Dear One,
When do you feel the most naked? Perhaps when you have expressed something to another and you fear how it will be received. Perhaps when you’ve created something dear to your heart and you let others see it. Perhaps when you’ve let go of a familiar life/path/identity and you are deep in the discomfort of not knowing what comes next.
These are all vulnerable states we find ourselves in when we put ourselves out there with no guarantee of what comes next after we’ve taken a leap of the heart.
If you’ve followed me for some time, you might know that I’ve photographed many solitary self-portraits of myself naked in nature over the years. As the journey of life has continued, I can look back and attest that the moments that have felt most naked for me have not been when literally naked or even when sharing images of myself naked with the world, but the times when I have taken a risk and spoken/embodied my truth in a way that was seen, both on the personal and public levels.
Each time I prepare for Descent Into Truth, behind the scenes I am always undergoing my own initiations that serve to strengthen my capacity to hold the container, in all kinds of ways! Unexpectedly, in the last week I was guided (by the goddess Inanna herself) to stretch myself in how I am seen with this work by making daily videos to post online that are unscripted, quick, and imperfect in very short timeframes, all while sweating in a cave that’s over 100 F. This is a simple recipe for major discomfort probably for most people.
And so it has become my new uncomfortable ritual this past week to trek out to my desert cave to record these transmissions after sunset. Very little light is left in the sky by the time I make it there and climb up into the cave, and so the time I have for making the videos is super brief. Also, I have never made videos talking about my work aside from a handful of YouTube videos scattered over the years.
Given the parameters, each time I’ve made that walk this week there is a sense of fear of the task at hand as I get closer to the cave. Not of the coming darkness, rather I find myself doubting my ability to produce anything that is worthy of sharing. Wow. How revealing. Can you relate?
From the whole process of recording alone to then sharing with the public each day, a kind of posting that is very uncomfortable and vulnerable for me, Inanna’s initiation for me makes me feel naked as I take new steps into unknown territory. The richness of this experience triggers so many subtle thoughts and feelings to look at with curiosity and compassion that would otherwise stay hidden in the shadows.
Where do these thoughts originate from?
What deeper places are they pointing to within myself?
What is behind this thought that is asking for my attention and my love?
This is the brave work we do in the sacred Descent. As we journey through the the gates of the Underworld, we are stripped of all that is false, leaving us naked and vulnerable, with nothing to hide behind anymore.
Here is where we can access what is True, rebirthing ourselves anew.
I invite you to harness the power of Venus Retrograde by diving with me into the Great Below. Descent Into Truth is a unique and powerful way to ritually work with this important transit, and to embrace the transformative gifts that the Underworld brings.
A beautiful circle of initiates is growing, and the readiness everyone is feeling for this rich inner journey with Venus guiding the way is so inspiring!
Will you be joining us for this sacred descent this summer (or winter for those in the southern hemisphere)?
* REGISTRATION CLOSES 7/21 *
Descent Into Truth is open to anyone who is ready to take their life journey to the next levels through dedicated, courageous self-work. Open to all genders, all beliefs, all levels of experience with daily practice.
Please feel welcome to reply back with your questions, and please share this invitation with anyone you feel might resonate with this rich inner journey.
I hope you will join me in this transformative, sacred descent. May it serve to awaken the power of Love within you in remembering the truth of your divinity.
With Love,
Angela
PS Find the Cave Transmissions on Instagram @AngeladelaAgua :)