Cinema Ceremony and the Land: Filming an Ancestral Healing Journey A conversation with Nova Scott James

Cinema Ceremony and the Land: Filming an Ancestral Healing Journey A conversation with Nova Scott James

In this episode of the Remembering and ReEnchanting podcast, Sara Jolena Wolcott sits down with filmmaker and spiritual innovator Nova Scott James to trace the profound arc of her film journey. The journey begins with an exploration of Nova’s origins—from the influence of Harlem and childhood memories to the transformative power of cinema as a spiritual practice. We delve into the creation of her film 'Wild Darlings Sing the Blues' and the personal healing journey that informed her creative vision. The conversation then transitions into a deep dive into the collective’s latest work: a land-based healing documentary. Nova shares the visceral experience of honoring ancestral land, navigating the energetic weight of filming on former plantations in Virginia, and the serendipitous rituals guided by spirits. This is a story of building a Black queer women’s collective through trust, patience, and the labor of collective transformation. 00:00 - Podcast Intro 01:30 - Introduction to the Wild Darlings Collective 03:18 - Exploring Origin Stories and Childhood Memories 07:56 - Understanding Lineage and Spiritual Innovation 17:06 - Cinema as a Temple: The Spirituality of Film 25:05 - The Healing Journey Behind 'Wild Darlings Sing the Blues' 28:19 - Healing Through Psychedelic Therapy 30:13 - The Birth of a Creative Vision 33:34 - Exploring Ancestral Lineage 37:11 - Confronting Family History and Trauma 40:06 - Introduction to Day 2 Recording 40:28 - Introduction to the journey of creating a land-based healing documentary 42:33 - The initial visions and spiritual downloads that inspired the film 44:38 - The healing and spiritual practices of the Darlings Collective 46:48 - Building community through workshops and shared spiritual work 49:23 - The significance of land and spirits in the collective’s rituals 52:43 - Challenges faced with facilitators and group dynamics 56:58 - Rebuilding after adversity and seeking an elder for guidance 1:01:13 - Connecting with land in Virginia and the impact of sacred sites 1:05:38 - The serendipitous process of land selection and the role of spirits 1:12:28 - Filming on plantations: rituals, ceremonies, and the energetic environment 1:25:30 - The immersive experience of land-based ceremonies and prayers 1:32:48 - Observations of healing and collective transformation during the process 1:35:28 - The importance of compassion in ancestral healing work 1:38:38 - Personal reflections on integrating trauma and ancestral memories 1:41:48 - Deepening trust and love for the land, spiritual practice, and creativity 1:43:58 - Final thoughts: upcoming release and ways to support the project Movie Trailer: Wild Darlings Sing the Blues  [https://app.frame.io/presentations/a766c326-4128-41e2-aaee-8e195693b361] Fundraising page [https://wilddarlingssingtheblues.allyrafundraising.com/] Website [https://www.novascottjames.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/novascottjames/?hl=en] Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/support] Learn more [https://www.sequoiasamanvaya.com/] about Sara Jolena Wolcott and Sequoia Samanvaya Music Title: Both of Us Music by: madiRFAN  Don't forget to "like" and share this episode!

