A Maiden Mystery School.
Maiden Mysteries is a full spectrum body of work that begins with your daughter (and YOU!) around 8/9 years of age and supports her through a transformational threshold into her teen life. During this non-traditional, multi-year program with deep time in nature, circle conversations, and play, she will learn to tune in to her inner compass and create her own map and guide in preparation for her epic life adventure. You both can find an authentic, supportive place as you begin orienting yourselves in the chaos of our modern world. We offer a flexible framework that is outlined in the Maiden Mysteries Companion Guide to help you navigate this new terrain. Together, we will explore and connect to the everchanging cycles and seasons of life as she blooms into her own being. While we delineate the groups by age, we understand that individual development is non-linear, therefore, guides will determine movement from one stage to the next based upon personal needs and desires.
Seed Sisters | 8-10 yrs | Prepare for the Maiden Voyage.
This is the place to enter the spiral and begin preparations for the Maiden Voyage where we connect through the Ritual of Play. We remember to honor the past, acknowledge the present and dream into the emerging future. We work from within the framework of our individual stories/history/lineage and build from there. Through our connection to nature, personal reflection, sister mirroring and community engagement, we learn to explore the layers of our inner nature while building awareness of the unique and diverse outer landscapes. We develop skills to step confidently into the wider world of the middle school years and navigate relationships outside of the home. This program provides a grounded, relational and supportive place in which to practice the newly developing skills.
Our Seed Sisters meet in a private home at the edge of the Cross Timbers northwest of downtown Tulsa. The current circles meet twice per month on Sunday's. In addition, we go on camping trips (optional) and other outdoor adventures. A minimum of 4 consecutive seasons in Seed Sisters is required to move with a pod into the Moon Flowers. We have found it to be profoundly beneficial to remain in the Maiden Mysteries from 8/9 - 13+ years of age. Stay as long as it supports you and your family. The final phase of the programming culminates in a quest with your group or on a solo adventure. Community workshops for cultivating a personal avatar and activating a new archetype in the collective--the Star Maiden--is in the works!
**Our circles are for the girls only. However, the mothers actively participate in community building through ride shares, organizing get togethers/play dates, special events and seasonal celebrations. Additionally, every year, we hold a Mother + Daughter Winter Retreat to rest and dream the new world into being.
Moon Flowers | 11-12 yrs | Explore the Possibilities.
Moon flowers consist of 4-6 girls. The smaller group dynamic creates space to explore the creative impulse of our inner nature that comes through the sacred passageway of menarche as well as others major life events that are experienced personally in their own families. This passage is not linear and requires a compassionate continuum of care. In our moon pods, we get to practice deeper relating to ourselves and in sisterhood. During this stage of the curriculum, we bring more attention and awareness of our personal power, voice to values, leadership and collaborative potentials.
As the daughters grow and change together, the mothers tend to deepen into a supportive community to serve as companions for the daughters as they ready themselves for teen life and their Maiden Voyage.
Around 13 years, we will have a final adventure or ceremony to celebrate the transformation and forward movement into teen life.
Star Maidens | 13+ yrs | Initiate: Set the Pace + Path of the Journey Ahead.
Star Maiden's is about coming of age in a time of turmoil, deepening into our cyclical nature, learning to harness our creative life force, standing for what we believe in and trusting others in our sphere of influence to do the same. Over the years, we have built a foundation of authentic sisterhood, epic adventures, creative expression and community containment. Girls who choose to continue with the Maiden Mysteries, can do so in the following ways:
Apprenticeship :: For girls 13+ yrs. Must have participated for 2 years or more in Seeds/Moonflowers and desire to work with younger girls' group and/or help at campouts. 1:1 mentorship and a seasonal commitment is required.
1:1 Mentorship :: Personal Mentorship with Shela can also be designed to meet the individual needs as your daughter moves through her teen years. Monthly, bi-weekly, weekly meetings available. Our meetings are out in nature and/or places of interest in the community. Seasonal commitment is required.
2:1 Companionship :: Seasonal Attunements to support the mothers & daughter connection. Monthly, bi-weekly, weekly meetings available.
**This phase of Maiden Mysteries is offered by donation. Contact Shela to discuss possibilities - 918.200.7929 or shelatarwater@gmail.com