The origin story of Moon Night Gathering:
As a woman, have you ever wanted to scream and be LOUD? Maybe because you are mad as hell, heartbroken, or in so much pain that words don’t work anymore?
I was that woman one summer night. I wanted to yell, rage, and howl because I felt hurt during an interaction with my family of origin.
But… I live in a rowhome where I can literally hear my next door neighbor walk up and down stairs. So how the !&@$# can I express myself without being that weirdo?!?
A few weeks later I went on a guided urban hike and asked the guide about places where I can scream and yell safely at night. He gave me some locations.
Another woman overheard my questions and expressed concerns for me going alone. So I invited her.
Later other friends expressed interest in howling together and expressing what is really going on in our lives.
Thus, Moon Night Gathering was born!
Since then I have welcomed other women in the Philadelphia area into this event because I want all women to have this space to do things they rarely get to do: be LOUD and in sisterhood and explore topics they haven’t given their voices to before.
I continue to play with the format – adding in ritual and physical movement.
My belief: Magic happens when we express what's alive in us within sisterhood and ritual
There is something amazing when we are being witnessed when we are authentic, messy, and heartful.
This is not just only a belief, I’ve experienced and seen women who show up at these gatherings:
- Express deeply buried things that they don’t get to voice, explore, or have the time to even be aware of
- Feel less alone because many others feel the same way – I am not crazy!
- Realize more acceptance – whether it is sadness, shame, anger, regret, or love
There is a lightness afterwards.
After attending a Moon Night Gathering, women:
- Sleep better
- Feel more supported
- Have more hope
- Able to take the next step with more ease
As for me, since doing and hosting the Moon Night Gatherings, I:
- Notice the moon, seasons, and nature more. When I see the moon in the sky, I can’t help but smile because something feels very warm to me, like having a lovely guardian next to me
- Am more vocal – whether it is howling at the moon, being more open about my feelings and what is going on, or making more sounds in general whether it is a sigh, a yawn, toning during breathwork class, or a deeper louder breath
- Appreciate cycles more – whether it is the cycles of the moon, my menstruation, the seasons, daylight, or lifecycle
If you are in the Philadelphia area, I invite you to join a Moon Night Gathering to explore and connect with yourself in different ways.
