February 2025 | Newsletter

Dear One,

In the Northern Hemisphere, the days are lengthening, and the earth is stirring from winter's darkness. Can you feel it, too? I am reminded that every ending carries the seed of new beginnings. Just as nature teaches us the rhythm of death and rebirth, the conversations we have about the end of life can open the door to something unexpectedly alive—a deeper connection, a sense of peace, even a renewed way of living. When we dare to speak about what matters most, we plant seeds of understanding and love that can grow beyond our time into an unexpected legacy.

The spring equinox (March 20th, 2025) is a moment of balance, a turning point. What if we approached our end-of-life conversations in the same way—not as something to fear but as a natural part of our journey? These conversations aren't just about planning for the inevitable; they're about embracing the fullness of life, clarifying what's meaningful, and creating space for healing. Like the first green shoots pushing through the soil, something new emerges when we face what we often avoid.

I love the reminder of these simple questions:

• What matters most to you?
• How would you want to be remembered?
• Have you ever witnessed a "good" death? What made it that way?

So as the world awakens around us, let's invite renewal into our lives—not just in the earth beneath our feet, but in the way we connect with one another. What seeds of conversation will you plant this season?

With love,

Rachel

Spring Letter from the South

By Keetje Kuipers

Mother, it's like summer here. I miss
the way the mountains get cold at night,
draw their shoulders up. In the evenings
we walk through the old neighborhoods,
past the frayed houses where magnolias
collapse their heavy bosoms against
each roof's pitched elbows. Everything
the baby does — proclaiming song-words
to the birds, commanding trees
to hold still or spill their guts —
is magic I haven't given up on yet.
That pollen-rot smell is starting again:
one year later and it's like a year
hasn't passed. When she sleeps pressed against
me, we still feel so young — all of us.
Even the cemetery is beautiful
this time of year. Do you remember
when you were here? It's like that.

Let's Learn!

Befriending Death

Course Dates: April 16 - June 4, 2025

An 8-week course that explores befriending death as a key to a meaningful life. Engage in LIVE Zoom sessions, experiential practices, and reflective exercises to reshape your view of mortality with curiosity, courage, and awareness.

End-of-Life Doula Training

Course Dates: April 16 - September 3, 2025

Embark on a transformative journey to become an end-of-life doula, embracing death as a sacred part of life. Gain skills in end-of-life coaching, bedside support, and community sharing using the North Star Tool. Our curriculum includes rituals, bereavement, vigils, after-death care, and professional growth.

Sacred Plant Medicine at End-of-Life

with Brigitte Mars

Course Date: April 26

This exploration dives into the transformative potential of sacred plant medicine in supporting those entering the end-of-life journey, as well as their loved ones.

Pediatric Death

Course Dates: May 1 - May 29, 2025

Don't miss this important opportunity to safely explore the tender topic of pediatric death and learn how to hold space for children and their families at the end of life.

REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW!

Grace & Grief Vigils

Second Monday of Every Month

6 - 7pm MT

Join us for these complementary monthly gatherings where we will tend the hard parts of our personal and collective grief through the soft expression of intentional space, guiding invocations, imaginal activities and tender closings. 

Community Spotlight

Meet Lové Lemon,

Founder & CEO of Healing Heights

Healing Heights is a trauma-informed healing justice training that centers storytelling and features active healing practices. They have developed programming for parents who have experienced the loss of a child due to

violence which include SIDS, suicide by gun, homicide by gun, fatal car accidents, strokes, heart attacks and house fires. This programming is our infamous Healing Heights Griot training and it features other healing justice practitioners. 

Lové believes in the intersection of end-of-life care and grief-work as a healing process. The transition from physical life to spiritual life is where the art of healing dwells for so many of us in our grieving process. She wants her community to know that death is not only apart of life but that healing is apart of life and can even happen for our ancestors and loved ones who have transitioned. We all have a responsibility to choose healing everyday.

Lové was born and raised in Winston-Salem, 2012 Salem College graduate and 2015 Wake Forest University: School of Divinity graduate. She is an ordained Reverend who has a heart to preach and actively involves herself in truth-to-power, healing justice love, and liberating ministry. She is her mother's 5th of 7 children, has 13 nieces and nephews, and 4 great nieces and nephews.

Let's Connect!

info@consciousdyingcollective.com    |   303-440-8018