Category: Energetic Health

Imbolc Wisdom & Oracle Reading!

Welcome to the season of Imbolc!

This year we have quite a transformational Imbolc season, as it encompasses some important astrological shifts in year. There is a Full Moon on Imbolc itself, on Feb 1st and then Eclipse season (Solar Eclipse on February 17th, Lunar Eclipse on March 3rd), as well as a Saturn Neptune conjunction in Aries on February 20th and of course the Lunar New Year on February 17th.

What does this mean?

While Imbolc is often a season of patience and slow, gentle awakening and inner shifts, this year it might feel more emotionally intense and coincide with bigger collective events. We will evolve and grow more quickly through this season and may see things quite differently by the end of it.

This is not something to worry about or fear- that is the last thing we need to do with the energies of this beautiful season of renewal and inspiration! It simply means instead of just sipping tea by the fireplace, patiently, we may also do some tobogganing that takes a few turns and surprises. And who doesn’t love tobogganing? Ok well maybe not everyone, but it may be more active or adventurous than usual. This season will likely bring awakening, awareness and clarity that we perhaps did not expect, and it will help us to move forward and bring us exactly where we need to be!

Brigid carries us through with Her Flame

Brigid is traditionally the Goddess who begins to reign in this season. She is the Celtic goddess of inspiration, the hearth, light, youth, renewal, fertility, smithcraft and poetry. She brings hope, renewal, and a spark of inspiration, passion and creativity back into our being.

Imbolc is a fire festival and the element of fire is an important ally for us now. It can cleanse away debris we are carrying in our energy field, old habits, thought patterns and other baggage we no longer need to carry with us. It helps to transform us, as well as enliven and awaken us with light and magick.

Fire dances within us in our desires, as well as our impatience with the status quo- it can warm and melt where we have frozen, it can ignite our passion, sacred rage and motivation to make a change. The sunlight is more noticeably increasing now and in the weeks to come- signaling our conscious mind to become more active as we begin to become more clear on what’s been hidden in our depths and what feels most aligned to pursue in terms of our dreams and visions for this year.

Water is also a potent elemental ally for us this season. As a season of cleansing, we may be drawn to salt baths, a spa day, long ritual showers or drinking more water to help cleanse our emotional and physical body of toxins.

Tender Nurturance and Self-Care

In some ways, Imbolc is like ‘pre-spring’- it helps us prepare for making bigger changes ahead and moving forward. Imbolc season is excellent for clearing what no longer feels authentic to us, aligning our daily habits with who we really are, and beginning to nurture and protect the emerging self and the hopes and dreams we wish to bring forth into the world. it’s a great time to get rid of objects, subscriptions or other leaks or drains on our energy, so we can focus on tending to the new life slowly awakening inside of us.

This year may carry a bit more of that bold spring energy due to the eclipses as they tend to quickly move us forward towards our destiny. This Imbolc, especially because it includes an eclipse season, it is important to be gentle and tender with ourselves, to keep ourselves grounded as best as we can into daily activities that nurture us. This helps us have a supportive container for our transformation and rebirth.

Slowing ourselves down to process our feelings and cultivating patience is necessary to build our dreams, no matter how urgently they burn in our belly.

Imbolc means ‘in the belly’, and it often feels like we are not quite who we were, not quite who we’re going to be. During these moments of change, we can feel overwhelmed, and so finding those anchors for you can be helpful, whether they are talks with a good friend or loved one, pet cuddles, nourishing meals, salt baths, walks, meditation, yoga or prayer- let those daily rituals keep you grounded.

Spiritual Renewal:

Imbolc season is wonderful to reconnecting us to our ‘why’ in life, and the faith, hope and inspiration that draws us forwards. This is a great time to reflect on our ideals, values and our beliefs and see if our daily life is aligned with them. It’s traditionally a time to cleanse and renew our altars, perhaps perform a ritual of dedication or re-dedication to a deity or spiritual practice, and check in with our actions to see if they reflect what we are devoted to in our hearts and make any adjustments. Our spiritual practice changes as we change, and we can sometimes get stuck in old habits that hold us back.

This is a great season to review what we believe in, what we hope and vision for ourselves and others in the future, and to make small changes that align our spiritual practice or daily living with this.

A Goddess Oracle Reading for Imbolc!

This is one of my favorite oracle decks I’ve been using for many years- The Goddess Oracle by Amy Sophia Marashinsky, illustrated by Hrana Janto.

Take a moment to relax and center yourself with 3 deep breaths. Then ask ‘What do I need to know right now’? and choose a card. Scroll down for it’s meaning. The italics are from the author and the rest are my words.

The Goddess Oracle by Marashinsky & Janto

Now remember that number and scroll down to find your card!

