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Red Thread: Weaving an Embodied Life of Joy
Do you feel trapped in your own skin? Are you longing to break free and show up as your authentic, whole self? Do you crave a sacred connection with your body, your wild soul, and your community?
You aren’t the only one longing to be free and embodied, and author and Red Tent guide Aj Smit is here to help.
With witty humor and charming honesty, Aj helps you navigate thirteen key areas of life like cycles, vulnerability, boundaries, and even what it means to be soul wild. For years, Aj has held virtual and in-person sacred spaces called Red Tents to encourage women to meet their truth, share their stories, and uncover the songs of their souls. Now, you are invited into the Red Tent.
With deep-diving questions, meditations, activities, and stories, Red Thread is your guide to:
* Lean into your life-giving cycles and ancient feminine wisdom.
*Cultivate meaningful relationships and abundant creativity.
* Learn to deeply trust your Intuition and Inner Voice.
*BONUS: Red Thread also includes 13 ready-to-use scripts to help you create personal or communal Red Tents to cultivate the skills discussed in each chapter.
Red Thread will empower you, and the women you love, to have the hard and brave conversations which will change the patterns and stories we pass down to future generations.
Let’s weave a life of joy, together in the Red Tent.
You aren’t the only one longing to be free and embodied, and author and Red Tent guide Aj Smit is here to help.
With witty humor and charming honesty, Aj helps you navigate thirteen key areas of life like cycles, vulnerability, boundaries, and even what it means to be soul wild. For years, Aj has held virtual and in-person sacred spaces called Red Tents to encourage women to meet their truth, share their stories, and uncover the songs of their souls. Now, you are invited into the Red Tent.
With deep-diving questions, meditations, activities, and stories, Red Thread is your guide to:
* Lean into your life-giving cycles and ancient feminine wisdom.
*Cultivate meaningful relationships and abundant creativity.
* Learn to deeply trust your Intuition and Inner Voice.
*BONUS: Red Thread also includes 13 ready-to-use scripts to help you create personal or communal Red Tents to cultivate the skills discussed in each chapter.
Red Thread will empower you, and the women you love, to have the hard and brave conversations which will change the patterns and stories we pass down to future generations.
Let’s weave a life of joy, together in the Red Tent.
Unknown Binding
Published September 22, 2021
19 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 29, 2021
Aj Smit has woven together a book rich with meaning, belonging and joy for femme folx- and really any who pick up this book. The stories enfolded between the pages are inspiring, as I read so many sections and wanted to say “yes! This!”
The premise of the book and the subsequent chapters touch on themes that are intertwined in the human and sacred. The vision is casted clearly and the details are poignant, while adaptable.
Aj goes above and beyond to share the concept of Red Tents and radical welcome. She lays out scripts and details around themes to host or participate in a Red Tent experience, leaving the reader craving a place and time to have this friendship and community.
These pages leave me full of anticipation. I can’t wait to experience a Red Tent and find my circle of trusted people who listen without judgment, honor my personhood and celebrate my living.
Note: I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for a review.
The premise of the book and the subsequent chapters touch on themes that are intertwined in the human and sacred. The vision is casted clearly and the details are poignant, while adaptable.
Aj goes above and beyond to share the concept of Red Tents and radical welcome. She lays out scripts and details around themes to host or participate in a Red Tent experience, leaving the reader craving a place and time to have this friendship and community.
These pages leave me full of anticipation. I can’t wait to experience a Red Tent and find my circle of trusted people who listen without judgment, honor my personhood and celebrate my living.
Note: I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for a review.
September 4, 2021
This book is going to help us find and form what we often are missing in our life and that is community. A community of women who lift each other up, embrace each other as they are, and provide a safe space for each other. In this book AJ gives us the tools to form our own Red Tent if we choose to. She also gives us permission to love ourselves as we are. She gives us permission to feel all our feelings, even anger. Their is a great mix of exercise, personal stories and reflection in this magical book. Thank you for the advanced copy for my honest review.
September 2, 2021
Sooo much goodness in this book. It helps me to get back into my own skin and become comfortable. It also reminds me it’s okay to take up space. Thank you AJ for putting tent on paper.
Get this book, seriously you won’t be disappointed.
