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Between Two Worlds: Welcome to the Circle of Sisterhood

Between Two Worlds: Welcome to the Circle of Sisterhood

Last updated on: May 29, 2018 at 8:34 pm by Brianne Raven Wolf

Between Two Worlds: Welcome to the Circle of Sisterhood 2018-05-29T20:34:15+00:00 Brianne Raven Wolf

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Wonderful things happened when I was invited for a social and spiritual circle weekend retreat with five of my Pagan sisters.

In my last article, I talked about having my gender reassignment surgery two weeks ago. Until that time, I was always a little uncomfortable being invited to women-only gatherings. That changed this weekend.

Painting by Louis Janmot via WikiMedia.

Why was I uncomfortable before, you might ask? Well, being a Pagan Transwoman, I always felt until that last part of my birth male appendage was removed, I was not like any of my sisters physically. Now I am.

When you’re at various crossroads in your life, lots of change happens. When I started to actively transition, about fourteen years ago, I knew it wouldn’t be easy. A lot of that’s emotional, not just physical. Fear and dysphoria are always there. especially around people who don’t know you as you really are. Some don’t even want to get to know people like me, and there are always people who don’t care.

Until I was active in the Pagan community, I always had to watch more of what I did. Where I went. With whom. What if somebody finds out what I am in women’s bathroom? Stuff like that. With my Pagan sisters, that doesn’t seem to matter, but still, I was uncomfortable. Until now.

This was the first weekend after my surgery that I was with female friends I had known for quite a while. A woman who was friends with the woman who hosted us. We had a great time. We chatted, helped prepare food for our meals, and really got to know each of us better. It helps when you’re in a beautiful house out in the country away from the hustle and bustle of city life where most of us live.

The most special time came when we gathered around a self-help altar for an evening Healing Ritual. I had been in larger mixed group circles before, but this had a wonderful feeling for me with just us women. Yes, just women! Including me. The energy was really good.

No matter who we are, we all have some issues we need to address and work through. I found that after surgery, I have an easier time than before. My emotional and physical selves are finally in the same place as my Spiritual self. Blessed Be!!!

So until next time, with Her, I’ll see you…in the future!

Mighty Hekate, Queen of the Witches,

Blessed am I,

To call myself one of Your chosen.

*(*Above used with permission from Cyndi Brannen..with many thanks and love)

Special thanks also to Starlight Witch, for her help in editing.

About Brianne Ravenwolf

Brianne Ravenwolf has identified as a Pagan from a very young age. She is an active member of Circle Sanctuary in Wisconsin. She volunteers her time there helping at most Full Moon Rituals, as well as some workshops, Circle events, and Sanctuary work days. At Pagan Spirit Gathering (PSG) last year, she became the first Pagan Transwoman to have the Senioring Rite of Passage. She follows a Hekatean Witchcraft Spiritual Path. To relax, she likes to walk, camp, and hike as much as possible in very rural areas. Brianne is also an avid reader, especially young adult novels. Her latest YA book read was "Belle Dame Sans Merci" by Astrea Taylor. You can read more about the author here.

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