Featured artist: Dancing Rituals
7 Mei 2024
In the hectic world of today, the search for spiritual connection and inner strength is becoming increasingly important. Sometimes moments of magic are needed to remind us that there is more than what we can see. Enter Dancing Rituals, a performance group of five women who, through ritualistic dance, take the audience into a world of mythical magic. Through dance, rituals, and a deep connection with feminine archetypes, they dedicate themselves to exploring and embodying the deeper layers of femininity while simultaneously shaping their own lives as creators and mothers. We spoke with Nancy, Madelinde, and Vera about the essence of their work, the challenges of parenthood, and their latest creation, Project Untamed.
It all started just before the COVID pandemic. Nancy remembers the first spark of creation: "A few of us were in the same spiritual training and community. Here, we created a performance, the Elemental Dance." From this emerged Dancing Rituals, a group where the power of dance combines with profound spiritual work.
Their first project, called "Dance of the Wise Witches," was an enchanting experience they created in collaboration with Path of the Priestess and staged at events like Winter Castlefest and the Midwinterfair in 2019. Nancy shares, "It was truly magical to create this dance and be able to bring it to such a large audience." Unfortunately, their momentum was interrupted by the pandemic, but they always found a way to continue their creative expressions. During this time, they developed the project "Through the Veils," a short film inspired by the Samhain festival. In this film, the viewer is taken into the world behind the veil - the spiritual and ancestral world.
Their first project, called "Dance of the Wise Witches," was an enchanting experience they created in collaboration with Path of the Priestess and staged at events like Winter Castlefest and the Midwinterfair in 2019. Nancy shares, "It was truly magical to create this dance and be able to bring it to such a large audience." Unfortunately, their momentum was interrupted by the pandemic, but they always found a way to continue their creative expressions. During this time, they developed the project "Through the Veils," a short film inspired by the Samhain festival. In this film, the viewer is taken into the world behind the veil - the spiritual and ancestral world.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Dancing Rituals is the use of archetypes. Madelinde explains: "Throughout the centuries, characters appear time and again in countless stories. Figures acquire a certain energy, a certain symbol. That's what we call archetypes." These archetypes form the basis of their art, where they explore new dimensions of the human experience each time. Nancy adds, "Commonly used female archetypes are the maiden, the warrior, the queen, and the wise. But actually, we create our own archetypes every time we're making something." This process of creation and exploration allows members to delve deep into the essence of each archetype and reinterpret it in their own unique context.
During our conversation, it came up that many members of the group have young children. For the mothers in the group, finding balance between their art and their role as parents is an essential part of their work. Madelinde shares her experiences: "For me, it runs deep. When the little one is asleep, I sprint to my projects to continue working on them." For Madelinde, finding precious moments between her daughter's naps and evenings with her partner is crucial for her creative process. It requires flexibility, out-of-the-box thinking, and the support of partners to maintain a balance between their passion for art and motherhood.
The existence of and caring for the children also profoundly influences the content of their art. Madelinde explains how motherhood enriches her, allowing her to add new layers of meaning to her work. She shares, "We also work with the archetype of the mother. I'm convinced it adds an extra dimension when you have a little one of your own."
Nancy, who doesn't have children herself, adds that she fondly remembers the moment when the mothers in the group, dressed in full attire, extravagantly made up and wearing black robes, sat in a circle breastfeeding. "That really touched me. I thought to myself: wow. Their children will benefit from this on so many levels, without doubt!"
For Vera, her child-free time provides space to explore her ideas and express her creativity. The childlike mindset she gains from her child allows her to experiment more freely, be less critical of herself, and discover the balance between responsibility and playfulness in her art.
Finding that balance, between mother and child, between exposure and protection, between giving and receiving, ultimately relies on self-care. This is essential for all members, whether they are mothers or not. Madelinde emphasises the importance of self-care, especially in projects that are so deeply connected to energy work and intention. "If we're bringing something that gives energy, where you want to be an eye-opener for strong women who want to express what they stand for, then it's also important to feel: Okay, what do you stand for and where are your boundaries?"
The existence of and caring for the children also profoundly influences the content of their art. Madelinde explains how motherhood enriches her, allowing her to add new layers of meaning to her work. She shares, "We also work with the archetype of the mother. I'm convinced it adds an extra dimension when you have a little one of your own."
