Red Tent Temple Neophyte

As I've begun to explore the world of female strength, I stumbled on the "red tent" concept.  The idea is that women create these communities where they meet on a regular basis to create a support system for one another.  In those meeting, they share stories, drum, write, dance, sing, relax, and just generally celebrate the collective feminine spirit.  Once I heard that these were all over the world (even in NJ), I was intrigued at the opportunity to explore.  The first woman I emailed said that her studio space didn't call it "red tent" because it wasn't attracting the audience they were looking for.  And, after reading about her program, I realized what she was offering wasn't quite what I was hoping it would be.  But then I found one that meets monthly in south Jersey.  Though it was a distance away, it seemed well-established and the type of environment I had in mind.

So, I took the plunge today.  It was a 2-hour drive and I was a little bit nervous to walk into a new environment with new people, but I kept in mind my goals and how this would push me further in my investigation for the supportive team I am looking for.  I am SO glad I went.  The signs were very clear where to go and what to do as you walked into the building and up the stairs.  There were red veils and pieces of fabric all over, a sign for suggested donations, and a sign for where to put your shoes.  I walked into the room, said it was my first time there, and was instantly directed to the nearest bean bag chair.  I started having a bit of awkward conversation for a few minutes, but then it became much more natural and the group of us were laughing and sharing our lives.

Soon after, one of the girls cracked open her packet of henna and started making her rounds with anyone who wanted some (including me).  That was my first time getting it.  Everyone was mesmerized by the process.  It was very cool.

After an hour or so of chatting, the women's circle began.  The leader started with a stick with adornments symbolizing women who were part of the red tent or had some relation to the group.  She passed around the stick and, as each woman was holding it, she would say what the group meant to them (in one word or phrase).  Then we each picked three cards and had to tell a story that linked the three cards together.  The variety of stories was mindblowing.  There were some who were sharing general words of wisdom from past experiences or what they try to keep in mind on a daily basis, one woman who found her husband dead of an opiate overdose just this week, one whose brother had been shot and whose murderer was sentenced to 40-60 years in prison, one woman who will begin her life as a single mother, one who was moving deeper into her practice of working with energy, one who was the wise older woman of the group who took her time speaking which allowed her message to really resonate with the group, and others who were equally openminded and free to share and receive information.

I had a general idea of what I was going to share, but I still stopped breathing as soon as it was my turn to speak.  I acknowledged my lack of skill in speaking in front of a group, then was able to finish my thoughts with a slight lack of oxygen.  At the end of each speaker, the group would say, "Bless you, then the person's name".  It's crazy how supported you can feel with such a simple gesture.  You really feel like someone is paying attention to you and is a witness to your story.

I had a few quick and lovely conversations with some of the girls before I left, but I darted out quickly because I wasn't feeling like I would make it through that part of the socializing without being completely awkward.  I had a long drive home anyway, so it was all good.
I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have experienced tonight.