The Elder’s Journey: The Four Shields of Elderhood for Women
Oct 21st, 2024 - Oct 27th, 2024 | Catalina State Park - Tucson, Arizona | Silvia Talavera, Cary Gaunt
“We are the seeds of the tenacious plant, and it is in our ripeness and our fullness of heart that we are given to the wind and scattered.”
Kahlil Gibran
Throughout the ages, elder women have enjoyed sitting in circle to weave the rich tapestries of their stories, stories that continued to warm and inspire people across time and culture.
What about us, now, in our time? As women in all stages of growing into our greater years, there is a growing passion and a commitment to tell our own stories. We have children, or we are childless, we are single or we are partnered, working or retired, healthy or feeling the struggles of the body. Whatever stage of elderhood we find ourselves navigating it is important that we find our way, with as much humor, grace and dignity as possible. Death awaits us all, and how we move through these years is of utmost importance.
Elderhood is an evolving experience that can be a ripening of our strengths rather than the dulling of our minds. From the words of social activist Maggie Kuhn, “Old age is not a disease. It is a strength in survivor-ship, triumph over all kinds of vicissitudes and disappointments, trials and illness.” This speaks to aging as an extraordinary achievement. It is an opportunity to re-awaken the imagination towards new possibilities and a renewed spirit inspired by the lived wisdom acquired over the years.
As women ripen into the various stages of elderhood, it may be time to re-map the landscape to make room for the emerging new perspectives of what it means to be an elder in today’s world. Through honoring the years of a life lived, creating new meaning and imparting our gifts in service, we move towards transformation and into a renewed vitality, creativity, and vision. This program is an invitation to open to what is needed to welcome the elders we are becoming
Program Overview: During our time together we will explore ways to deepen into a more conscious approach to how we can live as elder women in the world today. We will recall our personal stories, life experiences and collected knowledge and discover ways to transform them into our wisdom and our medicine.
We will explore an ancient means of looking into the mirror of nature through the lens of the Four Shields (a nature based teaching) that will reflect and support the wisdom of the elders as a natural point for introspection and meaning . We will move through the 4 seasons, the 4 directions and the stages of life.
These teachings and the earth itself will help to bring what is needed to your own particular stage of this rich new frontier.
We will meet together in an outdoor setting. Mornings will be taken up with check in, teachings and discussions. And the afternoon or evenings will be solo time on the land (usually 2-3 hours ), story telling, and mirroring of the participant’s solo experience. Direct contact with nature is vital to the non-duality of our relationship and connection to nature. Every day will be a full exploration of this rich landscape we call elderhood.
Program Questions Contact Silvia Talavera at [email protected]
Submit enrollment form
Please fill out and submit the enrollment form and then pay the program deposit below. Before you pay the deposit, please read deposit section below, all deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. After your enrollment form is complete, please submit all health and liability forms.
Pay program deposit
Deposits: This deposit signifies your commitment to the program and is deducted from the tuition balance. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. They cover the work of the specific course you signed up for, including all communication involved as well as the fee that guides pay to the school administration for the course accounting.
Additional Deposit: Some programs require a second deposit to help us affirm commitments. Last minute cancellations make it hard to fill openings and incur a loss of income to the School and the guides.
Tuition Balance: Balance of tuition can be paid before or upon arrival. Simply deduct any deposits made from the amount you’ve chosen on the sliding scale.
Submit Waitlist form
This program is full; however, you may add your name to the Waitlist by clicking the Waitlist button below.
Additional course details & Materials
Arrival time begins at 9am on Monday October 21st and our first meeting will at 3:00pm. We will conclude at noon on Saturday October 27th. Full info will follow with enrollment.
You will be responsible for bringing your own food and equipment, though we can provide some gear if needed. We ask everyone to come prepared to live self-sufficiently. You will need to bring shelter and clothing suitable for a full range of inclement weather.
To address safety concerns during the pandemic, please contact us regarding our current Coronavirus protocols as well as any current travel restrictions. These protocols may affect how you are able to travel to the program. Please note: As of May 2023 there are no longer any vaccination requirements for international travellers seeking entry to the USA.
All participants must submit the required health questionnaire and liability form.
If you have questions about the enrollment process contact us at [email protected] or call 760-938-3333.
There is no required reading for this program.
We will gather at the Catalina State Park: azstateparks.com/catalina . Indigenous lands of the Hohokam, Tohono O'odham and Yaqui Indians and home to the saguaro cactus, coyote, javelina, big horn sheep, deer along with over 100 species of birds.
To learn more about our commitment to regenerative relationships please visit Cultural Relations.
