Illuminating the Shadows: The Path to Empowerment and Connection
- Deirdre Finn
- Mar 5
- 5 min read
Illuminating the Shadows: The Path to Empowerment and Connection
In times of great change, shadows are cast into the light. Around the world, we are witnessing conversations and policies that reveal the deep-seated inequalities still present in our societies. Some of these injustices have existed for generations, woven into the fabric of legislation, while others are emerging anew, seeking to further suppress women's autonomy, choices, and power.
As a woman, I feel the weight of these realities. It is hard not to be triggered when we see rights threatened, voices silenced, and power stripped away. But there is something important about this moment-something crucial about the light being shone on these issues. When things remain hidden, they continue unchanged. It is only by seeing what is not working, what is disempowering, and what is harmful that we can create the conditions for transformation.
While much of what is surfacing is painful to witness, this unveiling is also an opportunity. An opportunity for those working at grassroots levels- in our personal lives, women's circles, communities, and even those within the political system- to take action and reshape the world into one that truly supports all.
Healing Through Empowerment
To heal, we must experience the opposite of what has caused harm. In a world where women have been disempowered, how do we cultivate empowerment? What can we do in our own lives, our communities, and our daily interactions to shift this imbalance?
For me, my work through Red Tent Ireland is my answer. Through women's circles, yoga, education, and holistic support, I aim to create spaces where women feel seen, heard, and held. These spaces restore connection, reminding us of our inner strength and the power we hold when we come together.
But empowerment is not just about creating supportive spaces - it is also about how we show up in everyday life:
Listening with presence:
When someone shares their struggles, simply being there- listening without judgment or the need to fix is powerful. Support isn't about always having solutions; sometimes, it's about holding space so that a person feels truly heard.
Not assuming responsibility for others' emotions:
Women, in particular, have been conditioned to carry the emotional burdens of those around them. Recognizing where we take on too much and setting boundaries is an act of self-empowerment.
Challenging internalized biases:
Society has conditioned us to hold unconscious biases - expecting more from women, holding men to rigid standards of strength, or unconsciously prioritizing male voices. Bringing awareness to these patterns and actively shifting them creates change at the deepest level.
From Separation to Connection
There is much in the world right now that fosters division and separation- whether through gender, class, race, or nationality. But we must remember that what affects one group ultimately affects us all. When women struggle with inadequate wages, lack of reproductive rights, or systemic oppression, it impacts their families-partner, children, their communities, and the next generation.
Ireland has a saying: Ní neart go cur le chéile-there is no strength without unity. True change happens when we connect rather than divide, when we recognize that both men and women suffer under oppressive systems, and when we support each other rather than falling into the trap of blame.
This is why men also need spaces for connection and reflection, such as men's sheds in Ireland. And I envision gatherings that create a synergy between men's sheds and women's circles where men attend their spaces, women attend theirs, and then we come together to listen, to witness, and to support one another.
Like a triangle, one of the strongest shapes in nature, these three elements-men's circles, women's circles, and a shared gathering space where all can unite- form a foundation for real change. This apex, this coming together, could be called The Unity Circle, The Gathering Point, or something yet to be named. But its purpose is clear: to foster deep connection, mutual respect, support, and collective empowerment.
The Role of Men in Creating Change
It is not only in moments of crisis when a woman is under threat-that men's support is needed. True change happens in the small but powerful moments:
When a man calls out misogynistic comments in a group of friends.
When he recognizes the labor carried by the women in his life and steps up to share the load.
When he supports policies that uplift women,& when he calls out policies that suppress & disempower women, knowing that this benefits everyone.
Patriarchy does not serve the majority of men- it serves the 1-2% in power, those who control wealth, war, and policy. Most men suffer under this system too, forced into rigid roles that deny them emotional expression, connection, and balance. Empowerment is not about taking power from men- it is about dismantling the structures that suppress all but the elite few.
A Vision for the Future
We are at a crossroads. The light has been shone, and we cannot unsee what has been revealed. The question is: How do we move forward?
We begin by strengthening connection- with ourselves, with each other, and with the world around us. We continue creating spaces where people can share, learn, and support one another. We challenge the unconscious patterns that keep inequality in place. And we hold onto hope, knowing that every small act of awareness, every conversation, and every moment of compassion creates ripples of change.
The world is shifting. And, while it may feel overwhelming at times, we are not powerless. The real work of transformation begins with us- individually and collectively.
Let's keep the conversation going. Acknowledge the truth of the current reality. Let's keep showing up. Let's keep building a world where empowerment, respect, and connection are the foundation for all.
Join Us in Sacred Sisterhood -
Women’s Red Tent Gathering
As we navigate these times of awakening, awareness, and transformation, it’s more important than ever for women to come together in spaces of support, empowerment, and deep connection.
In celebration of Women’s Day March 8th, I invite you to step into a sacred container where you can awaken, reclaim, and embody your feminine power in sisterhood.
Women's Red Tent Gathering:
Awaken, Reclaim & Embody Your Feminine Power in Sacred Sisterhood
Through ceremonial cacao, movement, meditation, and a deeply nourishing sharing circle, we will reconnect with our inner wisdom and the strength of sisterhood. This is a space to be seen, heard, and held- a space to rise.
Are you ready to awaken?
Date: Sunday, March 16th
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: V95 P9Y6
Deirdre (086) 848 3745
Instagram: @redtentireland
— Booking:
Let’s rise together. Let’s heal together. Let’s remember who we are.
With love,
Deirdre Devatara Finn
Certified Women’s Red Tent Facilitator | Ceremonial Cacao Facilitator | Women’s Coach
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