October 29, 2003
Awakened Woman's Circle is working for peace
Sacred Woman
Initiation into the Divine Feminine
by Maggie Erotokritou
Sacred feminine empowerment is not about being aggressive, or turning against men, it is about being conscious and actively contributing in a different way through combining gentleness with strength and not being afraid to act on our intuition, when deep in our hearts we know something is right. The work of the sacred woman and the divine feminine offers new ways to approach life but especially offers training in personal transformation, which empowers women to be everything that they long to be and to fully express their creativity and full potential. Women have a more delicate nervous system than men and need to take enough time to rest, meditate and regenerate. Stress and strain are a woman's greatest enemy and rob her of her health and energy. By regaining a state of internal peace, harmony and balance, we can find a new perspective and enjoy life more. When we explore deeply, in a supportive environment with other women who have similar interests, this helps us grow and expand our sense of self, which furthers our process of transformation. Through being together and listening to different perspectives, it helps us get a clearer sense of where we are going and what needs to change. Embracing the path of the sacred woman offers us countless opportunities for expansion, empowerment and living our truth.
We live in challenging times and life is very different from the time of our mothers and grandmothers. Women are challenged to be good at everything and to balance the roles of family life, work and personal development, which is rarely an easy task. In the past most women tended to relinquish the role of self-development or even thought they were selfish if they thought of themselves or took time off to do something they liked. Today's woman who is more conscious, realises and acknowledges that her own self development is not only a necessity for herself and her well being but is also advantageous for those around her and that her family and work can truly benefit when she has a clearer perspective of who she is and what she wants out of life. She then becomes better equipped to help and support others in their lives and can extend this nurturing quality further afield into other areas of her life including her work, but first she needs to learn how to deeply nurture herself. Until we become clear on where we are going and what we want and what is needed both on an individual and collective basis, we will struggle with issues of self denial and feelings of lack of fulfilment.
We are in the midst of great change, both a time of personal transformation and planetary transformation. Women are being called to come forward and to express themselves more, to take up new roles in society and to engage in ways of living that are in alignment with their highest level of integrity.
Embracing the divine feminine
Embracing the divine feminine is about empowering yourself as a woman in a new way through bringing the sacred into your life, in a practical way that works for you. Each of us in our own unique way has an important part to play in the world. We are the nucleus of a circle around us that consciously or unconsciously we influence. Through being aware of what sort of influence we have, whether it is positive or negative, encouraging and supportive or critical and disempowering can make all the difference. Empowerment is an internal process, which is then reflected outwards. True confidence, courage and determined energy come from developing a clearer sense of self, clearing blocks and releasing limitations that we may have created or that society may have placed upon us.
In the Divine Feminine training we explore the different archetypes and qualities of sacred women both of today and the past and also look at what is the new feminine archetype, the sacred woman who is emerging today. This is an individual quest, for ultimately each woman's journey is her own and unique but in another sense we as women are also emerging collectively. We can embrace and share this vision together and inspire each other as we share our journeys. We have to first plant seeds, and then be patient whilst they germinate, grow and bear fruit, the secret lies in knowing which seeds to plant and when, this is where a woman's faculty of intuition is so valuable.
The new feminine archetype, which is emerging now is about giving birth to a new reality, and being a part of the feminine spiritual transformation that is taking place, which will also allow our full blossoming potential to come forth. Through exploring the different aspects and qualities of the Divine Feminine, we can discover and become clearer on our own life purpose and what work needs to be done. Deep within every woman lies a sacred woman with tremendous potential ready to emerge. As we discover how to tap into the depths of our being, and release whatever has hindered our full self-expression, we come into contact with our true essence, our pure potential. When the blocks to this potential are released, it flows abundantly and creatively like an overflowing river.
Every woman is a sacred woman, a Goddess waiting to be born. It is time for women to regain their power, to empower themselves with the feminine grace and wisdom which are their birthright. Empowerment is about opening the doors within and finding the courage and the strength to express and live our truth. An empowered woman is active; she engages fully with the process of life, she does not hold back, she is conscious and responsible. She does not fear the unknown because she trusts that in the unmanifest lie countless treasures and opportunities, waiting to be found.
Initiation
Initiations were sacred ceremonies or celebrations, rites of passage from one stage to another. Puberty, marriage, childbirth and menopause are sacred rites of passage, which are honoured in most traditions. An initiation is like the key that opens a door, it creates an entry point, it helps move us forward.
In the work of the Sacred Woman, we explore the realms of the divine feminine and take a sacred journey together, which is both beautiful and enlightening. We share who we are and discover new aspects of ourselves. This particular journey is taken in 7 steps and 7 Initiations are given. The first step creates the foundation for the work to come and explores the feminine perspective from different points of view. It also teaches us to become more grounded, to be aware of the physical body, more centered, more peaceful, harmonious and still. True centering becomes possible after we release all emotional discord, which knocks us off balance and creates disempowerment. Alignment helps us become clear, energized, vibrant, dynamic and creative throughout the day. Grounding, centering and aligning help us maintain the sacred throughout the day no matter where we are or what we are doing.
Invoking the Divine Feminine, the Goddess and the Sacred Woman is the most tranformative work any woman can do. The mantra of the Sacred Woman is that of the I Am, which sets an intention of empowerment in the moment.
I am ……..
I am at peace within myself
I am in harmony with everyone and everything around me
I am a sacred woman
I am on a sacred path
I am aligned and attuned with the Divine Feminine at all times.
I am treading the path of all the sacred women who have gone before me.
I am conscious of what I create and work from the highest level of integrity.
Maggie Erotokritou is trained in Psychosynthesis, transpersonal psychology and has been teaching yoga, meditation and facilitating groups exploring self development, the metaphysical, consciousness and human potential for many years. She co-ordinated the Surya Centre for health and healing, founded the Women's Spiritual Network and the Global Spiritual Network. She is also the author of Radiant Woman, Every Woman's Guide to Health, Healing and Rejuvenation.
The next seminar, Part 1 of Sacred Woman, Initiation into the Divine Feminine, will be offered in Nicosia Saturday November 29th 2-6pm.
For further details contact Maggie Erotokritou at Surya@spidernet.com.cy