In Celebration of Elder Women – A Rite of Passage

Saturday, July 29, 2023
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Held at the Women's Center
A 1-Day workshop facilitated by Catherine Williams, M.A.
This workshop is especially designed for women who are entering elderhood or have already entered elderhood. For some, becoming post-menopausal marks a new phase. For others, it may simply be a sense that one is entering a new chapter in life. The transition from Adult to Elder can be a profound developmental and evolutionary movement. It deserves conscious awareness and respect, both of which have often been missing in much of our culture.
The element of ritual can “make sacred” and bring intentionality to the transition from Adult to Elder, from Role to Soul as described by Connie Zweig in “The Inner Work of Age.”
If you have attended this workshop before, you are welcome to come and go deeper with the processes. There is more to explore on this journey into greater fulfillment as a beautiful and powerful senior.
We will draw from the Circle Way, which is a lightly structured group process designed by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea that allows everyone’s voice to be heard.
The workshop will include a range of healing modalities and embodied practices such as expressive art, movement and enactment, inquiry, family constellations practices and visualization. A safe container will be created, one that supports vulnerability, emotional safety, curiosity and trust. It will be a social experience, shared by other supportive women facing their own joys and pains at this time of life.
We will identify the inner and outer obstacles that hold us back. Ageism is rampant in our youth-obsessed culture. Older women are too often seen as irrelevant, or we may not be seen at all. Ageist attitudes are still socially accepted and openly expressed. How often do you hear “old” referred to as undesirable, bad or lacking value? The tendency to internalize these toxic attitudes brings about an inner angst and a self-rejection that has many holding on to youth. Of course, the anti-ageing industry generates huge wealth for those exploiting the bias towards staying “forever young.”
We will unmask inner ageism, confront it and practice ways to defend against it. The workshop is not designed as therapy, but will offer practices and perspectives that may prove beneficial and healing.
We will begin with exploring what in your life to now has been most satisfactory: your personal successes, contributions, lessons learned, roles you performed well, obstacles overcome, your joys and ways you’ve grown emotionally and spiritually. The next part entails facing regrets, needs for forgiveness, (for ourselves and from others) and disappointments. Loss of important roles you’ve held professionally and, in your family, can cause a kind of identity crisis. Who are you if not the roles you’ve played?
The transition to elderhood is not only about reconciling the past, but importantly it entails a deep self-inquiry and assembling a new orientation to the future. As you gaze into the unknown of transitional space, you may feel formless, without the roles that brought identity. This is a profound moment of choice, a chance to form intentions regarding whom you want to be, and what you want to cultivate, learn and experience. Are there practices you wish to integrate? Are you called to make a specific contribution? This is an opportunity to attune to your soul’s longing.
You will have the opportunity to literally cross over a threshold. When you are ready, you can design your own ritual. For example, you may wish to summon allies, embodied and not, along with helpful ancestors. You may feel a magnetic force that draws you into your new manifestation. Music may be wanted. It is your transition. The group will be three to witness, support and cheer your crossing.
My vision for you is that you emerge from this workshop more resourced and self-affirming, an elder woman who walks with grace and dignity in the world. Ideally you will gain a deeper sense of purpose and meaning for this stage in your life, becoming more aware of your power and positive impact on the world you inhabit.
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Held at the Women's Center
A 1-Day workshop facilitated by Catherine Williams, M.A.
This workshop is especially designed for women who are entering elderhood or have already entered elderhood. For some, becoming post-menopausal marks a new phase. For others, it may simply be a sense that one is entering a new chapter in life. The transition from Adult to Elder can be a profound developmental and evolutionary movement. It deserves conscious awareness and respect, both of which have often been missing in much of our culture.
The element of ritual can “make sacred” and bring intentionality to the transition from Adult to Elder, from Role to Soul as described by Connie Zweig in “The Inner Work of Age.”