Get this book, seriously you won’t be disappointed.
August 27, 2021
This book is extremely well organized. Aj provides an excellent balance of exercise, personal stories, and self-improvement instruction. This is one of few books out there that allow a space for women to have and express anger, and that's very important to me. A key question in the book: what do you need and how will you ask for it? One answer is community, and I think people are going to find it after reading this book. I also need to say that I adore the cover. It's almost like a fantasy novel, and reading this book is like going on a quest for yourself, to learn how to ask for help and to express yourself, and to find others who will hold space for you and lift you up.
August 26, 2021
I love everything that AJ wrote. This book is every layer of womanhood. Pulling the threads of shared experiences forward and meeting them with curiosity and ultimately freedom. While reading it I felt the calling to dance naked around a fire, share in sacred sister circles and host red tents (the incredible and sacred spaces that are outlined within the chapters of the book). Give it a read, allow it to call out to your heart too.
August 25, 2021
I've been reading this book for almost a week now.
What I love the most is Aj's honesty about those sometimes sensitive topics. I found myself in a couple of chapters. Sometimes I had to giggle and sometimes I stared crying.
My favorite part are the meditations parts. So so good!
Aj, you did a fantastic job with this book!
What I love the most is Aj's honesty about those sometimes sensitive topics. I found myself in a couple of chapters. Sometimes I had to giggle and sometimes I stared crying.
My favorite part are the meditations parts. So so good!
Aj, you did a fantastic job with this book!
September 8, 2021
Sometimes in “self-help” or “motivation focused” books, an author’s tone can come across a bit stale, and at times condescending.
I was abundantly grateful to get my hands on an advance copy courtesy of the publisher, and I am so glad I got to experience this magical journey.
Aj has harnessed the rare and innate ability to fill every page of this beautiful book with the palpable essence of her nurturing and reassuring spirit. She has managed to weave this magnificent menagerie of storytelling, self-discovery, and community building in a way that feels genuinely altruistic and comforting. This entire book feels like a night of deep conversation with a dear friend. Warm, comforting, thought provoking, intriguing, and above all hope-inducing.
Aj does not write these messages from the pedestal of a masterful gatekeeper of wisdom, but rather as a gentle tour de force of grace and compassion.
She provides the tools, and reassures each of us that the gifts we need to cultivate connection and community already lie within us.
She bravely leads the charge as she challenges the lies we have all been told to stifle our muchness and drown out our magic.
She calls us in without hesitation and without conditions:
“No matter what brought you to this moment, where you are from, or what you believe, you are ALL welcome here.”
It is clear that every page of this book contains sparkly pieces of Ajs beautiful soul, unique and awe-inspiring. Made all the more poignant by the thread woven through each of the chapters - the nature of all truth, unity, and genuine connection is love.
The melodic call of the red thread that so poignantly connects each of us to one other is ringing out for you -
Will you answer?
Take this journey with Aj, and with yourself, your closest friends, or your community.
You will not regret it!
I was abundantly grateful to get my hands on an advance copy courtesy of the publisher, and I am so glad I got to experience this magical journey.
Aj has harnessed the rare and innate ability to fill every page of this beautiful book with the palpable essence of her nurturing and reassuring spirit. She has managed to weave this magnificent menagerie of storytelling, self-discovery, and community building in a way that feels genuinely altruistic and comforting. This entire book feels like a night of deep conversation with a dear friend. Warm, comforting, thought provoking, intriguing, and above all hope-inducing.
Aj does not write these messages from the pedestal of a masterful gatekeeper of wisdom, but rather as a gentle tour de force of grace and compassion.
She provides the tools, and reassures each of us that the gifts we need to cultivate connection and community already lie within us.
She bravely leads the charge as she challenges the lies we have all been told to stifle our muchness and drown out our magic.
She calls us in without hesitation and without conditions:
“No matter what brought you to this moment, where you are from, or what you believe, you are ALL welcome here.”
It is clear that every page of this book contains sparkly pieces of Ajs beautiful soul, unique and awe-inspiring. Made all the more poignant by the thread woven through each of the chapters - the nature of all truth, unity, and genuine connection is love.
The melodic call of the red thread that so poignantly connects each of us to one other is ringing out for you -
Will you answer?
