Understanding the Ancient Future

The Ancient Future is a concept that acknowledges the interconnectedness of ancient wisdom and modern life. It encourages exploration of various spiritual traditions, emphasising the importance of understanding our roots to navigate contemporary challenges. The knowledge of our ancestors teaches us to focus on community, spirituality, and personal empowerment. This guidance helps us pursue a more harmonious existence while opening new paths for future generations. By integrating these ancient teachings, we advocate for a holistic approach to personal growth and societal healing, inviting us to reclaim our heritage and embrace a future informed by the wisdom of the past. The Ancient Future is not linear; rather, it represents a cyclical return to our roots. It harmonises intuition, knowledge, and compassion, allowing us to reclaim silenced narratives and acknowledge the feminine energy that has often been neglected in our fragmented modernity.

Core Values of the Ancient Future

1. Environmental Stewardship

• Nature Respect: Living harmoniously with the environment, recognising our interdependence.
• Eco-Consciousness: Prioritising planetary health through regenerative and sustainable practices.

2. Collaboration

• Community Focus: Transcending individual interests to work collectively for shared goals.
• Global Solidarity: Breaking down barriers and creating interconnected support systems.

3. Social Justice

• Systemic Equity: Dismantling oppressive structures and creating fair opportunities for all.
• Inclusive Dignity: Celebrating human diversity and ensuring fundamental rights for every individual.

4. Simplicity

• Intentional Living: Choosing quality over quantity, experiences over possessions.
• Mindful Consumption: Reducing waste and finding richness in meaningful connections.

5. Personal & Collective Growth

• Inner Awakening: Developing individual consciousness to contribute to collective evolution.
• Transformative Learning: Continuously expanding understanding and compassionate awareness.

6. Holistic Healing

• Holistic Restoration: Addressing personal, societal, and ecological wounds with compassion.
• Regenerative Practices: Creating spaces of renewal and transformative recovery.

A Personal Journey of Sovereignty

In 2020, I attended ‘Sovereign Sisters’, a transformative gathering uniting women and their allies to reclaim sovereignty over ourselves, our food systems and our economies. The vision was inspired by Standing Rock Elder Cheryl Angel’s observations of women in Mexico creating their own clothing and economic systems.

The gathering embraced diversity, welcoming women from various cultural backgrounds. More than 450 women worldwide participated in panels and talking circles. Together, we explored sovereignty—having supreme control over oneself without external governance. I contributed by facilitating workshops on menstrual cycles, offering an empowering perspective to those discovering this wisdom.

The Impact of Colonialism and Indigenous Wisdom

Elder’s Testimony

An 80-year-old South American Elder shared how her community initially welcomed European settlers. Discord emerged as newcomers demonstrated little understanding of nature’s rhythms, viewing the natural world as a resource to exploit rather than honour. Ancient forests became timber, beaver colonies became fur sources, and buffalo herds were seen solely as meat suppliers.

Traditional Community Life

The Elder described how her community’s spiritual practices—prayer, working with Nature, meditation, dance and song—were dismissed as mere madness. As colonialism, capitalism and scientific rationalism gained dominance, she witnessed the gradual deterioration of both her community and their ancestral lands. She spoke longingly of her youth, when life flowed with greater harmony and connection. The community worked collaboratively, caring for each other with solidarity. Each person held a vital role—whether as builders, warriors, farmers, craftspeople, healers or dancers—creating a rich tapestry of community life whilst maintaining a profound sense of gratitude.

Women’s Healing Powers and Traditional Roles

In Indigenous communities, women’s healing powers were deeply respected and understood to be rooted in their ability to nurture life. Rather than being labelled as ‘mad’ or mentally ill, women were free to express their spirituality without constraint or fear.

Gender Dynamics and Community Structure

• Men honoured women as the source of life
• Women led building projects and gathered materials
• Medicine Men and Women collected healing herbs
• Shared responsibilities in child-rearing
• Open expression of emotions by both genders
• Community-based conflict resolution

The Current State of the World

Today, we face a world marked by division and disempowerment. The need for women to rise and reclaim their voices has never been more urgent. The challenges we encounter such as social inequality, economic disparity, and cultural upheaval – demand the unique perspectives and strengths that women offer. Consequently, this movement is not just about individual empowerment; it represents a profound opportunity to heal our collective wounds.

Menstruality is a powerful example of this reclamation as it focuses on the wisdom women carry, providing a space for women to explore their experiences and connect with their bodies. Women learn to embrace menstruality, share their stories, and challenge the societal taboos that often surround their menstrual cycle. Amongst systemic injustices and fragmented communities, women’s voices provide unity and resilience. By reclaiming our power, we can challenge the status quo and envision a world rooted in collaboration and compassion. Through breaking cycles of disempowerment and trauma, we can create a future that merges the wisdom of the past with the possibilities of what is yet to come.

Lessons from the Past: Shaping a Sustainable Future

Kaitiakitanga: A Model for Environmental Stewardship

The Māori concept of kaitiakitanga demonstrates guardianship and protection of the environment, and is based on this idea of humans as part of the natural world. This principle emphasises respect for nature and sustainability, teaching valuable lessons about interconnectedness and ecological balance that can be applied globally.