Nancy, who doesn't have children herself, adds that she fondly remembers the moment when the mothers in the group, dressed in full attire, extravagantly made up and wearing black robes, sat in a circle breastfeeding. "That really touched me. I thought to myself: wow. Their children will benefit from this on so many levels, without doubt!"
For Vera, her child-free time provides space to explore her ideas and express her creativity. The childlike mindset she gains from her child allows her to experiment more freely, be less critical of herself, and discover the balance between responsibility and playfulness in her art.
Finding that balance, between mother and child, between exposure and protection, between giving and receiving, ultimately relies on self-care. This is essential for all members, whether they are mothers or not. Madelinde emphasises the importance of self-care, especially in projects that are so deeply connected to energy work and intention. "If we're bringing something that gives energy, where you want to be an eye-opener for strong women who want to express what they stand for, then it's also important to feel: Okay, what do you stand for and where are your boundaries?"
"We want to create something that is for all of us [...] We are merely the vessel; this is for everyone, by everyone."
Project Untamed, which you can support here at Duitje, is a short film dedicated to exploring and reinterpreting well-known female archetypes such as Lilith, Persephone, and Medusa. These women are demonised for embodying traits such as lust, anger, independence, female leadership, and silence. The women of Dancing Rituals aim to revalue these traits and shed new light on them by highlighting the other sides of the story. Project Untamed has emerged as an organic process, driven by curiosity and inspiration. Nancy explains, "It's a bit of a snowball effect... we get inspired as we create something." The choice to tell these stories now stems from a growing awareness and renewed interest in female history and spirituality.
The goal of Project Untamed is to illuminate the shadow aspects of these stories and challenge the stereotypical images associated with them. Madelinde wonders, thinking about the female mythological figure, "What has been her true meaning? And in what ways have women in the past been portrayed in a light whose consequences we still feel today? By engaging in shadow work, we try to bring the deeper, often suppressed aspects of female power and wisdom to light.”
For the women of Dancing Rituals, the project is more than just a creative endeavor; it is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Nancy emphasises, "It's part of my womanhood to think about and engage with this." By exploring the stories of Lilith and many others, the members hope not only to create a renewed understanding of these archetypes but also to find a deeper connection with their inner selves. Project Untamed invites women and men to write their own story, embrace their inner strength, and come together in a community of connected souls striving for growth, security, and freedom. In Nancy's words, "They deserve it!"
The goal of Project Untamed is to illuminate the shadow aspects of these stories and challenge the stereotypical images associated with them. Madelinde wonders, thinking about the female mythological figure, "What has been her true meaning? And in what ways have women in the past been portrayed in a light whose consequences we still feel today? By engaging in shadow work, we try to bring the deeper, often suppressed aspects of female power and wisdom to light.”
For the women of Dancing Rituals, the project is more than just a creative endeavor; it is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Nancy emphasises, "It's part of my womanhood to think about and engage with this." By exploring the stories of Lilith and many others, the members hope not only to create a renewed understanding of these archetypes but also to find a deeper connection with their inner selves. Project Untamed invites women and men to write their own story, embrace their inner strength, and come together in a community of connected souls striving for growth, security, and freedom. In Nancy's words, "They deserve it!"
After discovering the inspiring story of Dancing Rituals, you might be just as intrigued and inspired as we are! Good news: you can help contribute to the project. Nancy says, "We want to create something that is for all of us, and now we are actually experiencing everyone's involvement. It feels great to be supported to share this message, a message that we believe needs to be told. We are merely the vessel; this is for everyone, by everyone."
Check here to view Project Untamed and contribute a donation. Be sure to take a look, as Dancing Rituals has prepared some great rewards for your help. And you'll soon be able to watch the result for free on YouTube. The group is also planning a live premiere, which you can attend in person in the Netherlands. Keep an eye on the Dancing Rituals page for updates!
Thank you for reading!
Photography on this page by Anouk Pross
Check here to view Project Untamed and contribute a donation. Be sure to take a look, as Dancing Rituals has prepared some great rewards for your help. And you'll soon be able to watch the result for free on YouTube. The group is also planning a live premiere, which you can attend in person in the Netherlands. Keep an eye on the Dancing Rituals page for updates!
Thank you for reading!
Photography on this page by Anouk Pross
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