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Pam Painter's avatar

Ooh do I feel this. I remember when I was young reading Kerouac, Whitman, Rumi in my small, Midwest farm town and feeling such intense kindred longing for that wild, ecstatic freedom of self exploration, self enjoyment and self becoming, heedless of prying eyes and safety because I hadn’t allowed myself to feel my gender yet … and then I did. And the question was, where are the women? Then I found the women in Plath and Mirabai and Angelou and Oliver and I understood a truth that unleashed a lot of confusion and sacred rage on behalf of collective womanhood. Over time I found (and continue to find) my way into freedom and expression. OUR way. Ecstatic to spend Imbolc with you and dear Brigid fanning the flames of women’s ways, femme ways together! 🔥

Ama Verdery's avatar

OUR WAY!! Thank you so much for sharing this; so many of us share in it. I am so proud of us.

Joy Thunder's avatar

Man I loved reading this - I’ve had such a spookily similar path to yours! I have a tattoo of the Fool, aquired during my initial 7-year world travels (started hitch-hiking through South America, alone phoneless and dressed as a boy). Feeling deeply also the transition into spiritual awakening, I also hold Celtic lineage though my connection to it is loose. Into priestesshood and deep immersions in mystery schools reclaiming the sensual pulse of life and interconnection with cosmos.

I have never exactly angled this as a pursuit of the ecstatic but it totally was too. Thanks for this insight and sharing your beautiful story ✨

Ama Verdery's avatar

Thank you so much, Joy Thunder!! I love this. What an incredible, brave, utterly inspiring woman you are! If you ever want to dive deeper into the Celtic priestess realms, we would love to have you amongst us. ;)

Penelope Seagull's avatar

Thank you so much for this wonder-full exploration of ecstasy, femininity and the freshness of Imbolc! This is my favourite season of all because, just as you wrote, spring will not be defeated. I'm post-menopausal and my kids have left home, so in a few weeks I'm embarking on an epic open-ended roadtrip. Exactly the kind you described. The sacred fool, following the adventurous call. Thank you for the encouragement!

Ama Verdery's avatar

It is going to be glorious, transformative, and totally wild. I love you for going! Many blessings on your rebirth into who knows who you will become next!

Danielle ⛈️'s avatar

Gorgeous! You are a trailblazer, Amanda. I applaud your wildness and thank you for sharing it with all of us. XO

Ama Verdery's avatar

My pleasure, Danielle. Thank you for all you do, and the Beauty and compassion with which you do it~ A

Allysha Lavino's avatar

This is magnificent, Amanda!

Ama Verdery's avatar

Oh my, thank you. That brings a tear of joy to my eye to hear. :)

Megan Leatherman's avatar

This is beautiful, Amanda! Thank you for sharing it with us. Xo

Ama Verdery's avatar

Thank you so much, sister. Much love to you this Imbolc season!