Well, I must admit that our world feels upside down right now. So many aspects of our nation’s shared agreements have been thrown into disarray like a precious basket turned over & spilled out. In these times, I find myself needing to seek out beauty, wisdom, community, dance, and prayer to connect to the heartbeat of wisdom. The ancient practices help us touch sacred ground and bring gentle presence, grounded resistance, and creative capacities to our world. Let’s keep the dance of hope alive!
The photo above was taken at Kukutali Preserve, a small island here in the Northwest that is under shared management between the Snohomish Tribe and Washington State Parks. This partnership demonstrates what is possible when ancient wisdom and modern government work together to preserve beauty and good will! The dance will premier as part of Abbey of the Arts upcoming Lenten Series on Women Mystics. I hope you might join us. (Lent starts in ten days!) You can learn more here Seven Gates of Mystical Wisdom.
For those in Seattle, click here for my Lenten schedule which includes Woman at the Well, Raising of Lazarus and the Prodigal Daughter!
As we look beyond Lent, I’m especially excited about our newest retreat invoking Ancestors & Archetypes which will take place Easter week! We have a few spots left … so consider coming for 4 days of diving into creative practices that help us touch the holy ground of mystery together!
Below you will find this and a few more opportunities to join me in practicing possibilities to keep the dance of hope alive.
Ancestors & Archetypes: A Journey through the Expressive Arts
with Betsey Beckman & Kayce Stevens Hughlett
April 21-25, 2025
St. Andrew’s House; Hood Canal, WA
Our New Offering!
My dear friend, Kayce Hughlett & I have been leading Awakening the Creative Spirit together for the last handful of years, and we have an amazing time wandering in the land of art, poetry, dance, nature, ancestry, and archetype. So, we’ve come up with a brand new retreat … to birth new adventures inner and outer! Here’s a bit of a taste:
Archetypes & Ancestors. Symbol & Spirit. Signs & Soul Guides.
Do you long to deepen your connection to those who have gone before us? Understand what it means to call upon archetypal energies as a resource for the times? Expand your own Divine Story?
Join master facilitators, Betsey Beckman and Kayce Stevens Hughlett, as we embark on a playful and soul-filled journey through the expressive arts to explore how Archetypes & Ancestors enhance our Spiritual lives and connect us to healing gifts for the past, present and future.
Enjoy 4 days and nights filled with guided experiences, artmaking and movement, journaling, singing, SoulCollage®, InterPlay, solo time and wild wandering.
Join us for this art-making adventure!
Limited to 12 participants. $1445
Did you miss our video showing in the fall? For Black History month, we will once again be sharing our Musical on the life of Sr. Thea Bowman, pioneer in racial & social justice, and beacon of light in music and prayer. Join us for joy & inspiration!
Save the Date: May 8th – Dancing with Angels, Saints & Ancestors Video Release Party!
10am Pacific – More Info Forthcoming!
In Closing
Parts of the Body
After dancing at my parish church of St. Patrick’s for 30 years, I am grateful to be finding my way within the community of St. Joseph’s. This year, I have felt the call to work more directly with the children (as they are super responsive to movement in prayer and sacred scripture!) Once a month, I now co-create Children’s Liturgy of the Word with the kids, and here you can see how much fun we have together! May you discover what part of the body you are called to be … as we join together in mystery as the Body of Christ!
Betsey
Betsey Beckman, MM
