State of Wilderness

The morning of the solar eclipse held the promise of adventure, despite the ominous forecast of thunderstorms. My friend Jamie and I embarked on our journey from Pearland, winding our way through Dickinson toward Galveston. As we approached the Strand, the storm’s impact became undeniable. Water pooled in the streets, rising rapidly, turning the roads into shallow rivers. Parking my little Kia Soul as close as I could to our destination, we braced ourselves for the sprint to the door. Shoes in hand to avoid slipping, the water lapping up to my knees, I wrapped myself in a thick yoga mat in a vain attempt to stay dry. My dress, however, bore the brunt of the storm, its hem soaking up the floodwaters as we rushed inside.

The sanctuary of Living Life the Happy Way provided warmth and comfort. Towels were offered to dry off, blankets to wrap around us. We had arrived for the New Moon Women’s Breakfast, led by Christina of Moonlight Vibrational Healing. The air carried the inviting aroma of fresh coffee, caramelized bananas from the banana foster French toast, and sweet cantaloupe. As we settled in, Christina led an enlightening discussion on the Aries New Moon and the astrological influences at play. My Aries placements in Chiron and Jupiter meant this was a profound time for healing, self-discovery, and stepping into my power.

Christina introduced us to the plant allies of the day: rose and jasmine. She encouraged us to incorporate them into our personal rituals—whether as tea, sachets, or in conjunction with orange candles for manifestation. We then engaged in introspective activities. While some journaled with prompts, I sought answers through Oracle and Tarot decks. Later that evening, I synthesized the readings into affirmations and personalized rituals, deepening my connection to the messages received. The gathering concluded with a guided meditation, and as we stepped outside, we were greeted by a transformed world—storm clouds had given way to clear skies, the streets now dry and inviting.

With spirits high, Jamie and I ventured further down the Strand to explore metaphysical shops. Our first stop was Mysticatz, where I took a significant step in my entrepreneurial journey. I introduced myself to Cathy, the owner, to inquire about joining her roster of Reiki practitioners and vendors for upcoming metaphysical fairs. Though she expressed interest, she emphasized the need for a formal vetting process. This inspired me to later work on refining my website and social media presence, ensuring I was prepared for the opportunity.

Inside the shop, I indulged in my growing ability to sense crystal energies. Cathy’s husband took note and presented me with three stones—Moldavite, a Herkimer diamond, and Libyan desert glass. As I held them in my non-dominant hand, a surge of energy coursed through me, resonating at my solar plexus and throat chakras. To my amazement, he intuitively mirrored my sensations. Though the Herkimer diamond was beyond my budget, I selected a powerful amethyst and a charoite stone, along with rose oil for my next full moon ritual. Our exploration continued at Heaven and Earth, where I acquired a large fluorite palm stone and a box of Third Eye Chakra tea, aligning perfectly with my intention to enhance my intuition during this Aries New Moon and solar eclipse energy. The alignment of bold self-exploration and heightened spiritual awareness felt deeply synchronistic.

The day’s journey led us next to the Healing House, where Erin Arnett and her husband John facilitated an Embodied Movement class. The atmosphere of the studio—bathed in soft light and adorned with white and purple drapes—invoked a sense of serenity and spirituality. As I moved freely to the rhythm of the music, I concentrated on releasing what no longer served me, channeling energy through my chakras. At times, I danced across the floor; other times, I leaned against the wooden walls, stretching and surrendering to the movements my body craved. Despite fleeting distractions—wondering if Jamie was enjoying herself or thinking ahead to dinner plans—I remained present in the experience.

Erin concluded the session with a heart-centered reflection on gratitude. As I placed my hands over my heart, memories surfaced—sitting in the shade with my first horse, a lifelong dream realized; cherished moments with my husband, built on deep understanding; and, most poignantly, gratitude for myself. Tears welled in my eyes as I acknowledged my resilience, my courage, and the journey I had undertaken—from escaping an abusive marriage to earning my PhD, from raising three sons to manifesting the life I had always dreamed of. In that moment, I resolved to honor myself with affirmations: I am brave, I am intelligent, I am kind, I am powerful. I will no longer dim my light.

