As time swiftly skips by it seems we are heading towards the festive season at quite a rapid speed.

With the festivities approaching, and the evidence of the more commercial and monetised element very apparent, I wanted to take time to reflect on what the season means to me. Where do I place my awareness? How have I come to interact and connect with this time, and how I am trying to do so with greater and greater integrity, aligned with my own values and beliefs? Mine do not have to be the same, or even that similar to yours, but I hope these words might encourage and inspire your own inner reflection and adjustment to optimise this season for you and all that truly matters to you.

What matters to me?

To be clear, I actually really enjoy many things about the festive season. I particularly embrace quality time with friends and loved ones. I enjoy the beautiful and delicious sensory side of soft lighting, candles and twinkly lights (not LED!). I appreciate the tastes and smells of good foods and the spices and earthy ingredients at this time, both the joy of home cooking and baking as well as well selected treats. I sometimes immerse myself in music that feels just right for that moment, have walks in nature, plenty of time to be cosy and, when I can, enjoy real fires. 

There are things I find challenging! I won’t go into those here but it is probably best summarised as staying at a slow enough pace to really listen to myself and follow my instinctual needs. Balancing the needs of myself and others. Does that resonate? Maybe!

Midwinter

Midwinter is what matters most to me, the recognition of the darkest point. Feeling safe and cocooned by the darkness whilst still feeling the ever present light within the dark. I take time to be outside for the day, no matter the weather, to be embraced by the elements and held by the land. To watch the increasing and decreasing light levels at either end of the day, whether the sun is present or not. This fills my heart and soul. It has the quality of pilgrimage, a journey and a meeting place to honour that which is sacred. Time to pause and reflect, time to listen inwards. I have also found it allows me to be open and to surrender to the variety and vibrancy that Christmas can bring having emptied out and refilled in this way.

Why I am writing this?

The contrast to this sacredness could be huge. Or even the distance between what matters most and fills our hearts, and what we actually do with our time and energy. The intention behind writing this is to help us all, myself included, be mindful of the pitfalls and traps that can lurk at this time of year ready for us to fall or trip into. To become aware and resourced as we learn to circumnavigate things more skilfully until we can saunter through with greater ease.

I have become increasingly aware that the monetisation and commercial side of festive seasons (Christmas seems to be this height of it, and I will touch on why I think this later) requires us to want and need to buy things!  I know that might sound simplistic but my own journey and personal observation has led me to this place.

Have you noticed how many books, films, advertisements and  media at this time tend to depict particular narratives around family groups, relationships, finding true love, having the perfect outfit (hair, food, home...), living a fairytale life and certain ways to live and interact in the world?

Songs are about coming home, about those that we miss, about finding ‘the one’ or being in an idyllic setting surrounded by snow! I began to notice that when I was listening to music, watching films and receiving this information and stimulus that it was evoking certain feelings and then certain thoughts. Or, it was generating, or awakening, thoughts and beliefs that led to emotions and feelings arising in me.  That I could go from feeling totally fine and content to feeling sad, lonely, or even thinking I didn’t have enough, or my life should somehow be different. That I needed to be different. The common narratives were pulling me into what I’m calling the nostalgia trap.

Nostalgia

What is nostalgia?  ‘A sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past’  ‘A wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition’

This literally puts us in the past, bringing up old thoughts, feelings, scenarios that we know cannot be recovered.  We long for something that no longer exists, or perhaps never really did?

We remember the past through our filters of beliefs and memory. We can even idolise and think everything was perfect and so much better than today. If only this moment was different, if only that thing, person, job, relationship etc still existed. We can lament what we believe to be missed moments and opportunities. But were they really?

The other end of nostalgia?

What is the other end of nostalgia?  The future projecting and wanting something to be different?  Needing more, wanting more, wanting different, and longing for things that (we hope or believe) will fill the apparent holes and gaps in our lives and homes. What do we call this? In essence this could be summarised as fear. The fear of lack, the fear of missing out, of not belonging and of not fitting in. I also think and notice this heading us in the direction of worry and could lead to anxiety. This is, again, to assume any moment other than this one is better. That changing something externally would make everything ok.

Yes we can plan for the future and we can take steps towards a future more aligned with what we sense, know and feel is deeply important and true for us, but we can actually only do so from the present. In this moment right now, from an embodied sense of self, not just from the mind. And NOW is the only moment we can choose and step towards that which we truly desire. By connecting, listening inwards and choosing in the present we steer and guide ourselves from the inside out.

Either way, nostalgia or fear, we are taken from the present moment, into the past or future.  We lose our clarity and focus in the moment happening now and our mind wanders into other places and times. None of them happening right now - just imagined. 

Read that again… when we think about the past or future (and how perfect they were, or could be) it is only happening in our mind... in our imagination!

And yet this generates very real feelings, emotions and thoughts based on the imagining and we can feel so many things and think they are really happening now, or imagine/ assume how they could be. All of this happens without the actual lived experience and the feedback that life gives. 

Reflecting

Don’t misunderstand, reflection, dreaming and being inspired for the future can be really positive. especially if it includes going deeper into the heart, into the core needs and generating this from within our bodily knowing. We can intentionally take time to enquire and give time to these reflections, to feel and listen deeper. But when feelings and thoughts are generated by things in our environment, often unconsciously or unaware, then we can be blindsided and we can fall into the nostalgia trap.

We don’t necessarily realise why we feel how we do and we start to think that changing something, such as having more, buying something (or lots of things) can make the difference to how we feel. Perhaps other coping strategies occur too; such as eating, drinking or working to try and fill a gap or a void. This isn’t reflecting, or mindful, or heartful, but an (often sudden) change in our inner mood and landscape and with it a change in feeling about ourselves and about the moment we are in.

Do we love ourselves in that moment or do we sometimes fall into patterns of behaviour driven by fear, lack, emotions, beliefs and maybe even overwhelm? This is completely normal and human. What I propose and invite is that we have more awareness, and that we have more choice when we do

The antidote?