  1. Lillith- Power

“I dance for myself. I am whole. I am complete. I say what I mean and mean what I say. I dance the dark and the light, the conscious and unconscious, the sane and the insane. I speak from myself, authentically, with total conviction, without regard for how I might look. All the parts of myself flow into the whole. All my divergent selves unite as one. I listen to what needs to be heard. I never make excuses. I feel my feelings, deeply and profoundly. I never hide my sexuality to please myself and pleasure others. I express it as it needs to be expressed, from the core of myself, from the wholeness of my dance. I am female. I am sexual. I am power. I was greatly feared.” – Lillith

When Lillith shows up, it is time to reclaim your power. We all have had times in our life where we gave away our power or had it taken from us. This can happen through betrayal, abuse, oppressive systems and more. We are often left with a wound or a part of ourself that we no longer accept or love and this can get triggered over and over until we face this power loss and reclaim this part of ourselves. Sometimes we feel broken or like we’ll never be our full self again. However, Lillith reminds us that we do indeed have the ability to take our power back and that we are always whole. Our power is a part of us- it can show up as our confidence, our creativity, our inner sovereignty, our inner child, our ability to love or feel worthy of love, our spirituality, our magick and much more.

There currently is a part of yourself wanting to rise up and be reclaimed. What might this be? Where have you felt ‘not enough’ or like you’re wounded beyond repair? Is there a situation in your life asking you to be more than you’ve allowed yourself to be? A more authentic expression of who you are?

Lillith brings you the courage to remember your wholeness and be who you are unapologetically. Take up space. Be who you know yourself to be. Stand in your fullness, stand in your power. You are always whole and beautiful just as you are, and you have been strengthened by your challenges. All of you is worthy, and your wholeness- light and dark makes you powerful. Sometimes we just need to remember this.

2. Hecate- Crossroads

“I sit in the blackness of the dark moon night with my hounds at the crossroads, where three roads converge. At the crossroads, a place of choice. All paths lead to the crossroads and all are desirable, but only one can you travel. Only one can you choose. Choice creates endings and all beginnings come from endings at the crossroads. Which one will you choose? Which way will you go? Though the choice is yours, here’s a secret I’ll share: The way to choose is to enter the void. The way to choose is to let die. The way to choose is to fly free.”- Hecate

There are times in life where we must makes a choice. This can be something small or big in your life. Perhaps it’s between choosing an old way of doing something and a new way that is a bit uncomfortable or unfamiliar but more beneficial. It could be choosing a new attitude, way of seeing things, a spiritual path or it could be something more tangible like a job, a place to live or a relationship. Decisions can often bring up our fears of the unknown, or cause us to over-analyze or feel pulled between our head and heart. Be gentle and kind to yourself during these times of change- you don’t need to fear making the wrong choice. Just simply give yourself time to stand at the crossroads. Imagine standing there with Hecate, the wise Goddess holding a staff of light. Just rest in this space and allow yourself to imagine the different possibilities before you without any pressure. Ask her for guidance and clarity. Deep down, you’ve already chosen. Trust what you feel.

3. Sphinx- Challenge

“If I ask the question that provokes, will you stretch to find the answer? Will you take up the gauntlet flung boldly and defiantly answer the call? Will you meet my challenge with tingling in your blood, with your hair blowing electric in the wind, with all your being? Knowing that every challenge is an opportunity, every challenge presents a gift. Every challenge is there to serve you, or not, it’s your choice.”- Sphinx

This is a time calling upon your inner courage to meet a challenge. This may be a part of yourself you are challenged by, or it could be a person or situation outside of you. Sometimes we know that the only way forward is through. We cannot avoid facing life’s obstacles and challenges that force us to summon our inner resources to meet. Every challenge we face sharpens, strengthens and deepens us, helping us to become more of who we want to be. It can be hard to see the gift in a challenge when we are in it. It is often in hindsight that we see where our path was taking us and what we needed to learn or experience. But the Sphinx knows she was made for this. The challenge has presented itself because you are ready, you have what it takes, and you will succeed. Trust your instincts, all the experiences that brought you here and wield your sword in full confidence of who you are what you are capable of! You’ve got this, fierce one.

4. Kuan Yin- Compassion

“I made the vow and kept my word. I reached enlightenment but rather than pass over to the state of eternal bliss, I retained human form till all beings attain enlightenment. Keeping human form enabled me to know more deeply the pain others experience. Because of my deep feelings, because of my understanding of misery and suffering, because of my decision, I am called The compassionate One. She Whose Name Alleviates All Sufferings. But wouldn’t you prefer to wait, feeling what others feel, suffering what others suffer, knowing their pain as your own. Wait till the end of all suffering and pain till all beings reach enlightenment? For me there was no other choice.”- Kuan Yin

Kuan Yin comes to remind you to have compassion for both yourself and others. You cannot really have one without the other. One of the most challenging paths of spiritual growth is to continually deepen and expand our hearts and be humbled by this human experience. In order to expand our hearts, we must come to terms with our own suffering, our own wounds and hold compassion for ourselves first. Otherwise, we can’t do the same for others. So take a moment to feel into your heart- what are you carrying? What are you feeling? Can you hold compassion for yourself in this moment? Can you see yourself reflected in another? Compassion includes all parts of ourself- including the parts we don’t like so much or that feel a lot of pain. There is an opportunity right now to take a softer approach. Be gentle and remember that we are all on this earth path as spiritual beings having a human experience- and being human includes many states of feeling, including suffering. We don’t need to glorify it, nor dwell in it- but we need to allow ourselves to hold space for it in ourselves and others, and offer grace and compassion when we can.