Episode 48 - Bearing witness: Reflecting on some of 2025

In this special episode of the Remembering and Reenchanting podcast, hostess Reverend Sara Jolena Wolcott is joined by her friend, former student and collaborator, Gayano Shaw, for a reflection on the year of 2025. Going beyond our normal format where Sara Jolena uplifts other people’s work or shares some of her own, she invites Gayano to help her hold her own reflection. The process is loosely modeled after Sara Jolena’s circular time rituals. Standing in the beginnings of 2026, Sara and Gayano look back at a year marked by profound personal and collective shifts—from the literal birth of a new family member to the mourning of six significant deaths in six months as well as immense political change. They explore what it means to "take down the altar" in times of upheaval of cosmovision, the power of indigenous-led rematriation, and letting life help us learn to refine our own practice. Timestamps 00:00:03 – Introduction 00:01:40 – Purpose of Reflection: Sara explains her "Circular Time" reflection process, which she has practiced for eight years. 00:04:01 – Gayano shares her experience with Sara's circular calendars and the somatic nature of her teaching. 00:08:52 – January 2025: The start of the month-by-month and thematic look back at the past year. 00:10:46 – Family and Birth: Reflection on the birth of Krissy's grandchild and the "liminal space" of birthing. 00:13:15 – Work and Radical HR: Discussion of Krissy's new full-time job and the implementation of a three-month paid leave policy. 00:15:04 – Environmental Impact: Reflections on the Los Angeles fires and lessons from previous disasters like the fire in Paradise. 00:17:15 – Political and Indigenous Learnings: Sara discusses the presidential inauguration and learning from indigenous elder Pat McCabe. 00:37:26 – Cultural Revitalization: Observations from a gathering focused on indigenous healing and cultural strength. 00:58:29 – Public Speaking and Learning: Sara reflects on her growth and the challenges of stepping onto larger stages. 01:06:17 – Consistency and Improvement: Reviewing the year's progress in writing and teaching the "Remembering" course. 01:21:17 – Rituals of Death and Grief: Discussion on the importance of creating authentic rituals for death and loss. 01:31:30 – Societal Structures: Reflections on binary thinking, Christian nationalism, and the lack of processing time in modern society. 01:47:35 – Personal Challenges: Sara shares struggles regarding her mother’s care and the loss of insurance due to climate risks. 01:56:00 – Closing Thoughts: Final reflections on the richness of the current times and an invitation to "hold those seeds with care". More about Gayano Shaw: The Center for Nonviolent Communication [https://www.cnvc.org/trainers/gayano-shaw] Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/support] Learn more [https://www.sequoiasamanvaya.com/] about Sara Jolena Wolcott and Sequoia Samanvaya Music Title: Both of Us Music by: madiRFAN  Don't forget to "like" and share this episode!

Episode 47 - Talking about Time: A conversation with Meda DeWitt

In this episode, Sara Jolena talks with Meda Dewitt, a Lingit traditional healer, ethno-herbalist, educator, and artist from the Tlingit culture. Together, they explore themes of the perception of time in western and Indigenous cultures, the importance of storytelling, and the impact of seasonal changes on life. This includes the contrast between Native time and what Meda refers to as "managed time," emphasizing the need for balance.   The episode concludes with reflections on the personal and the collective in a rapidly changing world. Subsections 00:00 - Introducing Meda DeWitt 02:11 - Cultural Identity and Language 05:40 - Understanding Time in Indigenous Cultures (with a focus on Tlingit) 10:09 - The Nature of Storytelling and Memory 18:40 - Cycles of Life and Nature 25:31 - Native Time vs. Clock Time 27:47 - Navigating Between Clock Time and Organic Time 31:04 - The Impact of Managed Time on Well-being 35:28 - The Reckoning of Time in a Capitalistic Society 38:12 - Finding Balance in a Modern Context 43:05 Embracing Mortality and the Value of Time 51:39 - Moving Between Times Websites: Wilderness.org/imago SanctuaryAnimism.org medaforalaska.com [https://medaforalaska.com/] Facebook.com/sanctuaryanimism YouTube.com/@sanctuaryanimism Note: Tlingit culture is a matrilineal society from what is now referred to as Southeastern Alaska.  "Tlingit" means "people of the tides." Alaska has 229 federally recognized Alaska Native tribes, more than any other U.S. state, representing distinct indigenous cultures including the Yup'ik, Inupiaq, Athabascan, Tlingit, Haida, Eyak, and Aleut (Unangax/Sugpiaq).    These peoples are deeply tied to their ecosystems.  The major Alaskan ecosystems include: tundra, taiga (boreal forest), coastal rainforests, marine ecosystems (including the Gulf of Alaska, the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea and the Aleutian Islands), mountains/glaciers; and wetlands and freshwaters.  The image used is from Fairbanks, Alaska, on the winter solstice. It depicts the short height and the narrow range of the sun on the winter solstice, when Fairbanks receives 3.5-4 hours of sunlight.  Photo: Todd Paris courtesy of University of Alaska Fairbanks [https://www.uaf.edu/]. Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/support] Learn more [https://www.sequoiasamanvaya.com/] about Sara Jolena Wolcott and Sequoia Samanvaya Music Title: Both of Us Music by: madiRFAN  Don't forget to "like" and share this episode!

