How to throw a goddess party

Self-empowerment doesn’t have to come through self-help books and dreary seminars. Here are some easy and fun methods for you and your girlfriends to connect with your ultimate source of power – your inner goddesses.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• nail polish, silk, chocolate and glitter
• beautiful fabrics
• a collection things from nature
• essential oils

1. SETTING UP ... Set the mood of your party by creating a lavish space using fabrics in rich vibrant colours, candles, flowers and essential oils. If sumptuous fabrics don’t fit the budget, set the scene with crystal chips, candles and comfortable chairs. Aim to transform your ordinary lounge room into a magical space. The coffee table, for example, could be made into an altar using crystals, feathers, wooden statues, flowers, floating candles and a wand – these are all things that can come from nature at little expense. Choose an item from each of the elements to make it significant and special.
2. ESTABLISH A SAFE SPACE ... Even though every woman has gathered for the same purpose, it is important to decide on a set of behavioural ground rules and ensure the group agrees on them. Remind your guests that they are in a nurturing and safe space. Crying is allowed, as is laughter, but judgemental attitudes are to be left at the door.
3. PREPARE THE SPACE ... Once the space has been prepared, call in the energies of the goddess with a short prayer and the lighting of altar candles. Sage or rose water can also used to cleanse the space and to uplift your guests. Then declare the circle opened and let the real fun begin.
4. MEET A GODDESS PATRON ... As modern life focuses on ‘doing’ rather than ‘being’, start off with a guided meditation to settle everyone into their bodies. This way the outside world can be left behind while we look inwards for a goddess patron to guide us through the next stage. To find a goddess patron during a guided meditation (the visualisation in my book, "The Goddess Guide to Chakra Vitality" is ideal), introduce your guests to several goddess archetypes and ask them to listen for a message from each of them. Whichever message comes through the strongest should be taken as the goddess patron. Music or gentle drumming or rattling can be used to deepen the meditative experience, but pace them so they are no longer than 20 minutes.
5. CREATE AN AFFIRMATION ... Once the meditation is finished and people are back in the ‘now’, develop affirmations to promote a longer-term positive state of mind. Affirmations are precise statements that describe what you want to happen in your life. They are powerful tools for changing your traditional attitudes to problems and outlook on life. They can also be spoken as blessings for others which can be very transformative. Do this exercise during a pampering exercise – it becomes a more free-flowing right-brain activity when the mind is being distracted by massaging hands, painting toe-nails or applying henna tattoos.
6. DANCE! ... Since ancient time our ancestors used dance as an expression of God and nature. By dancing they could become the spirit of the sun, moon, animals and plants and be empowered with their attributes. Movement is a primal language that doesn’t need words or specific rules. It helps clear out the cobwebs, get the blood flowing and tones the body. It can be skilled like ballet, or free-form like rolling in grass or jumping around a lounge-room table. As long as the dancer allows instinct to drive her limbs she is transmitting a message from nature and thereby allowing a connection.

Tips & Warnings

• "Reverence and fun" are two great keywords to use in your welcome speech
• Connecting with your authentic self may involve peeling away layers that you have built up to protect old memories or traumas. Make sure you have a friend nearby if you think your emotions may become overwhelming.