Working Together
Hi.
I am Francine Bonjour-Carter, a writer, artist, and guide to the hidden places.
My extensive experience in having a one-on-one therapeutic practice, hosting monthly women's circles, and teaching in-person and online classes and workshops has taught me to guide others with clarity and gentleness.
I am currently looking forward to teaching in-person again and am available to lead the following workshops: ReConnect, a letter-writing experience, Into The Mystery, a voyage into the Tarot archetypes, and Deepening Into Story, an exploration through storytelling.
Through a unique creative, embodied process, I guide others toward meaning and authenticity. Connection, depth, and openness form the ground upon which I offer my work.
Photo: Cindy Fatsis
What you can expect when working with me:
- A space of safety where everyone is included, seen, and heard
- Professionalism and integrity
- A flexible guidance to meet each participant where they are
- Good interpersonal skills
- Attention to the details and the bigger picture
- Clarity and compassion
- Leadership and teamwork
- A natural ability to adapt
- A French accent ;)
:: ReConnect ::
Creative Letter-Writing
A unique, experiential workshop of writing letters to feel connected to yourself and others in a meaningful way.
ReConnect will open your heart and center your body. It is true medicine against loneliness and overwhelm, and it will help you develop a practice of authenticity and kindness.
Format:
- Group size: 6 to 20 people
- From 2 hours to a weekend-long workshop
- Materials required (can be provided): mats/blankets to lie on the floor, stationery paper, pens, envelopes.
For longer workshop: above materials + postage stamps, markers, glue, craft stamps, ephemera and papers for collage, stickers.
Themes:
An unlimited number of themes can be explored through this creative writing and community experience. Some examples are rest, nourishment, home, courage, and voice. We can find a theme that fits your space/event and group.
What participants do:
- Write heartfelt letter(s) following a specific theme
- Learn how to connect to their body in a mindful and grounded way
- Explore writing practices that bring flow and inspiration
- Read each other's letters
- Learn rituals to offer their letters to the natural world
- Create a mixed media card (in longer workshops)
What they experience:
- A connection to deeper parts of themselves
- A heart-to-heart kinship with others
- Being centered and grounded
- Authentic presence
- A space for creativity and connection
- Giving and receiving with authenticity
Short Workshops
- 2 hours -
Introduction and welcome.
Embodied Awareness Exercise (15 minutes).
Inspiration & guidance for writing.
Writing a letter.
Reading the letters.
Sharing.
- 2h30 to 4 hours -
As above
+
Break (15 minutes).
Inspiration & guidance for writing.
Writing a second letter.
Sharing.
Long Workshops
- One Day -
Introduction and welcome.
Embodied Awareness Exercise (30 to 45 minutes).
Inspiration & guidance for writing.
Writing of the first letter.
Small Break
Reading the letters.
Sharing.
-- Lunch Break --
Creation of a mixed media card.
Inspiration & guidance for writing.
Writing of the second letter.
Sharing.
- Two Days -
As above repeated, a total of four themes and four letters,
two mixed media cards.
:: Into The Mystery ::
Exploring the Tarot archetypes
Through a magical short movie, we enter into the mysterious world of symbols and archetypes of the Tarot.
This workshop is a profound way to explore our values and the meaning of our experiences in order to understand more about ourselves. We learn how to become anchored, solid, and connected.
Format:
- Group size: 6 to 20 people
- From 2 hours to a weekend-long workshop
- Materials required (can be provided): screen to play or project the movie, mats/blankets to lie on the floor. Art materials for longer workshops (glue sticks, ephemera, collage papers, blank cards, markers, pencils, stickers)
What participants learn:
- What an archetype is and how to work with that concept
- Identify the archetypes and symbols that resonate for them
- How to sit with questions and curiosity
- Access their imagination in a grounded way
- Develop compassion and understanding from seeing situations from a symbolic perspective
What they experience:
- Connect to deeper parts of themselves
- An immersion into the mythopoetic
- A profound sense of meaning
- The impact of symbols and archetypes
This workshop is not a Tarot reading session but a personal exploration through symbols and archetypes.
Short Workshops
- 2 hours
Introduction and welcome.
What is an archetype and how to work with it.
Embodied Awareness Exercise.
Watch a 15-minute magical video about the Tarot.
Exploration of the progression of the movie (from the Fool to the Lovers).
Sharing.
- 2h30 to 4 hours -
As above
+
Guided writing.
+
Deepening further into some of the archetypes of the Tarot (Major Arcana).
Long Workshops
- One Day -
Introduction and welcome.
What is an archetype and how to work with it.
Watch a 15-minute magical video about the Tarot.
Embodied Awareness Exercise based on a Tarot card.
Exploration of the first half of the Tarot archetypes following their appearance in the movie.
Guided writing.
Sharing.
-- Lunch Break --
Exploration of the second half of the Tarot archetypes.
Embodied Awareness Exercise based on a Tarot card.
Sharing.
- Two Days -
As above
+
Creation of a personal Tarot card (mixed media, collage, writing).
+
Deepening into the topics and archetypes that resonate with the group.
Deepening Into Story
The Power of storytelling
Through old European folk/fairy tales or stories from mythology, the world of transformations and initiations opens to us.
This workshop is a beautiful exploration of the meaning of our own experiences and how a story or myth helps us gain a deeper perspective on our personal narratives.
Format:
- Group size: 6 to 20 people
- From 2 hours to a weekend-long workshop
- Materials required and provided: A handmade booklet with the story and pages for taking notes. Small books for certain stories. Temporary tattoos (for longer workshops).
Possible Stories and Myths to explore:
- The Handless Maiden
- Persephone
- Fox Woman Dreaming
- Nettle-Eater (with a small book to purchase)
- Sometimes A Wild God (with a small book to purchase)
What participants learn:
- Listen to a story from an embodied, sensory perspective
- Identify and reflect on the places they connect with in the story
- Access their imagination in a grounded way
- Dive deeper into the times of transformation and initiations in their life
- Walk with and learn from a story
What they experience:
- Connect to deeper parts of themselves
- The gifts of a story/myth on a personal & collective level
- An immersion into the mythopoetic
- A profound sense of meaning
- The power of learning from symbols
Short Workshops
- 2 hours 30
Introduction and welcome
Embodied Awareness Exercise
Telling of the story (simple version)
Exploration
Sharing
- 2h30 to 4 hours -
As above
+
Guided writing
+
Deepening further into the topics and the passages of the story that resonate with the group.
Long Workshops
- One Day -
Introduction and welcome
Embodied Awareness Exercise
How to approach a story
Telling of the story Part 1
Exploration
Sharing
-- Lunch Break --
Telling of the story Part 2
Exploration
Sharing
Guided writing
- Two Days -
As above
+
Temporary tattoo ritual
+
Deepening into the topics of the story that resonate with the group. These topics can be: transformation, embodied initiations, healing, descent into and return from the dark places, belonging, nature connection, creativity, empowerment, ancestral connection, grief, belonging.
Let's get in touch
If you have questions and/or are interested in having me to guide and teach at your space, event, or retreat, you can contact me by email or by phone. I'd be happy to chat with you, answer your questions, and explore how we can collaborate.
Thank you for your interest, I am looking forward to speaking with you!
Email me: info@francinebonjour.com
Call me: (215) 626-3019.