The Crone Collective Australia Series 2023
The Crone Collective Australia Series features four esteemed elders from our Australian birth community, sharing profound wisdom.
The Crone archetype represents our collective unconscious, embodying instinctive ways to channel wisdom, inner knowing, and intuition. These elders have diverse journeys in birth work, having practised during a time with lower intervention rates and fewer legislative restrictions. Understanding our birth culture history and its current trajectory is crucial. It fuels our drive to shift the current paradigm for the well-being of birthing women, babies, and our professions. We have the opportunity to honour the legacy of trailblazing women and ensure a future our descendants will admire. Each wise woman brings inspiration and insight through her storytelling, and I am deeply honoured by what they have shared with us.
Jenny Blyth
With over 35 years in natural birth support in South East Queensland, Jenny Blyth blends bodywork, birth education, and compassionate care. “I draw inspiration from the families I serve, ongoing bodywork and Buddhist teachings,” Jenny reflects. She offers gentle pelvic bodywork for discomforts and private birth preparation sessions. Since 2000, Jenny has led Birthwork Workshops and, since 2005, co-taught Birthwork – Creative Ways of Making Space for Babies with Fiona Hallinan. Together, they foster learning among professionals and parents alike. Join us as Jenny Blyth shares her experience, enhancing birthing practices in Australia and beyond.
Find out where Jenny is teaching or get one of her incredible books: https://birthwork.com/
Jane Hardwicke Collings
Jane Hardwicke Collings describes herself as a revolutionary, Agent of the Goddess, Grandmother, and founder of The School of Shamanic Womancraft. Throughout her career from hospital trained to home birth midwifery to releasing her registration, Jane has been a steadfast advocate for transformative birthing experiences. Jane shares her profound journey and insights, offering deep wisdom to birth workers and midwives.
Learn more about Jane and how you can continue learning her powerful wisdom:
https://janehardwickecollings.com/
https://www.instagram.com/janehardwickecollings/
Maha Al Musa
Maha Al Musa is a trailblazer in birth preparation and education, renowned for founding EmbodyBirth and BellydanceBirth. Since 1997, Maha has empowered mothers-to-be and birth professionals worldwide with her profound wisdom and unyielding strength. Discover how to harness your own power in this inspiring interview as Sarah explores Maha’s remarkable journey, from pioneering childbirth education programs to advocating for natural birth and breastfeeding. Discover how Maha’s experiences, including birthing her daughter Aminah at 46 in a home water lotus birth and breastfeeding her for 8.5 years, challenge and redefine our perceptions of birth and motherhood.
Continue to be inspired by and learn wisdom from Maha with one of her many books and offerings: https://www.mahaalmusa.com/
Rhea Dempsey
Rhea Dempsey, a childbirth educator and counsellor with over thirty years of experience in Australia and internationally, reflects on pivotal books that shaped her journey: “Birthing Normally” by Gayle Peterson and “Continuum Concept” by Jean Leidloff. Rhea’s passion lies in educating women about the profound influence of birth culture on birth outcomes. “Instead of fear, I aim for women to approach labour with confidence in their bodies, support network, and informed knowledge,” she emphasises, promoting the best chances for natural birth.
Find more of Rhea’s work at https://www.birthingwisdom.com.au/