In our May 1st blog post, the 4WW Origin Story, Star Woman masterfully traced our Wild Women timeline from 1997 to present. In this blog post and the next, we will each introduce ourselves in the order in which we joined the WW group and share our personal stories along with the genesis of our Wild Woman names. Be sure to check out the Afterword at the end of the next blog post entitled: Finding YOUR own Wild Woman name. There we answer the ‘why’ and ‘how to’ questions for those of you interested in finding your own Wild Woman name.
Star Woman’s Story
The 4WW story which you may have read in the May 1st blog post, has pretty much been my story as well, but with a few other meaningful details.
For example, over the years, the depth of our 4WW connection has grown because of our commitment to the work and to each other.
For example, when I was out of country at the time of various solstices or equinoxes, we 4WW made it a point to connect – over the telephone if that was possible (it was before WhatsApp) - to pull our various spreads. Or I would do it by myself and share what the Cards foretold for the upcoming quarter. I could do this easily because, many years ago, DSS gifted us with a thin binder of all 'The Sacred Path cards' – with "the application" for each typed out. For the ‘cards’ themselves I created a small pouch of papers numbered 1 to 44. That binder and those ‘cards’ have travelled and are still traveling with me wherever I go. There’s a comfort in knowing I can ‘check-in’ with the Universe should the need arise. In fact, very often during my volunteering days in South Sudan and elsewhere, engaging other expats to pull those ‘cards’, me reading the meanings, them telling all present what the words meant to them in the moment – added a bit of sanity and a higher-level connection beyond the reality of the situation and the work in which we were engaged.
And now finally, my name and where it came from. When I was born my eldest brother, Brahm, was reading “Folk Tales of All Nations”. In it was a brother and sister story and her name was Tara – and so I was named. Fast forward 45 or so years later when I was instructed to come up with a Wild Woman name. I could say I had an epiphany, but truth of the matter is that in Hindi, Tara means Star. Star Woman.
Donkey Soul Sister’s Story
I also attended David Beaucage Johnson's "Native Painting and Symbolism" course at the Haliburton School of Fine Arts in the summer of 1999 with my Great Uncle Jack. I had no idea how to paint, but I wanted to spend time with Uncle Jack. It was a couple of years after Star Woman had been there. David and I kept in touch after the course and he called one day to invite me to a "Wild Woman Weekend" that a former student of his (Carolyn) was organizing. "I think you would like this kind of thing - and I'll be coming on the Saturday to teach." So, late on a Friday night in November after an emotional graduation at the high school I was teaching at in Toronto, I jumped in my car all by myself and headed to Rice Lake, half expecting to find a bunch of naked women dancing around a fire. That, however was not at all what I found - although what did happen was just as strange. I knocked on the door of the cottage. No one answered. I knocked again. Nothing. So, I quietly opened the door - and there were a bunch of women, fully clothed, each frantically painting on a piece of birch bark. The timer on the microwave went off, they gave their birch bark to someone else, and then they started painting again with great fervor. They didn't even acknowledge me. I remember thinking, "I could turn around, get back in my car and go home and I bet they'll never know I was here." But I stayed, way outside my comfort zone for the entire weekend, and I am so glad I did. That was 24 years ago. I cannot imagine how different my life would be now if I hadn't stayed.
The same group of women (and David) met again a few months later - frantic painting and other creative awesomeness occurred - and we decided to choose a "wild woman name" for a dress up celebration meal we were going to have on the second night. I chose Shyama because it was a name I was considering for a middle name since I wasn't given one when I was born. At the next gathering (at Shangri La) I changed it to Sacred Whale Heart - I loved to drive to the Bay of Fundy and hang out with the North Atlantic Right Whales. My dream was to kayak among them - little me with massively spectacular them.
It was at Shangri La that I said out loud in a talking circle (which seemed to me to be focused on either "I wish I wasn't with my partner" or "I wish I had a partner") that I wasn't longing for one - I felt complete on my own. I loved my life as a high school science teacher. I was good. Fast forward a few months and Wally and I reconnected - fast forward a few more and we were married. Never underestimate the power of speaking in a talking circle. Once I was complete, then I was ready for a relationship - so it seems. Carolyn (aka Gypsy Moon Dancer) and I were "Turtle Twin Soul Sisters" back in those days, our creative energy exploding whenever we were together.
Women came and went in our circle, the biggest one gathering at "the cold place with lady bugs" the year before we moved to the beautiful Thirteen Moons. I remember names like Esprit Sun, Sky Begonia, Willow Winds, Smiling Forest Heart, Little Sunflower. I had moved from Toronto to the forest up north by then and Wally and I started to rescue donkeys. Eventually, I announced that I was ready to change my name (again). So, now I am Donkey Soul Sister. It feels like my forever name, but who knows. I still do love the whales too. I think I am the only one to change names.
I am beyond grateful for the joy and intention and love and direction being with these women has given my life. We have laughed, we have cried, we have kindly challenged each other and supported each other with everything we have. Our travels near and far have been grand adventures that I will keep with me the rest of my life. There was a time when we only knew each other by our wild women names (honestly, I didn't even know their actual name) and now, with the 4 of us, we have been there for each other in a way that goes deeper and is more special than I have words to describe. I am grateful.
Stay tuned next week for Butterfly Heart and Red Moon Warrior's Story
4WW in France in 2009
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