In our modern way of life we're all so used to having an agenda - things we need to accomplish, to plan, to execute... Well, think of the Red Tent as the opposite of that - you get to BE instead of 'do'.

We offer acceptance for who you are, and how you are. No expectations of you, no pressure, no judgment. Simply loving support, friendship, and a sense of community.

In this crazy world, we can ALL benefit from a safe-haven for our soul. The Red Tent is a place to put aside our worries and concerns, and turn to RITUAL for strength and peace in our heart.

Our ritual involves the reading of a poem so that everyone is reminded of the sacredness of the circle, then the pulling of a WOMANRUNES oracle card to start a conversation. Whether you choose to share or simply listen, every woman's voice is valid no matter how strong or weak. When women find their voice, they find their power.

The RED TENT is a retreat away from the everyday, where we connect with our soul-sisters to share and receive love, support, and nurturing. Give yourself a gift by joining us for this hour of self-care.

We'll be waiting for you.

Every gathering will be 'organic' meaning that the activity or non-activity will flow according to the needs of the women who attend. It can be a SPIRITUAL experience, a HEALING experience, a BONDING experience, an EMPOWERING experience, an EDUCATIONAL experience ... you get the picture.

Most importantly, you get to be AUTHENTIC in an environment that encourages your self-empowerment and acknowledges your uniqueness.

A Red Tent Sister shared this: 'When you leave the tent - for a moment, or a month, or the rest of your life - you're the woman you WANT to be'. We think that says it all.

We're on ZOOM, so you'll see the faces of your Red Tent sisters. Our 'online' ritual involves the reading of a poem so that everyone is reminded of the sacredness of the circle, then the pulling of a WOMANRUNES oracle card to start a conversation. Whether you choose to share or simply listen, every woman's voice is valid no matter how strong or weak. When women find their voice, they find their power. The rest is created organically and will be perfect for whoever is attending.

To help you get comfortable, we wrote a little story...

My Red Tent Experience

When she arrived, she was warmly greeted with sisterly love and smiles as she hung up her coat and took off her shoes (she was glad she thought to bring her slippers - 'such a simple luxury', she thought). Excitedly, she pulled back the red curtain and ventured into the Red Tent... A little unsure of what to do next, she decided to make herself a tea and found a cozy corner to lounge on the luxurious cushions and blankets that covered the floor. From this safe place, she felt she'd be able to watch what other women did. She hoped that she had sufficiently blended in.

The elders had taken their place on the comfy couch. She noticed their friendly smiles and an aura of worldly wisdom seemed to surround them. She looked around. 'This place feels exotic', she thought, 'womb-like and comforting. If only I had space in my home to recreate this feeling...' She watched her Red Tent Sisters arriving, some knew each other, some looked a little lost at first, but as she continued to observe she realized that it didn't matter. No one was watching her, she was free to be or do whatever felt right to her. There were no expectations of her, no pressure, no judgment. It was then that she realized why she had come; that the Red Tent was exactly what she needed ... and she gave herself permission to just 'be'...

She decided right then and there, that she would be back every month. 'What is 2 hours out of hundreds of hours in a month' she thought, 'I deserve it!' And she did!

Some women like to wear red clothing in the Red Tent but you can wear whatever you are comfortable in. We love stretchy fabric that lets your body move freely - because you just might want to curl up on the couch or lounge with the cushions.

We offer RITES OF PASSAGE ceremonies such as Croning, Queening (age 50), Menopause, Motherhood, and Menarche (first blood).

We hold talking circles, healing circles, drumming circles, fire ceremonies and other rituals. We can work with you to create a ceremony or ritual to suit your needs.

In the RED TENT FACEBOOK GROUP - yes.

However, some Red Tent Sisters are businesswomen and it's important to mention that at New Moon Red Tent gatherings, we can put aside our business mind and step into receiving what we personally need to fill our well. Each sister attends the Red Tent to fill her own need for either 'down time' or interaction with her sisters.

There are many great events for networking and promotion but the monthly Red Tent gathering isn't one of them. We ask that you help us maintain sacred space by not promoting your business or events, or bringing promotional materials/business-related items for display or distribution to your Red Tent sisters - on or off the property. We thank you for respecting this very important aspect of our Red Tent.

