Passing on the Grandmothers' Empowerment
First, read the Grandmothers' book, "A Call to Power: the
Grandmothers Speak." Reading their words will give you
confidence, guidance and an understanding of their message. You will
then be able to help others understand what this work is about. Next
create a sacred space (indoors or out) where you can hold a simple
ceremony. Then get a large scarf. This will represent the
caul for the Empowerment and the Cloak of Comfort. You may need
more than one scarf if you expect a large group. Have candles,
flowers and whatever else will make your sacred space more special.
Sharon has put together a study guide for "A Call to Power: the Grandmothers Speak" so people can easily lead a Grandmothers' study circle. Download pdf file here.
When you gather, after introductions, tell the story of how the
Grandmothers came and what their message is. You can share and
even read something from the book if you like. People often have
questions about who these Grandmothers are and they may ask you what
they have done for your life, etc. We take about a half hour to tell
the story, answer questions and talk about the Grandmothers.
During the Empowerment and Cloak of Comfort ceremony each person steps
before the altar or sacred space when she/he is ready to receive from
the Grandmothers. At that point cover them with the scarf –
cover women's heads and cover men's shoulders. The Grandmothers
say that women are the reservoirs of yin or the feminine principle for
this planet and the empowerment re-activates the previously dormant
state of yin within a woman. That is why her head and much of her
body is covered. By being wrapped from their shoulders on down
by the cloak of comfort a man is steadied, nurtured and comforted by
the presence of yin. The Grandmothers say the energies of men and
women are different and must be respected for this difference –
there is a full explanation of this in the book. However, let
me repeat, only cover the head of a woman and explain this before you
do the ceremony.
When we are ready to begin, we say a short prayer, thanking the
Grandmothers for drawing us together to help one another and help
all life on earth. We thank and acknowledge all forms of the
Divine, recognizing that all forms of the One work together. When
each one is covered by the scarf or caul, the Grandmothers instantly
embrace them. So that the person can feel this embrace and the
people present can too, everyone comes forward at this time and lays
their hands on the person receiving. We always say a few words,
encouraging the person to relax and let themselves receive whatever
the Grandmothers are giving them, we remind them to inwardly ask for
anything they want, and to let themselves receive what the Grandmothers
call 'The Great Mothering.' This is when most people experience
the presence and love of the Grandmothers. As we hold them, we softly
sing the Grandmothers' song to them: "Oh how we love you,
oh how we love you."
We end each individual ceremony by thanking the Grandmothers.
The ceremony is simple and takes two to three minutes per person.
When everyone has received the Empowerment or Cloak of Comfort
we hold hands and thank all forms of the Divine, and especially the
Grandmothers who called us all together to share in passing on this
great blessing.
If you live too far away to be able to get to a Grandmothers’
group, but have read their book and want to receive the empowerment
yourself, you can contact us through the website and we will arrange
for one of the group leaders to pass the empowerment on to you over the
telephone. There is no charge for this. However, you must read
the book before receiving the empowerment in this way.
Note: We have several tapes and CD’s of previous
Grandmothers' meditations and ceremonies that you can use to familiarize
yourself with how we conduct meetings and pass on the Grandmothers'
Empowerment and Cloak of Comfort.
If you would like a CD or tape, you can order one from the website
or send a check for $13.25 ($14.10 for California residents) to: Sharon
McErlane 483 Linden St. Laguna Beach, Ca. 92651. This includes
shipping. Include an extra $3.50 for mailings sent outside the U.S.
For more information, please contact Sharon at info@grandmothersspeak.com.
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