The last weekend in February 2010 will be in my memories forever as it was the first Winter Woman Spirit Conference I have ever attended as well as being an incredible weekend! My anticipation and excitement leading up to the weekend was nothing in comparison to the reality I was fortunate enough to have. This was truly a grand weekend, one of nurturing (which was the theme), one of learning and one of making and building on friendships.
I and my traveling party arrived at First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee Wisconsin, the site of WWS2010, quite early; I was having time change complications. We were warmly welcomed none-the-less.
A large room in the church, a gathering place of sorts, was designated for vendors and there were so many wonderful women with so many wonderful items to sell! Next to our booth full of organic products and beautiful spirit shawls were ritual robes and hats and beautiful items to wear and treasure. There were booths of jewelry and booths of clothing, herbs and plants, and even some ‘toys’ and things just for women! It was overwhelming and the excitement was apparent. One quite popular booth was the aura photography booth where we could get a picture of our aura taken! It was fun to look at each other’s auras and compare differences; particularly the opportunity I had to share aura comparisons with Starhawk whose aura, not surprisingly was full of blues and violets. My excitement show through my own aura with a huge explosion of yellows and gold!
Opening ritual on Friday was lovely to say the least and left everyone with much energy and excitement for the coming day as we all departed to our lodging locations. A few of us staying at the lovely County Clare Irish Pub and
The next morning we were all up bright and early and ready for our day. One thing we all had in common was the exciting anticipation of hearing Starhawk (prominent speaker, author and Earth activist) speak to us and sign our books; Starhawk enlightened us, entertained us and nourished our souls. She signed our books and smiled for our pictures and conducted a drumming and chanting workshop before returning to join us in ritual that night.
Saturday was full of workshops and shopping with vendors and meeting new people and visiting with old friends and even enjoying a Margaret Fuller tea complete with a re-enactment of Margaret Fuller joining the tea. Energy was high as we all filed into the ritual that evening and I admittedly was excited to sit next to and talk to Starhawk as we awaited ritual to begin. Ritual was beautiful and after we all again went back to our hotels and homes and Inns.
Sunday Starhawk was invited to be the guest minister for the services at the church and she shared with us (in three services) her children’s book The Last Wild Witch and then spoke to us about Spirituality and Activism and how they can and should coexist. It was a warm, nourishing and amazing weekend and now I am left with the excitement and exhilaration that this wonderful event, Winter Woman Sprit will be held in my own home town of