Feeling uplifted, we invited Christina to join us for dinner at the Original Mexican Cafe. Over the din of a boisterous table nearby, she shared wisdom that resonated deeply. She reminded us that we held the power to clear our own energy, that we did not need external validation to protect our spiritual well-being. She also advised me on the importance of integrating lower chakra work, cautioning that while my crown chakra was highly active, unresolved emotional wounds could prevent me from fully embodying divine wisdom.

On the drive home, Jamie invited me in to see her space, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to visualize her in her home environment. I see so much beauty and depth in her, recognizing her own need for healing. When I finally arrived at my own home, I intended to clean physically but instead found myself drawn to metaphysical cleansing. I journaled extensively, processing the revelations of the day, weaving together the synchronicities, lessons, and spiritual affirmations that would continue to guide me forward. The energy of the Aries New Moon and the solar eclipse had propelled me into action, reaffirming my path toward embracing my highest self.

The journey was far from over. But this day had been a powerful step in claiming my light, my purpose, and my spiritual evolution.

This morning, three kindred souls embarked on a sacred walk to the labyrinth, weaving our energies together like threads in a cosmic tapestry. We met in the parking lot outside Bistro Menil, gathering as members of the Houston Sacred Women Community, a space where our spirits had intertwined virtually but now found resonance in person. Our journey began with an unspoken knowing—before stepping forward, we needed to honor the ancient wisdom of the land. A magnificent live oak stood before us, its gnarled branches whispering secrets of time. We encircled its immense trunk, stretching our arms until our fingertips brushed, forming an unbroken chain of reverence. With hearts open and spirits grounded, we continued onward.

As we meandered through Menil Park, we passed a circle of meditators beneath another grand oak, their silent stillness a reflection of our own inward contemplation. Though tempted to join them, our feet felt called to continue, leading us towards the University of St. Thomas. Along the way, we paused to admire the sacred artistry of religious statues and murals—manifestations of devotion captured in stone and color.

At last, we reached our destination: the labyrinth. Nestled within a tranquil garden beside a chapel crowned with a golden dome, its entrance beckoned us inward. A white wall bore a large embedded cross, while a dark structure stood with two smaller bells above a single, larger bell below—symbols rich with meaning, their echoes carrying through time. One by one, we stepped into the labyrinth’s sacred geometry, surrendering to the rhythm of the path.

As I moved inward, each step became an act of release. I carried with me the wisdom gleaned from the Oracle and Tarot readings of the previous night’s New Moon and Solar Eclipse gathering. My hands held seven crystals, each aligned with the chakras, each a vessel for transformation. A large fluorite palm stone absorbed the weight of negative energy, transmuting it into clarity. Golden Healer reached deep, unearthing wounds to bathe them in light. Moonstone cradled my worries, whispering promises of intuition and renewal. Honeycomb ruby dismantled the walls of fear and self-doubt, infusing me with resilience. Charoite swept away stagnant emotions, reigniting the flame of determination. Tiger’s eye shattered limiting beliefs, unveiling the vast potential within. A smaller fluorite piece acted as both anchor and wings, releasing past trauma and ushering in profound growth. At each turn, I placed these stones, marking my passage with intention. As I emerged from the labyrinth’s heart, I gathered them back, infused now with the energy of my rebirth.

Near the labyrinth, three stone circles cradled bubbling fountains, their waters mirroring the essence of the three of us—cleansing, renewing, and awakening. It felt as though the universe itself acknowledged our presence, affirming our shared journey of healing and empowerment. With gratitude, we retraced our steps, pausing to marvel at a thriving community garden, a testament to the cycles of growth and renewal that mirrored our own paths.  As we walked, a revelation arose: each of us carried a book within us, waiting to be written, yearning to be birthed. A pact was formed, a commitment to hold space for one another, to midwife these creations into being.

Our journey led us to the Toasted Coconut, where we indulged in nourishment for both body and soul. The outdoor seating—soft white-cushioned wooden chairs nestled in sun-warmed sand—felt like a sanctuary. We held our crystals once more, tracing their contours as we traced the contours of our dreams.

