The Witch Wound, Sacred Rage, Gaslighting, & Spiritual Communities
July brings new energy, can ya’ll feel it? While the sun is getting brighter here in Peru, we are still in the deep of winter for another two months. I admit that it is not like the winters of Colorado or Ohio where I lived in the past, but we also have no heat in our houses. My new best friend, the bath tub, is my saving grace. The sky’s are winter grey, lending an otherworldly, mystery cozy novel kind of feel to everything, giving me permission to drink more tea and cacao.
Honestly, I find it hard to get going in the mornings, needing more sleep even as the days are getting a little longer, due to my bear spirit still hibernating. My joints are slower to lubricate in the cold, and my patience is thinner than normal when I have to speak before I am ready. I sound like a grumpy old woman.
I have been asked to speak about Sacred Rage more often, writing articles for The Plant Medicine People, gearing up for a podcast (TBA), writing my own pieces, recording a YouTube for ya’ll, and preparing for the upcoming Red Rose & Sacred Rage online dieta groups (shout out to the July group selling out. Ya’ll HONOR me!! August is now open). It is a huge topic and I am not the first to give it the grace it is due. Many of us have been taught to fear our anger, have learned to suppress it, judge it, spiritualize it away, or express it in ways that cause harm. Yet beneath rage often lives something sacred: a fierce life force that protects boundaries, reveals truth, and refuses to accept what is unjust or out of alignment.
Sacred rage is not the same as uncontrolled anger or an abuse of power, rather it is the deep intelligence that arises when something within us knows that a line has been crossed, a wound needs attention, or a truth can no longer remain hidden. When we work with and honor rage as sacred, transforming it from something feared into a powerful ally for healing, authenticity, and growth, we create ripples of change.
The Witch Wound, The Maiden Archetype & Patriarchy
The leading title is one perspective I have not heard enough conversation about, which I will address here. This is a tricky topic as it is interwoven with gender, power dynamics, race, and culture. In my current Pink Rose & The Maiden Archetype online dieta group, we have been tugging at the edges of the Witch Wound and how it is intertwined with the Maiden, especially around women not backing each other up, being cast out of groups for calling out bad behavior, and the spiritual leaders (usually men) who encourage this division. The Maiden is revered in modern day societies, yet only in a very limited capacity that is specific to the male gaze. This can be seen as what types of clothes we wear, body augmentations to keep one young looking, how feminine we appear, or in more extreme forms as genital mutilation and child brides.
We see the Maiden versus the Witch in various myths and stories, positioning women against each other to maintain favor in male-centered societies. Youth and beauty versus age and wisdom (never both), teach women to fear each other, creating more division between us, and causing a wound that is passed on between the generations. In spiritual communities we see this played out by women vying for the attention of men in power, shamans or gurus, through inappropriate sexual clothing or actions surrounding ceremonies, speaking poorly about the other women to gain favor, ostracizing women when they are too outspoken, or dismissing observations due to jealousy or ageism.
I have two very dear sisters who have called out bad behavior in Tantra and Plant Medicine communities, only to be badmouthed by the men and women of those groups. Calling them “crazy”, or saying “that is your projection, or trauma”, distancing themselves from the outspoken badasses these women are. Let’s be honest that it is primarily men holding the leadership positions, sometimes with a woman by their side to validate the point that it’s not the patriarchy taking hold, see women agree with them. However, this is exactly what the Witch Wound stands for.
Patriarchy affects everyone with its power over, top down approach of maintaining order. It has always been a word you cannot use or become shunned from the conversation for being too radical. It is the basis of the Witch Wound, which ALL women hold regardless if they associate with the word WITCH or not. Patriarchy teaches women to lean into men for validation, and punish other women for daring to live outside of the small, silencing box patriarchy keeps us in. Women who align with patriarchy are taught they are safe, they have authority, and they have power, but the truth is that it is shreds of all the above, only through the filter handed down to them, and only while they are doing what they are told. This is not true power or empowered living.
When women tear each other down, compare themselves, steal material from the other, pass it off as their own, harass, or dismiss a warning about bad behavior, they are contributing to the Witch Wound and patriarchy. When we don’t take a stand due to wishy-washy, love and light, everyone is welcome to share philosophy, we invite in harm to people who are just figuring things out, or how to heal trauma. I get that everyone has trauma and it is a billion dollar business these days with different ways to heal; but the thing about trauma is that it has an insidious side mixed in the colors of microaggressions and patriarchy which makes it hard to reveal. When you do, the first thing that comes up in spiritual communities is to gaslight your feelings, turning it around to your trauma, or to use trauma as a shield not to take responsibility for their actions. You don’t really see or experience what you do, that is your past, or your projection, or your trigger. Even in Spiritual communities there is a toe-the-line-or-you-are out feel to it, where you would think open conversation was available.
This type of guru switch-backing is so deeply damaging, causing, usually women but not always, to second guess their intuition and feeling body, creating deeper wells of emotions that may erupt later in anger. It also creates people who use trauma as a weapon to minimize their behavior, harm others, and create sticky situations. When truthful communication is traded for validation, we loose sight of integrity. Constantly being told to “trust the process”, “trust the medicine”, “trust the shaman” over your own lived experience and intuitive know-how can erode at your self-confidence or cause you to be kicked out for questioning the collective. On the other hand, using trauma as an excuse not to look at your own behavior patterns ultimately reinforces the shadow of the Maiden Archetype.
Ageism, The Hag & The Wise Woman
Now let’s add in some good old fashioned ageism into the mix. As an older woman, who is perceived as an Elder (sometimes) given my years experience, I have two types of interactions that take place. 1) Full respect and openness to my observations, without me leading them to a decision, just giving them information. 2) Anger, mistrust, and distancing themselves from me, the out-of-touch-older-woman with a bone to pick. Truth be told, I am a firm defender of women, children, and animals, however, I don’t hate men just because I see many of them engaging in poor behavior, especially in the climate of rape school websites and the Epstein Files. I understand that they are harmed by the system as well, yet it takes a lot for them to give up their privilege.
It also takes a lot of courage to go against the grain and speak out about rape, misuse of power, molestation, gaslighting, and feeling unsafe in communities that are supposed to be about expanded consciousness, or in the world in general. I applaud anyone who has the ovaries to do it. Now that being said, I do not agree with using witch hunt mentalities or tactics to discredit men in order to teach them a lesson. There was a man in the community who was known to take advantage of women during and after ceremonies. Plant Medicines can feel amazing and blur many lines, leading to some sticky situations. When you are serving medicine it is paramount that you hold strong boundaries, however, the power that can come from this position can go to one’s head.
These women were showing up in my clinic room or sharing over tea about the confusing and sometimes out right misuse of power. I decided to speak to him not because I wanted to shame him or prove a point, or swing my own position around, but because I was deeply concerned about what was happening and wanted to hear his story. Sadly, the man admitted he was nervous to speak with me but was glad I reached out and thanked me for motivating him. It was from this that he choose to do some cleaning up of his behavior and get right with Spirit. While this is a great move, the issue I had with all of this is that he never apologized or made amends with the women he hurt. Thanking me was completely unnecessary and missing the point.
As women age there is a strange period of time where we are not quite crones or wise women, but we are no longer fertile mamas. I call this the Wild Woman Phase because we are quite literally re-wilding ourselves, going feral with anger, new passions, raging hormones, and a no F*s to give mentality. We can see the BS around us but it can cause others to back away at the intensity of the wrath. This is why working with Sacred Rage is so important.
Women, Rose Medicine, & Sacred Rage
Women are taught at a very early age that anger is unfeminine, low-vibe, covering up for something else, and downright the least spiritual and un-sexy expression you can ever have. Don’t be a Karen or loud or crazy or anything that has you speaking up above a pleasing whisper. The patriarchy wants us silent, divided, small, and controllable for their needs. And yet as the Chinese proverb goes, “When women awaken, mountains move.”
Rose Medicine is not just about the soft, sexy petals, but about the stems and thorns lending strength, discernment, boundaries, and the quality of “yes” or “no” in our lives. We are the power we need to see in the world right now, which is why Rose, and the Goddess, and witches, and priestesses are so popular. Our rage IS sacred because it points to NO. Not in a violent way (well sometimes), but in a I’m not going to take this anymore 80s hair band kinda way. So, am I shocked the Red Rose sold out? No. Honored and humbled, but not shocked. I am see the path ahead of me and welcome in the power that is guiding me, holding me, protecting me, and humbling me. THIS is why I walk a Plant focused Path. The teachings are profound and alive if you are willing to show up with humility, grace, and guardianship. Healing the Witch Wound within and in community requires honesty and bravery. I for one am here for this. Hiyaya!
Venus Rose Sacred Geometry
MY OFFERINGS TO YOU
Venus Alignment Chart I am offering a 1:1 look at your placement, your moon phase (and add-in for this special offer), supportive herbs, supplements, and nutrition, with practices to deepen your connection to your Venus sign. You will also learn whether you are a Venus Morning Star, Evening Star, or Underworld. And for solstice season it is only $88 USD (ending July 21st)!! Whaaaaaa???!!! I am seriously passionate about this placement and women up-leveling their lives. It’s about time for a serious shift. Click on the link for more information and scheduling.
I am dedicated to offering Rose Medicine to you in various ways - privately, in groups, and on retreats. I will be offering her medicine in YouTube Videos, Podcasts, and through my newsletters, so stay tuned! At this moment in time You have a few opportunities to meet this Queen:
Red Rose & Sacred Rage, Embracing your Wild Woman - Full Moon Aug 29th - Five Weeks, and a 10-day Red Rose Traditional Shamanic dieta or essence style (your choice), with womb practices and more. Space is limited. Early Bird Price open Now.
White Rose & the Wise Woman - Full Moon November 24 - December 22. Five Weeks, 10-day shamanic style dieta, practices included. Information will be up soon, but please reach out if you would like to join.
Wild Pink Rose & Huachuma Retreat in Oaxaca, Mexico,
These opportunities are group-related, while the personal journeys are listed under the Rose Medicine page. I enjoy groups because they directly break down the Witch, Mother, and Sister Wounds present in all of us. Being vulnerable with a group is scary but provides healing through collective sharing. Please reach out with any questions or watch the Free Masterclass HERE.
Journey to the Underworld - an 8 week journey with Plants, Venus, and Goddesses to support perimenopause and menopause. Coming soon this autumn when Venus begins to descend. Reach out for more information.
Until then, Stay Wild!
July 7th, 2026 - Cusco, Peru
