The origin stroy

The Bees Nest welcome the part of you that yearns for meaning and mindfulness in how you gather with beloveds.​ This is a  gentle reminder that it is safe now to get witchy with other woman and to be known as one who keeps this hearth lit for others to join its welcoming warmth.

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Upon arriving upon the unceded territory of xʷənen̕əč currently most known as Salt Spring Island, Coast Salish Territory I needed to weave myself in-yet again- to another community. My previous Chapter of holding ceremonial space with potent Priestess’s and living on a beautiful retreat centre where indigenous teachers would come to share their medicine had ended. 

 

Life on this small Island was gentle and simple, I started to integrate myself with the nearby communities that had a network of secret forest paths connecting them. My desire to build a sense of belonging was happening, however I still yearned for a debth of intimacy within groups I wasn't feeling.

 

One stormy fall evening a group of woman joined together for a candlelit New Moon feast, song sharing, massages and of course lots chocolate! This was the first taste of the sense of safety within sisterhood I was hungry for. An ancient formula that I wanted to duplicate. We agreed that more of this was needed and schemed having a different Lassie host each month on the New Moon. I slept deeply nourished in a way only authentic loving connection can bring.

 

Intentions are wonderful however, in this case, were not enough to bring us together again in this way. For consistency is an art and muscle that needs development. Fall blended into winter and then snowdrops declared the arrival of spring. I became content with my own personal rituals and the way I dived deep with my clients around the world. Upon visiting my previous community at Om Oasis to attend a week-long ceremonial Womans retreat, that longing in me to share in-person sacred space was jolted awake from its numbing hibernation. Sometimes the space between where you are and that which you seek can become painful. It was that very pain that drove me to take action.

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“Offer that which you need the most” 

 

That was it, I needed gathering in ritual space to anchor in the prayers, magic, and belly laughs I desired in my life.

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Moreover I needed consistency and reliability. 

 

So the monthly New Womb Gatherings and the beginning of the Bees Nest Project was born!

Unlike closed Covens it was a free open circle once a month from 4-8pm on a Saturday Closest to the New Moon. We created crafty relics, set intentions, and feasted. Most importantly we tended new and seasoned relationships in a container that fostered deep relationships.

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At first I hosted every one but soon created an agreement the gathering would continue if I hosted every three and two other woman would sign up to co-host at their place the ones between. This opened up shared facilitation and fun new venues to explore. It helped carry it into the collectives hands!

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Soon the Bees Nest Offerings Facebook page was created to shine lights on the fabulous local woman led offerings, initiatives and skill shares happening. A place to shamelessly promote oneself and others.

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Then came 2020 and the Pandemic ended the in-person gatherings so the New Womb had one zoom event and became clear it was truly an in-person gathering so it rested. As it rested I (Saera Burns)     got very pregnant... like two times very pregnant! During which the 6-month Womans program the Ritualist Path was birthed and met the desire to share in earth based magic in outdoor locations around Salt Spring Island. 

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When my third child was a couple months old ... while I could still hold him in circle... the New Womb Muse returned! She asked to be re-mixed with all I had learned in the 4 years since and add some more personal study for the guests, turning it into a series "Past self" "Present Self" "Future Self" called Spinners of Fate: Desire Council. You can enjoy the Free 1.5 hour recorded taster class HERE