Frequently Asked Questions
My Philosophy
Nature-honoring spirituality sees the complex beauty and harmony of the natural world as our greatest teacher. At this critical time on the planet, we must learn how to find our place in the great fabric of creation. There is spirit in all of life. There is so much to be grateful for. There is abundance all around us if we shift our gaze, and open our hearts. And, as we develop this love affair with the natural world, Earth-honoring spirituality also asks us to pick up the torch of stewardship and advocacy. The bottom line is this: it is important that each of us heal the hurt places we carry, and find empowerment to live our lives to the fullest. But we don’t do this healing work for ourselves alone, with the intention to just get rich, find love, land our dream job, or any other particular dream seed we nourish. Earth based spirituality takes us a few steps further, asking us to heal and find empowerment so that we can share our gifts and be of service during this lifetime, to ensure future generations, human and non-human, may also live in abundance and wellbeing.
Womxn’s Wisdom traditions look to the ancient past and non-patriarchal traditions world-wide for the roots of womxn-honoring spirituality. We’re talking about The Great Goddess here, in all her forms, as well as a culture that reveres womxn’s bodies and the inherent wisdom we possess. Reclaiming the female aspects of spirit (aka, goddess cosmology) is still radical, and in my own life has been a necessary part of finding a spiritual path that resonates with my lived experiences. I use *womxn* instead of “women” to go beyond the limits of binary gender and include a wide spectrum of cis, trans and non-binary womxn.
Racial Justice and Trans Inclusion are critical components of a spiritual worldview that seeks to heal and repair colonialism, racism and gender based violence. This means listening to native and indigenous communities and following their current leadership. It means being accountable on issues of cultural appropriation and the exploitation of indigenous peoples and communities. It means awareness of systemic oppression and racism in this country. It means seeking and celebrating the brilliance of radical black, poc and indigenous feminisms. Trans inclusion asks us to stretch beyond the comfort zone of what we have been taught about “being a woman” - biologically, or socially. Trans inclusion means seeing the harm done by patriarchy when it insists that there are only two genders. Racial justice and trans inclusion in my work means that our sisterhood is not about being comfortable. It’s about including the widest umbrella and standing together to shape a better and more loving world.
I have a commitment to my own lifelong work of seeing and addressing racism and transphobia in myself and the spaces I’m a part of. This is a commitment to listen and be accountable when I stumble or cause harm. I believe this is a time on the planet where we need to heal divisions and work together in new ways. But to do that takes a great undoing of the systems, beliefs, habits and values that have shaped the culture we live in. This is the work I want to be a part of.
My Roots
I came to the path of nature-based spirituality and womxn’s wisdom traditions at an early age. At 13 years old, I met ShuNahSii Rose, who became my teacher, mentor and inspiration for the next 25 years. My close work with ShuNahSii was a uniquely old world model of apprenticeship. My study and partnership with her created a foundation of knowledge that has shaped who I am as a person and as a teacher.
Before finding my way to ShuNahSii, I was raised Jewish. I am still influenced by my Jewish heritage and the radical Jewish community in Philadelphia.
My work is also informed by my queer identity, which has been central to understanding the world around me. I have been very lucky to have relationships with lesbian elders, who have played a pivotal role in the rising visibility of feminism, witches and womxn’s wisdom. I came to anti racist work through queer community, and am so grateful for the friends and lovers who have shared this journey with me.
As a young adult, I was beyond lucky to have mentors outside of school (dance, theater, spirituality and queer spaces) that nurtured and challenged me in holistic ways. I hope to pass along this legacy of being a good elder and a good ancestor.
My Path
My love of teaching led me to Temple University in Philadelphia, where I received a degree in secondary education. But I never pursued a traditional classroom role. From 2006 - 2016, I dedicated myself to a career in the non-profit sector with youth-serving agencies. I had the joy and privilege in those positions to create and/or supervise some really out-of-the-box programs that supported LGBTQ identity, drag performance, spirituality, anti-racism, mythology and magic, community building, sexual wellness and body positivity.
Between 2010-2019, I served as Philadelphia leadership for the InSacredBalance program “The Wheel” - a feminist, nature-based community with several chapters nationwide. In this role I taught classes locally and online, and was an anchor for an ongoing community of spiritual practice. I also had the great gift of learning from the wisdom of the other leaders and members of this community, who brought a diverse array of spiritual traditions and lineages. ISB closed its doors at the end of 2019, but you can find ShuNahSii’s new endeavors at True Earth.
I launched Red Seeds in 2015, two years after my daughter was born. I had always said that motherhood isn’t something I “wanted” - it’s who I AM. Becoming a mother - for me - was a critical point in my evolution. It has been a process of becoming the best version of myself, and offering something of value to the world. In the years to come, I hope that Red Seeds will grow enough to support a team, with collective leadership and collaborative vision. It’s been a beautiful path so far. And we are just getting started.