Take this journey with Aj, and with yourself, your closest friends, or your community.
You will not regret it!
September 21, 2021
I am reading an Advance reader copy.
I have to say I have had the pleasure of experiencing a red tent lead by the author AJ in person as well as a red tent retreat.
AJ leds red tents and retreats just like she wrote this book. With openness, vulnerability, compassion, kindness. In this book she invites us on a journey of discovery or reconnection to oneself, a journey that she has taken herself. As well as walks hand in hand with us through this book.
I remember when AJ invited me to tent. I was so scared to go to my first red tent. I was unsure of what to expect, not to mention when I looked up about it I was like, I don't belong, because I don't have a period any more, haven't in years. I also felt that I had nothing to bring or to offer. AJ convinced me to come and give it a try. Little did I know, I did not have to bring or offer anything. Just show up, be myself and let tent do it's magic.
It was amazing the community and connection I felt. So many stories I related to. All of the shared experiences, and just being able to be there and show up and hold space and support for the ones that were different from mine.
Tent offers a safe space with out judgement. A safe place that can offer insight, or even healing. That in itself is worth it's weight in gold. Often times we don't have a safe space to share our journeys so they get hidden deep within ourselves and the wounds just sit and fester and never heal, but not with tent. I have wittiness healing and experienced it's power first hand.
With this book in hand it will allow other to experience it for themselves. Be it alone in the privacy of their homes or with a friend. Maybe someone will want to share with a co worker. Who knows maybe someone will be inspired like AJ or start their own red tent. With this book it can help them lead the way. To help others struggling, to empower them to speak up, set health boundaries, to know it's ok to say no, be unapologetically true to themselves.
I would recommend this book to anyone who identifies with the feminine or as female, or anyone who is raising a tiny human that identifies with the feminine or female. Actually, I would recommend this book to anyone who may want to learn to connect with the feminine or to enhance their knowledge and communication around this topic. This book is amazing and an amazing tool to have on hand. It can help bring you home to yourself. 💕🤟 It can help, as the author AJ says "sing your soul song Lovelies."
I have to say I have had the pleasure of experiencing a red tent lead by the author AJ in person as well as a red tent retreat.
AJ leds red tents and retreats just like she wrote this book. With openness, vulnerability, compassion, kindness. In this book she invites us on a journey of discovery or reconnection to oneself, a journey that she has taken herself. As well as walks hand in hand with us through this book.
I remember when AJ invited me to tent. I was so scared to go to my first red tent. I was unsure of what to expect, not to mention when I looked up about it I was like, I don't belong, because I don't have a period any more, haven't in years. I also felt that I had nothing to bring or to offer. AJ convinced me to come and give it a try. Little did I know, I did not have to bring or offer anything. Just show up, be myself and let tent do it's magic.
It was amazing the community and connection I felt. So many stories I related to. All of the shared experiences, and just being able to be there and show up and hold space and support for the ones that were different from mine.
Tent offers a safe space with out judgement. A safe place that can offer insight, or even healing. That in itself is worth it's weight in gold. Often times we don't have a safe space to share our journeys so they get hidden deep within ourselves and the wounds just sit and fester and never heal, but not with tent. I have wittiness healing and experienced it's power first hand.
With this book in hand it will allow other to experience it for themselves. Be it alone in the privacy of their homes or with a friend. Maybe someone will want to share with a co worker. Who knows maybe someone will be inspired like AJ or start their own red tent. With this book it can help them lead the way. To help others struggling, to empower them to speak up, set health boundaries, to know it's ok to say no, be unapologetically true to themselves.
I would recommend this book to anyone who identifies with the feminine or as female, or anyone who is raising a tiny human that identifies with the feminine or female. Actually, I would recommend this book to anyone who may want to learn to connect with the feminine or to enhance their knowledge and communication around this topic. This book is amazing and an amazing tool to have on hand. It can help bring you home to yourself. 💕🤟 It can help, as the author AJ says "sing your soul song Lovelies."
