The
soil of friendship needs to be fertilized with loving kindness. The soil is
the heart and if we, soul women, have well fertilized hearts...
Four Fabulous Feminine RITUALS
By Rachel Eagle Reiter
W
hen do we, women, make time for each other? It's important not to lose
sisterhood. The kind of friendship that lasts forever is a soul sisterhood.
We, women, unite not just because we have similar interests (although that
helps) and not just because we have complementary talents (although that
makes for a blossoming frienship) but because we have a soul connection.
A
friendship needs to be tended to like a garden. The weeds need to be pulled
out every now and then--the weeds of jealousy, resentment or anger. The
soil of friendship needs to be fertilized with loving kindness. The soil is
the heart and if we, soul women, have well fertilized hearts, our
relationships will be sustained and nourished.
Here are a few ways for soul
sisters to come together and let friendship blossom:
1* Hold a spiritual study with a few like-minded friends. Get together and
read the Kabbalah or holy text of your choice. You could have mixed religious
themes and make it multi-cultural or you could emphasize one particular
religion and culture. If it's a hit, get together weekly, bi-weekly or
monthly. Have hot tea or coffee to go around! Muffins or breads are a
must--banana-nut, pumpkin-spice, strawberry, apple-cinnamon, oatmeal
raison...just keep switching the flavors to keep your taste-buds interested.
2* Call up your best girl-friend for after holiday shopping. Whatever you
resisted to buy just a month earlier has had it's price chopped. There is
nothing wrong with being 10 or 11 months into the future so go ahead and get
that heart shaped mug (after V-Day), Hanukah candles (in January); miniature
American flags (after the 4th of July). A mug is always useful; next year
you will still need candles; American flags don't rot in a storage closet.
Be a smart shopper. You will feel so good about yourself for saving lots of
dollars and for acting in reference to the future instead of being one of
those women who just barely has it all together in time.
3* Get together and work on scrapbooks or if time is crunched, each woman
should work on her scrapbook alone, and then meet as a group once the
scrapbooks are finished. It isn't a contest; it's just a good way to share
ideas and pick up artistic tips from one another. This is a good time to
bring men in on it. They may not be interested in the process--well it
depends on the man--but they are likely to want to see the finished
products, especially if one of them is the focus of the art. Also,
scrapbooks with children's themes are ideal--such as basketball for your
son, ballet for your daughter or some similar theme according to their
hobbies. This could be a ladies night that centers on the family. If
children and men are present, be sure that they are well taken care
of--programs to watch, food to eat, favorite beverages and so on. It's hard
to separate a woman from her home life, but a woman's family is what makes
her life rich. It will be natural for men to be in one area, women in
another and children in another--until a common interest brings the nest
together. Don't expect men to be too focused on feminine matters.
4* Have a purely ladies night. O.k. the men are working late or they are
away. This is the perfect time for the ladies to get together. 3 to 7
female friends is ideal. Each lady can bring a small gift (under $10) and
then have a grab-bag towards the end of the night. Pick a few great chick
flicks. Have yummy, but healthy goodies. You don't want to feel like a
blob the morning after. Tell stories. Talk about your hubbies (but no
bad-mouthing). Share parenting tips. Perhaps, don't talk about family
matters at all and just keep it light, social, fun and femme. Natural
beauty products should go around. Henna, lotion, face masks, deep
conditioner, lip gloss, nail files. There should be open access to a
bathroom with towels and wash cloths out for each woman.
Rachel Eagle Reiter holds a Bachelor of Arts in the Humanities from Stony Brook University, Doctor of Naturopathy from Trinity College of Natural Health and several diplomas from British Institute of Homeopathy, including degrees in Bach Flower Therapy, Homeopathy and Homeopathic Pharmacy. Visit her at
http://www.wormebooks.com/Rachel.html
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