The magic medicine portal of Women’s Camp and my menarche healing journey

Whoa Women’s Camp. 22 years strong.

I have so many feelings about you…

I arrived at Women’s Camp on Thursday to help set up. But even before that, I felt that women’s camp was going to be some kind of portal for me this year.

It’s the Autumn Equinox, it’s the Autumn moon, waning quarter, which is also my natal moon AND I’m entering the Autumn of my life season.

So of course I thought, something big is going to happen. I invited the medicine, the magic.

It was lovely to be there from the quiet time, with just the 5 of us, laughter, intentions, songs and prayers by the fire – all the way through the rising tide of arrivals and back out to the quiet again – just me and Tala by the fire eating a quiet lunch.

I sang, chatted, sat in circle, drummed, laughed, cried, swam and more.

I sat with women from birth to 91 and every age in between.

And here’s the thing: in the background of all of this I’m working on my Red Thread, my maternal ancestry. I’m also working on my menarche, reclaiming that rite of passage and healing any misinformation that may have come to me at that time.

My mum, sister, niece and nephew came too which was an absolute treasure.

I got to meet Bridget Avgoustakis in person (yes she has legs!) and spend time with my dear sisters I’ve known for 23 years or just for a few months and everything in between.

So as well as all the good stuff, I came home triggered, exhausted and like a zombie, swirling in old stories of “she doesn’t like me” or “I’m too much” or “I’m not a good person”.

It’s like high school, with groups of people, noise, people I am connected to and people I’ve never met before, so it’s easy for me to go into my old story.

But this time, I was able to see it all. Maybe it’s because I invited the medicine of it – I’m not sure – but even though it was a big time and I was a bit wiped out, I got to see the lessons and the stories that I get to re-write.

Yesterday I headed out and do a little ceremony to heal my menarche with all of those triggers in mind. I wove a Corella feather into my hair to remind me to be a member of our raucous community in my integrity.

I see those triggered moments are old stories and that in reality, in this moment I am loved and treasured.

I also got to see my own nature and how that is a medicine for others – even though it’s not always pleasant or easy to swallow.

So yeah – wow – Women’s Camp – you took me there again. Can’t wait to see all you sisters there in Spring – let’s go again.

Key words for me:

• Magic
• Matriarchal leadership
• Connection
• Hope
• Love
• Presence
• Gratitude
• Growth
• Gift