September 4, 2021
"Imagine walking into a room where your whole self is welcomed and wanted." Aj welcomes us into the book with this wonderful invitation and follows through by bringing her whole self and teaching us how to do it too. Throughout the book we are lead into thinking about and processing 13 different areas in our lives - including everything from cycles, anger, vulnerability and growth. Personal stories, thoughtful questions, quotes, honesty and humor are threaded together into a place to make you dig deeper into your self. Meditations and Red Tent scripts are included for each area. There are even chapters on how to create a Red Tent in your area and what to do to make it thrive. AJ has really thought through how to help each woman approach finding themselves. Each section can be savored, or devoured in just a few sittings. I appreciated all the hard work that went into making a well rounded book with so many resources provided to us. This will be a book that I go back to for the meditations, scripts and resources.
September 6, 2021
I’m part way through an advanced reader copy of this book and am already feeling so much healing going on within me.
I’m struck with a bit of jealousy reading the Red Tent gathering guides…so wishing I could be part of one!!
I will be back to complete my review with more specific insights, but for now, suffice to say, you girls should all be reading this!!
I’m struck with a bit of jealousy reading the Red Tent gathering guides…so wishing I could be part of one!!
I will be back to complete my review with more specific insights, but for now, suffice to say, you girls should all be reading this!!
September 16, 2021
I’m reading an advanced copy of this book and it is cracking me WIDE open. I’m soaking up all of AJ’s wisdom and joy.
September 14, 2021
I'm currently reading this book and using it as "mommy down time" at night before bed. Being a new mom this book is bringing me back to who I was and parts of me I had long forgotten. Within the first chapter I could relate to her story so much I just wanted to hug her. Meditations bring something new every time and I love discovering this book so I can share it with my daughter.
September 27, 2021
Not your run of the mill self help book and I like that. While I appreciated the various Red Tent scripts at the end of each chapter, as someone who has no intention of ever holding one I found myself just skipping them over. I think there were beautiful moments in the book and some great like mantra/quotes that can be taken and used. My favourite was “We overestimate what we can do in a year and underestimate what we can do in a decade.” That was a really ah-ha kind of moment for me. I very much recommend this book and I hope it become and audio book to as I can just imagine Aj reading this book and making it extra awesome.
Read
September 17, 2021Aj Smit has opened up a new avenue to the sacred for me in this book. She introduces a lot of new concepts and ideas about how women can support and uplift each other, she suggests new ways to consider and to connect with what is holy or sacred, both in the world and especially within myself and she very concretely lays out the steps and scripts for exploring these new ideas, either for myself or for groups of women. I think I will be a better friend through what I've learned and I know I will get to know and trust myself better. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels they are on a bit of a journey to understand themselves better, to make better connections and to be more at peace on an ongoing basis in their lives.
September 19, 2021
I am currently reading an advanced copy of this book. The author welcomes you into this beautiful space with the warmest embrace, offering the permission that you didn't know you were waiting for to explore key elements that will nourish your soul and enrich your life. When you dive into this book you will feel held and loved as you journey alongside the other women and stories that Aj has so perfectly woven together.
September 20, 2021
This book is amazing! It might seem a little eccentric, but once you start you won’t be able to stop! Very relatable! It gives you the ‘a-ha’ and ‘I thought it was just me’ moments! If I could give more stars I would!
September 16, 2021
Red Thread is a beautiful book that feels like a warm hug as you read it. You can feel the author's presence, guiding you through each chapter, holding your hand through self discovery, and laughing and crying along with you. In this pandemic time, I've found myself drawn increasingly to more connections, both with myself and others. The Red Thread is your guide to better understand yourself and others, and if you feel called to, help more people do the same. I've already pre-ordered for my closest girl friends and family members!!
September 20, 2021
It’s the book I never knew I needed! Aj has also provided us with guides to create our own red tent. Highly recommend reading
October 7, 2022
This was a beautifully crafted book written straight from the heart of a beautiful person. This book is such a perfect example of someone using their gifts to make the world a better place. The idea of creating a safe space for women to grow into fully embodied versions of themselves would not have been something I would have felt able to attempt, but this book makes it seem possible. Furthermore, this book was such an encouragement to me personally. I came away with many new thoughts and considerations, but the one that resonated most deeply with me was the idea that I am the Library of Alexandria rather than a Barbie doll. "A place treasured and filled with knowledge. A haven of goodness." Do yourself a favor and read it today!
