The Baptism

If the morning of Day 5 was amazing (it was), the afternoon took things to a whole new level.

It was time to visit the White Spring. The day before, we’d visited the Chalice Well, a.k.a. the Red Spring, consecrating our chrism and activating our inner chalice.

This trip to the White Spring would not only help to integrate the masculine and feminine energies within us, it was our chance to create a vow to ourselves on what we wanted to do and be moving forward.

I was excited but also dreading it! Having visited pre-retreat, I knew that it was cool and damp inside and that the water of the deep basin was clap cold. 🥶

One of our mentors encouraged me: “When you’re receiving the transmission, you won’t even notice it.”

Hmmmm…

So we arrive at the spring, and after divine intervention gets us inside (story for another time), I’m feeling quite nervous for my dip in the pool.

But then the baptisms begin. I cheer my sisters on as one by one they step into the pool, receive the chalice from one of our co-leaders, make a vow (or several) for all to hear, and then dips the cup into the cold water and baptizes herself. Some drop fully underwater.

It’s magnificent.

I hang back but eventually I feel it’s time. I cling to the arm of another sister who’s as worried as I am (you know who you are—thank you!) We move into the line and before I can blink it’s my turn.

Another sister helps me into the pool so that I don’t fall. I reach for the chalice and start speaking. At first I’m calm but by the end I’m nearly yelling with the power of the activation.

And sure enough, I don’t feel a thing. I get out of the pool feeling like I’m lit from within. 🔥

Then we’re anointed with our chrism by the other co-leader and I make a different vow, a quiet one that’s for our ears only.

It was the most transcendent day of my life.

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