Before each physical Red Tent, and collectively at the first Red Tent of the year, we use smudge to cleanse the energy of the Red Tent space and to clear our own auras.

Smudging is an ancient ritual that clears stagnant energy by burning sacred plants or wood, such as sage or Palo Santo, and allowing its smoke to clear and bless a space.

At the Red Tent, we like the woody scent of Palo Santo. It's considered a magical wood - the magic being in the alchemical process that happens after the death of the Palo Santo tree. For the wood to gain its healing properties it must die, but not just any death – only a natural death of a wise old tree. Palo Santo trees live for 80 to 90 years. After this death, the tree must remain in its natural habitat for 4 to 10 years to complete its metamorphosis. Only then do its sacred, medicinal and mystical properties come alive. A stick of Palo Santo wood is lit, and its smoke is used for the smudging ritual. This smoke is so powerful that it has become a staple in sacred rituals, becoming an essential energy tool for Shamans. Its aroma is just incredible - very fresh smelling with hints of mint and citrus - proving to be one of the most fragrant woods in the world.

1. SIGN UP to get your invitation to the next Red Tent gathering

2. PURCHASE a ticket for the Red Tent from your invitation

VIRTUAL - Using the camera on your smartphone or computer, connect using the button in your ticket confirmation email (link will become active 10 mins prior.) Sign in to Eventbrite.

IN PERSON - Arrive up to 10 minutes prior. Park on the one side of the street where indicated. Remove your shoes and enter the Red Tent.

In 2011, an event called the Energy Share was born – a gathering of like-minded people from near and far gathered every two weeks for meditation and to practice a variety of healing modalities, followed by a pot-luck lunch and social time.  It grew into a supportive loving environment for healers and those that needed healing to come together and experience the loving kindness of the community. It was here that many novice healers found the courage to express their gifts and talents and offer their healing in a more concrete way.  It was here that souls found lasting friendships and acceptance for who they were.  We had created a haven for us to be ourselves and be understood, to share, to cry and to heal body, mind and spirit.

We thrived as we enjoyed the opportunity to safely explore our greatness. Energy Shares were very popular and usually accommodated 8-16 people each week.  However, in the fall of 2013 numbers had started to dwindle we knew that the Energy Shares needed to change.  Some women had expressed a desire for a ‘women-only’ Energy Share so that they might feel more comfortable sharing.We held our last one in December 2013 and put them on hold until we could figure out what needed to change.  Some attendees were anxious to regroup and we held another two shares the following summer, but all the time we knew the end had come.  But what would replace it?  We didn’t know. FAST FORWARD …

A visit from the STAG

At the start of 2015, while sitting at the window, a majestic stag came to graze the barely living remnants of my flower garden across the river.  I reached for my camera and took some awesome shots and posted them on Facebook for all to see.  Many ‘liked’ and commented. 

That same week I was visited by a Nocturnal Flying Squirrel – which, apparently, are not found this far south in Ontario!?!  I connected the two sightings as a message to show me that those, which had once been hiding in the shadows, were to come out and be seen and appreciated. 

A week later, 3 female deer visited the same spot to find sustenance in my flower garden.  Again, I posted the photo on Facebook and the post gained an astounding 72 ‘likes’.   A comment was posted: "Do you get the message yet?" and, although I was aware of the general message of 'deer medicine' I went to look at my reference book once again.  I hadn't noticed what had been written there all along.  This is what it said:

"You’re charged with facilitating women’s ceremonies or rituals, such as honouring major life passages and transitions.”

I took a course in ‘Becoming an Elder’ with Clarissa Pinkola Estes (author of Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths & Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype) and finally found my courage to stand up and speak my own wisdom. Indeed, the time has come!

I knew then that my next mission would be helping women acknowledge their greatness by providing a safe, loving, caring environment to explore and celebrate our wisdom together.

‘Rabbit medicine’ came to tell me that I should take advantage of this very creative time as I will move ahead in leaps and bounds (and that surely was the truth). ‘Buffalo’ came to me in dream-time to tell me that an important project was about to start. Then came the message that 2015 was the Year of the Empowered Woman … and so Red Tent Ontario was founded.