Lifeways Initiations

The vital and timeless ritual of initiation has been lost in our culture, leaving young people confused as to their purpose and their relationship to the whole of life. Without the guidance and support of ritual and community, the powerful drives and overwhelming emotions of the initiatory age can lead to destructiveness and turmoil, or to the sublimation of the heart’s true calling.

Young Women’s Initiations

Initiation into Womanhood is a sacred rite of passage that provides an opening for self-awareness to emerge, and lays a foundation where expression of the feminine is learned and the value of womanhood is honored. In claiming the sacred feminine in her life, a young woman connects with her inherent gift to create and to become the person she was born to be.

Girls who have reached puberty and young women through age 25 are invited to apply. Led by community elders Deanna Jenné and Jessica de la O, Initiation into Womanhood is generally held in the summer over seven days and requires a three-month commitment of preparation. Applications are welcome beginning in January each year.

Contact the coordinators for more details
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Young Men's Initiations

Young Men’s Initiation into Adulthood is a sacred rite of passage that recognizes the transformative spiritual force awaiting deep inside each young man to bring maturity, responsibility and wisdom to life. The ritual of initiation provides the catalyst for this transformation.

Young men from the ages of 16 to 25 are encouraged to apply. Parents are invited to assist in the application process where appropriate. Ritual elders Dan Sprinkles and David Wiley, assisted by men from the community, guide applicants throughout the preparatory process and initiation ritual.