I love a good movie and songs of times gone by, but I approach them differently now. I have the experience and awareness that if I start drifting from the present and feeling the lack, worry, sadness, loneliness or feelings that somehow me, in my life as it is now, is inadequate then I can see it and feel it and I have a choice. I pause and I observe. I can still go into those feelings; and sometimes that can even be a practice and become a healing or integration, but I can also choose to stay in the present and to observe. I can also choose, for the most part, that which I watch and to what I listen.

Observing from the present gives a much better gauge of how we are and how life is, how life truly is. Even if we don’t have the life we hoped or planned for, even if everything is falling apart and we have no idea what we are doing, if we can stay in the present, and be more grounded, there is the possibility of a deeper contentment where we are right now. To root ourselves within ourselves, within the breath and our own beating heart. To connect and receive our own holding and appreciation, or our own care and love. This is a practice and for many of us this can require learning (or we could call it remembering), and then more practice.

Each time we notice and pause, we are undoing the patterns. Each breath we remember to take right here, right now is being more present with ourselves in the present.

Can we buy our way out of it, or fill the gap with stuff? You tell me. I would say no. Temporary distraction and the buzz we get is just temporary. It doesn’t change the underlying need and perception. We can, however, change our mind, or place of awareness to change our perspective. That doesn't require buying anything!

Stop and be present

So next time you feel those pangs of what you thought life should be like, based on someone else’s ideas or ideals, perhaps you can choose to stop and be really present with your amazing self, with the incredible person that you are right now. With all that you have done and been (and been through) and all that has led you to this moment and the person you are today. Can you be real with yourself, honest for a moment about how you feel? To acknowledge and honour what is being experienced? Can you show yourself more appreciation and care?

What if you are enough? What if you have all that you need? What if you are loved and accepted exactly as you are? What if you can relax into this moment? And into the next?

It feels extremely important to acknowledge that there are people going through severe or extreme challenges and are needing support with their fundamental basic needs right now. People are alone or have suffered recent loss, and to them I offer the warmest heartfelt embrace and a heart full of love and compassion.  May we help and support in whatever ways we can so that life continues to get easier for those people as they journey and navigate this time.

What will you choose?

So this writing speaks more specifically to the externally imposed limitations and lack, or that which feels external. To our thoughts and beliefs and power of choice. The ways we can be shown a life that we (start to, or used to) think we should have. We have a choice. What will you choose this festive season? Will you choose the past, the future or the present? May you recognise the gift and joy of life and living aside from the narratives, noise and drama. 

I invite you to go inwards and meet and love yourself just as you are. To listen to what is beneath the drama and emotions, what is actually being asked and how can you give that to yourself? How can we fulfil our own needs inside, not outside, and offer to ourselves the nurturing, the belonging, the appreciation and the love and joy that is being asked from within.

Nourish your soul

What matters most to you? What truly fills your soul? What can you include that would nourish you deeply? And how will you make a point of giving this to yourself? To take action to meet your inner needs? 

Perhaps another way to ask this questions is what are your key ingredients this festive season, your priorities? Can you let them help guide your choices?

May we embrace the true spirit of Christmas, of Solstice, Yule, Midwinter, Hanukah or whatever is most aligned with your personal beliefs, or absence of, at this moment in the year. The Northern Hemisphere is in the darker months, heading towards the darkest day of the year, the longest night. A perfect moment for reflection. It often naturally draws us into reflection, to witness and observe the shadows, our relationship to the darkness and to the needs within ourselves.

If you want to read more about my perception and journey with the darkness and being embraced by darkness, and by winter itself I highly recommend the previous blog post, “The Sacred Heart of Darkness ~ being embraced by winter.”

What is needed, in this moment?

However you spend your time, know you are worthy and whole and that you belong. You are loved, just as you are. If you want to reflect, perhaps ask yourself what you need in this moment, not what you want. Take a softening breath and wait for the answer, you might be surprised when you listen to the wisdom of the body and your beautiful heart.

​Hello dear reader. I have been reflecting and musing. I have been sitting and allowing a deeper awareness to develop around my work, that part of myself and my offerings and service to the world. Sometimes words are restrictive and confining, finding language for that which has no label or category can be challenging. We can find ourselves using words that don’t quite fit in an effort to make things clear, which are then interpreted by the other in their own way. So, I thought I would take time to really describe what it is that I am developing and offering in sessions at this time. What is available? What is becoming?

Where it began

First, let’s go back. In around 2007 when I went fully self-employed the wording for the business and my part within it arrived with great clarity…

Do you want to feel deeply happy and content with the strength and clarity to follow your own inner wisdom? For total health and well-being, inspiring and guiding you to have the life and lifestyle you truly desire.

I worked at that time offering physiotherapy, massage, aromatherapy, yoga and meditation.  However, even then, I saw the restriction in these labels, in the categories that potentially prevented skills from one modality influencing and supporting another. I also knew that for total health and well-being it had to include the whole person, it had to be (w)holistic.

For those of you that have been with me since then, you will remember I wrote my own holistic assessment and began a deeper inquiry with clients to involve the body systems, the mind and mental well-being, lifestyle choices and habits and to really help bring clarity and guide individuals to the most useful modalities and therapies. It didn’t have to be me or things that I offered, it just had to be the best fit. This allowed for conversation, reflection and to develop collaborative and client orientated goals in areas of life they wanted to develop or change. It also gave total autonomy to clients to say where they didn’t want to make changes (even if it was a not yet) and for them to explore potential therapies outside my scope of practice. This worked beautifully and provided a clear framework in which to support individuals whilst completely honouring their intentions and needs at that time.
​
Life happened!

Then life happened, you know the part of life where you don’t really know what you are doing but the old ways don’t work. You don’t really fit into the life you are living and know something has to shift? Where there has to be a change, but it is a really big leap of faith and things can seem totally chaotic and confusing for a while, yet through that process you find yourself living and growing and exploring in ways you never expected or imagined. This involved moving, travel and big life and lifestyle changes. ​

For me during this time I found a greater connection, a deeper surrender and the necessity to trust in a way I never had before, to let go of the reins (of the mind) and allow myself to be guided in life. To make plenty of (what looked like) mistakes only to look back and realise the huge value and growth that occurred in those times. To re-evaluate and re-direct, to refine and to believe in myself more and more. To learn to put myself at the centre of my life (still learning!) and to become more of who I was allowing myself to be.