Cultivating a Mindset for Change

Embracing change requires a profound shift in mindset, particularly in a world that often feels resistant to progress. Cultivating this mindset involves nurturing openness to new ideas, developing resilience, and committing to both personal and collective growth.

Embrace Adaptability

At the core of cultivating a mindset for change is adaptability. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, we can navigate the complexities of our environments with agility.

• Actionable Step: Start viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced and identify the lessons learned.
• Resource: Consider reading “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck to explore the power of a growth mindset.

Develop Community Connections

Building strong, supportive communities is vital for sustaining change. By actively engaging with others – listening to their stories and sharing our own – we cultivate a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

• Actionable Step: Engage with your local community by joining a group that aligns with your interests, such as a wellness circle, book club, environmental group.
• Resource: Websites like Meetup.com can help you find local groups and events that create connection and shared purpose.

Cultivate a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset – the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed – is essential for embracing change.

• Actionable Step: Set specific, achievable goals and break them down into manageable tasks. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small.
• Resource: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey offers strategies for personal and professional growth.

Prioritise Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal growth and societal change. Taking the time to examine our beliefs, biases, and motivations allows us to identify areas for improvement.

• Actionable Step: Dedicate time each week for self-reflection. Journaling can be a powerful tool – write about your beliefs, biases, and motivations to identify areas for improvement.
• Resource: Consider using prompts from books like “The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity” by Julia Cameron, which encourages creative self-discovery.

Practise Mindfulness

Mindfulness enhances our ability to respond thoughtfully to challenges rather than react impulsively. By grounding ourselves in the present moment, we cultivate clarity and focus.

• Actionable Step: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine. Start with just five minutes of meditation or deep breathing each day.
• Resource: Apps like Headspace or Calm provide guided meditations and mindfulness exercises to get you started. Or you can enrol onto one of my meditation courses.

Embrace a Vision of Possibility

To cultivate a mindset for change, we must embrace a vision of what is possible. This vision, fuelled by hope and optimism, urges us to envisage a future where equity, compassion, and collaboration prevail.

• Actionable Step: Create a vision board that illustrates your goals and dreams. Visualising your desired future can help keep you motivated and focused.
• Resource: Online platforms like Pinterest offer inspiration for creating vision boards that resonate with your aspirations.

Take Action

Ultimately, a mindset for change requires action. It is not enough to merely envisage a better world; we must actively participate in its creation.

• Actionable Step: Identify one small action you can take today to move towards your goals, whether it’s volunteering, starting a project, or reaching out to a mentor.
• Resource: The book “The Desire Map: A Guide to Creating Goals with Soul Book” by Danielle LaPorte can help you find your motivation and inspire action in your pursuits.

By actively engaging with these practices and resources, you can cultivate a mindset for change that empowers you to navigate challenges with resilience and optimism, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious and equitable future.

Self-Reliance as a Key to the Ancient Future

A fundamental aspect of the Ancient Future is cultivating self-reliance. Learning to become more self-sufficient empowers both us and our communities. This can manifest in various ways, such as:

• Creating allotments and shared gardens for growing food.
• Raising animals such as chickens or goats can deepen our connection to the land that sustains us
• Learning traditional skills such as carpentry, foraging enhances our independence while connecting us to ancestral wisdom
• Engaging in experiential education. Pioneers like Rudolf Steiner championed the philosophy, advocating for education that nurtures play, exploration, creativity, and critical thinking. By allowing children to engage with their natural environment and learn through practical experiences, we create a generation that is both knowledgeable and deeply connected to their roots.

These practices not only develop resilience but also reinforce community bonds as we share resources and knowledge. The Transition Town Movement is a movement that has been growing since 2005. Community-led Transition groups are working for a socially just future with resilient communities, more active participation in society, and caring culture focused on supporting each other

A Call to Action

As we stand at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, the journey toward embracing ancient wisdom and integrating it into our lives is both essential and transformative. The principles of womb wisdom, community resilience, and the lessons of the past offer us invaluable tools for navigating the complexities of contemporary life.

Now is the time to take action. Reflect on how you can embody these principles in your daily life:

1. Embrace Your Body’s Wisdom: Tune into your menstrual cycle or other natural rhythms. What insights can you gain from this connection?
2. Explore Your Inner Strength: Dive into practices that connect you with the Dark Feminine Archetype. What feelings or strengths have you yet to embrace?
3. Engage with Your Community: Seek out local groups that resonate with your values and get involved. Together, we can create networks of support and empowerment.
4. Challenge Outdated Norms: Identify areas in your life where you can assert your voice and advocate for yourself and others. How can you challenge the status quo in your community?
5. Commit to Continuous Growth: Choose one actionable step from the mindset strategies shared in this article and implement it this week. Whether it’s practising mindfulness or setting a personal goal, every small action counts.

Together, we can honour our roots while bravely envisioning a future that resonates with compassion and understanding. Let us reclaim our shared heritage, heal ourselves, and pave the way for future generations to thrive within a tapestry woven from the wisdom of the past and the possibilities of tomorrow.