When Spring 2020 arrived, I found myself witnessing the environment around me in a completely different way.
I was sheltering in place on a 14 acre property in Sonoma County that I dearly loved. With so much less interaction, stimulation, places to be and things to do, I noticed how each day the wisteria would be a little taller, and a little more open. I saw the flowers blossom, the bees buzz, the plants change and grow day by day.
Then, one day I noticed a cascade of delicate pink blossoms begin to form above the entrance of the property. Had I never noticed them before? Right on either side of the fence where we entered, there were wild rose bushes. I went closer to examine them and discovered the trunk of the roses were enormous - they looked like rose trees!
I asked my neighbor if she knew anything about them, and she said they were at least 60 years old, because they were here before the land owner bought the property around 1960.
I had been working with the energy of the rose, and was so excited to discover them, it felt like a sign, and I knew their energy would have much wisdom for me.
Some believe there is a Rose Lineage of Priestesses that dates back to Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene witnessing the crucifixion. Some say that their tears fell to the ground and roses grew in their place.
Men and women in the mystery schools of these times would travel to Egypt to receive initiations. They were connected to a goddess lineage that dated back to the times of ancient Egypt.
And there is truly so much we can learn from the rose… with it’s beauty, blossoms and thorns…
I began to adore that climbing rose plant. My neighbor and I collected the petals and made a hydrosol spray from them. I left offerings at their trunk. I collected old branches on the ground from it, and used them to perimeter the property as protection. I spent days and days in devotion, enamored with the 40+ rose blossoms that arced over the entry to the property.
Then one day an older man was mowing down the grass in one of those garden tractors on the land. He had lots of tools with him, chainsaw, blowers, and was cleaning up the property, in accordance with the landlord’s desires.
At one point I looked out my window to see him cutting down the rose vines. The ones I had grown so attached to. (Maybe he thought they were dangerous?) I ran out of my house to stop him, but it was too late. The vines were about an inch and a half in thickness. I thought about how long it must have taken to grow that thick. And they were lost.
I watched over the following week as all 40+ delicate rose blossoms died and fell to the ground. It was heartbreaking.
I thought about his carelessness, and lack of awareness about the beauty and protection this plant offered. It reminded me of the patriarchy in general - how the Church of ancient times burned and ruined so many sacred teachings of the sacred feminine, how women have been treated over the centuries… demolished, abused, and ultimately erased from so much sacred history, especially the stories in the Bible.
But what could I do? The vines were lost, but the trunk of the roses stood strong. I grieved, surrendered and let go.
Then one day I decided to write to the rose herself. To see what wisdom she had for me from this experience.
Her answer surprised me:
Dear one,
Know that I will persist. I am fully alive and my mission is to grow, no matter how many obstacles are placed on my path. I reach for the stars and the sun, and there is no stopping me.
You can cut back my vines but I will only grow back stronger than before. Beware of my thorns, they will prick if you get too close. My roots grow down deep into layers of nourishment beneath the Earth. My connection with our Earth Mother nourishes and sustains me. The deeper my roots, the taller I grow. My support is strong.
I have what I need within myself. I have created a safe home here. I've also made peace with death. I do not fight when it is time to let my petals fall. I know in death lies rebirth. The death of my leaves, stalks or blooms returns nourishment to our Earth Mother.
I allow myself to go dormant in the winter, saving up my energy, allowing fresh fuel to blossom and share myself in the Spring. My blooms emit a sweet fragrance to attract the bees and continue life once again. I allow myself to be magnetic. I am not afraid to blossom. I do not apologize for my beauty. My blossoming attracts all I need.
I am beauty, strength and power. I am soft and gentle, strong and fierce. I am the feminine embodied.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
...Oh there is so much we can learn from Her...
I carry this message deeply in my heart, especially in times I’m experiencing loss and letting go.
I hope you find comfort in it as well.
If you feel connected to the energy of the rose, the path of the rose & rose priestess may be calling to you.
A rose priestess is one who embodies these qualities of the rose: the ability to blossom without permission or apology, one who knows her boundaries like the thorns, one who embraces the cycles of life, death and rebirth, and her sacred blood, one who is deeply connected to the Earth and all of its living things, and feels a particular resonance with the energy of the rose.
A rose priestess is connected to the energy of Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Goddesses of ancient Egypt like Hathor and Isis.
Is the Priestess Path Calling you?
Spaces are filling up for the Way of the Priestess program I lead beginning this September.
We’ll be diving into ancient rose teachings, goddess archetypes like Isis, Hathor, Inanna, Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene.
You’ll learn to have your own connection with the rose, the essence of the divine feminine, and the priestess path.
Download the program guide to learn more.
And if you’re ready to dive in, Book a call to explore joining us.
With love,
Meredith
~ Enrollment is Now Open ~
The Rising Women Leaders Way of the Priestess Initiation Program
Begins September 13th, 2024 (Sept 2024 - Sept 2025)
1 YEAR + 1 DAY MYSTERY SCHOOL + WOMEN’S CIRCLE FACILITATION TRAINING
Online Program for Women Rising on the Priestess Path
Calling all Healers, Wisdom-Keepers, Teachers, Earth Protectors, and Highly Sensitive Women Ready to Live and Serve at their Highest Potential
JOIN US ON A PATH OF Devotion, Beauty, and Service
...The Lineage of the Rose...
Join us as we explore Core Values of: Femininity, Devotion, Wildness, Compassion, Boundaries, Prosperity, Service, Love, Leadership & Vision
Each month in the program includes:
+ an initiation gateway
+ priestess practices
+ facilitation skills
+ goddess guides recording
+ new and full moon rituals
Plus throughout the program you will also receive:
+ Private healing sessions
+ Guest mentor videos
+ 24 live sisterhood video calls
+ a virtual closing retreat + vows ceremony
+ access to our priestess curriculum
+ private whatsapp group
+ accountability sister (optional)
To Learn More about the Program Curriculum, Call Dates, and Payment Options View the Program Guide
Step into your Embodiment as Priestess
We will join together to reveal a deeper meaning of existence, and anchor into our living as an embodiment of love to serve our planet and future generations.
If you feel a resonance in your heart I invite you to book a free 30 minute call with me...
This is an opportunity to gain clarity on your intentions for the next year, identify where you feel held back on your path of service, and I'll be able to share resources + support for your next steps. We'll also have the chance to explore if this program could be a good fit for you to join us this year.
Claim your Power and Voice
“Speaking to strangers has been one of my greatest fears that would often shut off my ability to be fully present and prevent me from making new connections with people. I dedicated a good portion of my life trying to overcome this fear by intentionally seeking out experiences that triggered this fear and this process was extremely difficult and the progress felt extremely slow.
After a few sessions with Meredith on healing my voice and the fears associated with that, I now find myself effortlessly interacting with strangers, making new connections and to my greatest surprise I am starting to enjoy mingling in large corporate settings, which would previously terrify me.”
~Alina Daunyte