Sacred Journeys

When the name Sacred Journeys came through back around 2013/2014, I also received the wording ‘Take a journey to the centre of your being, take a journey to the heart of your self’.

This felt so right and so true and yet it took years to really truly understand what this meant in practical and real-life terms. As my own journey unfolded the pieces fell into place, bringing me closer and closer to my own heart, the centre of my being. With it came even more depth of guidance from within, as well as a holding, both within and around me, from love and from life itself.

Why Sacred Journeys? It honours the sacredness of the everyday human journey arising in every moment, as well as acknowledging the sacredness of life itself. It embraces our soul and spirit within the human dance. The organic weaving together of modalities, and drawing upon my wider skill mix and life experience, became invaluable and the holistic healing journey became the container for this beautiful co-creative process.

The evolution of Sacred Journeys

As 2022 was coming towards a close I felt the next stage of the journey unfolding and evolving ready to be offered to you all. There is a deepening and a necessary shift to really honour my own self, my own guidance and the use of the tools and skills with which I have been blessed, which I have studied, learnt and practised and the perspective and awareness that evolves and integrates through my own journey. As I write this now in the latter part of 2024 I realise just how much more has changed, the threads that stay the same and yet the evolution continues.

Over the years I have studied (a lot!), taken part in numerous online courses, seminars, conferences, been on my own personal growth, healing and integration journey and trusted the direction and evolving of the work more with my growing intuition and life experience. Culminating in the potency and potential breakthroughs available in person and online that are available to you now. 

So, what is the root and essence of our sessions together? 

At the heart of everything I do is a truly collaborative approach, one that allows you to be heard and seen, where there is space to simply be. You will be empowered to make the best choices for you. Every therapeutic healing session is unique and a truly collaborative approach to deeply nurture, nourish, replenish, empower and release. 

In essence...

• There is a foundation in heart connection (reducing thinking levels to get to what is underneath).
• Compassionate witnessing (receiving all that you want and need to share with the heart of compassion).
• Deepening the sense of safety and grounding in the body (getting present right here, right now). 
• Trauma healing and releasing (moving from the past conditioning into the potential and possibilities available in the here and now).
• Listening to your most authentic self, your soul, your voice of truth within to awaken your most aligned potential and reconnect to your deepest joy.

Although every session is unique there are recurring themes and feedback that is frequently given by clients.

This often includes:

• huge relief
  
• inner quiet and space…
• peace (particularly peace of mind),
• quiet clarity, focus,
• deeper trust and knowing,
• freedom from memories and events from the past,
• freedom from pain and suffering.

Ultimately an ease and greater flow within life, a steadiness and self-knowledge which leads to life improving in so many ways both personally and professionally.

In essence they thrive! You thrive!

More possibilities for healing

Since those words came into being, and the name Sacred Journeys came into play, there has been the addition of working with the wisdom and power of cycles, particularly the wisdom of the womb and transitions in life, and the connection of my work more fully with the earth and natural world.

More and more it became important and necessary to include greater scope for effectively working with stress, anxiety and the nervous system and being trauma informed with the potential to bring complete relief from distressing memories, and limiting thoughts and beliefs that hold us in the past, so that we can be present and interact more fully in the present.

The addition of Havening Techniques® has been invaluable and had a far greater reach and application than I first realised, truly bringing a stronger sense of self, empowerment and confidence whilst allowing blocks and limitations to be navigated with great compassion and kindness. It includes and incorporates the valuable learning experiences, resilience and capability that we already have and recognises the life journey as just that, a journey. And to go even deeper, rebirthing sessions and ancestral healing can shift patterns that didn’t start with us but are passed from previous generations. These fundamental shifts can be truly transformative to remove patterns and behaviours that might show up in our current lives, leaving us free to choose and embrace the present and all it has to offer.

More is changing, more is becoming and I look forward to updating when the time is right. 

Beyond labels ~ your unique journey

As language could be limiting, and we each need something a little different as we interpret and sense differently, I have compiled the following examples to hopefully highlight the breadth of sessions in a more descriptive and integrated way, without the usual labels.  Having said that if you like the labels and the boundaries and these work for you, and give the mind comfort, then you are more than welcome to contact me to book a more specific modality.  

If this is speaking to you, and inspiring you, then do get in touch and let’s begin, or continue, a conversation. Or perhaps the wording itself and the reflections have been inspiring or affirming in their own way?

Wishing you such peace and deepening joy on your journey through life, and the journey back home to yourself. You are here to play and to shine and together we can shine even brighter.

Our relationship with darkness

The darkness of winter, and darkness in general, can be challenging.  For some it can seem daunting, disorientating or bring up thoughts and feelings of fear, of lack or perhaps loss. It can highlight that which feels dark or scary within us, places we don't care to see, parts that we want to ignore, things we don't want to remember, or how we feel about ourselves. Or sometimes it is more about how we feel within the darkness. We might wonder and fear what is outside us in the dark, what lurks and waits?

But what if this is all a part of ourselves, waiting to be seen and acknowledged; coming into our awareness for loving attention, compassion and care.

Take a breath

Take a breath... and another...
Now let the breath be a little fuller and breathe or sigh all the way out...
Allow the next breath in to be slower, gentler, quieter... really filling you up...
When you are ready, exhale gently out... all the way to empty...
and for a moment, simply wait...

Soften...
Sense...
Sense deeper...
Relax further...

This beautiful emptiness is at the heart of winter, the out breath, the pause and the emptiness, not yet ready to move and be filled.

Nature's pause

Looking to nature we feel and see a pause, this wintering much more clearly. Bare trees like skeletons against a winter sky. Cold, hard ground in a state of stasis; everything held in suspended animation without any rush, without any agenda or push to move forward. This, in my opinion, is so exquisite and inviting when we take time to stop and notice. Inviting us into a  surrendering, a quieting... being received, exactly as we are, in the moment.