If you have attended this workshop before, you are welcome to come and go deeper with the processes. There is more to explore on this journey into greater fulfillment as a beautiful and powerful senior.
We will draw from the Circle Way, which is a lightly structured group process designed by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea that allows everyone’s voice to be heard.
The workshop will include a range of healing modalities and embodied practices such as expressive art, movement and enactment, inquiry, family constellations practices and visualization. A safe container will be created, one that supports vulnerability, emotional safety, curiosity and trust. It will be a social experience, shared by other supportive women facing their own joys and pains at this time of life.
We will identify the inner and outer obstacles that hold us back. Ageism is rampant in our youth-obsessed culture. Older women are too often seen as irrelevant, or we may not be seen at all. Ageist attitudes are still socially accepted and openly expressed. How often do you hear “old” referred to as undesirable, bad or lacking value? The tendency to internalize these toxic attitudes brings about an inner angst and a self-rejection that has many holding on to youth. Of course, the anti-ageing industry generates huge wealth for those exploiting the bias towards staying “forever young.”
We will unmask inner ageism, confront it and practice ways to defend against it. The workshop is not designed as therapy, but will offer practices and perspectives that may prove beneficial and healing.
We will begin with exploring what in your life to now has been most satisfactory: your personal successes, contributions, lessons learned, roles you performed well, obstacles overcome, your joys and ways you’ve grown emotionally and spiritually. The next part entails facing regrets, needs for forgiveness, (for ourselves and from others) and disappointments. Loss of important roles you’ve held professionally and, in your family, can cause a kind of identity crisis. Who are you if not the roles you’ve played?
The transition to elderhood is not only about reconciling the past, but importantly it entails a deep self-inquiry and assembling a new orientation to the future. As you gaze into the unknown of transitional space, you may feel formless, without the roles that brought identity. This is a profound moment of choice, a chance to form intentions regarding whom you want to be, and what you want to cultivate, learn and experience. Are there practices you wish to integrate? Are you called to make a specific contribution? This is an opportunity to attune to your soul’s longing.
You will have the opportunity to literally cross over a threshold. When you are ready, you can design your own ritual. For example, you may wish to summon allies, embodied and not, along with helpful ancestors. You may feel a magnetic force that draws you into your new manifestation. Music may be wanted. It is your transition. The group will be three to witness, support and cheer your crossing.
My vision for you is that you emerge from this workshop more resourced and self-affirming, an elder woman who walks with grace and dignity in the world. Ideally you will gain a deeper sense of purpose and meaning for this stage in your life, becoming more aware of your power and positive impact on the world you inhabit.
Please bring along a favorite journal and pen. All other materials for the workshop will be provided.
There will be a lunch break of approximately one hour. Please bring lunch - a refrigerator and microwave are available.
Suggested Cost: $75 (sliding scale $55 - $90 available)
Pre-registration is required. Register early to save your spot!
There will be a lunch break of approximately one hour. Please bring lunch - a refrigerator and microwave are available.
Suggested Cost: $75 (sliding scale $55 - $90 available)
Pre-registration is required. Register early to save your spot!
![]() Facilitator Catherine Williams has a Master’s in Clinical Psychology with emphasis on Drama Therapy. She has facilitated SoulCollage® workshops and has co-facilitated several retreats at the Women’s Center. She is also a certified teacher of the Enneagram of Personality. Recently she has completed training in Family Constellations work. For over 30 years Catherine has led workshops integrating psychology, the visual arts, movement and drama. Her love is to support creative self-expression and the revelation of one’s precious wholeness: the one and the many that we are. Visit Catherine's website: Revelationaryarts.com
If you have questions about workshop content, contact Catherine at (510) 910-5995. |
Women's Center for Healing & Transformation
(985) 892-8111
[email protected]
71667 Leveson Street
Abita Springs, LA 70420
(985) 892-8111
[email protected]
71667 Leveson Street
Abita Springs, LA 70420