The annual Wise Woman’s Gathering is an awesome outdoor conference and multi-generational retreat.
The topics of the conference cover Earth medicines of all kind including energy medicine, herbal medicine and food, along with women’s mysteries, community building and ancient traditions.
I attend because it expands my knowledge into the realms of ancient women’s mysteries plus I just love seeing the mums with their babies and all the little ones running around.
The Red Tent is an ancient concept where women came together during their moon times to discuss women’s wisdom eg rites of passage, celebrations and natural medicines as well as issues relating to the community. The women elders were the leaders of the community and shared their stories with the younger women who would one day become leaders too.
An early morning walk up to a nearby mountain-top castle (as you do!) gave me an opportunity to connect with master herbalist and well-known Australian health practitioner, Pat Collins. The Gathering honours the elders in our community and many of them are the presenters at the event including Pat who runs the most wonderful workshop on manufacturing home remedies from herbs you have growing in the garden – creams, teas and decoctions. Magic!
The popularity of the wisdom workshops is huge. This one is on perimenopause and the cycles of a woman’s life. Other workshops included Celtic goddess symbolism, herbal plant identification and plant-based meal ideas for children.
Saturday night is always “open mic” night where all the talent in the group emerges, some of it gifted and some of it not! But the evening is hugely engaging and incredibly joyful.
I attend because I love it.
The 4-day event is full of connection, joy, laughter, learning and inspiration. It’s wonderful to watch the children and allow myself to be infused with their energy. I find the whole weekend very nourishing – the incredible learning, the profound honouring of the elders and the deep nourishment I receive by connecting with other women.
Next year’s event starts May 13 – https://www.facebook.com/wisewomengatheringau