How often do we rush through this pause? This delicate, delicious and necessary time of deeper rest, contemplation, prayer or inward listening? The richness of the emptiness and darkness? Such a necessary and valuable part of the flow of life and within the creative process of inspiration, seeding, growth, evaluation and then release and renewal. ​ We need the perspective of rest, of the pause.

What if we take time to rest and listen within, what would we notice?

If you haven't already, let your breathing return to its own steady rhythm as you sense and read on. I invite you to be curious, to wonder, to let your own experience unfold as it will in its own perfect way. I invite you on a journey into the sacred heart of darkness.

Re-imagining the darkness

Take a moment to image yourself in a really comfortable warm place, feeling truly held, supported and nourished, completely safe and at ease. Let your breathing be steady. Anchor yourself within your seat, your body connected to the earth... affirm and reassure yourself how loved and safe you are.

And, if you are willing, let yourself relax and be held there, really connected to yourself and the essence of who you are.

Sink deeper, find the steadiness at your heart. Go deeper still, really noticing...

From that core, that heart, when you are ready, imagine that the light around you begins to gently lessen and fade, like the setting of the sun; sounds diminishing as you become ever so gently and gradually immersed in darkness,
​
Notice... can the darkness and the exquisite silence add layers of comfort; wrapping you, holding you, bringing greater contentment and an all encompassing embrace to your already safe, nurturing space? Like being cocooned in a beautiful, rich, deep velvet luxurious blanket.

Feel grounded, even safer and more present within yourself and within this experience.

If you are comfortable to linger there, explore... be curious. What else do you notice? How does this deepen? Expand?

If not, let the sun rise once again whenever you wish.

The sacred heart of darkness

You can move in and out of the darkness at will and sense increasing subtlety of sensation, thought and awareness within the practice. You are in charge of this experience, there is absolutely no rush or forcing, just possibility and playfulness.

As you stay closer, listening, witnessing... what shifts? Changes? What stays the same?

What did you notice?

Silence?
Stillness?
Steadiness?
Nothingness?

If there is uncertainty, or fear... go deeper, what is beyond and beneath?

Is there something within the silence? Or simply the expanse of silence itself?
If you sense more, go deeper... right to the centre, the sacred heart...

The absolute, unequivocal, steady, silent now with its cradling and expansive allowing...
Deeply tender holding...
All encompassing love
Bathing you

Can you allow yourself to be bathed and emptied by this timeless pause, only to find yourself filled by this same quality of existence.

Being embraced by winter

Find yourself embraced by 'winter' both utterly empty and completely full. Without the mind stuff, just the space, the womb like cavern of pure potential, pure nothing and yet... everything.

Enveloped with such strength and tenderness...

When we are in darkness, where do we turn to orientate? Can we reach in? Trust the power within... trust yourself?

Can you allow yourself to be fulfilled by this darkness?

Is there a slowing? More time... do you sense more within the less? Can you let yourself be embraced by all that winter has to offer? Taking yourself into the darkness with your own heart, strength and essence as your guide? Welcoming any thoughts, feelings, sensations, fragments and parts of you that naturally come into awareness to be included in the embrace, in the holding? Only to dissolve again into the emptiness of the pause...

How will you embrace winter?

What can you do today that will add layers of this holding and embrace in your own life?  To enhance these supportive qualities within and around you so that you feel more relaxed and in the present? Blanketed with tender care so that it is increasingly possible to be comfortable in the slowing and in the pause?

Notice that which warms you and how you can make small changes to really care for yourself, giving time to notice, to linger and to sink within the comfort of the body and the mind. As we do so we may notice that we can flow in and out of this pause more regularly. That winter isn't just the season, but an invitation to turn inwards and refuel again and again as we take time to rest and to receive from within.

My winter's journey

Embracing winter in this way has been completely and utterly magical to me. It took me time to really trust and develop ease within the process but it has come to support me with such inner strength, it has transformed my relationship with myself and with life itself.

As I took time to fully listen, to witness and to gently inquire, I found a deep inner peace, a true strength and also a lightness of heart with a joy that carries me through my life. I continue to make peace with life as it is, less fixing or trying to change that which is in front of me. I sense a deeper belonging within my own life and within my own heart which allows my heart to remain more open.

I've learnt to lean in, to soften, to stay and to listen. A listening with the whole body and whole of my being. When stillness arises I can bathe and be in the stillness, become the stillness and the peace. In that moment there is no doing, I can simply melt into the tender sensing and awareness of now.

During this winter season I do things to nurture myself, to be more comfortable and cosy. This allows me to soften and rest more readily. Maybe these examples will inspire you too...

• I am choosing to wear extra layers, thicker warm socks and natural fibres when I can
• I am enjoying wrapping hands around a favourite mug of hot drink, such as warming herbal tea or hot cocoa
• I am taking time to deeply enjoy open fires with the incredible heat and warmth that comes from this element, as well as the hypnotic dance of the flames and the mesmerising sounds
• I am enjoying reading and gazing out of the window in the morning when I wake, still warm and rested, continuing this slower pace of noticing at the start of the day
• I am embracing glorious walks in the sunshine to let the rays of winter sunlight (that are surprisingly warm) touch my face and warm my skin, and in turn warm my heart. 

All of these allow me to take that exhale, that sigh, the out breath that naturally lead me/us into the pause.

May you begin to truly trust the darkness, make peace with the shadows and slowly, over time, turn to face the unknown and find yourself there. May you be there with yourself, for yourself, in love. And perhaps to be embraced by winter is to be embraced by life itself?

This is the thread and knowing that weaves through my own life and through my holistic work.

Going deeper

If doing this practice alone was a challenge, which it absolutely can be if life experience has meant silence, stillness or darkness have become fundamentally unsafe, then we can journey safely together. Get in touch to be guided with love in a way that reassures and builds your own deep self trust.

Look out for group events online that allow us to journey together into the heart of ourselves and support one another to explore the wholeness of who we are.

This labyrinth like spiralling between dark and light is accentuated in life cycles, transitions and particularly through the menstrual cycle and into the journey of menopause. Check out the Womb Wisdom page for more details of how we can support all of these.

I also have a video course entitled 'Navigating the Darkness: Harnessing the magic of the moon' at Doors to the Feminine.com that goes more into this inward journey with practices and guided meditations.

