FAQs About Red Tent

- What is a Red Tent? The Red Tent is a timeless tradition across cultures and serves to remind us of our autonomy, empowerment, and person-hood. A place for women to gather once a month to rest, reflect, share, and develop personal insight within a supportive community of women. It is a place where we honor our blood stories (i.e. menarche, menstruation, miscarriage, birth, menopause, traumas through rape and abuse, and so on) without shame or fear.
- We come together to teach and learn about the sacredness of our bodies, so that we are empowered in our sexuality. Inviting our daughters and younger women to hear these stories, as they are often preyed upon in a patriarchal culture when left to learn about their sexuality through societal norms, the internet, and men who take advantage of their naiveté. We teach ourSelves how to identify "BlueBeards" (men who desire to consume and destroy a woman from standing in her power) through story and encourage each other to hold boundaries and with it self respect.
- Who can come to Red Tent? Our Red Tent welcomes all women, regardless of biological sex, over the age of 18 to our gatherings. Minors, those who are close to menarche, and well-behaved girls are welcome to attend, given they are accompanied by a responsible female adult. Whether you menstruate or not, if you are a woman, you are invited to join us in Red Tent. Men are not permitted in the Red Tent Temple.
- Is Red Tent a religion? No. Red Tent is an opportunity for women of all spiritual and religious beliefs to come together with the intention of exploring various Ancient Women's Traditions.
- We provide private and public Ancient Women's Initiations, by request, to acknowledged and create an experience to remember for rights of passage unique to women, such as menarche, claiming our Divine name, Queening ceremonies, etc.
- How do I know if Red Tent is for me? If you feel a stirring in your heart, are interested in learning more about Ancient Women's Traditions, need a place to rest, be, or discover your authentic Self without the responsibilities of life for a moment; I invite you to join us and see if you too feel nourished, lifted up, empowered, and loved.
- What do I wear to Red Tent? Anything that helps you feel empowered, beautiful, sexy, delicious, and authentic. Many women choose to wear feminine garments in red to help them transition into the space of being in the Red Tent and to honor the celebration of our blood.
- Why do you use the term "Sister" to describe the women of Red Tent Temple? Sister refers to the bond we share as women and acknowledges our equality in circle.
- Why do you use the words Tent and Temple interchangeably? These terms are used interchangeably within the Movement. For the purpose of Nectar of Life Red Tents, 'Tent' is the physical structure that contains the women of Temple. The 'Temple' is created when the women of Red Tent gather within the folds of the fabric that holds us.
- What does "Goddess" mean in Red Tent? For the purpose of Nectar of Life Red Tents, the definition of Goddess is left for each individual Sister to define. For many women, it is the stirring of the Divine Feminine rising within, for others the Goddess is a deity they worship. How you receive and define the term is entirely up to you.
- What does "Priestess" mean during a Red Tent Event? For the purpose of Nectar of Life Red Tents, Priestess is any individual Sister who is presenting a program. This does not require formal training but rather her desire to share something she has learned with us to support the evolution of our Sisterhood. We do no use the term High Priestess, as we are all equals sharing sacred space in a circle -- where there is no end or beginning.
- Are their Priestesses in Tent? Yes, we have ordained ministers, interfaith healers, and other women who have journeyed through a formal training and/or apprenticeship.
- What is a Red Tent Sister Apprentice? A woman who has committed to volunteer her time to raise the Red Tent Temple each month. She has committed to develop a relationship with herSelf through personal growth, honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability. She is a woman who walks in grace and integrity. In doing so, she is learning how to deliver messages of empowerment to other women so that they too might find their authentic truth and an empowered voice. She is inspired to create sacred space for other women and feels, in her heart, she has been called by something greater than she to develop creative ways for women to come together and remember what it is to share sacred circle and truth. A Sister Apprentice is training to become a future Keeper of Temple.
- What is a Keeper of Temple? Keepers of Temple hold the Sacred space during our gatherings and volunteer many hours each month dedicated to creating ceremonial opportunities for our Sisters to come, one night a month, to bask in their beauty, remember themselves as Goddess, discover new teachings, and delve into the depths of the unconscious domains. Keepers are the Pillars of the Tent and Sisterhood they are in service to. It takes a humble heart of service and an understanding of the Self to Be present, mindful, and to hold within the willingness to be connected to and responsible to a Sisterhood.
- What does Nectar of Life mean? A gentle Wisdom Keeper, Spirit Animal or Guide, the Hummingbird gifts us the sweet nectar of life when we are able to extract joy from our sorrows. When we come to Temple, we are setting the intention to learn more about ourselves in the depths. The depths often contain our pain, traumas, and Shadows. In these spaces we acknowledge great wisdom resides. It is here we make a commitment to ourSelves to cultivate a joyful and purpose driven life.