RISE SISTER RISE: Q&A WITH REBECCA CAMPBELL

Whatever Donald Trump—the Divine Feminine is RISING! Ruby Warrington talks to Rebecca Campbell about her new book Rise Sister Rise, and hears why it’s time for the Wild Woman to be heard…

rise sister rise rebecca campbell Q&A on The Numinous

RUBY WARRINGTON: Your background is in advertising—what are the secret cues in advertising messages that have blocked the rise of the Divine Feminine?
REBECCA CAMPBELL: Wow, this is a BIG question. Generally speaking though, patriarchal society (which is exaggerated in advertising and the media) has tried to contain women to fit into a limited number of socially acceptable archetypes: the Maiden and the Mother.

There has been very little representation of the Wise Woman—the woman who is not afraid to share her voice, who cannot be contained, or restrained of the Crone, who becomes wiser and more potent with her years.

Advertising is also based on making the product a hero—which means exaggerating a problem it is designed to “solve” (often perpetuating fears). For example, when talking about periods, it’s about being discreet. When talking about aging, it’s about halting this natural process. So you can see how we’ve been taught that embracing the cyclic nature of being a woman is “a problem.”

RW: Was there an “aha” moment for you in terms of focusing on this work with your new book?
RC: I was very much in my feminine when writing my first book, but I soon realized I had no idea how to run my business from the this place. A career girl who learned to make it in man’s world, I reverted to the old patriarchal ways of being the hard worker, the warrior, the good girl. Of using pressure not pleasure as my driving force. Of putting my service to others above service to myself.

My client sessions were booking out six months in advance, and I kept promising myself that I would tend to filling my well when things quieted down. But days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. I became increasingly aware that it was not possible to bloom all year round and that there had to be a different way.

Then I had a dream that was just so real, I woke myself up mid sob. In the dream I had a baby—and everyone was in awe of her because she never ever cried. But because she didn’t cry, a whole week passed without her being fed. Guilt-stricken, I scooped her up and brought her to my breast. As I looked down at her face I saw myself, my mother, and all the women in my family.

I then checked my phone and discovered a text from my dad to call home because mum had breast cancer. Later, I looked up the metaphysical meaning of her illness, and discovered that it can be to do with a refusal to allow ourselves to receive and be nourished.

I saw how even though I had left the corporate world, I was still operating this way too. So I cleared my diary for a week and went to the Chalice Well Gardens in Glastonbury—to fill up my inner well at the mother of all wells. It was here that I heard the first whispers of Rise Sister Rise.

rise sister rise rebecca campbell Q&A on The Numinous

RW: Who and what have been key figures and teachings for you in terms of awakening the Divine Feminine in you?
RC: There are so many! Maya Angelou, The Magdalenes, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Christiane Northrup, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Marion Woodman, Sally Kempton, Starhawk, Gurumayi Chidvilasnanda, Alexandra Pope, Monica Sjöö and Barbara Mor.

RW: You talk about the importance of healing our relationships with our mothers—why is this? And what has been your own experience of this?
RC: We receive a blueprint of what it means to be a woman from our mothers, and often the relationship we have with her will be mirrored in how we see the world. How held we believe we are by Life. How to give and receive love, nourishment and support.

When we heal our relationship with our mother, we have the opportunity to heal and connect ourselves to Mother Earth in the process. To let our own inner rhythm sync back into harmony with the rhythm of the planet and of all life. We are also able to give ourselves the mothering that we need, and are able to show up to life full rather than looking at the world and other people to fill us up.

RW: In what other ways do you bring your inner Wild Woman forth in your day-to-day life?
RC: First, by acknowledging my fears and feelings when they surface—no matter how inconvenient, uncomfortable, crazy or embarrassing (I’ve got an amazing whatsapp group of ladies where we hold the space for us to do so without judgment—there are A LOT of emoticons).

I then work on transmuting these feelings through creative expression (rather than pushing them down). This could be through dance (Sia is great for this) or some form of creation such as writing.

And finally, by really honoring the wild woman phase of my monthly cycle (PMS time). I have learned that if I push down what’s rising in me and what is falling away during this time, I will probably find a destructive way of keeping myself contained and restrained such as overeating or having a few too many glasses of wine.

rise sister rise rebecca campbell Q&A on The Numinous

RW: In what ways do you think the rise of the Divine Feminine is already creating a shift in society?
RC: I believe it is becoming safer than ever for her to be seen and heard. We can see her in Michelle Obama, and in shows such as Girls. We can see her at work as women rise together in collaboration rather than in competition. With every new woman who rises, by following her intuition, claiming her power, and sharing her voice, she makes it easier for another woman to follow her lead.

This era of history has been prophesized by the mystics and sages of all the ages, and I believe that social media and the rise of the female entrepreneur has had a lot to do with this coming to pass. It’s becoming easier for women to come together in circle, to collaborate, and to unite.

RW: And what do you think differentiates this movement from, say, the 1970s feminist movement?
RC: To me, the rising feminine is feminism of the soul. And as we recover from the past few thousand years (!) of patriarchy, I believe it is important not to seek its polar opposite—to move from patriarchy to matriarchy. Rather, it is time to bring the sacred masculine and sacred feminine energies back into balance. As the sacred feminine rises, may the sacred masculine rise along with Her.

RW: Looking 20 years into the future, what do you think the bigger impact of a feminine uprising could be?
RC: I believe if we all honor the cyclic nature of our bodies and of life, the planet will go back to a state of harmony. We see ourselves as separate from nature but that is just not true. We are part of nature but so many of us have disconnected ourselves from it—and in doing so, we have disconnected from both The Great Mother (Earth) and from ourselves.