Go deep with a new moon course

And if you wish to journey deeply and more completely I highly recommend the path of the new moon. Having navigated this path consistently for 4 years it has given me the courage and strength to look at each area of my own life, and many different aspects of myself, through the eyes of kindness and curiosity, and with hearts intention to make empowering changes to transform my life from the inside out.

13 moons - 1 year of self-acceptance, illumination, celebration, integration and healing into wholeness. Sharing the incredible learning and wisdom of my own journey to allow it to transform your life too.

Why the new moon? The previous blog post 'Why New Moon Circles?' explains more about how they came into being.

This year long interactive course will support you to thrive and shine in a grounded, joyful way by moving out of old patterns and into your most honest and authentic self. Through sacred circles, wisdom teachings, contemplation, journaling, intention setting, therapeutic releasing techniques, mediation and the alchemy of ritual. Get to know yourself like never before and come to love who you are and the life that you are living.

** Applications open February 2024 **

For many years I have connected with the lunar cycle, the changing phases of the moon. As we move through the months, years and phases of life we may notice patterns within ourselves, or how we interact and show up in the world. 

Full moon brightness

For around seven years my most intentional connection was to the full moon phase, when the moon is fully reflected and appears at its brightest and roundest in our skies.  This provided an opportunity for connection, reflection, celebration, awareness and illumination.  It was transformative and really shaped and changed me and my life in wonderful ways.  I still adore the magic and fullness of the full moon, it draws from me the most expansive and joyful brightness in my heart and body.  It always makes me smile inwardly and outwardly and encourages me to pause in this remembering and give thanks.

New moon darkness

As years went on, I became more aware of the challenges presenting around the new moon, the darker moon when the least light is reflected and we see just a sliver of moon in our night sky.  These were not necessarily big challenges but frustrations and niggles, intrusive thoughts and a general dis-ease that unsettled the peace within me.  I had some awareness of what these patterns were needing but I also had plenty of times when I felt more clueless as to how to navigate this with more skill and kindness.

Intentional reflection

This led me to journeying with the new moon, to intentionally reflect around that time and question what I was thinking, feeling and noticing.  With the support of books, courses and my own intuitive knowing I have been journeying with the new moon in this way every month for over three years.  I have shown up for myself every month and dedicated time to inquiry, listening and writing what clarity comes.  

It has been such an incredible experience and, as I have repeated the process each year, I have had opportunity to also celebrate and recognise growth and change within myself and how I show up in my life, work and relationships.  Around the new moon is also a potent time to write and vocalise that which we wish to call in, to change or release. With simple intention setting we can bring this forward in our awareness and ground our wishes as we speak or write them into existence.  What is intention?  I think in essence it is getting clear on something we plan and aim to do, be or have.  What we intend to bring about, often the essence at the heart of what we desire, not the material thing itself.  This can be in a practical day to day way, or it can be a more inward sense of how we feel, sense, perceive and navigate life.

Acceptance and embrace

Each new moon provides a chance to explore a certain part of our inner workings, our inner world, mind and psyche.  For me, it was leaning into these deeper and darker places that really brought about clarity, compassion and clearing.  To question beliefs and habits was pivotal in accepting and embracing more of the wholeness of myself and bringing into the light some things about me, and aspects of myself, I had left hidden in the dark.  Each month a new awareness and a new part of me given the time, care, acceptance and love that was previously lacking.  

Like so many themes this challenge was showing up when working with clients and in conversations with friends too.  People were expressing repeating triggers, feeling disempowered, noticing bigger emotions and habits showing up and being unable to make the ‘better choice’. 

New moon gatherings

It felt like a place of magic, of gold, where such alchemical wisdom was just waiting to be unveiled and included.  So much so that, in summer 2019, I began gathering a small group of women to journey through these new moon phases so that we could learn to navigate the darkness with the support of an intentional and sacred space.  And it has indeed been completely magical!!  Really deeply transformational.

Deep transformation

Every intimate gathering is totally unique, every time a slightly different group of people, and always some release, relief, emotional flow - recovering parts of ourselves, allowing life to move through us, tapping into our own intuition and finding that which wants to be shared from within each of us. 

We move, we breathe, we listen, we reflect, we often laugh (sometimes a lot!), we honour and welcome every single person exactly as they are, and every expression as it shows up within the space - the sacred space providing the container for all that wants to move and flow, all that wants to release or integrate. 

There is often sound, song, rhythm, a deeper calling and drawing of knowing and wisdom sharing in this, often non verbal, way.  We take time to see and be seen, to hear and be heard, and this in itself is pure alchemy.  Many have reported that it leaves them buoyant and able to mange the following month with a real sense of being held and supported and filled up from within, that bumps in the road have been smoother and that they look forward each month to gathering in this way.

An invitation

If you feel called to work more in this way you are very welcome to take a look at my Womb Wisdom page for one to one sessions and opportunities to connect, to embrace, to clear and release and to align more and more fully with your most authentic self. 

Whether you already work with the cycles within and around us, the moon or otherwise, whether you already take time to be intentional and using your intentions to shape you and your life from the heart and soul of you, I wish you the most fulfilling unfolding of your truest self.  May you know how valuable you are in this world.  May you be really seen, heard and accepted for the wonderful person you are.

​New Moon Women's Circle ~ New Forest

Meeting monthly close to the dark moon with hearts intention to meet in our wholeness, in our truth, with compassion in a safe space to explore and process all that is present.  Coming into greater alignment and acceptance with what is.  Opening sacred space for navigating the dark moon with courage and growing wisdom as we deepen connection, develop awareness, empowerment and self-love.  We will open to great remembering as we unify humanity and divinity through embodiment practices, breath, sound, movement, silence and much more.

​Co-creating in the the magik of sisterhood and sharing all that we are.

Invocation

If you feel drawn to them I invite you to connect with those words again at the new moon as a beautiful heart invocation.  You can read aloud and it can be wonderful to repeat three times and feel the deepening and shifting of the words as they land.

Do you ever get an idea, an inspiration, and try to run with it only to find it doesn't come to fruition?  I think we have probably all experienced moments of pushing and trying to bring something to life only to eventually admit it wasn’t the right idea, or the right moment.

