“Shakti” the female principle of divine energy. Though the term Shakti refers to multiple ideas. Its general definition is dynamic energy that is responsible for creation, maintenance, and destruction of the universe. It is identified as female energy because Shakti is responsible for creation, as mothers are responsible for birth.
“Fart” to break wind. The passing of intestinal gas. To waste time on silly or trivial things. The intestine sits in the third chakra or solar plexus. It represents our personal power system and the seat of our ego, strength and anger.
Shakti Farts (and Belly Laughs) is also a collaboration of stories written by women who sat in circle together amid the pandemic. Gathering in a field in the Glastonbury zodiac, on land full of selenite crystal, and under the backdrop of the Tor, a movement was formed.
A movement – which created space for creativity and transformation.
Timeout away from the harsh world we were living in, and space to heal deep seated wounds within the feminine.
We’ve all experienced it. Some call it the witch wound. Some call it the sister or mother wound.
The expectations placed on everything we do needs to have a value of some kind.
The exclusion that begins in the playground. The competitive feelings we have when someone else seems to be doing better than us. The judgement of our appearance – “I cant wear that I’ll look weird.” The feeling that we are not enough, and don’t belong. And as covered by Iona Russell in her chapter, the FOMO we often feel when we can’t physically show up…
The Circle Wound chapter, authored by the magical Yolandi Boshoff, speaks in to those feelings of ‘ other contributors’ voices in their chapters. That the wounds we navigate are deeply ingrained from when we had to fight for survival however that looked.
That these wounds manifest when we are triggered by another’s energy. That it is OUR uncomfortableness we need to meet, that the person who is triggering you, is showing you parts of yourself YOU need to meet.
That is the gift.
Meeting yourself head on.
Exploring that trigger in a loving cosmic space. The shakti.
And then comes the fart.
Talking through that trigger with others. Another of our authors, Kathy Bell describes a time in her childhood when she was sent home by another girl because she “didn’t fit”; Zoe Foster talks about the wounded feminine and the feelings that surfaced when she was first invited – that she nearly didn’t come… Each author shares experiences of when other women have hurt them or made them feel less than.
In each story, each woman voices those fears and triggers that came up on retreat, and was able to talk into them and anything else holding them back from the next level of transformation.
You see, sometimes you just need to retreat from the chaos of the world. Even when the world tests you.
Again, each of us have stories to share on how the universe asked us, if we were ready to take that leap, if we really wanted to gather. To push through our fears, to shimmy past the obstacles that could hold us back. The sick children, finding the money to come, and even just leaving the safety of home regardless of the ripples.
To take the easy route of not gathering. To take a leap of faith. To do what is right for you and your growth.
The Shaki Farts movement speaks to the fact that women CAN meet in those spaces. With no judgement. And can take the opportunity to heal those deep-seated wounds that follow us around in every community situation.
The more we call out the triggers and wounds for what they are.
Old stories. Old patterns on repeat until we learn and transmute them.
That sharing our knowledge, sitting in com-unity with each other, and owning our power, will undoubtedly change the world as we know it.
Held and published by The Unbound Press.
About the Authors:
Nicola Humber is the author of three transformational books, Heal Your Inner Good Girl , UNBOUND and Unbound Writing. She’s also the founder of The Unbound Press
Sarah Lloyd – 25 years in the PR biz, founder of IndigoSoulPR, is the creatrix of her own brand of magic-based, conscious PR and communications.
Yolandi Boshoff is a Lightworker, Starseed, Spiritual Coach, Author and Healer, with a passion for travel, sacred sites and spiritual adventure.
Em Mulholland is a Shamanic Practitioner and copywriting Word Doula. She’s also the Operations & Author Relations Magician for The Unbound Press.
Kathy Bell is an experienced breathwork facilitator, mentor and author
Katherine Crawley is a transformational embodiment mentor and the co-producer of award-winning docs, KZ and Black Gold and Producer and Co-Director of Fezeka’s Voice.
Katie Brockhurst is a social media consultant, an award winning author and podcaster, with over twenty years’ experience in the field.
Zoë K. M. Foster channels immersive, lifesize energy art for divinely feminine rebels. She is also the creator of her SacredExpression™ method
Rachel Smithbone, is the High Priestess of Sacred Self-Love and Spiritual Badassery, is best known for her work supporting soulful beings to love themselves fully and unconditionally.
Michelle Maslin-Taylor is an experienced yoga teacher and reiki master-teacher who helps burnt-out yogis facilitate deep transformational healing for themselves and their clients.
Iona Russell guides wild hearted women to confidently be unstoppable – a Master in Positive Psychology, an Intuitive Breakthrough Coach, Consultant, International Author, Radio presenter, Speaker and Spiritual Guide
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