Join Sharon Arnold and Vanessa Ainslie during this 4 part series on ancestral reconnection, veneration practice, decolonizing, and unsettling settler colonialism. In this class we will explore how we’ve become severed from our lineages, how to acknowledge and hold space for who our ancestors were, how the trauma of loss shows up in the body, and how to reconnect to our ancestors through introductions, good practices, and restorative relationships.

This class is held by white and white passing facilitators, but as we create space for resiliency and the breadth and complexity of lived experiences and lineages, all are welcome to join us in this restorative work.

In this class we’ll cover the following:

• The difference between DNA vs culture
• Who our ancestors were before & after colonialism
• Pain of assimilation and loss of traditions and language
• How white supremacy adversely impacts us all 
• How we hold this in our body
• Building resiliency through compassionate self-examination and self-care practices 
• How to be in good relationships with compassionate ancestors
• Accountability and restorative actions

Each 2 hour class will include a short grounding exercise, lecture and experiential components to help integrate the material viscerally. During our 4th and final class, we will offer an introduction to the ancestors ritual.

This class is held within a loving container of resilience, sovereignty, body positivity, compassion and inclusivity. All are welcome.

If you feel called please bring a small biodegradable offering (flowers, herbs, chocolate, etc) for our community altar (more about that here https://www.madronahouseapothecary.com/community.html).

Floor cushions and chairs are provided. Please come hydrated and dress comfortably. You are welcome to bring anything you might need to feel comfortable during our time together.

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Cost: Sliding Scale: $80-$160

We believe this work is important and should be accessible to all. Sliding scale is available with priority given, in order, to BIPOC, those who have limited ability/disabilities, those who are chronically ill and/or those who are living at or below the poverty line.

Payment arrangements can be made. Please reach out to [email protected] 

One sponsored spot is open for individuals who identify as BIPOC.

Class size: 12-14

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About your hosts:

Sharon Arnold (she/they)
Sharon (she/they) Sharon is a queer independent scholar, writer, and educator working in arts, activism, politics, and cultural histories. Their areas of interest are in philosophy, divination, journeying, ritual, and connection to a meaningful ancestral practice in reciprocity and relationship with the land. They approach this work through the examination of capitalist systems, community ecosystems, unsettling settler colonialism, and solidarity networks to support new paths forward. Descended from multiple Northern European-American lineages, they identify themselves as a person working within syncretic folk traditions, primarily rooted in the study of Irish and American traditions and folklore. In addition to teaching at Madrona House, they teach ethics and practices of exhibition-making in the art department at Cornish College of the Arts.

Vanessa Ainslie (she/her), LMT, CLC, CST, AWC
Vanessa is a healing arts practitioner and educator offering 13 years of experience working through a trauma informed lens. She offers somatic bodywork, personal ritual, energetic + spiritual healing and co-teaches a yearly training program for practitioners. This soul tending work focuses on exploring early wounding as a means of re-mything limiting self beliefs to establish good boundaries, energetic hygiene and sovereignty.

While Vanessa is a descendant of many mixed lineages including Sephardi and Askenazi Jew of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Baltic regions, she is also a 4th generation immigrant from Greece. Her practice is rooted in exploring and reclaiming the ancient lore + traditions of her Greek heritage in right relationship to the Spirits of this land and its Ancestors.

Founder of Madrona House Apothecary, Vanessa strives to collaborate an intentional, accessible, and inclusive space for healing and education, prioritizing the need for both self-care and community-care as tools for a resilient, liberated, well and bright community.

This class will be held at Madrona House Apothecary + Healing Arts

1423 34th ave unit c seattle wa 98122

Look for the red cow restaurant and take the concrete stairs to the immediate left. Come up the wood porch to the right and through glass door that says Unit C! Street parking is abundant in the neighborhood.

Accessibility Info:

We have an up sloping driveway with 5 concrete stairs that lead to a wood porch with 3 more stairs.

Due to the nature of being an Apothecary we are not a scent free environment. We do, however, strive to keep our space free of any synthetic fragrances and APPRECIATE YOUR ABSTAINING FROM WEARING ANY SCENTED BODY PRODUCTS.

*Please note:

Due to the increasing demand for our events registrations are non-refundable and are non-transferable to another event.

Studio doors lock promptly at the start of all events to protect the privacy + belongings of students, as well as to promote sanctity of space once an event has started.