Sometimes it’s the gentle stirring, the quiet whispering of inspiration and new adventures and projects that are simply awakening. Not yet ready to be brought into life with effort and too much doing. This early spring energy in the Northern Hemisphere is warming the earth, is slowly igniting the fire and energy within. There may be one of two shoots appearing of the crocus, daffodil and snowdrop and yet there is a deeper stillness, the earth is resting too, waiting…

Listen to the landscape within

Within the resting and stillness, within the quiet there is a distinct hum, palpable stirring, a vibratory quality of potential.  A dynamic energy within the darkness and stillness. Can you feel it?  Can you imagine it?  The inner fire ignited and creation and inspiration begin to flow more readily … like a stream thawing from a winter rest.  No amount of effort would allow many crops, plants and flowers to grow at this cooler temperature and neither is our inner warmth, fire and rising energy perhaps quite ready to nurture and tend to some of the stirring projects and new ideas.

Further listening and awareness might reveal a need to tend to the deeper landscape and soil of our being, preparing for the seeds and growth to come. This is not the same as passively waiting and not putting in any effort, sustained effort becomes very necessary in alignment with this rising current and quickening flow later on.  For now do you need to take more care of yourself?  The inner landscape… your own physical, mental, emotional well-being and become as healthy and full of vitality as you can be?

Tending to our inner seeds

Perhaps you have already planted the seeds and they are building with the energy of attention and focus?  Perhaps they need more nurturing… what do they/ you need?  More love, more care?  More water?  More warmth and light?  Perhaps they need to be in the darker, cooler earth for longer and when the moment is just right they will begin to root and sprout?

​The necessity of the season... resting, allowing

This early spring energy of Imbolc is celebrated at the beginning of February.  Yet some years the energy seems to build sooner, and other years it is a little later.  Where are you within this awakening process? The ignited fire beginning to rise and the world around us slowly waking up?  Sometimes we can find ourselves pushing and rushing to forge ahead and try to do, create and bring things to life before the time is quite ready.  Can we linger longer, listen deeper and honour where we truly are?

Do you rush? I certainly have in the past, excited by the warmth of the sun breaking through and going into a quicker pace of doing.  Anticipating the seasons to come and missing the absolute necessity of this steady, gentle nurturing moment. Yet the coldness returns, the frosts, the darker days, a reminder to go slowly and more gently perhaps?

An invitation

I invite you to take a few moments, to get quieter and more still and listen to the earth and life around you?  What do you notice?  How do you feel in relation to this quality and to the listening itself?  There are no wrong answers, and sometimes there is no answer at all!!  Be in the enquiry.  There is no rush.  The whole process is slow and steady and unfolds and unfurls exactly as is needed.

You might like to take a gentle moment to recognise one or two seeds to which you are tending.  Do you, within you, have all you need to tend to these?  All the nourishment, spaciousness, support, resources, trust… Do these particular seeds still feel just right and inspiring, or do they need more time to bed in and build momentum; or to fall away completely to allow a more coherent and aligned vision and dream to form?

What do you wish to grow?

If you haven’t intentionally planted any seeds it can be a lovely time to listen into that which we want to create, become and put more time and focus towards.  If you could include one thing this year that would make a significant difference to your life what would it be?  

You can imagine planting the seed of awareness into the soil, into the earth and into the heart of yourself.  Then letting it be, letting it be received and be held by this deeper stillness and energy of pure potential.

You can write down and put away what you have seeded, to come back to at a later season when it starts to grow and need more care and sustained energy, awareness and effort to nurture and grow the seedling into a strong plant and then to fruition.  Keep in mind that some seeds are no longer needed and can be weeded and returned to the soil with ease and gratitude.

Gardening for the soul

If you like you can plant actual seeds and represent these in the outside world, to bring the unseen into the seen and to grow and care for the plants in real time.  Always trust your own knowing and what works for you most of all.

However you navigate this time I wish you the depth and steadiness of this gently stirring season.  I offer these reflections to possibly awaken the heart of your own knowing and to find the most useful and joyful way for you to keep growing with your truest dreams and visions.  May we let go of the unnecessary pushing and move into flowing with life and allowing sustained effort to be valuable and effective.  And may our seeds become strong, healthy, beautiful creations, adventures and projects ready and ripe for harvest later in the year.

I received this wonderful feedback from a client.  It arrived into the pace and flow of my own day as such a clear reminder.  It gave me an opportunity to reflect and to muse on the necessity of rest, on peace and doing 'nothing'.  I think this deepens and builds on the inquiry into integration that was posted in July.  

What happens in the nothing?  The potency and the gift, the peace itself?  What is present in the rest?  

How many of us forget the power and potency of rest?  How many of us sacrifice our peace for productivity, achieving and trying to get to somewhere (inwardly or outwardly)?  I certainly do and when I remember the incredible gift of doing nothing I can find myself so fully immersed in the present moment that it is like someone switched on the light.  The clarity and vibrancy are awe inspiring, the awareness sharp and focused but so tender.  I wonder how I ever rushed, how I ever missed this quiet attentive awareness and complete witnessing of the present moment...  and then I forget, and rush again!!

An Invitation

I invite you in this moment to stop.  To completely stop and wait... to witness and observe.  Let a clear, spacious silence wash over you and through you.  Allow yourself to simply be, to pay attention without agenda, without judgement, without need to change anything at all.  Where are you within this witnessing?  How are you experiencing and how do you move, breathe and interact?  It can be a single moment, that is all it takes to drop inwards and see and know the timelessness of the now.  If you have longer then linger and see how this experience unfolds for you.
 
And that's it, the potency and magic are right there within every breath and every moment, we simply become aware.  And the questions?  Are they still present, are they still alive in this spaciousness of rest?  If so let yourself gently be within the wonder of the questions and listen.  Let your inner guidance and wisdom softly play, not needing to hold onto an answer or to be done with the question.  Stay in the spaciousness and the curiosity.  Otherwise, simply be exactly as you are in all your glory in this now moment and each moment as it emerges effortlessly!

