Through weekly classes at the Goochland Women's Correctional Facility, women are learning to cope with the various stresses of incarceration plus gaining ritual techniques that lead to forgiveness, compassion, and accessing their true selves, with the hopes of integrating these teachings in order to align with their own life's purpose and creativity.
CLASS STRUCTURE
Wiccan teachings, books, or audio cds by metaphysical practitioners, along with group discussion and how to incorporate them practically in their environment is the basis of the first hour of class. Each inmate is provided a book of shadows and a witches journal.
Ritual Practice including for banishing, manifesting, circumambulation, calling in directions, and many more. We have succesfully added a drum, wand, and tarot to the weekly altar. In April of 2024, 40 women at vccw will have access to tarot decks. If you are an instructor or are interested in volunteering please contact us.
Meditations also span various techniques from relaxation methods to guided shamanic journeys to meet ancestors, spirit guides, or connect with the Earth and are aimed at calming the mind and opening the heart or empowering the student.
This video demonstrates yet another example of how mindfulness, when taught correctly, alleviates stress in prisons and helps inmates find their path and use inner knowledge for healing, acceptance, and courage to add positive habits and actions to their lives.
Prison Yoga Project Santa Barbara Volunteer Instructors, Ginny Kuhn & Mike Lewis & several inmates are interviewed about the positive impact of this rehabilitative outreach - mindful yoga and meditation to the incarcerated.
OUR FACILITATOR
Lainie Gratz has been visiting women at the Va Correctional Center since 2015. Having completed 6 Vipassana retreats, she is dedicated to evolving, creating, and following her calling through Spiritual practice. She is a long time practitioner of a Mystery school and currently leads an Astrology study group in Richmond, Virginia. She also is dedicated to various practices such as working with the tarot, practicing meditation, and the metaphysical arts. She has obtained her Reiki 2 certification and has extensive studies in herbalism through Saced Plant Traditions based in Charlottesville, VA . She is eternally grateful and honored to have the opportunity to learn and practice Wicca and Ritual with the amazing women at the Va Correctional Center for Women.