Picture this – three women from wildly different backgrounds — a 70-year old, beet-pickling auntie from Port Elgin; a first‐generation immigrant who’s navigating two languages; and a 20‑something university grad struggling with paying rent and her student loan.

As they share their experiences over tea you see the heaviness shifting. Suddenly there’s 50 percent more eye contact, and 100% relaxed shoulders. A few tears fall and the tissues are passed around. Some reassuring hand squeezes and nods of recognition. Someone almost pees their pants laughing. The body language is that of old friends. Shields are down and the empathy here has created a safe space in-between the rhetoric that keeps us apart these days more than ever.

The Magical Power of Storytelling

It’s the magical power of story-telling, and it can soften the most jaded of hearts, and flip our perspectives and our place in the world. It pulls us closer together.

It’s the reason we’re bringing the incredible workshop ‘Unedited Woman’ created by artist Osa Natalie Fraser, to Community Outwitch in the form of a two-day workshop and performance, October 17th and 18th. We crave those safe, in-between spaces.

The science on storytelling is clear — it makes us healthier and happier.

A recent study published in the National Library of Medicine highlighted the findings from a 26-week intervention for Indigenous women here in Ontario. After receiving intergenerational teachings in self-regulatory techniques, ceremony and somatic breath work, the women had visibly reduced effects from PTSD, stress and depression.

Likewise in the LGBTQ2IA community scientific evidence is suggesting that mental and physical health outcomes for both youth and elders improve significantly when they have access to intergenerational stories.

Researchers from the University of Illinois, Western Washington and Emory Universities say these stories serve as a developmental resource for resistance and resilience.

Can our stories heal us? Can they create a bridge back to sanity, or a least to a world where we listen to each other’s experiences to understand them instead of judging?
And so it is.
by Lisa Brooke
(Witch, Human Design reader, audio book director, improv Teacher)

OFFERINGS:
(you don’t need to be a Witch or have experience in anything)

The Unedited Woman Workshop:
FRI/SAT Oct 17/18th
“We are the Authors of our own lives”
OsaNatalieFraser (teacher and Crone at Witch School Canada, creator and teacher for Unedited Woman) with
Shoshana Sperling (from Community outWitch)
Come find your voice and a like minded community
Share your raw and unedited version of unique you
Speak your truth courageously in a safe space
A day for community, creativity, courage, and calm.
Friday 6:30-9:30, Saturday 10-5, 7pm Dinner/set up/receive guests
$200 (sale price in effect! check the site!)

Sunday, October 19th Own Your Edges: Somatic & Expressive Arts Boundaries Intensive
Learn what boundaries are (and aren’t), Develop relational and interpersonal skills, map your nervous system, uncover the reasons for boundary confusion, discover your authentic “yes” and “no”, practice letting in the good, discover healthy boundaries after trauma or adverse events. 
Led by Sarah Berneche- a nutritionist, Certified Intuitive Eating Counsellor and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Kiki Kennedy- a dance theatre artist, doula and ceramicist and Shoshana Sperling a healing healer who teaches shape-shifting, choir and is a community builder. We are expressive arts student therapists at The Create Institute under the supervision of a Registered Psychotherapist (RP).
10am-3pm
$125

SUNDAYS The Witches Peace Choir
Emily Shelton, Lisa Brooke and Shoshana Sperling lead us in moving our voices through our bodies and releasing tension as we connect in community. We will learn some songs, move our bodies and laugh a lot. No singing experience needed.
12 noon $10

SUN Oct 19th RIPEN monthly Radical Conversations to explore our Sensual, Intimate and Sexual Selves
For femme/non binary folk about sex and sexuality, desire, bodies, pleasure, adventure and relationships. Led by Gretel Meyer Odell, a sex educator/sexuality expert, who will facilitate and provide current education and resources as well as sharing practical and personal experiences. There will be laughter and fun as we challenge (or banish) the shame and stigma that has been holding us back and get curious about what could be.
3-6pm

SUN Oct 26 Fem Power Beats :: Women’s Drumming Circle 
Explore rhythms and free-flowing drum beats and have FUN!
Drumming circles introduce a rhythmic flow to empowerment, a pure emotional release for many, and a sense of belonging for all. The freedom to create different beats, tones and rhythms is a powerful feeling that is extra special when shared with a group of women. $15 
7pm-8:30

SUN Nov 5th  Full Moon Vocal Sound Bath
For centuries women’s bodies have been aligning with the moon and marking this connection with ritual. We gather in circles under the moon to share our journeys, joys and grief and to shed what is no longer serving us. It’s just like coming home. You belong here. Sharing circle, Guided Meditation, Intuitive harmonies musical sound bath. $35
7pm-9:30pm

SAT NOV 8 Reclaiming Your Weird 
We are shamed into being ‘normal’ but no one is normal! We all have our own brand of weird! This workshop is about helping you reclaim the essential aspects of who you are, enabling clearer decision-making, boosting confidence, and aligning your life with your true values. 
Led by Yemina Kaiman (strategy director, Teacher, branding Queen)
2pm-4pm 
$54.24

All events take place at 25 O’Hara Ave and open to all!! If you are femme, woman-identifying & non-binary you are safer here. Sliding scale avail.
Much love, magic and strength. You belong.
Blessed Be!

Love, Shoshana
Executive Witch of Community OutWitch