Portals — Moving From Maiden

Portal of Awakening

When you feel a restless yearning to create or birth something greater than yourself, how do you respond?

I recognize this calling and actively pursue it—even when I don't know exactly what "it" is yet I feel the restlessness but I'm afraid to act on it or unsure if I'm "worthy" of this calling I don't allow myself to feel this—I stay busy with obligations so I don't have to face what's calling me

Portal of Feeling

When you feel socially "unacceptable" emotions like anger, desire, or rage, what happens?

I acknowledge them without judgment and express them appropriately—they inform me but don't control me I feel them intensely but struggle to express them—they leak out sideways or I suppress them I disconnect from them entirely—"good women" don't feel these things, so I pretend they don't exist

Portal of Creation

When it comes to your creative work and self-worth, where do you find your confidence?

From within—I trust my creative potential and initiate projects with confidence, regardless of external validation I believe in my potential but struggle to act—I wait for permission or the "right moment" instead of initiating From others' approval—without external validation, I don't believe my work (or I) am valuable

Portal of Voice

When you witness women being silenced, dismissed, or harmed (including yourself), how do you respond?

I speak up confidently—I use my voice to advocate for women even when it's uncomfortable or unpopular I want to speak up but often stay quiet—I'm afraid of conflict, rejection, or losing relationships I keep the peace at all costs—I hide my voice and agree with those in power to avoid their anger or disapproval

Portal of Boundaries

When someone asks for your time or energy, how do you decide whether to say yes?

I check with my body and values—I say no without guilt when it doesn't serve my purpose or protect my energy I know I should say no but often say yes—I feel guilty disappointing people even when I'm depleted I automatically say yes—I believe my worth comes from being helpful, so I please others instead of focusing on what matters to me

Portal of Wholeness

How comfortable are you being "selfish"—putting your needs, desires, and dreams at the center of your life?

Very comfortable—I'm independent, reliable to myself, and I prioritize my own fulfillment without shame or apology I'm learning—I sometimes put myself first but I still feel guilty about it or need others' approval to do so I can't—"selfish" feels like a terrible thing to be, so I always put others first and my needs last

Portal of Radiance

How do you feel about being fully seen, taking up space, and experiencing pleasure and beauty in your life?

I luxuriate in it—I express my essence boldly, enjoy pleasure without guilt, and treat life as ceremony I want this but I'm afraid—I worry about judgment, being "too much," or not deserving pleasure and beauty I hide myself—I make myself small, deny myself pleasure, and believe beauty and radiance are for other women, not me

Portal of Community

How do you relate to receiving from others, being in community, and protecting what you've created?

I receive abundantly and share generously—I'm fiercely protective of my creations and feel joy in life and connection I struggle with receiving—I'm more comfortable giving, and I have trouble protecting my work or feeling joy without guilt I isolate myself—I don't let others in, I don't protect my boundaries, and I've lost touch with joy

Portal of Surrender

When life asks you to let go of an old identity, belief, or way of being to step into something new, how do you respond?

I surrender—I trust the death/rebirth process and let go, even when I don't know what's next I resist but eventually yield—I know I need to let go but I cling to the familiar because change is terrifying I refuse—I hold tight to who I've been and what I know, even when it's killing me, because the unknown is too threatening

The Nine Portals Assessment