Something we do at every Wild Women Hawai'i retreat comes naturally: we howl together. It isn't forced. Strangely enough, it isn't awkward. It is beautiful madness in a way, but it's also gentle and down-to-earth. It's a brief escape from the uptight norm. A collective release and a "welcome to the pack" mutual gesture. It's different than a scream (which I will write about in another post) in that it is collective and wildly-subdued, but it's also equally cathartic.
The image above was captured by Lisa Chaly at our February 2024 retreat. It was taken after one of our sisters had a vulnerable moment. Concerned, we all came together to hug and listen to her, and to simply be there for each other. A deep connection was felt, and then we howled it out. It doesn't matter that we scared a nearby dude (he quickly left the area with fearful eyes for who knows why). It doesn't matter that his grandchild watched us in awe and ended up happily howling along. There was something very primal and natural about it, and it felt wonderful.
Wolves and women are relational by nature, inquiring, possessed of great endurance and strength. They are deeply intuitive, intensely concerned with their young, their mate and their pack. Yet both have been hounded, harassed and falsely imputed to be devouring and devious, overly aggressive, of less value than those who are their detractors. - Clarissa Pinkola Estes
The howl above was captured by Sarah Gaston at our most recent Summer retreat at Kalōpā. I don't have a story behind this howl except that it came naturally toward the end of our weekend, and it felt very connected and cathartic.
Seeing these images reminds me of why we do this. We become a pack. Connection and community develops naturally at every retreat in unique and beautiful ways. No matter our differences or similarities, we simply fit like pieces in a puzzle. For a glimmer of time, nothing else matters in the world, but it stays in the heart forever.
I hope to howl with you soon.
Michelle
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