' we can grow an immersive rite of passage be it through seasonal groups and gatherings over three months or a more condensed weekend or school holiday retreat.

We have a mailing list (please see below) and welcome you to subscribe as well as get in touch and share your interest with us whilst we prepare for the Seed Gathering in the Spring.

Your Facilitators:

Mali (she/her)

Mali’s path has continually led her closer to the wilds of herself and her surroundings. Ceremonialist, Priestess of the Lunar Womb, artist and teacher of embodiment, eco-somatics, and yoga nidra, she is a space-holder known best in Stroud for her monthly Women's Temple and her songs. She facilitates menarche groups in the woods for 9-12 year olds and is part of the Red Hearth team who gather year-round to bring the two week community gathering to life. She is devoted to the path of weaving spaces of empowerment, radical education, reverence and re-wilding for women and womb-folk.

May (she/they)

May has always had a profound connection to the land and is most happy outside running wild, singing and making art. They started sitting in circle and singing in choirs at 14, and had amazing elders that taught her about sacred sexuality, boundaries and the power of her voice. At 16, they found a passion for yoga and ecstatic dance, which really helped them through the struggles of coming home to their body and feeling confident taking up space. Their travels took them to Tenerife, India and Nepal where they trained as a Yoga Teacher and Sound Healer. They have trainings in Trauma Informed teaching and Size Inclusive teaching and loves to hold space for all the wobbly, neurospicy, noisy people who might not feel comfortable in a typical yoga space. They built the yurt as a sacred container to share her passion for embodied movement, ceremony, sharing in circle and coming together in community.

Practicalities

Location: Yurt on the land, Thrupp, Stroud

Parking is a bit of a walk away but we can have 1 parking space on the land for anyone with accessibility needs - please arrange this with us beforehand.

Disclaimers

Please note that while some of this work may have therapeutic benefits, this is not a replacement for therapy and if you are experiencing significant mental health challenges, we strongly encourage that you ensure you are supported with qualified 1-1 mental health support outside of the group before/ whilst attending.

Whilst the space has a foundation of confidentiality, if an issue is raised that we feel puts you or someone else at risk we will have to talk to you and the appropriate adult.

We endeavour to create an accessible space, so please inform us of anything you might need (please note the yurt is not wheelchair accessible as there are steps, grass and a fairly narrow door). Please communicate any sensory needs so that we can make the space as comfortable as possible.

The Lunar Passage