“Grief is emotional pain caused by loss. The remedy is to keep it moving like a river.”
from Prayers of Honoring Grief by Pixie Lighthorse
To grieve is an act of belonging to humanity. It is an expression of honoring and remembering that makes our love visible. To grieve well and completely we must grieve together, in community. Grief requires a container bigger than that which we can create for ourselves and holding far beyond what one set of hands can offer. Community Grief Circle for Women are small, in-person circles that seek to bring women in the flow of grief together to:
explore and be visiblein our grief experiences through creative truth-telling, deep listening, and intentional reflection;
deepen our relationshipswith ourselves, each other, the elements, and beyond; and
give and receive the sacred tending needed to alchemize grief into relief.
Grief and loss take infinite forms, and all are welcome in these circles. Big and small. Light and heavy. Old and new. From the death of a loved one, to illness, to ancestral grief, to the extinction or endangerment of plants and animals, to social injustices, unfulfilled expectations or unrequited love. In each circle we will:
open and close ritually incorporating the elements
create space for each woman to creatively express their grief
practice active and deep listening
practice offering and receiving reflection from others
These circles are facilitated by Lisa Cheney-Philp and are inspired and additionally resourced by the following books:
Prayers of Honoring Griefby Pixie Lighthorse
The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praiseby Martin Prechtel
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller
Grief Circle Facilitator: Lisa Cheney-Philp Lisa is a death doula, river guide, artist, and creative facilitator who has been embedded in Colorado communities and watersheds for over 20 years. She supports women to remember, repair, and deepen their relationship with the sacred waters of Life by tending to endings and aligning with purpose so they can feel relief. In her own words, “I am here because of my family history I am here because my grandmother had breast cancer and lived to old age I am here because my mother had breast cancer and died youngI am here because I am high risk I am here”
Excerpt from her poem, “It is Legacy These MRIs”
Grief Circle Details:
It meets in-person at Be Free Healing Center; 1006 Spring Creek Ln., Suite B12 Fort Collins, CO 80526
Space is limited to eight women
The cost is $26 per person and registration is required
Cancellation Policy: Our circle size is small to allow for greater depth of experience. As space is limited, we request that you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, you may use your circle fee as a credit for another upcoming circle within three months. If you cancel less than 24 hours in advance, your circle fee will not be refunded.
