Sacred Woman summary

Once word got out that Queen Afua was a healer, the phone calls kept coming. On the line were women who were experiencing painful, heavy bleeding. Or who were being told they had to get hysterectomies. Or who were struggling with the aftereffects of botched abortions. 

Research shows that African American women are 25 percent more likely to be referred for a hysterectomy, even when it’s not strictly necessary. Furthermore, these women are more likely to suffer complications during surgery, resulting in longer hospital stays and even death. 

The women calling Queen Afua had despaired of a medical system they could no longer trust. They were desperate for other solutions – for tools that could help them care for their bodies independently.

These calls convinced Queen Afua that the foundation of all healing was womb wellness. And in her eyes, womb wellness could only be achieved through a holistic approach that combined meditation and prayer with emotional healing, good nutrition, and other lifestyle changes. 

At the heart of her healing philosophy is a structure called the Sacred Womb Circle. Sacred Womb Circles are groups of women who come together to create safe, healing spaces where they can support each other in their transformations. These circles provide a place to share stories, shed old hurts, and learn how to let go of the past. They’re spaces where women can go deep into painful memories, with the knowledge that they’re supported. At other times, they can also be spaces of joyful laughter as women celebrate their triumphs together. 

Think about the people you surround yourself with. Are they dedicated to their own healing? Do they support yours? Caring for yourself becomes so much easier in the context of collective care – of being part of an environment where other people are dedicated to the same goals as you and committed to mutual support.

If the idea of a womb circle has inspired you, then why not set up your own? First, you’ll need to assemble a group of women who are all engaged in their own healing journey. The ideal group size is between four and eight women. Then, schedule an initial session where everyone can just hang out and get to know each other. In this first session, everyone can talk about what her own womb wellness project is, and what she hopes to get out of the circle. 

By the end of the session, you should be able to articulate a common underlying purpose for the circle that encompasses everyone’s individual goals. Once you’ve done this, make a commitment to come together weekly for at least 21 days. Each woman should write out and sign her own contract. 

The real healing work happens in regular sessions – ideally at different group members’ homes. For each session, create a tranquil, intimate space with an altar of flowers, incense, and essential oils. 

Open the circle with music; playing instruments and singing together immediately creates the right atmosphere for healing. Then, recite prayers together. Bless the circle, and invite the Divine One to guide and protect you. 

Collective healing is powerful. Together, you’ll be able to support and maintain each other’s journeys, despite all the distractions and demands of everyday life. But you still need to learn some practical and spiritual skills to help you along your journey. 

Queen Afua has distinguished eleven gateways to embodying your full power as a sacred woman. In this Blink, we are going to briefly delve into three of them: sacred words, sacred movement, and sacred work. These three gateways reveal foundational tools that can change your relationship with yourself and your world.