Butterflies are beautiful, but the process of emerging from the chrysalis and spreading your wings can hurt like fucking hell. But still, you will survive the transformation (over and over again) and you will fly. Remember this when it hurts the most. This is the metamorphosis, the going down to liquid, and the rising again. It’s no joke – but damn, it’s one hell of a journey. ~
Frequently Asked Questions for the Becoming Unleashed Circle
Where did you get the idea for this offering? What are your influences for this iteration of this circle?
Five years ago I offered a circle based on Maureen Murdock’s The Heroine’s Journey. I used both the full book and the workbook she also wrote to guide us through that work. In the workbook was a meditation guiding us through Inanna’s journey into and back out of the Underworld.
This meditation inspired my first circle exploring ways to process our inter-generational and Cultural Relational trauma and dislodge our internalized stories of being too much, not enough and all the shame that goes with them. The circle was a full twelve months in length, which was a bit too long to stay focused on this work. Last year I shortened the circle to six months in duration. I learned more about how to offer this work, and also in the last year have studied even more about inter-generational and Cultural Relational traumas and ways to process them.
This iteration of the circle, is still influenced by Maureen Murdock’s work. However it is also influenced by feminist theory, goddess mythology, Lacanian therapy, the study of behavioral inter-generational trauma, women’s history (specifically the writing of Silvia Federici), and my own personal experience of processing the trauma passed through and by my own family of origin and our patriarchal culture.
Do you incorporate your Trauma Informed Embodiment (TIE)™ approach in the work of this circle?
Yes and no. While I will offer exercises for nervous system soothing, connecting to personal boundaries, and finding ground and center, we will not be focusing on these exercises, nor will we be moving through the TIE™ approach as I have developed it and utilized it with my individual clients and those who are a part of the TIE™ group programs.
Why Inanna/Ishtar and not Hecate, Demeter and Persephone?
The story of Hecate, Demeter, and Persephone speaks more to me of mother/daughter and grandmother/grandmother relationships along with the emergence of the maiden into womanhood.
The story of Inanna on the other hand speaks to me of our relationship with our Self, and our own trials at mid-life as women. It speaks more to me of what it really is like to let go of all we knew, to be in The Goo, and to rise up and reclaim all our own power, strength, and daring.
These are my interpretations of these stories and how they impact me personally. All of my work grows from my own experiences and perceptions. For some the stories Hecate, Demeter, and Persephone speak more profoundly, and this I respect and understand.
What do you mean by The Goo?
My best description for The Goo is that time in a chysalis when the caterpillar has completely disintegrated but the butterfly or moth has not yet formed. I liken to the image of forming something in a crucible or the time in the fire before the phoenix emerges.
It is a time of in-between, of transitioning. It is that space when we know we are no longer who we once were and don’t quite yet know who we are becoming. We may have ideas or hints or wants for what is to come, but the future is always an unknown – and this unknowing can be incredibly uncomfortable and even terrifying.
In this circle it is the time between letting go and reclamation. It is a time of shifting, opening, allowing and learning to be with the discomfort of change.
What are some of the specifics of how you approach this work of release, renewal, reformation, and reclamation?
I utilized guided meditation/journeying, stream of conscious writing/journaling, creative exercises (drawing, painting, collage, sculpting – whatever works for each participant); body centered mindfulness practices, and more.
The structure of the circle includes 90-minute live group calls every other week (during which I offer a guided meditation/journey); emails every other week (on the weeks we don’t have calls) that will contain essays, exercises, and homework; and a private Facebook group where I will offer discussion or check in prompts two to three times a week and where you can land any time you want or need.
In regard to release, renewal, reformation, and reclamation, we will approach each of these in a linear fashion, however I will remind you through out our time together that I more view this work as a three dimensional spiral, where we are in all these phases at once, simply in different depths and focus. We will internally revisit all of these places over and over in our own journeys of deeper connection to our Self.
Why are you limiting this work to only six women?
I have limited this particular circle to women only, because I deeply believe our own internalized misogyny and stories of being too much, not enough and all the shame that is put upon us as women causes us individually and collectively great harm. While men also have been wounded by our misogynist patriarchal culture, it is in different ways and this circle is not the place to do that healing and processing work.
The circle is limited to six participants because of the intensity and vulnerability of this work. When we are in close community it helps us to be more open about our own faults and foibles. Six seems to be the “magic” cut off point for when people are more willing to share more of themselves. After six, I have noticed that people become a little more closed and don’t share as much. This impacts both them individually and what they can then get from the work, and also the rest of the women in the circle and what they can learn and gain from the work.
Do you offer scholarships for this circle?
Yes. I have decided for the offering this year to provide two partial scholarships. If you are in financial need of a scholarship, or alternate payment plan, or both, please reply to this email and we’ll work out the details.
Do you offer this work for individuals?
Yes. I understand that sometimes a group dynamic isn’t right for everyone. If you are interested in exploring processing your own stories of being too much, not enough, and the shame that goes with them individually with me, please reach out and we’ll set up a consultation appointment to see if I am the right fit for you to do this work.
When does the circle start? When will registration close?
The circle begins to gather on Monday, October 1. Registration will close Monday, October 1 at 10pm PDT. The link to the registration page is http://gwynnraimondi.com/becomingunleashedcircle
If I have more questions are you willing to talk with me about them?
Absolutely! I’m happy to hop on a video call with you to answer any further questions you may have and to see if this circle is right for you right now. I promise no “hard” or even “soft” sales from me. It is vital to me that the women who gather to do this work are there intentionally and mindfully and not because they felt pressured in any way.
If you’d like to have a 30 minute chat, fill out the form on this page and we’ll get one set up.
Registration links for your convience:
Go back to the Becoming Unleashed Circle registration page
Whether you join us or not, I hope you have an amazing season to come.
In case you missed the previous essays, you can find them at the links below:
The Impacts of Inter-generational & Cultural Relational Traumas
Releasing our stories of too much, not enough, & shame
The Goo: A time of Renewal, Restructuring, Re-evolving
Reclaiming our power, strength, & daring