Announcements, free resources, and more

February 2026

Dear ones,

I am feeling the tender appreciation of getting to witness the raw vulnerability and courage of the women who are attending the Lineage Recovery course and the Latvian Cultural Practices course this winter. It is in these spaces, circles of women, that I feel the power of the collective strength when we can choose to be together to share our respective truths, and remember our power. This appreciation extends also to the special announcement that the waitlist signups for our two retreats of 2026, in Riga + Gulbene, Latvia in June, and again, on the Central Coast of California, in August. Links to the waitlists can be found below.

I am also writing to invite us to choose courage over comfort as we witness the release of documents exposing networks of sexual exploitation among the powerful. As an aspiring Matriarch committed to radical self-care and community protection, I am asking those with the capacity to carefully review the records, to trust their deepest intuition about individuals in their own communities who may pose risk to the vulnerable, and to take thoughtful, supported action as names continue to be revealed. This includes examining not only those directly accused, but also the systems of proximity and endorsement that allow harm to persist, by those of all genders. This is not a partisan issue but a human one, calling us to stand with survivors, protect children, demand accountability, and move—together—from silence into courageous, local and national action.

With care and resolve,

Maija

Announcements & New Resources

SIGN UP: Latvia Pirts Experience & Summer Solstice Retreat

Experience an immersive Latvian pirts retreat rooted in solstice, song, fire, and land-based tradition. Includes Jāņi cultural immersion and pirts practice. June 20-30, 2026.

Sign up for Latvia Pirts Solstice Retreat

SAVE THE DATE: August 27-30, California Women's Retreat

Our Annual Retreat on the California Central Coast is here! There are limited spots and the waitlist will be given priority once registration opens.

Sign up for Women's Retreat Waitlist

SIGN UP: 2026 Matriarch Makeover Book Club

Join us for this online circle, where we will weave our community, together. Guest speakers will join to help illuminate and discover what it means to be a Matriarch during this time. References to Matriarch Makeover: A 30-Day Invitation.

Sign up for Book Club

SIGN UP: Next Lineage Recovery Course for those of European-descent with Maija and Hilary

We would love to have you when we offer our next course.

Pre-register for next Lineage Recovery Course

"By the end of the first session, I found myself in tears—not from sadness alone, but from the profound mix of power, grief, and beauty held in the experience. Women of all ages and backgrounds gathered together in a deeply intentional space to reclaim ourselves as the matriarchal leaders we were always meant to be, while gently uncovering our pre-medieval roots."

—Nikki W., in response to attending the Lineage Recovery Course with Maija and Hilary

Modern Matriarch Highlight:

Max Dashú, Sara Axtell & Sìne McKenna

This month, we are honoring the guest speakers of our Lineage Recovery Course:

Max Dashu founded the Suppressed Histories Archives (1970) to research and document global women's history. She teaches with images from her collection of some 50,000 photos of female cultural heritages across time and space. She is internationally known for her expertise on iconography, matricultures, patriarchy and systems of domination; medicine women, shamans, witches, and the witch hunts.

Sara Axtell is part of a learning community called Healing Roots, which brings people together to learn about the role of culture in our lives, how it can support our well-being, and be a resource in our racial justice work. She teaches about culture and community in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota.

Sìne McKenna is a singer, teacher, song writer and storyteller who is devoted to sharing her ancestral treasures with other kindred spirits. She began her work in 1990, after living on the Isle of Skye and working with language activist Sir Iain Noble. She is devoted to working with song, blessings, and ritual associated with death and dying, as well as paying homage to the cycles of the moon.

Photo credit and websites:

www.veleda.net

https://healingrootscommunity.com/

https://ancestralfire.ca/

Learn more

Important Dates

February 26, 2026 - Lineage Recovery Course, session #3

March 12, 2026 - Latvian Cultural Practices Course, final session

March 12, 2026 - 2026 Book Club, informational session

March 19, 2026 - Lineage Recovery Course, final session

April 9, 2026 - Annual Book Club, session #1

June 20-30, 2026 - Pirts and solstice celebration retreat with Maija, Aija and Anrijs in Riga, Sigulda and Gulbene, Latvia

August 27-30, 2026 - Annual Matriarch Retreat on the California Central Coast

How to Start Your Matriarch Makeover ~

1. Free Resources

Every month we are adding new resources related to Community, Modern Matriarchs, Leadership, and more. Begin your journey by clicking below:

Browse all free resources

2. The Matriarch Member Circle

Our circle is growing! We now have 80+ members in our Matriarch Member Circle. It is becoming a powerful and inclusive place to connect and share resources. Its also the place where new offerings are shared, before public announcements. There are no membership dues or fees for this circle.

Join the Member Circle

3. The Book - 30 Day Invitation

These 20-minute journaling exercises were inspired by my own self-leadership journey. Many of the free resources (Step #1 above) are based on the exercises in this carefully crafted book.

Learn more

Copyright © 2026 Matriarch Makeover, All rights reserved.

www.maijawest.com

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