In 1997 I took a road trip across the states – ending up living in San Francisco for a year. Whilst there, someone told me about a course for women in Oregon called ‘Into the Mystery’.
I signed up and booked a flight. I had never sat in a circle before – let alone a circle of women – it felt ancient and familiar. Over the course of the weekend we each took our place inside the circle… and were initiated Into the Mystery.
What happened? I happened. I swallowed into the present moment and let myself go. Up to that point I thought you needed to sit on a mountain for 30 years before learning something profound about yourself. Turns out you just have to turn up.
Read the poem Initiation by Emily J Gibson
The music starts
My eyes smart
Scrying the dust rise
Of the in between
Swirling in spirals
I follow
Hearing and seeing the raw me
Gazing out and gazing in
The ever watchful eyes
That mark the boundaries
Of my persuasion
Who am I?
My truth speaks and I am seen
Protected by those eyes
The music stops breathless
I drop
Exhausted by
Who I am
I rise, looking out
See my mirror in those eyes
Slowly sweet words kiss my truth
And I am Blessed.