The common threads between us wove themselves into a pattern of undeniable purpose. We were sacred space holders, women who had walked through fire and emerged bearing the wisdom to guide others. Our hearts beat with a shared longing—to cultivate community, to nurture growth, to weave magic into the fabric of existence. In that space of sand and sunlight, we gave voice to our visions, offering one another support and encouragement, sealing our bond with a three-way embrace.

Our journey concluded where it began, at the Menil, but not before a final pause in the bookstore. Surrounded by the musings of artists and visionaries, we spoke of our own artistry, recognizing that creation, in its many forms, is the language of the soul. With hearts full and spirits ablaze, we parted ways, knowing this was not an ending, but a beginning. We carried with us the echoes of our laughter, the warmth of our shared dreams, and the certainty that our paths, now intertwined, would continue to unfold in divine alignment.

The Health Museum in Houston has a Healing Arts program spearheaded by Rose Tylinski, a local artist with additional education in Arts and Health.  Through this program, Creative Studio hands-on workshops are offered once a month that “bridge the gap between art and health, fostering mental, emotional, and physical well-being through creative exploration” (from the website https://thehealthmuseum.org/programs/healingarts/). This past Sunday, I attended one of these workshops around the theme of “Resilience”.  It was a therapeutic experience that went deeper into my psyche than I imagined that it would, and I walked away feeling lighter and richer for the experience.

Upon entering the Creative Studio, our eyes were greeted by a scene that invited the imagination to play.  Colorful fabrics of many types organized in folds laid up against each other.  There were a handful of books that invited exploration to find images or words that might be included in a creative project.  Embellishments such as bright wooden butterflies or flowers greeted the eye, as well as a variety of yarn and a poster illustrating types of stitching. There were stamps of letters or natural elements such as vines, leaves, butterflies or insects.

Our eyes were also drawn to a table on the right that held a variety of snacks.  Bright green and purple grapes glistened on a fruit tray next to fresh berries. Cookies tempted from another tray, and a handful of chips were arranged below.  Buckets of sodas, ice and bottled water graced the end of the table. The attendees were greeted, checked in, and invited to pick snacks and drinks as they settled in at a crafting table in front of a TV.

The workshops feature artists that come to share their perspectives on the topic and assist in the creative process. Rose introduced the artists and the topic, and began the presentation.  The first exercise we did was breathwork, breathing into our bodies following a gif onscreen that guided how long our inhales and exhales should be.  Rose explained what was going on physically, mentally, and neurologically through this process.  Breathwork such as this activates our parasympathetic nervous system, allowing our body to rest.  She explained that our stress and trauma in our lives, even our ancestral and generational trauma, lives inside our bodies. Through our breath, we can move our bodies from the state of stress into one of relaxation.  She drew connections between the vagus nerve and the neural pathways, connecting the physical to the psychological realms, and all of this to the topic of resilience.

Next, we were asked to focus on a time where we experienced Resilience.  Pads of paper and pens were passed out to invite participants to journal their thoughts or draw pictures of this memory.  We were asked to dig deep into that memory, bringing in the feelings, colors, smells, sensations of the moment.  When I think about resilience, I think about how I bounced back from the challenges of my first marriage.  I focused on one moment in time, and my memory came out in the form of this poem:

Resilience

Resilience looks like

Green grass and gold brass 

The realization I needed

To leave my first husband 

After a physical assault 

These memories live

In my old backyard

Where I ran after 

I got away

Where he followed me

And grabbed my phone

Silver in his hands

Because he knew I would 

Call the police

And he threw my phone 

Across the brown fence

I had nowhere to run

And he had pulled out a gun

Threatened my dog if I told

But later, he was away

And I would sit out there

In my yard in the green grass

Smoking cigarettes and

Feeling that sense of

Being torn apart

“What God has put together 

Let no man tear asunder”

