De Natuurlijke Tijd

CONTINUATION OF INITIATION WEEK MOTHER & SON

 

After the first Mother & Son Initiation that I did in 2014, I understood why in the initiation tradition mothers could not be present at the initiation of their sons.

 

Since in our contemporary culture many single mothers still feel the call of nature and need male support for raising their son, I am working with new insights.We tinkered with the concept of the Father & Son initiation week and came up with an adapted program in which the mother has her place.

 

The Mother & Son initiation week has a number of elements in common with the Father & Son initiation week (see above), such as the adventurous forest trip to the Wolf Valley in which I talk about (edible) plants and prepare the son for the overnight stay at the end of their initiation. Up to the age of 18 I will optionally come along. Mother ritually lets go and by definition does not go along. 

​

Another difference is in the conversations. There are a few moments in conversation where it is inappropriate to be open with mother's listening ear. The so-called "Men-among-each-other conversations". In addition, there are topics of discussion where it is important to hear the opinion of a woman/mother. Indi Hondema, herself the mother of an adolescent son, goes into depth with the mother to loosen the archetypal role of mother and to give more space to the woman within.

 

As already written, the ritual at the Mother & Son honorary fire is of a completely different order than the ritual at a Father & Son initiation.

 

Costs for 5 days during school holidays: €250 p/p. all in.  

Costs for 5 days outside school holidays: €200 p/p. all in.