2010 flashed past and while terrifying in its speed it was full of adventure. I’d have felt comfortable if November had actually been May!
It’s good to be able to sit back and reflect on the year that was and highlight some of the events that brought times of deep healing and connection and saw the human spirit soar.
The challenges at CHT have been ever present and formed a backdrop to other endeavours. Resolution is still in the future and I appreciate your ongoing prayers and love for us.
Grand motherhood continues to open my heart and nourish my soul.
WOMEN’S MYSTERIES
The 5 day ‘Women’s Mysteries Retreats’ were held at the ‘Vine & Branches Center’ in Templestowe in Feb and Nov. It is wonderful to have such a beautiful rural location so very close to Melbourne. It is tucked away on the edge of Westerfolds Park beside the Yarra River and provides lovely walks for participants. We very much appreciate the ease that comes with being in a very user- friendly venue. No more generators, chip heaters or wood fires! While these features certainly contributed to the rich experience that was CHT and I celebrate the fun and freedom provided by the outdoor showers, out door squatting, those marvelous composting toilets and bunkrooms in the fostering of community, there is a logistical ease at V&B that is most welcome. The accommodation has regulated the numbers we can accept into courses. We’ve found that having ten participants is ideal. The circles become more intimate and it provides a very pleasing level of comfort.
This has led to an adjustment of costs and also the creation of a special price for those who have attended the retreat before.
Our experience has shown us that the more time we spend in temple space the more we learn and develop our skills for inner journeying and we become more and more available to what is available. I hope that a discount will encourage you to join us again. It’s also great to bring a friend with you and enjoy the special deepening of your friendship.
Remember that we have very user-friendly payment plans.
The ongoing ‘Women’s Mysteries Circle’ that has been meeting continuously for the past 20 years bask in the deep friendships, support, nourishment and skills that have developed over that time, also moved to Vine & Branches for their twice yearly 4 day circles.
The other ‘Women’s Mysteries’ closed circle has completed their first 2 year program and is excitably commencing another!
This circle met in a delightful farmhouse with a spa in Daylsford - They will beat the V&B this year!. There are a couple of places available in this circle open to those who have attended a 5 day retreat and would like to be part of a closed circle for the next 2 years.
Both venues are closer to the airport and this has made it easier for women travelling from interstate.
PREVIOUS Women’s Mysteries PARTICIPANTS:
There have been many requests to be able to meet and reconnect after being at the retreat and so we are holding some 1 day events exclusively for past ‘Women’s Mysteries’ participants. This will provide a wonderful opportunity to spend time in temple space with others who have also shared the experience and a time for renewal that will support the integration of what has been gained on the retreat into your daily life.
This inaugral gathering will be on March 12th at the Rooftop Terrace Northcote Town Hall from 9.00am onwards. We would love to see you there!
Please click here for more information
Women’s Mysteries Introductory Evenings’
These are always fun. This is the perfect opportunity for those considering doing the retreat to come and gather information and for past participants to bring friends to. During the evening which goes for 1 ½ - 2hrs I explain the principals behind ‘Women’s Mysteries’ and address people’s questions.
I love catching up with past participants and people really value hearing about their experiences of the retreat. Come and join us. Win the door prize!
Keep a watch out for details of ‘when & where’ arriving in your mail.
MIDWIVES & MEDICINE WOMEN & MOTHERS & BABIES
As you were most likely aware during 2009/10 there was a lot of activity as the new federal health reforms were brought in. Thank you to those who responded to submission signing and to attending rallies around the country supporting the maintenance of our right to give birth as we choose and for midwives to have their independence protected.
A delegation from ICSM had an appointment with the then Victorian State Minister for Health, the Hon. Andrew Daniels. Sunderai Felich, director of ICSM and ‘Dial a Doula’, Kerry Radford from Ballarat Hospital Team Midwifery Program and Jotara Woodford midwives and members of the 2nd closed Women’s Mysteries circle and myself went to Parliament House.
A very spirited discussion was had, where we addressed the points outlined, as fully as we could in the time given to us. Click here for more information
There was a great deal of disappointment in the natural birth community with the ‘sting in the tail’ that appeared in the federal legislation that was eventually passed. It decrees that to be eligible for insurance and registration, independent midwives must work under the supervision of a doctor. This is of course quite ludicrous as 1) the AMA has a policy of anti home birth and 2) the absence of any training for doctors in natural birth let alone homebirth.
The foxes have been put in charge of the hen house!
For a more comprehensive account of the issues and also to see what you can do to assist go to www.maternitycoalition.org.au
Post and Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA) - ‘Recovery as Healing’
On the 4th June I was keynote speaker for this PANDA one-day seminar at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Center. It was a fantastic, educational and healing day for all.
It was a significant step for the organisation as it introduced ideas and perceptions for care providers that were outside of the medical model for bringing understanding, and providing support, for women when they find themselves out of their depth after the baby is born.
The ICSM model of care was very well received and people were excited by the possibilities it presented. PANDA is a great organisation with passionate and compassionate people providing support for women and their families in the tumultuous post natal time.
Held over 8 weeks the four one day seminars combine with reading from the ICSM library and audio and visual material covering birth and pre and perinatal psychology providing a rich and exciting time of learning and inner exploration.
Spiritual Midwifery is a module in the ‘Dial a Doula’ doula professional training and is suitable for all birth care practioners. It is an excellent course for birth attendants and also as birth preparation.
This was conducted at the Camberwell Health and Healing Centre in June, July and August.
HOT NEWS!!!!!!!
Spiritual Midwifery -----------Expanded!
At the end of each ‘Spiritual Midwifery’ course, participants never want the course to end so we have added another month to the program!
Do join us for this fabulous time!
With all our courses such is the nature of the material and the way that it is taught that it is possible, even desirable, to attend again.
Why? Because we work with the flow of consciousness and as you are not the same as you were the first time you did it you will reap deeper meaning and understandings each time round. It’s like reading a very good book for the 2nd time. And if you read it a 3rd time you find things that you hadn’t noticed before.
So if that voice inside is saying ‘do it again’ do so. I’ll love having you with us for another adventurous exploration.
For more information or to register your interest please contact:
On the 4th June I was keynote speaker for this PANDA one-day seminar at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Center. It was a fantastic, educational and healing day for all. 
