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"Collective care, imagination, and rest are so vital to our liberation…”
This quote from a truly revolutionary book, Rest is Resistance - A Manifesto by Tricia Herse, is a gift for these times, and for all times. This quote is just a fractal of the wholeness the book explores around Ms. Hersey’s invitation to us, to shift the paradigm of what care and what rest are.
These eleven words are so rich!
Consider the practice of collective care as caring that is the responsibility of the group. The lived experience & practice that we are collectively accountable for the wellbeing of each other, particularly the emotional well being of each other. That care isn’t solely the responsibility of the individual. (Whew!!!! - how would our culture change is this were the norm?)
What comes up for you to consider that perhaps rest is more than an individual and personal choice but one that is collectively healing? This is a rabbit hole that can take us all the way into the elegant depths of Quantum physics!
That in choosing to simply, profoundly rest is essential to contributing to a shared experience towards freedom from oppressive systems.
Lastly and as one who is decades-soaked in story, myth- making and the imagination, this inclusion of imagination as liberatory, with rest and collective care has me leaping in joy and deep agreement! That the generative act of imagining new possibilities for living life individually and collectively is also vital part to liberation for us all.
Let this soak it. Notice what rises up.
How might your life be changed by accepting to live more deeply into the offering of these words?
Of these three threads, which is/are already alive in you?
Which of these threads - collective care, rest & imagination are your next edge to explore, for liberation from oppressive systems in your life and liberation for us All?
For me, for now, my edge is all about resting my bones, my blood, by mind & my whole soul in a new way.
At the moment that is a strange and intentional dance of committing to rest in between all the fullness of the summer’s schedule!
Yours in the ongoing,
Tracy
PS. A few weeks ago I joined Marisa Goudy on her podcast, KnotWork Myth & Storytelling in a deep dive into a tapestry of threads including the power of orality, the lost essential need of the imaginal and the virgin as sovereign unto herself, all through our shared experience and the retelling of a Hebridean story of the Cailleach Sgaire! Also check out Marisa’s Substack post at
TRE® CLASSES: TRE stands for tension/trauma release exercises and is a universal somatic ( body-based ) healing modality & practice that can help release tension, stress & trauma from our bodies by activating a shaking/tremor response. This tremoring release process is inherent in all mammals, though has often been conditioned out of humans’ experience.
Work with me 1:1 or in group classes, in person & virtually. Email me for more info and/or join my TRE mailing list.
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WE ARE CYCLICAL - The Moon as Medicine: June 24 | Sweet Fern Apothecary | 6:30pm
We are Cyclical Beings - The Moon as Medicine is an emergent workshop exploring the cycles of the moon through lore, somatic practices, meditation & reflection allowing for a deeper relationship with the Moon’s cycles and your own cyclical nature. The Moon is an ancient ally offering cyclic wisdom to nurture change and transformation in our lives.
THE WILD WITHIN is an experiential & immersive day retreat for women identifying folx who are called to come together on a summer’s day, exploring tending the wild inside through somatic practices, storytelling, creativity, collective care & just being.
The primary energies & intention for the day are slowing down, embodied listening, being/caring alone/together, resting into the cycle of life, reflection & regeneration.
A light mid day meal is included. Guided and facilitated Tracy Chipman with guest facilitation by Yazmin Bowers.
Can you slow your body, quiet the mind to listen to the wild within?
Silver Apples of the Moon. Golden Apples of the Sun - stories of harvest : July 30 | 6:30 - 8pm | Kinstone, Fountain City WI
Please come gather together in the threshold of Lughnasadh/Lammas with the land in celebration for the harvest with Wisconsin storyteller, Tracy Chipman.
Registration up soon. Space is limited and we suggest you register by 7/20. $20/person
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Rooted Expression: A Creative Retreat for Writers & Artists August 1 - 3 | Keewaydin Farm Viola WI
Gather together for this co-creative, in-person, immersive weekend retreat for writers and artists who are curious about nurturing their connection to the land and infusing the inspiration of the natural world into their expression as writers and artists.
We will collaborate with guest writers and artists to draw on their passion, knowledge, and experience to present lectures, activities, prompts, hands-on learning, creative expression, and somatic experiences. Program will include poetry, prose, reflective writing, storytelling, hiking, gathering plants, creating botanical watercolors, creating plant impressions in pottery, somatic practices, and more.
