The Practice of ‘Affidamento’ in Ceremony for World Water Day 2024

Green Tent Circle – Practice of ‘Affidamento’ in Ceremony for World Water Day 2024, March 22nd and for Earth Hour 2024, March 23rd

‘Affidamento’ – A matter of trust. The Italian term ‘affidare/affidamento’ means to trust each other and was used in the early women’s movements. As we three women opened a Green Tent ceremony, a true story unfolded. Within the preparation and the ceremony itself, this practice came into experience, the sharing of stories and visions and a deep look for the contexts became the memory of a profound experience. 
 
In terms of shamanic practices, ‘Affidamento’ can be translated into a co-creative, meshworked ceremony, a kind of practice of deeply trusting the net which is holding us, when we do things together. 

​When there is an intention to come together and hold a ceremony in circle, we help, assist and guide each other and without a ‘leader’, without just a single person guiding, the spirit world unfolds their power, potential and stories with such ease and grace, especially when we step into the power of the sacred feminine and do so without any kind of competition.

Words were needed to materialize and manifest the idea as something ‘that asks for to be done’, so we held preparation meetings to concretize and to go forward, after a strong call had been heard and the decision to hold a water ceremony on World Water Day and to support the idea and the people onsite at the CSW gathering had been made. 

​A lot of healing and connections deepening were felt and done. 
 
On World Water Day we finally met online, each one of us in her home, in ceremony. We sat in silence and opened ourselves up, so spirit could send messages through us. Her messages were strong and profound, as we received them clearly.
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When there is an intention to come together and hold a ceremony in circle, we help, assist and guide each other and without a ‘leader’, without just a single person guiding, the spirit world unfolds their power, potential and stories with such ease and grace.

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We had placed different items on our altars, reflecting our calls and feelings: On mine there was sacred water, salt, Peace Flame (candle), ancient corals, a quartz and crystals, agates and three eggs – one for each of us. Julia had placed water, a candle, plum tree flowers, daisies, violets and a clear quartz on hers, Kristin had paper, writing tools, white pastels and the drawing of a seal, she had begun drawing prior to our ceremony.   

While I was holding the Sacred Water in my hands, I received a message: 
 
Me as water, I am holding home for each living being. For me it is not important, if they are living – or able to live – in my shape as salt or sweet water. 
Human being or animal, you are looking for the moon, but in my depths. There is so much to discover, to be found and to experience. 
I am holding all these emotions, all emotions, now it is time to clear yourself up, human being. After the ceremony, please give me back to Mother Earth. Do not share this water. This time, this water is for a one-time use.
 
I was given another message through Kristin and Julia, “Go to the ocean, she wants to speak to you.”
 
There was more to tell, more to share, more to unfold following our ceremony and I carried the prayers on to the next ceremony for 22 Women Praying for Peace held on the same day, March 22nd, World Water Day, and I felt a connection between our water ceremonies and the 8th Fire Ceremony in Palenque, Mexico.