Episode 46 - Reclaiming suppressed histories of women: A conversation with Max Dashu

Feminist scholar and artist Max Dashu joins hostess Sara Jolena Wolcott to delve into matriarchal societies and the rich breadth and depth of histories of the divine feminine and various forms of female leadership. Max shares how to navigate colonial and patriarchal narratives in your own cultural lineage as part of uncovering the rich heritage of women's leadership, spiritual power, and cultural contributions that have been systematically erased or minimized. Don't miss Max's 56 years of research into suppressed women's histories! Key Topics Discussed Decolonizing Historical Narratives [04:21 - 12:26] * How mainstream history gatekeeps women's stories * The bias of written records from "elite men of dominant societies" * Why we must look beyond Western Civilization narratives The Archaeological Evidence [08:08 - 15:12] * Ancient female figurines across continents * How women's representation changes from Paleolithic/Neolithic to later periods * The contrast between female self-representation and the male gaze Women as Inventors and Culture Creators [10:16 - 13:09] * "Mother tech" - women's innovations in agriculture, tool-making, and language * Women's role in creating the "life support matrix for humanity" * Grinding stones, basket weaving, and the origins of agriculture Matriarchal Societies and Mother Law [26:02 - 36:38] * Characteristics of matriarchal/egalitarian societies: matrilineal descent, matrilocal residence, social motherhood * Non-aggression codes and communitarian ethos * Women's public spiritual leadership across cultures Global Examples of Women's Power Africa [19:02 - 26:02] * The Saharan rock art and the "Lady of Aouanrhet" * Rain goddesses and rainbow beings in African traditions * Pre-dynastic Egyptian ceremonial practices Ancient Near East [16:48 - 19:02] * Asherah in Hebrew tradition - the suppressed goddess who stood in the Jerusalem temple * Mother of the Gods figures across Mesopotamian cultures * Linguistic connections between Asherah, Athirat, and Ashtoreth West Africa [36:38 - 38:42] * Market women's economic power * Yorùbá priestesses * South African isangoma (diviners/medicine women) The Complexity of Patriarchalization [45:14 - 53:31] * Patriarchy as historical process, not inevitable human condition * The case of India: layers of patriarchy from Indo-European invasion to colonization Goddess Traditions in Patriarchal Societies [48:59 - 55:31] * Why India maintains goddess worship despite extreme patriarchy * Sanskritization and cultural appropriation of indigenous goddesses Reclaiming European Ancestral Practices [56:14 - 01:04:08] * Pattern recognition vs. cultural appropriation * Spinning, weaving, and the distaff as women's spiritual power Sacred Technologies * Spinning and weaving as spiritual practice * The distaff and drop spindle across cultures * Songs and chants that accompanied women's work Medicine for Our Times [01:03:01 - 01:10:42] * The power of lamentation as ritual and political practice * Why we need to grieve collectively for current atrocities Follow Max on: Instagram: @maxdashu Facebook: @max.dashu Website: www.suppressedhistories.net Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/support] Learn more [https://www.sequoiasamanvaya.com/] about Sara Jolena Wolcott and Sequoia Samanvaya Music Title: Both of Us Music by: madiRFAN  Don't forget to "like" and share this episode!

Episode 45 - Remembering the Divine and Reimagining Our Relationship with Land and Community: A conversation with Adeyinka Mendes

This conversation, with Sheikh Adeyinka Mendes and hostess Sara Jolena Wolcott, explores the themes of remembering, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of humanity. We delve into the significance of ReMembering Divine Love in spiritual practices, the role of land in shaping identity, and the importance of forgiveness in personal and collective narratives. Through the lens of different religious traditions, especially Islam, we discuss the journey of self-discovery, the importance of continuing to stand for justice across ecosystems especially in the face of horrific genocides, and America as a gathering place for diverse cultures. The conversation culminates in the powerful story of Joseph, illustrating the transformative power of trials and the necessity of forgiveness. 00:00 - What are you ReMembering? 09:27 - Transcendent Experiences and Spiritual Awakening 27:04  - The Role of Land in Spiritual Journeys 38:12 - Reclaiming Cultural Roots and Reciprocity 40:58 - Justice... and Prophecies of America 49:01 - Gathering of Nations: Crafting Collective Consciousness 57:10 - The Role of Forgiveness in Healing 01:00:02 - The Story of Joseph: Lessons in Transformation Follow Adeyinka on: Instagram: @adeyinka.mendes [https://www.instagram.com/adeyinka.mendes/] Facebook: @imammendes [https://www.facebook.com/imammendes/] Website: www.adeyinkamendes.com [https://www.adeyinkamendes.com/] Send us a message [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/310226/support] Learn more [https://www.sequoiasamanvaya.com/] about Sara Jolena Wolcott and Sequoia Samanvaya Music Title: Both of Us Music by: madiRFAN  Don't forget to "like" and share this episode!