The sooner we surrender to our own cyclic nature (for example: for women, our monthly cycles are connected to the waxing and waning of the moon), the sooner this planet will move back into balance. I do believe it is possible and I do believe that we are all being called to surrender to this calling before it is too late.

Rise Sister Rise: A Guide to Unleashing the Wise, Wild Woman Within is out now on Hay House. Rebecca Campbell will also be joining Numinous Founder Ruby Warrington and Madeline Giles of Angelic Breath Healing for a special event in NYC on 11/11 2016. Full details to be announced!

READ IT AND LEAP: 10 BOOKS FOR MODERN MYSTICS

Check out the books for modern mystics that get Emma Mildon‘s soul star seal of approval – and she’s got something for every type of soul searcher out there…

10 books for modern mystics
Image: Shutterstock

Wiccapedia: A Modern-Day White Witch’s Guide, by Shawn Robbins & Leanna Greenaway
For when you want to get your vodoo, love potion, good witch vibe on. Ideal for those summon-your-inner-witch-super-power-crisis moments. Now in a new, hipper, edgier format, Wiccapedia provides a fresh, innovative, and thoroughly up-to-date look at witchcraft—and gives readers a prescription for happiness. “Spiritual life coaches” and celebrity witches Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway unlock the secrets of the Wicca universe, explaining what it means to become a “simply fabulous” twenty-first century witch. Newfound witches—and even more experienced ones—will learn how to tap into magic, re-empower themselves, and realize their dreams through a little witchy know-how.

Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
For when you feel like stripping off and running wild and free through a nearby park. (Keeping in mind you could end up in handcuffs, and not in a hot Shades of Grey way.) Dr. Estés unfolds rich intercultural myths, fairy tales, and stories, many from her own family, in order to help women reconnect with the fierce, healthy, visionary attributes of this instinctual nature. Through the stories and commentaries in this remarkable book, we retrieve, examine, love, and understand the Wild Woman and hold her against our deep psyches as one who is both magic and medicine.

Moon Spells: How to Use the Phases of the Moon to Get What You Want, by Diane Ahlquist
For when you howl at the Full Moon, and tend to go a little cray cray during lunar cycles. Magickal practitioner Diane Ahlquist guides you on a journey to attuning your spirit with the moon. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can achieve in life when you synchronize your activities with the moon’s phases. With the proper use of candles, gemstones, and incense, spells can be conducted at exactly the right lunar moment to enhance the flow of power and make your wishes come true.

Anatomy of the Spirit: The Seven Stages of Power and Healing, by Caroline Myss
For when you need some energy and healing, or are feel depleted, disengaged, or disconnected. Caoline Myss , PH.D. is internationally acclaimed in the field of energy medicine. This book builds on wisdom from Hindu, Christian, and Kaballah traditions, and acts as a comprehensive guide to energy healing to help you to reveal the hidden stresses, beliefs, and attitudes that cause illness. Tap into the intuitive link behind your attitude and your illnesses.

The Crystal Bible, by Judy Hall
For when your religion is gemstones, crystals, and all things quartz. The Crystal Bible offers a comprehensive guide to crystals, their shapes, colors and applications. With informative descriptions and an easy-to-use format, it is an indispensable practical handbook for crystal lovers and users everywhere – both beginner and expert alike. For anyone drawn to crystal and gemstones, this will become your new go-to for all things quartz to amethyst.

Adventures for Your Soul: 21 Ways to Transform Your Habits and Reach Your Full Potential, by Shannon Kaiser
For an itchy root chakra that’s keen to embark on a spiritual adventure of some way, shape, or form. Sometimes the one thing you need to make a change is to see things from a fresh perspective. Discover twenty-one innovative emotional explorations to boldly confront the habits that are holding you back in this breakthrough guide that provides the tools you need to fearlessly embrace your innermost desires.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert
For when your creative talents are sitting dormant, suppressed, or bunked down by our fear or negative self-talk. From the author we all fell in love with thanks to Eat, Pray, Love (#soulsiter), now Elizabeth Gilbert brings us a personal and inspiring book that will help you both channel and create your soul’s purpose. A must read if your soul needs an injection of inspiration, motivation and a catalyst for action.

May Cause Miracles: A 40-Day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change and Unlimited Happiness, by Gabrielle Bernstein
For when you want need to kick start some radical spiritual shifts in your life and have hit a happiness road block. From the author behind the Spirit Junkie movement, Gabby’s interactive guidebook will help nourish and guide your soul towards a more spiritual and fulfilling life. Ditch fear, sign up for gratitude, let your life flow, and begin to learn how to welcome in miracles as you transform your life into a constant stream of appreciation, acceptance, and abundance. A life coach for your soul.

Wild Feminine: Finding Power, Spirit & Joy in the Female Body, by Tami Lynn Kent
For when you need some soul sister, goddess goodness, and fiery, feminine self love. Wild Feminine invites every woman to journey deep into the heart of her female body, to her root place, and the center of all womanhood. Through stories, visualizations, and creative exercises, the wisdom arising from the female body has been distilled as never before into this guide to nurturing, healing, and exploring the nature of the Divine Feminine.

Lastly, Emma’s own book is The Soul Searcher’s Handbook: A Modern Girl’s Guide to the New Age World.
For when you want a quick download on all things woo-woo and new age. A fun and informative read, this interactive handbook works as a go-to guide to help you decode your dreams, find out the meaning of your favourite crystals, count your numerology, learn your astrology, blend new aromatherapy mixes, explore different styles of yoga or meditation. A new age bible to living well – loaded with spiritual life hacks and practical tips.