December 14, 2024
A staple in my library and my life. This book opened my eyes to the soul inside me, and I've been on a journey of learning and healing ever since. There are so many areas in the book that resonated with me, and I went on to read many books referred to, joining red tent & soul coaching with Aj, and more. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to explore more about themselves.
September 23, 2021
UGH-This is the book I wish I have decades ago. There's so much wisdom and honesty in here about bodies and stories and being a woman. Aj weaves each chapter with the perfect blend of humor, vulnerability, and nerdy pop culture references that the whole thing feels like hanging out with those rare friends you can truly be yourself around.
The practical steps are easy to implement and make a HUGE difference. Basically, we all need this book and I'm so grateful that Aj wrote it from the heart!
P.S. PARENTS..... I think every tween should be gifted a copy of this book so that it can be her guide while she spends the rest of her life trying to navigate all things feminine in a horribly patriarchal world. I bought one for my girl, can we all agree to just make this happen?
The practical steps are easy to implement and make a HUGE difference. Basically, we all need this book and I'm so grateful that Aj wrote it from the heart!
P.S. PARENTS..... I think every tween should be gifted a copy of this book so that it can be her guide while she spends the rest of her life trying to navigate all things feminine in a horribly patriarchal world. I bought one for my girl, can we all agree to just make this happen?
October 6, 2021
From the very beginning of this book, I have been enthralled with everything Aj Smit is writing. I'm captivated and pouring over each word because it invokes such feelings within me. I'd LOVE to be able to experience a Red Tent with women in community and/or my friends. If you're looking for ideas on how to find a community of women who can relate on a deeper level to one another, I highly suggest you read this book.
September 23, 2021
A Brilliant guide for life!
Red Thread is the exactly the kind of book our world needs right now.
After all of this time we've spent in solitude, it's a warm invitation for self exploration & to come back together to experience deeper connections in more loving and authentic ways.
When I was asked to read the advanced copy, I had no doubt that I would love it, but I never dreamed I'd be so moved & learn so much.
What a gift!
Red Thread is the exactly the kind of book our world needs right now.
After all of this time we've spent in solitude, it's a warm invitation for self exploration & to come back together to experience deeper connections in more loving and authentic ways.
When I was asked to read the advanced copy, I had no doubt that I would love it, but I never dreamed I'd be so moved & learn so much.
What a gift!
October 7, 2021
The author of this book does a good job proving the point that even if you think everything has already been said, it hasn’t been said from your perspective. Aj takes the step into your power message in an entirely new direction by relating it to the concept of Red Tents.
October 13, 2021
I love this book. Must read for any woman or person who is looking to cultivate more joy in their lives and are looking for tangible ways to do that that don't feel like shoulds or more things added to the list. :-)
September 23, 2021
Need some empowerment and joy? Pick up this book! Put on that lipstick and be you! Well written AJ!
September 25, 2021
Amazing book! Really beautiful!
December 9, 2021
Red Thread is a well written guide on how to set up and conduct a Red tent gathering.
June 2, 2023
Truly a magical book in which A.J. bares all in the hope of creating a new sense of purpose in anyone who reads it. Get this book. It’s a game changer.
September 21, 2021
This book bring out questions about yourself and guides you to answer those.
I am afraid, so afraid of being seen. I am terrified of never being seen.
I love learning about myself. I am doing that more and more as I read.
“It is ok to be seen, it is ok to take up space.” I needed to hear this. Often I hide out in the back and avoid any attention. I show up very bland, so no one notices.
“A safe place to show up as your full self. “ I think many of us need this in our lives. I know I do.
I can’t wait to finish this book and reread it. I am so excited about it, I ordered 2. One for me and one for a gift.
I am afraid, so afraid of being seen. I am terrified of never being seen.
I love learning about myself. I am doing that more and more as I read.
“It is ok to be seen, it is ok to take up space.” I needed to hear this. Often I hide out in the back and avoid any attention. I show up very bland, so no one notices.
“A safe place to show up as your full self. “ I think many of us need this in our lives. I know I do.
I can’t wait to finish this book and reread it. I am so excited about it, I ordered 2. One for me and one for a gift.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews