Breaking Through

What occurs in this breakthrough is not simply growth; it is much more dynamic. It is not a mere expansion of awareness, it is rather a kind of battle. A dynamic struggle goes on with a person between what he or she consciously thinks on the one hand and, on the other, some insight, some perspective that is struggling to be born. The insight is then born with anxety, guilt*, and the joy and gratification that is inseparable from the actualizing of a new idea or vision.  --Rollo May, The Courage to Create

Who knew that when we held our inaugural session of Matrilumina last August that so much growth and declaration could be forged in six days together. It reminds me of the figure of speech, "It dawned on me..." When the dawn arrives, so comes clarity, new trust, the beginning of something sacred and wonderful-ripe with potential.

It is like a battle, in a way, at least it has been for me in my journey with SouLodge: a glorious, toothy, gritty skirmish between what makes sense on paper vs. what's able to birth boldly into existence when we speak the broad and simple truth of the dream. When we are held in our community, and accountable to our community, we cannot fail. It's a warrior's game-drawing a line in the sand of what is ours to give and receive.

Feminizing that action is how we capture the precious flag and run like hell toward the Home of our own design.

*We'll help allay any guilt or anxiety you have about walking the tall, bright walk of your soul purpose. ;) 

Love,

Pixie

Soul's Work

Pixie, Melody and I share many passions, but there is one in particular that brought us together for the March Matrilumina Retreat:  We love - LOVE - encouraging others to leap, laugh, soar and let their wildest dreams run wild. We've built our careers on this passion not merely because we love it, but because it is, quite simply, our soul's work. This is the work that feeds us; it is work that lifts our soul as much as it lifts the world. In whatever way we can, this is the work we do, and it always will be.

This March, we've planned an extraordinary week for 21 guests to do the profound, sometimes arduous work of mining their soul's treasures in a peaceful, astoundingly beautiful setting. Here's some of what we have in store for you...

* 5 nights at Esalen Institute, with all meals included that are made fresh from ingredients grown on-site.

* Experiences, tools, stories, support and resources to further the work we know you are already doing to deeply, creatively and intuitively clarify your life's vision and purpose - to integrate your most deeply-held values and priorities into daily life.

* Opportunities for beautifully messy creative play with mixed media inspiration, instruction and materials.

* Full access to Esalen Institute's sulfur hot tubs, Pacific Ocean views (during whale migration season), creekside hikes, meditation spaces, gardens, movement classes and massage.

* Opportunity and space to deeply connect in a safe circle of like-minded, similarly passionate and creative women.

* Time for rest, stillness, silence and solitude.

* Guidance, encouragement and instruction from Melody Ross, Pixie Campbell and Christine Mason Miller, each of whom has dedicated their creative, artistic and entrepreneurial work to inspiring others to pursue their passions and create a meaningful life.

We look forward to seeing you in our circle.

Blessings...Christine 

In Darkness and In Light

Winter Solstice Fire, 2011.

The season is finally, and most definitely changing around here visually. The season of Autumn is composed of crisp and darkening days, as well as opportunities to visit the light within- which might like to come forward with the upcoming Solstice and New Year in the form of creation. I'm finding that I'm drawn to projects that promise to have an impact on my growth as a creative individual, as well as distribute the seeds of inspiration and goodness for those folks I love to mix with: wild women, artists, visionaries, movers and shakers, grassroots organizers, humanitarians, spiritual pathfinders.

When I build my Winter Solstice fire this year, I'll be beckoning the light forward. The sun's rays warm the Earth, just as our inner lights warm souls everywhere. Every winter needs more of that.

Love,

Pixie

Melody Ross Co-Facilitating Our March Retreat

We are very excited that Melody Ross will be bringing her amazing light and sparkle to our March 2013 Retreat at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. Melody is a true Beacon in her Brave Girls Club community, leading women into their self-compassionate power and pushing her own creative edge year after year. We are completely in awe of her and can't wait to sponge up all that she'll be sharing.

With all three of us being mixed-media artists, we're thrilled to integrate the elements of art making into our retreat process in order to shed some light on how we can remain clear in our visions while we bring another level of vitality to the work we do in the world. Sitting in a sacred women's community is an opportunity for us to fully embody ourselves as agents of change in a world on fire to release models of business which do not support women and the Earth. Supportive structure is what we three specialize in.

We will have every supply under the Sun for your artmaking session with Melody, and so many goodies for you to enjoy. Matrilumina exists so that you can restore and recharge, in one of the most pristine and serene retreat centers in the world, while holding your visions high, crystal clear, and in sacred community.

To register, click here.

Flora Bowley ~ August Beacon

"The five days I spent at Esalen with the lovely women of Matrilumina were truly some of the most inspiring, rejuvenating and memorable days of my whole year.  I left feeling rested, deeply nurtured and strongly connected to what now feels like a brand new family of some of the most amazing people I have ever met.  What a gift." ~Flora Bowley, Artist, Author and Workshop Leader