As a collective, we do not often have opportunities to grieve out loud, especially for our mother figures. Mourning the Matriarchs*invites us to practice lamenting with and for others while honoring the sacred feminine in all of us. Using our unique cultural identities, creative expression and the power that comes from sharing in community, this 7 weeks long group invites participants to create the rituals we need to honor the matriarchs who shape us.
Each week, we will ground into veneration of the matriarchs by giving a different person time to share about their mother figure(s), allowing the other group members to bear witness, celebrate and grieve alongside them.
Then, we will build a habit of practicing mourning by exploring ways to gently and honestly move sorrow through our bodies. Embracing everyday ceremonies, our breath and the ways art lets us move beyond words, we will co-create a weekly living altar for ourselves and our mothers that we can carry with us even once the group is done.
Interested in joining this intimate group? Please email Neshia (neshia@athoughtfuldeath.com) to set up a meeting to explore if this group is right for you.
*Who are matriarchs? Anyone who mothered you.This includes but is not limited to: birth mothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers, aunties, sisters, non-binary siblings, partners, spouses, House mothers, friends, mentors, role models, etc.
FAQs
What: A peer-led grief group using cultural strengths, creativity and storytelling to mourn matriarchs. Each gathering will be two hours long. Please note that this is not a therapy group - no diagnosing, no fixing, no medical jargon. Instead, we will practice grieving, honoring and learning together.
Who: This group is for you if you are grieving an important maternal figure and feel unsure of how to express your sorrow. You might be feeling alone in your grief and are craving a space to be witnessed, messy feelings, complicated relationships, incomplete thoughts and all. Mourning the Matriarchs will be a highly personalized experience with enough space for everyone to feel and share. There will only be 6-8 people. Come grieve with us.
When: Sunday afternoons starting in June for seven consecutive weeks (except for a break halfway through due to the 4th of July.)
Where: Virtual for the first six weeks and then in-person for the final gathering.
How much: Early-bird pricing is $525 ($75 per week) before June 1st; $625 after June 1st. Payment plans available as well as limited sliding scale spots/trades - please just ask!