What do you do?

I’m guessing a lot.

The old truisms still apply-

“A woman’s work is never done”

“If you want to get something done, ask a woman”

We are busier than ever, with our careers, home-lives, relationships, self-care, political activities, educations, socializing, medical care, pet care, exercise, spiritual/religious, cultural activities, civic duties. It’s rare that we sit down, except perhaps in front of our TV sets, where we can zone out and give our brains and bodies a break.

Yoga and meditation sound nice, as does having a healthy diet…those take discipline, don’t they. I am a frequent dropout when it comes to those activities.

When I think about my own life over the years and now, I can honestly say that I try to do all of the above, as well as create time for some beauty or magic for myself, or others.

Although I no longer work full-time or have responsibilities for caring for children or older relatives, I am still swamped for time. My calendar easily fills up with things I want to do and those that I must.

So after pondering this modern dilemma, I came up with the idea of the goddess of many arms as the title for my Blogpost.

She is based on one of many Indian goddesses who I had the pleasure of exploring while co-teaching in India, this past February. As I began to move to the goddess Pavrati, I became enamored of the fact that she had so many arms.

She seemed the perfect symbol for women across the world. In my travels, I have seen them everywhere, carrying water, branches, and food on their heads, walking for miles to their homes to prepare meals, feed, clean, care for others. So much, too much is expected of women in many cultures.

I wanted my blog to reflect this fact and the honor the millions of things that women do on a daily basis all over the world. I wanted to call them/us goddesses, emphasizing their grace, beauty, power and capacities in ways that lift them above the daily grind of things they/we have to do. I realize that my perspective comes from a very privileged perch; where I can say this, presume this.

We have to start somewhere and I do hope that your contributions with expand my vision and that of others. I welcome you- the goddess of many hands into this space.

The Goddess of Many Arms

January 2018- Wise Woman Ceremony- Gift from an Elder

Happy New Year everyone!

We survived, we endured and we are still angry and so we march and protest and still imagine this country of ours getting back on track of all of the good things we have to offer each other and the world.

This January I turned 70 and decided to do that one up big. I created a Coming of Age/Wise Woman/ Crone ceremony for the occasion and invited all of my women friends to attend, one freezing cold morning. We honored our foremothers and sisters and those friends who had passed away. I took vows and I released what held me back at this point in my life. My sister read my story. We sang, read poems and I gave and received gifts from those younger and those older. Many stones were painted and given away which honored our journeys. I received a walking staff and wore special clothes and shoes. We broke bead and toasted and hug and took the time to honor the passing of years, the changes upon changes we have endured. So, not yet old but certainly no longer young, I am embarking on this journey in my life with love, support, friendship, some scars and renewed focus and energy. Amen!

I am eager to sign everyone up for my women’s weekend retreat July 13-15, in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia. There is only room for 15, so please sign up early to ensure your place. Click here for more information!

For my new book of poetry- click here :

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sally+brucker

Namaste, Sally

Welcome to the Goddess of Many Arms- My New Blogpost!

What do you do?

The Goddess of Many Arms- Talking Stick

The Goddess of Many Arms

January 2018- Wise Woman Ceremony- Gift from an Elder

Happy New Year everyone!