“Wildlife and the Wild Woman are both endangered species.”
— Clarissa Pinkola Estés
In these (fascist) times, I’m craving connection with wolfish women. I’ve dipped in and out of *Women Who Run with the Wolves for years, but I want to fully dive in. Plunge into every single page. Giving space and breath and sky to the full breadth and depth of it.
*If you don't know Women Who Run w/the Wolves (WWRW), it's part reclaimed folklore, part expanded Jungian psychology, part love letter to/from the untamed feminine. It came out in 1992, and I think of it as a bible for women who are she-god hungry.
So, I asked some close friends: If I facilitated a weekly WWRW reading group (similar in shape to bible study) with short (15m/under 10pg) readings, along with prompts & discussion, would you be interested?
They said “YES” so quickly it made me wonder: Are there more of you out there?
Over a decade ago, I took a workshop with Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, the author of Women Who Run with the Wolves. I remember her saying, “I wrote the book in fragments, not only out of necessity (as a mother of young children), but because I wanted people to be able to READ the book in fragments. I wanted readers to be able open it to any page—any paragraph!—and pull meaning from it.”
I created “The Howl” reading group so that we can do this pulling together. Singing over the bones. Resurrecting what might rise, in all her shapes and forms. If that feels like your kind of circle, welcome.
Full disclosure:
This is my first time reading the book from front to back. It’s part research for a book project. I’d like to finish WWRW within a year, and I wanted accountability and community. Which is why I’m here, and opening the invitation. It might take us a year to get through the book, but I’m OK with that. As Bayo Akomolafe says, “the times are urgent; let us slow down.”
How it works:
Every week, I’ll recommend a small excerpt for reading—about 10 pages or 15 minutes—paired with a quote from the reading I underlined that week, and a paragraph (brief and honest) of why I underlined it.
Then, the circle is open to others to post. Paid subscribers can access and comment on the weekly readings with the same simple prompt:
What did you underline, and why?
*No live meetings; too chaotic. Comments allow for active listening and attentive reflection—on each reader’s own timeline. That said, small groups are welcome to use this same schedule to host their own more intimate gatherings. So, share the group with a couple of friends?
The subsequent week’s post will include a snapshot of the past week’s comments. (Unless it’s dead quiet, which is possible. But that’s a risk I’m fine with. I love vulnerability. And being alone. At the very least, I’ll have a diary of my notes on this book? :) Anyway, I do believe in trying things. They might fail. They might also be sung to life?
To be clear: There’s no falling behind on the readings. No right answers. No pressure to participate. Just drop in as you wish. That’s the beauty of living, reading, and reflecting in fragments.
I am pretty good at facilitating and following through, but I do prefer good company. So please join me?
Howling, after all, is a pack activity.
A Sample (First) Month Reading Schedule:
Bite-Sized Excerpts (<10 pages / 15-min reading)
Week 1 · pp. 1-10 · Singing Over the Bones, Part 1
Week 2 · pp. 11-20 · Singing Over the Bones, Part 2
Week 3 · pp. 21-27 · La Loba, The Wolf Woman
Week 4 · pp. 28-34 · The Four Rabbinim
Again, your only homework is to read the <10 pages, underline something, and show up in the comments (if you can & want).
Who this is for:
The weekly reading guide is free and open to everyone. The comments are for those who identify as women — not because the book demands it, but because the emotional safety of this circle, and the conversations held within, do.
The pacing of the book is, with great intention, slow and deep. If you’re craving vulnerable conversation and a community of wolfish women who aren’t afraid to shiver in the material with you, you’re in the right place.
As mentioned, small groups using the same structure, but convening independently (within the larger community), are encouraged. So feel free to invite a friend!
Holding the Space:
I’m Christina Rivera, an author, guide, and experiential educator with 16+ years of experience facilitating group dynamics both off and online. The nominal monthly subscription supports my time facilitating the group and moderating the comments. (If the subscription cost is out of reach, please let me know. I have room for some complimentary memberships for those who need them.) Please note that anyone who makes the community feel unsafe will be removed without debate. (Full Community Guidelines)
Founding membership:
Founding rate: $7/month or $70/year. Closes at 50 members.
After that, the regular rate is $9/month or $90/year.
(*For a short window of time, I’m gifting a limited number of subscriptions to people committed to posting reflections and helping build community in the comments. If that feels like your jam, DM me!)
We begin reading together once we reach 25 subscribers. Hoping to start in May.
Excited to sing the bones alive together.
Sincerely,
Christina
Author of MY OCEANS: Essays of Water, Whales, & Women