A quote I remembered

I believed our souls and hearts

Were merged when we were

But now I feel the pain

Of being cleaved apart

Like a lightning bolt

Giving me the ability 

To stand alone, apart

And I became strong

Golden, like a star

Blazing across the sky

Under the lights of the moon

At the beginning of the workshop, I had been flipping through the books and found this picture in one of a full moon framed within the small branches of a tree that reminded me of a view one would have from a backyard.  I had pulled that out, and when it was time to create our art, I cut it out to symbolize the upper trunk or head of a woman.  I chose fabrics that included colors present in my poem, with a background of green to represent the yard.  When I put it all together, I created a fabric square with colors, shapes and embellishments that represented a woman being split by a lightning bolt.  On the left side, the feelings and dreams of a bride were symbolized by fabric in the shape of a wedding dress with roses at the end, and on the right, I chose blue fabric and butterflies to represent the beauty of transformation. I added some words from the books that to me represented the depth of the journey and how it changed me.  I used the stamps to create a title for the piece, “Split”, with the stamped letters offset to further illustration the cleaving of a separation of souls during a divorce.

One of the concepts introduced in the workshop was that by combining the memory of a past trauma with a new pleasurable experience, like working on a craft, we are restructuring the pathways in our brain.  Our brain creates this new network that links this positive experience with the stored memory, and this promotes healing.  I did feel that the weight of the memory of this negative event in my life was much lighter and less powerful after this experience.  I walked away feeling that it would hurt less to think about now, and that my trauma was transmuted by this crafting experience.

In the end, we were invited to join our squares together in a community quilt.  The community aspect is a part of the workshop, and we reflected on how much we shared, although our life experiences were all different.  I chose not to join my square to the group project, because I wanted to take it home and keep it as a reminder of my transformational journey.

The workshop price also includes admission to the museum, and I took the opportunity to wander through the museum after, including the Body Worlds exhibit. During our workshop, we could hear the sounds of a heartbeat coming from the giant heart display on the other side of the wall. As I visited this giant heart, walked through a giant brain, and contemplated a neuron display, I thought about the connections we had made today in the pathway between those elements.  We had taken a memory from the brain, worked it through some heart spaces, and created a new neural pathway that connected the two through our art expression.

Lately, I have been on coinciding journeys of healing, spiritualism and creative expression, but I hadn’t before considered how they were tied together in my body like this.  It opened my mind up to consider other ways I could incorporate all the elements together.  I am excited about the idea of trying this on my own but also signing up for future workshops like this at the Health Museum.  I feel fed spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and creatively from this experience, and would encourage others who are on similar journeys to try it for themselves.

I invite you to listen to “Circle of Women” by Nalini Blossoming while reading this, as an inspiration for this story.

This past Saturday, March 8, was International Women’s Day. I found myself at Sawyer Yards with my beautiful friend Leilani, browsing through the open studios and talking to the artists. There was a painting that caught my eye. The artist, Cheryl Russell, explained to me that this piece, “The Gifts of Inanna”, was inspired by the goddess. She told me a bit about Inanna’s story. Inanna was a bit naughty, and wanted to go rule the underworld. On her descent to the underworld, she had to pass through the seven levels of hell. At each level, she had to surrender one of her gifts. When she reached the underworld, she was naked and powerless. In the end, she experienced a death in the underworld, but she was ultimately revived due to the loyalty of her servant Ninshubur, who called on assistance from the other gods (this part Cheryl did not tell me, but I read up on Inanna’s story later). I would have loved to bring home the original painting or even one of the Giclee prints of this piece, but in the end, I settled for a card and the conversation.

Later that weekend, I sat for a while with this card reprint, a candle, and some music inspired by Inanna. I read more about her story, and reflected on how her mythology related to the events of my weekend in its entirety, and what messages her story had to share with us for International Women’s Day. International Women’s Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. Inanna’s story of overcoming challenges in the underworld is seen as a powerful symbol of female strength and resilience, making her relevant to contemplate on International Women’s Day.

