The Eight Gates of Initiation
A Midlife Rite of Passage
Thursdays • January 4-February 22, 2024 • Zoom
“Midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear: I'm not screwing around.”
— Brené Brown
An Initiation into Midlife
Our society has no meaningful ways to make sense of midlife. And this is problematic, because midlife is a time of intense upheaval.
Suddenly the things that once fulfilled you are annoying, or heartbreaking...or gone.
Or your life falls apart and you resort to coping strategies that are less than healthy.
Or you start to have health issues.
Or you have this nagging urge to do something else, but you can't quite figure out how, let alone what you need to do to make that happen.
If you have the right tools,
midlife can be a profoundly meaningful time.
You just have to go through
a whole lot of stuff to get there.
About this rite of passage experience
This 8-week rite of passage is an initiatory experience to help you embrace midlife in all of it's meaningful and impactful truth. It is based on the work of Angeles Arrien, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, adrienne maree brown, Sherri Mitchell, and Parker Palmer, whose teachings are woven throughout, as are evidence-based contemplative practices. It is designed to help you move into a new phase of your life with grace, clarity, and purpose.
Each Thursday evening (Pacific) on Zoom, we will explore a different gate. You will receive weekly prompts, challenges, and other creative activities throughout the week to dive deeper and guide you through the process of creating and preparing for your own rite of passage. All participants will use this work to design and enact their own rite of passage. We will also do a group ceremony in closing.
Betty will also be available during optional office hours for additional coaching and support.
The Eight Gates of Initiation
Gate 1: The Call Gate 2: Story
Gate 3: Body
Gate 4: Love
Gate 5: Meaning
Gate 6: Threshold
Gate 7: Liminality
Gate 8: Incorporation
“Betty is a wise, passionate and compassionate guide on using the alchemy of ritual to transform something confusing and painful into something poignant and sacred."
T.R. Hayward, CA
"I worked with Betty...a full year ago and this ritual is still giving me strength and joy!"
M.S. Minneapolis, MN
Betty Ray, and the class structure she designed, invited openness and vulnerability among our lovely group. I felt held by her and seen by the group as I worked through the process.
B.A. San Francisco, CA
Fees and Deadlines
Thursdays Jan 4-Feb 22, 2024 • 5-7p (Pacific)
Zoom link sent upon registration
Early Bird Rate (before Dec 1, 2023): $495
Regular Rate: $595
Benefactor Rate: $695 (Supports others who need help!)
Space is limited so reserve early. Registration closes on Jan
Venmo, PayPal, and credit cards accepted.
Payment plans and scholarships are available. Reserve your space by entering your email address below, and you will receive an email with payment information.