What if menopause, as much as a biological transition in the life of adult women, is also a psycho-spiritual initiation, an opening into the inner planes of the psyche. What if menopause, the blackening, or the dark night of the soul is in fact the beginning of the alchemical work, (your personal alchemical work), and that it has the potential to midwife the woman you were always meant to be.

I propose the idea that menopause, beyond a biological threshold in the life of women, is an alchemical initiation. From this perspective, menopause, when engaged with symbolically and creatively as well as psychologically and physically offers layers of rich exploration into your inner world at this transformative time.

If this resonates with you, and you feel drawn to working more with this material, I am offering an 8-part series of workshops where we incorporate mythology, astrology, archetypes, creative practice, shamanic journeying, journalling, dream work, Nature connection and breath work.

The first section, the Negredo is a deep dive into what the alchemists refer to as the “blackening”, a necessary, though often uncomfortable stage at the beginning of the “Great Work”. The great work need not be anything grand, it is the bringing forth of your unique essence into the world, and the creating a life that you call your own.

In the Negredo phase the shadow comes calling, and the need to integrate shadow aspects becomes increasingly apparent- this can be challenging to varying degrees. If when reflecting on the life you have lived so far, you feel remorse, regret, shame, pain, or an inability to accept or admit certain things, leaning into the discomfort and accepting that our lives have unfolded in the way that they have- warts and all- for a reason is the beginning of self-acceptance. From there, we might begin to nurture reverence and gratitude for all that we have lived, even the most difficult of circumstances.

The centaur Chiron, known as the wounded healer, is at this time of a woman’s journey also helping to facilitate a deep soul healing.