The Call to Initiation

There comes a time in adolescence when a teenage girl or young woman feels the quiet but insistent pull toward something deeper—an inner knowing that she is meant to cross a threshold into a fuller, truer life. This longing is ancient. Across cultures and time, the transition from adolescence to adulthood has been marked by sacred, intentional rites of passage.

In our modern world, this guidance is often absent, leaving many to navigate the journey alone and take actions that don’t reflect who they truly are. Women’s Initiation offers a rare and precious opportunity to be guided through this transformation with the wisdom of experienced elders and the support of a caring community.

This 8-day initiation ritual, held in a natural outdoor setting, is the heart of a months-long journey. From the moment you are accepted as a candidate, you will be guided through meaningful preparation and personalized pre-work assignments to help you enter the ritual ready in body, mind, and spirit. Following initiation, you’ll receive ongoing mentoring for up to a year, ensuring that the insights and strength you gain are integrated into your daily life. This process is not just an event—it’s a profound investment in the foundation for a purposeful and connected life as an adult.

Applications are open to young women ages 16–25 and must be received by January 15, 2027 for the July 12–19, 2027 initiation. Tuition includes all preparation, the ritual itself, food, lodging, and follow-up mentoring. If you feel the call—or know a young woman who is ready to step into her adulthood with clarity and purpose—this is your invitation.

Read a more comprehensive introduction to Young Women’s Initiation here.

To learn even more about young women’s initiation, contact youngwomensinitiation@sacredfire.org.

The Women’s Initiation Council – Your Guides for Young Women’s Initiation into Adulthood

Jessica De la O and Lisa Lichtig have over 30 years of experience working with girls, young women and the initiatory process. They offer emotional, spiritual and practical life-skill guidance to the candidates as they complete the application process and engage in preparation assignments. They tailor a candidate’s preparation for exactly what she needs in order to successfully enter the doorway to her initiation and proceed through its culmination. They also build, train and guide a team of staff, and are responsible for overseeing the flow and operation of the initiation process.

Staff Volunteers

Are you an adult looking to contribute to the next generations in a meaningful way? Give back by supporting Young Women’s Initiation as a volunteer staff member. Apply here.