ALUNA TEMPLE MAGAZINE Edition No2 'HONOURING LIFE' | Page 16

THE RED HEARTH' HOUSE with KESTY JAKES (Stroud, UK) [email protected] www.hearthart.co.uk/red-hearth-house Kesty Jakes is an artist, healer and guide with over twenty five year's experience of participating in, facilitating, initiating and leading sacred circles. Weaving together dreams, stories, songs, craft and ritual. In the summer I like to sleep in our treehouse, and early one morning at full moon, four years ago the land called to me to create a sacred space for bleeding women in our community. 'I have been pregnant for so long, it is time, to give birth to this dream of creating a Red Hearth House. A sacred place to bleed on this earth.' The Red Hearth House vision was birthed in woodland on the outskirts of Stroud with the support and encouragement of many women in the community. Since then each summer 'The Red Hearth House' opens Her door to all women and girls in all stages of their lives. During the month of opening (usually June) women can visit this peaceful sanctuary for as little or as much time as they can to spend time in solitude or share the space with friends and family. I just ask for a donation for each visit. There is an option to camp on the land overnight too. Over the last four years many women have visited and taken part in the workshops and ceremonies and we have built a strong community of women to support and offer their skills to the space each summer when the Red Hearth is dedicated. Vision expanded and we have begun to include ceremonies for the girls to celebrate their growing up. We have three girls circles that also meet once a month. Moon Daughters; 8-10years, Moon Sisters; 11-13 years and Go Girl 13-15 years! We are developing a network of women mentors for these circles. YONI Art © Kesty Jakes / Heartearth We are also gathering for other events - like singing or Winter exploration of dream realms that I co-create with Annabel Hollis! We rest, listen and reflect our own natural rhythms and those of the earth. 16