Share your reflections

I would love to hear your reflections and experiences.  In our sessions we often take time to pause, to witness, to see and feel more clearly.  To let the noise, the interference and chaos settle so we know ourselves and can return to our own centre, our own knowing above all else.  I believe this is the magic in sharing time in this way, be it one to one or in a group.  The intention is to allow you to deeply and fully rest back into yourself, your own harmonic aligned energy and the magic of you.  From there, to know yourself, to hear and trust yourself.  To feel and allow inspiration to flow and to act from a place of peace and joy and move into emerging moments of love.

And just like that the heat and hustle and bustle subsided.  It seemed to change so suddenly, moving us well and truly into the bounty and beauty of late summer.  The long hot days and evenings, bare toes and jumper-less arms begin to fade.  The timeless haze gives way to more structure and order as patterns and routines move into place, ready to be embraced with the fading light and cooling crisper days.

It happens every year but each one comes anew.  Every year a different gift, a releasing, a realising; a shift in awareness, perspective and a change to the old nostalgia of times and days gone by.  Socks appear, jumpers are found and the fading light in the evenings can bring us indoors earlier with more time with books, candles, blankets.  At the end is a list of ideas to help get your inspiration flowing for this time of change.

Loss?

How is this transition time for you?  This time of year used to bring such sadness, a real sense of loss.  Loss of the light, the warmth and activity, loss of brighter colours, ease of movement and a spring in our step.  Missing connecting and playing with so many friends, old and new.  The possibility and hopefulness of summer with the wide open space of time, the extended playground of the outside world, doors and windows open, freedom and adventure on the horizon and people living out in the world.  Trying to hang onto the summer that bit longer, and hoping to make the most of those last days, at times, felt so challenging, with so much effort and fuelled with this sense of nostalgia and loss.  

Acceptance

And now, with experience and practice, there is a deeper acceptance, still deepening with each passing year and cycle, that it is time to come inwards, it is time to embrace the new season as we transition into late summer and into the autumn glow.  Perhaps the days can be enjoyed even more with less gripping and tethering, simply moving with the energy and possibility of continuing the things we love and appreciate within those shortening, cooler days, whilst aware of the slow release and a beckoning, a call from within.

The Call

What a gift and how beautiful this call can be.  How can we listen and honour this song, this vibration, this knowing instead or holding onto the past and wanting more of what is naturally subsiding?  

The softening, the slowing, the permission to create more order from the wonderful chaos of summer experiences and adventures.  Time to allow those moments that have been and that we have shared to settle, to bed-in and to integrate; giving us fuel and inner fire and sustenance for the time ahead.

And as the acceptance comes, and as the inner quiet allows greater listening, it is possible, perhaps, to hear the call of autumn. The opportunities, the abundance, the nurturing, the time well spent within those lessening daylight hours and even the gathering and use of the abundance all around us to prepare for the deepening into the months ahead.

Embracing and honouring

What will you be embracing and how will you be honouring this call home?  This call back slowly within your own self and your own physical space and home?  Perhaps you are decluttering and making way for new projects and ideas, both in the mind and material world?  Maybe you plan to make and preserve from the fruits and berries in the local vicinity?  Do you have favourite recipes such as soups or stews that warm your body, your kitchen and home when you prepare them?  Favourite films or books to take you on a different kind of adventure?   

The Essence of Autumn

What is the essence and quality of autumn, the deeper wisdom?

Contemplation .  The inner call and contemplation can give perspective and reflection.  When we take this time there can be an organic releasing and letting go that is echoed in the natural world around us.  What is no longer needed?  What no longer serves or supports who you are now, or who you are becoming?  Let this sensing of yourself guide your choices and feel your way into the unfolding, embracing newness, or the beckoning and sharpening clarity of you within your life and self.  Maybe you feel really centred and clear and ready for the season shift?  Then notice and celebrate this within your reflection and within yourself too.  Has this been a journey, a learning, has it been growing over time?

Change and transitions.  Recognising that change is fairly constant we can begin to embrace and befriend, instead of pushing or pulling against the inevitable.  How can we really allow and let go?  Maybe even celebrate the changes?  Preparations that allow a connection and physical involvement with the inward flow, being part of the change in ways that bring peace and creativity or contentment and joy.  Are there ways you can be more present, creating a sense of ceremony or ritual from the most beautifully simple moments and activities?  Paying attention more fully, with greater intention and connecting into a deeper awareness, an honouring, a reverence perhaps, that supports and carries us forward.  Punctuating and celebrating the slowing, the nurturing, the listening.  Pause in those moments… the pouring of tea, the running of a bath, lighting a candle or lacing up your warmer boots.

Harvest.  What experiences and moments stand out from the summer that can be the fruits and nourishment for your heart, mind and soul?  What are you grateful for in your own life and of yourself?  What have you overcome or navigated that you can be proud of? Has there been a new skill, a way of relating, setting boundaries, putting your needs as a higher priority or embracing life and more joy?  What have you achieved, accomplished, been or become?  What have you released and welcomed as a new or healthier way?   What are things about yourself that you can take a moment to really see, feel and notice?  The simpler the better to recognise your own true strength, beauty, resilience, capability and much much more.  Take a few minutes to write them down, bringing your full awareness to the awesomeness that is you in this moment now.

Magic!

We can’t talk of autumn without mentioning magic!  The absolutely unique and potent potential that exudes from the season in so many ways.  The vivid colours, the richness and variety of smells, the palpable light quality, the abundance, the enticing, the beckoning and the magical energy drawing closer and closer, holding and supporting us, surrounding and protecting us.  Feel into the magic, what does it offer for you?  How does this provide buoyancy, lightness with growing depth, rooting, softening and being?  Slow down and embrace yourself as the earth embraces you now.  You are held, you are ready!

Whether you feel joyous and excited and ready for this magic or whether you are still in denial, holding onto whatever threads and moments of summer that you can (yup, I’ve been there!) I wish you the most beautiful and nourishing time as we transition through this gateway of possibility and magic into greater connection and appreciation for ourselves, for a sense of home, inward and outward, and the huge gift of rest and renewal that is lighting our way within.

