Black Lives Matter, Black Joy Matters
Dear Ones,
Along with many of you, I have been observing closely the events of the past week in regards to racial injustice in America. I've chosen to take my time, to not speak up right away, to instead really hush up and listen to what has been asked of me as a white individual and what is being asked of humanity as a collective. As a result of this inquiry, I am working on two response projects thus far. These projects are part of our Temple's overall work toward a better world for women, especially those historically oppressed and underserved. The Temple currently offers full and partial scholarships to women of color, studies ancestresses of color, provides free research assistance to women of color who are seeking connections with Black and Brown Goddesses, provides free candle services and divinations to women of color and low-income women who reach out to us in times of need, and is avowedly in favor of providing joyful experiences for women of color and low-income women. The two new projects launching right now are:
1) In recognition of the power and potential of recent uprisings, and in empathy with the grief of Black and Brown people everywhere due to systemic oppression and brutality, on Wednesday, June 10, the Mt Shasta Goddess Temple will debut a fundraiser for Black Mamas Matter Alliance, donating proceeds from sales of the recently-completed Madonna of Black Butte artwork by Priestess Holly DeFount. We hope you will consider purchasing a copy of this print and sharing the post about our fundraiser in support of Black Mamas wellbeing before, during, and after delivery.
2) I'm also currently working on creating a Temple-sponsored women of color retreat here in Mt Shasta, where an intimate group of spirit-drawn Black and Brown women will be chauffeured to sacred sites, provided with healing and energy work, and cooked nourishing foods, fully free to relax and deepen into their rest, sisterhood, and rejuvenation, completely free of charge. I'm seeking grant and donation money to create this project, which is a collaboration with creatrix Mona Webb, my Black sister of 15 years, a brilliant medium, and a National Slam Poetry champion from Oakland who will be the host for the retreat. She visited the Temple this past weekend for a restorative getaway, and we began the discussion of how to make this project happen so that more of our sisters of color can have this experience. I will update you as this idea progresses.
If you have an idea for any additional Temple fundraiser or project for social justice, particularly benefitting Sisters of Color, please reach out and let me know. I'm happy to help actualize further projects and activities for our community's greater growth and healing, and particularly to support women's joy.
Blessings to all, and may racism be uprooted never to poison another heart,
Yeshe