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50 Years of Polyamory
The Goddess Wisdom of Madeleine Sklar
(Season 2 | Episode 92)
[Tessa] We have a woman of wisdom with us this week. And more than that: a woman of wisdom who opens up her heart to us. It is such an honor to witness the deep knowledge of a 79-year-old woman. I named this episode “Goddess Wisdom” for a reason, for she is not only wise about the ways of the world and the ways of the heart, she has first-hand experience with polyamory. In fact, we found each other on a polyamorous Facebook group. Madeleine has been married to the same man for over 50 years.
Madeleine Sklar and Polyamory
Madeleine is more sexual than her husband. And, in fact, her husband decided that he did not want to participate in sexuality with Madeleine. Yet he wanted to continue to have sex with other women. A deep love remained, but the sexual desire was just not there. That was a time of crisis as you can imagine. Madeline says, “she would rather be told the truth than a lie.” And they were able to deal with this development as a team.
I am sure you will enjoy listening to our conversation to see where that led Madeleine Sklar since that time.
About Madeleine Sklar
Although adopted at birth by a “good” family, Unfortunately my nature and that of my adoptive mother, were total opposites. We were a square wagon wheel clunking awkwardly along point, to point in our jagged clumsy relationship whose mismatch left me always searching for connection to a greater Whole.
Coming from a Jewish birth mother I needed to belong to the Jewish people. However the Jewish religion was very patriarchal, like all religions I observed in my youth. Later, studying the Tarot in my twenties, aroused curiosity to explore he Hebrew Alphabet.
Even though both the Papus and Rider Waite writings on the Hebrew Aleph-Bet or alphabet, in relation to the Tarot are full of misinformation, my awakened curiosity led me to reading on the Hebrew letter/numerals, Kabbalah (especially, “On the Kabbalah” by Gershom Sholom) and the ancient Goddess centered cultures where the Aleph-Bet originated.
I learned that the roots of the Hebrew Alphabet originated in ancient Goddess cultures and so even the Hebrew Aleph-Bet or alphabet, is Feminine as is the word “Aleph-Bet” and Torah which like Shekinah, the Holy Feminine Presence, is a Feminine name of God. In Genesis 1, in the Holy Bible, The Holy One creates Male and Female “in Our image”. Also the Holy Name, יהןה ends with the letter, Heh, a letter usually indicating a feminine word in Hebrew.
Later, I completed my Master’s in interdisciplinary studies Psychology Anthropology and Sociology, with a focus on Women’s Issues. In My thesis, “Healing The Mother-Daughter Wound,” I developed my initial program to Spiritually, Culturally, and Personally, heal our most important primary relationship and through that healing, heal our relationship to our self, our partners, our children.
Over the years, as well as my academic training in working with relationships, I have a lot of personal learning, growth and experience deep and fulfilling both traditional and non-traditional relationships.
Following the devastation and desperation I experienced following the “failure” of my first marriage, and my subsequent revelation that since I was alone and might be alone forever, my only choice was: to be happy alone, or unhappy alone. Once I chose to be happy alone. I was able to break free from my victimhood to create my own happiness. Ironically, once I took take charge of my own happiness, and my cup was no longer filled with longing, there was room for love to pour in.
I have a life time of experience exploring and working with relationships, including my own: I have by now, spent over 50 years with the love of my life. It has not always been easy. Love is a process not a fixed state. It involves, creativity, learning, growing, adapting, and humor as you work through changes and challenges. In our constantly evolving, loving, extended family we raised a boy and girl, into amazing healthy loving adults. And now I feel I can actually speak not only from my years of training as I developed a kaleidoscope of skills, I can speak from personal experience.
I’ve learned that as you heal your childhood wounds, and particularly your maternal wounding, you become a better, parent to yourself, and your relationships with your children, partners and even friends becomes healthier and more fulfilling.
Life Recreation Program is designed to help you activate your connection to the Holy Feminine Presence at your deepest center so you can Re-Create your life for more joy connection and soul-purpose into your life and relationships.
Below are snippets and links to our most recent Soulful & Spiritual episodes.
Authenticity & Sensuality. We dive into the vibrant life of Maria DiSalvo, whose journey exemplifies the essence of being an open nester.
Reflections on Transcendence and Growth. Open nesting, redefining this phase of life as a vibrant stage filled with new adventures.
An enlightening conversation with Dr. Dawson Church, a leading expert on the intersection of psychology, spirituality, and neuroscience.
The Open Nesters Podcast: Wanda Christopher share their journey and work in healing, recovery, and transformation. A 30 Day Boyfriend.
Mothering Love and Success PART TWO (S4 | E162) with Leslie Russell, Tami Nora and Tessa. Another exclusive from The Open Nesters Podcast.
Mothering Love and Success (S4 | E161) with Leslie Russell, Tami Nora and Tessa. Another exclusive from The Open Nesters Podcast.
Resources for You
We want to provide you with support and many resources for your own Open Nesting Journey. Our resource page has so much to offer as does our private discussion group on Facebook about queerness and other topics of interest:
About Tessa
Tessa Krone is the engine behind and the face of The Open Nesters.
Tessa holds an MA in Consciousness Studies and is a speaker, coach, program and journey facilitator & leader, author and, of course, Podcaster.
Her offerings are based in her mission to help people open to their most self-expressed, loving selves. Tessa’s specialties include embodiment from all the senses and elements of our inner and outer lives, ranging from mindfulness, dance, play, and sensory exploration in nature. If she had one superpower, it would be to help people, especially as they age, to live more open hearted lives.

Please email Tessa to make a connection. If you like, please answer the question:
What do you need to OPEN your NEST? In your LIFE. In your BODY. In your SPIRIT. Do you need MORE…
- Adventure
- Freedom of Expression
- Exploration and Fun
- Body Movement
- New circles of friends
- Deep love relationships