Some ideas shared for you to inspire your own list of yummy autumnal treasures…

~Snuggling into the cosier days and evenings with jumpers and layers

~Sunsets with the awesome colours and shapes as the clouds appear to paint an ever changing canvas of light

~A good book and a favourite blanket

~Socks!  Favourite warm fluffy socks, or slippers?!

~Star gazing in the evening as the light fades earlier

~The lush green returning after the dry browner baked earth

~The damp, mossy fragrance and enticing woodlands and trees as they come alive and call us back within their earthy embrace

~Baking, and eating our scrummy creations!

~Sunset swims if you are fortunate enough to live near to water or the sea

~Leaves in fiery hues falling to the ground, ready to be jumped in and to crunch under boots

~Warming foods and favourite smells wafting from the kitchen (maybe spices or sweet smells of fruits, or hearty savoury stews, pastas, soups)

~Meeting with a good friend or a nurturing conversation on the phone

~Escaping with a great film, series or book

~The magical sound of rain falling when we are snug inside, or on hoods and umbrellas

~The intoxicating smell of the rain on the dry land

~Time to be, to reflect…

Take a moment, if you wish, to really sense those things that you absolutely love about snuggling down into the autumnal flow.  The homely time, the resting and nurturing and preparing for the deeper rest to come.

There are many times when themes seem to appear through sessions and in daily life.  One such recent theme has been around doing!  There seems to be a really strong drive towards doing, including achieving, becoming, improving and any other engagement in activities which are often goal driven. Several people have reflected to me that they are doing ‘all the right things’ but nothing is changing, they still feel the same.  Even the doing of really positive practices and habits can become mechanical and about the activity or action alone.  So when these activities and practices are done without really feeling or noticing any change in everyday life what is the point?  Is there a point?  Is it about doing more? More frequency?  This certainty resonated with me through moments of effort, change and regularity of practices when it just didn’t seem to make much difference.  

Why are we doing these things in the first place?  I think this is a much deeper question but for the moment let’s look at the simplicity of how the task is carried out and the immediate aftermath to see if we can open to possibility and perhaps bring about more lasting perception of change.

The missing piece

Through my own exploration, and with clients, the missing piece seems to be integration.  What does that mean?  The definition of integration seems to point towards bringing together parts, incorporating one thing with another or co-ordinating with processes, self or environment.  What I would call integration in this context is the coming together as a whole being (the whole body, all parts of the mind, nervous system, energy field and spirit) with the earth and current environment. But how?  

The pause

The quickest, simplest way I have found is through the pause; by pausing and receiving that which we have practised.  Remember the technique is just that, technique, and that the unfolding experiencing and shift in awareness, witnessing, sense of self (or many other parts of experiencing) is only really felt and incorporated when we take the time to stop and notice.  When the spaces between doing and the moments of silence become an integral part of our practices, and everyday life.

I have encouraged both myself and clients to focus in that moment at the end of the technique, on the feeling, sensation, experience after, rather than ticking off the practice and going into the next action or activity too quickly. 

Ultimately I sense this as a returning to wholeness and allowing many parts of ourselves to come together as one.  The un-doing gives space and time for settling to arise naturally and organically.  For some this has been a profound shift, to really find ourselves more deeply in the moment.  The opening up of space and spaciousness and the honouring of the need for this non-action and witnessing has been just what was needed and, in every day life, can be a game changer too.  

Allowing

Sometimes no technique is required.  It allows for a receiving of the underlying intentional, generated or emerging qualities.  With clients it is often peace, stillness, groundedness or ease of energetic flow.  To linger in that moment of receptivity and to ALLOW moves us also from doing into BE-ing.  From action to presence.  Getting a really felt sense of the now and ourselves within the body and environment and, from presence, inspired action can take place.  Sometimes inspired action is simply resting, relaxing, being in the moment.  Because inspired action comes from a deeper knowing and place of self trust it can take far less energy and mental processing too, I have found this personally and observed in others.

What has been your experience?  Does it overlap or do you have other ways of wording or viewing this non-action that I am including as part of integration?

Inspiration 

I sometimes naturally find myself reaching for a book, for a passage or poem, to inspire, to reflect or shed more light on such moments as these.  In one session recently I pulled the ‘Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching’ edited by Timothy Freke.  I share the verse it opened onto with you here.

Verse 48

Someone seeking learning, knows more and more.
Someone seeking Tao, knows less and less.
Less and less, until
things just
are what
they 
are

By simply being,
everything gets done.

Get things done,
by letting them happen.

Struggling all the time,
gets you nowhere.


In this book it touches on the concept of Tao in the introduction: 
“The concept of Tao - the Way - as one which the thinkers of the past used to cover many areas of what we would today call spirituality, religion, ethics and morality.

"In the Tao Te Ching it is seen as the fundamental force or inspiration which fills all life (…) which brings all life.  The text goes further, describing the Tao as that which gives birth to the Origin.  It thus becomes the force behind and beyond all forces.  But it is not a divine force; it is simply yet gloriously the ultimate expression or origin of all that is natural… following the natural path, of flowing with nature and not trying to impose humanity’s puny will against the reality of nature.”


'Simply yet gloriously the ultimate expression or origin of all that is natural'!  Wow, that language really stood out for me.  I won’t analyse this as we will all find our own meaning and resonance within these words but it certainly reinforced for me the allowing rather than struggling and striving; of the flow with nature and the inspiration that fills life.

The invitation

Perhaps the invitation next time you or I are coming to a practice, be it for the first time or the hundredth time, is to allow spaciousness and flow.  For the time and observance both during, and at the end, to simply be aware, present and receptive to the deeper more subtle self and effect of our chosen technique.  Linger and savour the time with yourself, receive the benefits, wisdom and gifts that are there waiting to integrate. Feel the wholeness of yourself and the wonder of you in that moment, without distractions and without needing anything to be any different.  What if nothing needed to change?  What if you are already whole and in the moment but have to remember to stop and meet yourself there?  To meet your whole self in the moment right now?   Perhaps you can allow this awareness to filter out effortlessly through your day/s and find yourself more and more aware, integrated and united.  Take a breath and maybe even smile to your own humanness and beauty as I smile to you now.