Welcome to the Hearth

Welcome to the Hearth

Thursday, October 18, 2007

The Hearth


A metaphor central to the work of women is the hearth, which has long been the gathering place of people around the world. It is a place of nurturing, healing, community, sanctuary and warmth. The sacred stories that connected people with the Divine Mystery called God, Sophia, Holy Wisdom, Creator,Great Spirit and many other names were told around the hearth. The hearth was and is a power place for women. Hearthtalks is a gathering place for women who are drawn here to rest, be inspired, give support, and nurture to one another.


Recent studies on women have shown that they are less likely to deal with stress in a flight or fright response, but are more likely to get together with a group of women friends. "When the hormone oxytocin is released as part of the stress responses in a woman, it buffers the "fight or flight" response and
encourages her to tend children and gather with other women instead. When she actually engages in this tending or befriending, studies suggest that more oxytocin is released, which further counters stress and produces a calming effect," explains Laura Cousino Klein, Ph.D., now an Assistant Professor of Bio behavioral Health at Penn State University.


The purpose of this blog, then, is to have a gathering of women at our virtual hearth, where we can talk together. I am not an expert at blogs. I know others of you who will stop by will have many suggestions and comments. You will have blogs of your own that we will all want to visit. If this is a helpful experience, it will have a life of its own. Hearthtalks takes its name from a very successful program that the organization, Sophia Center, I helped create and continue to nurture used to have regularly in real time around the table at our Center. Since we don't have the space for such a gathering at our present location, maybe a virtual gathering will work, too. Many women got their power back around that table by soaking up the inspiration, words of wisdom and much much more from other women which whom they shared. Are you ready to talk? There is more to come.....

7 comments:

The Dream said...

I'm in!
I couldn't help but think of "The Red Tent" when reading this post.

storyteller said...

What a marvelous idea! I'm so glad I found the link to your site on Carla's site this morning and will check back often. I've just started two Blogs of my own with similar thoughts in mind and am thrilled to join with other women in this way. Count me in for sure.

Cathy said...

Kathryn, Here you go again creating sacred spaces for all of us - way to go. Happy Halloween.

redbarn said...

I love the image and invitation of your title "Hearthtalks" and I have already appreciated your words and intent. Thank you for creating this sacred space! Blessings!

Miss Robyn said...

I'm in.. so glad I followed the link from Zena's musing..I am in the process of starting a sacred circle for women in my area... I am not a facilitator, nor a counsellor, I just want to gather women together where we can share our journeys

RubyShooZ said...

Hello new friend, welcome to blogland. I'm glad to have found you and hope that you find this endeavor brings you happiness and peace along your journey in your life.

I wish you peace, love and understanding, today and all days.

~ RubyShooZ ~

Annie Jeffries said...

Very happy to have found your link. I see a familiar name or two here already. I'll continue reading up your blog now to see what has transpired since you started. Blessings, Annie