Writing + Ritual

Feeding the sacred work of creative practice

Jul 15, 2024

Dearest reader,

Have you ever experienced one of those crossroads where life shows you a new path shrouded in total mystery? Basically you get only a sign post and a nudge toward a pitch black road, but it is so compelling that you race toward it knowing nothing about where it leads? Then a few years later you emerge with twigs and glitter in your hair saying,

“WOW that was even better than I ever could have imagined. I am so glad I decided to walk in the dark, just sensing my way along with fingertips on the ground listening to my guidance and knowing nothing. I should really do that more often.”

This is how I feel about Tending the Writer’s Flame. It was born in 2022 when I sat in divination asking my spirit guides how I could best be of service in the years ahead.

WRITING + RITUAL was the headline of the download. It came with a clear instruction to call Brooke and ask this woman I barely knew to co-create a workshop that would use ritual skills and practices to help writers strengthen their voices, find deep nourishment in writing practice, and move out of perfectionism and into the soul realm. Shout out to the power of divination and my spirit guides here for their genius and playful medicine, because I had no idea that Brooke was a trained storyteller and creative writer when I called her (I only knew her ritualist and celebrant work). SURPRISE #1! She said yes - SURPRISE #2!

We stepped up to the task as ritual explorers and spent 18 months developing a curriculum of facilitated experiences around muse, writing allies, automatic writing, and blocks that continues to evolve. I have taught a lot of different workshops over the last 20 years, and I have never loved any as much as I love this program.

These gatherings are for folks who write, feel called to write, want to write, or are afraid to write. They are for people who want to write their first poem and folks who are finishing their first book (seriously - I think we had both at our last workshop). Whatever the form your writing takes, we believe it is a sacred art form that deserves our full attention, devotion, and support.

Tending the Writer’s Flame is about feeding your relationship with the art of writing through intuition, ritual, and kindhearted community.

Brooke and I are both longtime professional space holders for transformation, rites of passage, and intuitive experience, and that is the way we hold Tending the Writer’s Flame. It is a nest that you are gently invited into to get to know your/the creative force more deeply.

What I love about this workshop:

I didn’t know that AI was going to explode when we made this program, but in the face of the massive plagiarism happening now, I stand devoted to honoring the creative source in old and new ways. I honor the intangible wildness of creativity. To create with awareness of the greater web of life that supports and influences us welcomes divine inspiration into our art practices.

Ritual tending of our writing practice brings strength and resilience. To make art turning your face toward god/source/old gods/divine love/the mystery will change you every single time.

Our first program in January was a beautiful snowy success. Someone said it was the best workshop she had ever been to, which added more glitter to my hair and heart as I emerged from the long mystery path of co-creating it.

Registration is open for our October 5-6 retreat now, because we know that making the commitment to do a weekend of writing and ritual is a way of signalling to your muse that you are showing up. Signing up earlier can open up a whole new creative flow for some folks before the workshop and we want you to have that.

Registration for Jan 31-Feb 2 in Nanaimo, BC (residential) will open in the fall.

These workshops are in person in gorgeous locations on Vancouver Island (unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples).

Here’s the gist of what happens:

Grounded Ceremonial Container: This is a warm, intentional space to step into the dreamscape of your creativity. You and your writing process will be honored and respected in our magical retreat bubble.
Teaching & Guided Practices: Heart-centered rituals and imaginative practices will nourish the soul of your writing and rekindle your connection with the writer within, your muse, and the team that supports your writing.
Dedicated Writing Time: Each ritual and practice is followed by writing time to let your muse flow freely and open your creative gates. There are indoor and outdoor spaces to write and wander at all of our venues.
Take Home Invitations: Ritual gains power with repetition and sends signals to the soul. Learn practices that can be repeated in your own writing life.

Learn more

Want more details? I won’t write about this program much more on Substack, but you can get on our separate mailing list for Writer’s Flame or email us all your questions.

Get on the Writer's Flame Email List

A Poem

I DO NOT HAVE FANCY PROSE by Rayann (audio version below)

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I do not have those words 
that drip off windowsills
stretch languid legs around furniture
land like soft kitten paws on carpet

before pounding their heels
and doing a big booty bounce
that sucks the air out of the room
in one collective gasp

I do not have fancy prose!
I am a dancer
a spirit worker
who writes because life puts a pen 
in my hand and destiny whispers
Just this. Now.

Is there one great novel
that will instill fancy prose in me?
that I can read 
to suck up 
all the writer’s dazzling patterns?

I google the best prose of 2024
to find such a book 
when my muse 
interrupts

Being a sponge is one way, they say.
Bare feet on hot earth
inhaling sweet prairie grasses
calling home all you have ever been 
and are becoming 
is another

Writing holds you as holy
Can you look back and do the same?

Appreciating

My favorite summer groove:

2. Registration is open for Four Seasons of Indigenous Learning. I am finishing up my first year in this course and it is awesome. Every unit and talk is created with so much love.