In addition, her story speaks to the struggle for power and autonomy. Inanna is a goddess who actively pursues power, often challenging male deities and asserting her own authority. One of her most famous myths, Inanna and Enki, tells of how she tricks the god of wisdom into giving her the Me—divine gifts of civilization and power. This reflects the struggles of women who fight for recognition, knowledge, and autonomy in societies that often try to restrict their access to power. Her willing descent into the underworld mirrors the struggles many women experience—whether through personal crises, societal expectations, or systemic oppression—where they must endure loss and transformation to emerge stronger. The surrender of her “gifts” symbolizes how women are often stripped of their power, dignity, or identity to fit societal roles. Eventually, she stands naked and vulnerable before her sister Ereshkigal, much like how women are often judged harshly for their choices, bodies, and ambitions. Inanna’s myth is one of struggle, loss, and resurrection—mirroring the lived experiences of women fighting for their voices, reclaiming their power, and redefining their roles in society. She represents the cyclical nature of women’s challenges and the triumph of resilience, wisdom, and transformation.

Friday night I had started my weekend out with a therapy session, in which I worked through some aspects of my “shadow self’. Soon after this, I drove to Dickinson to join a Soul Sister Circle where we worked through a discussion of our shadow work together. In this experience, the ten women in the group revealed their deepest secrets and vulnerabilities. Inanna’s descent into the underworld illustrates this concept of shadow work, which involves confronting the repressed, hidden, and often painful parts of the self. As Inanna descends, she is forced to remove her crown, jewels, and garments, which symbolize ego, social masks, and false identities. Similarly, shadow work asks us to strip away illusions and confront our authentic selves. When women gather in sacred spaces and engage in shadow work, they re-enact Inanna’s myth—descending into their depths, supporting one another through the journey, and emerging stronger, wiser, and more whole. Inanna dies in the underworld before she is resurrected, symbolizing the death of the old self that often occurs in deep healing work. Shadow work is not just about uncovering darkness but about integrating it, leading to rebirth and empowerment. Inanna teaches that descent is necessary for true transformation and that by embracing both light and shadow, women can reclaim their full power.

Even though our struggles were not all the same, we found we had more in common than we thought, and in each other we found a place of peace, of encouragement and support. Inanna’s revival is only possible because of female solidarity—her loyal servant Ninshubur seeks help from other gods when no one else will. This speaks to the importance of sisterhood and mutual support among women, especially in systems that seek to isolate or disempower them. With the help of our soul sisters to offer collective healing, encouragement, and wisdom, we can find a way to accept those parts of ourselves and integrate them into our journey of transformation.

On Saturday evening, I attended a second women’s circle, this one on the theme of Ostara. In this circle, we took turns sharing on the themes of renewal and new beginnings. Both Inanna and Ostara represent aspects of the divine feminine that facilitate transformation but in a different flavor: Inanna transitions between realms, balancing light and dark, while Ostara transitions between winter and spring, ensuring renewal and balance. Although Ostara and Inanna come from different traditions (Germanic and Sumerian), they share powerful archetypal themes of renewal, fertility, transition, and resurrection. The seasonal cycle of death and rebirth, present in both their mythologies, makes them spiritually connected symbols of transformation.

All of these events were occurring during the current Venus Retrograde, which I found incredibly symbolic. Inanna is closely connected to the goddess Ishtar, and ancient cultures associated both with the planet Venus. The myth of Inanna descending into the underworld mirrors the astronomical phenomenon of Venus appearing to “go backwards” across the sky, symbolizing a period of introspection and confronting one’s shadow self. Inanna shedding her garments at each gate of the underworld represents the need to let go of old patterns and identities during a Venus Retrograde period. During this time, individuals are encouraged to examine their relationships and personal power dynamics, much like Inanna’s journey through the underworld where she must shed her power to access deeper truths. 

The myth symbolizes that just like Inanna, Venus retrograde is life’s invitation for us to journey to our own underworld and confront our shadows in love and relationships. It can also be a time where we uncover the truth that’s hidden behind our relationships and reclaim our power. We are shown the people who are true of their intentions, and where we should break our ties with people who do not have the best intentions for us. When Venus ends its retrograde cycle, it is an invitation for us to take the lessons and truths we’ve uncovered from our own underworld journey and reflect on how we can apply them to our lives.

She reminds us of our ability to rise, transform, and reclaim our sovereignty.