5. Aphrodite- Love

“When I open my heart, I am filled with delight so profound, with ecstasy so sweet, with pleasure so deep, the connecting with my beloved takes me to all the places and the union plays rhapsodies in my soul. I can achieve union when I achieve oneness with myself. I can dance in partnership when I can dance alone. I can love another when I can love myself.“- Aphrodite

Aphrodite comes to remind you how exquisite and loveable you are. Do you treat yourself like someone you really love? Does your self-talk reflect loving kindness and respect or self-criticism or self-deprecation? How can you bring a bit more loving kindness towards yourself these days? If you are in a relationship, what is the quality of feeling between you? Are you treating yourself and each other with love? Love is an action word, so listen to your heart’s call to share that love in tangible ways- whether it is towards yourself or another. Maybe offer yourself a break, a gift, kind words, or tell someone you care about just how much they mean to you. Cultivate the love within and then share it with the world in any way you feel called! Love heals and connects us, so let it flow and remember that we are always loved unconditionally by the Universe and can access this at any time.

6. Morgan Le Faye- Rhythms

“When I dance with life, I dance my own rhythm. I keep my own time. My soul’s tides are aligned and flow with my beat: My own unique expression. By honoring myself I honor all. When you dance with life, what’s you rhythm? Is it quick or slow, lively or liturgical, repetitious or ever-changing? Do you let the tempo serve you or unnerve you? Soothe you or seethe you, mettle you or unsettle you, do you know?“- Morgan Le Faye

Our culture operates on a very rigid and specific rhythm that does not follow nature, nor does it serve our natural physiology much of the time. We evolved to follow nature’s patterns of light and dark, and the seasons. However our culture runs on a scheme of constant productivity and electricity that can affect our hormones, sleep and sense of well-being.

This card is a reminder to honor your own rhythms at this time. It may mean attuning yourself more to the cycles of nature, or simply following your own timing when it comes to processing stimulation, honoring your creative flow, or taking care of your emotional and physical needs. Create some space in your schedule that serves your well-being. You may feel called to simplify meal-prep, your morning routine, or take a day off for your mental health. Maybe your creative drive comes at night and want to make space for that, or you need to get up earlier on weekends and go to bed earlier for better energy.

If you have a drum, it can be soothing to play a regular beat that matches your own internal rhythm. If you don’t have a drum, what music feels soothing or uplifting and matches your rhythm? It’s ok to go slow, no matter how fast the world around you is going. It’s ok to pick the pace up if you are feeling sluggish. Experiment and find a beat that feels right for you right now.

Did your card resonate? I hope it did. Wishing you a beautiful Imbolc season, full of inspiration, healing and renewal!

If you are in the Toronto area and would like to celebrate Imbolc in a small, cozy community, please consider coming to my Imbolc Circle: Awakening the Inner Hearth on Friday, Feb 6th, 2026!

You may also wish to try my guided meditation to Brigid for cleansing and renewing our Inner Hearth: https://youtu.be/IRI6q8iqZPk

Blessings,

Serena

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Samhain Wisdom & Oracle Reading!

We are now in the depths of the Great Cauldron of change and transformation. The Dark Goddess reigns this time of year, known in Her many forms as Cerridwen, An Cailleach, Hecate, The Morrigan, Lilith, Kali, Sekhmet, Nepthys, Baba Yaga, Persephone, Nyx, Hel, and more.

Samhain is rooted in Ireland and Scotland (also celebrated in Wales as Calan Gaeaf), which signifies the beginning of November, the last harvest, and the beginning of winter. It is also hunting season, and often called the third (and last) harvest festival. The first is Lammas, for the harvesting of grain, the second is Fall Equinox, for the harvesting of fruits, and the third is Samhain, for the sacrifice of animal life to sustain human life. This brings into focus the death-rebirth theme prominent of this season, and coming to terms with our physical mortality as well as the cyclical nature of life.

It is often said the veil between the worlds is thin at this time, and thus a tradition of dressing in costumes and carving Jack-o-lanterns was used to scare off malevolent spirits that may come through to visit our world. Traditions of feeding or honoring the dead with a special silent supper (‘dumb supper’) were also common. Many continue these traditions today throughout several cultures. It is historically and currently a time to honor our ancestors and beloved dead.

Samhain is a time where we can honor the deceased in many ways. Perhaps by cooking a meal they would have made or enjoyed, and setting them a plate at the table. Or, making an altar with photos and offerings, wearing an item that belonged to them, or doing something in their honor. Even just writing them a little letter or speaking to their spirit in a prayer can be a powerful way to connect.

It is also a time of recognizing transformation happening within ourselves and our lives. Often, this time shows us what is no longer serving us and must pass from our lives. It could be a habitual way of thinking or talking to ourselves, an old identity that no longer fits, inherited patterns and wounding from our family and lineage, and anything that we know deep down we just can’t carry forward with us into the future. It is a wonderful time for lineage healing and working through any generational wounds, such as the ‘Witch Wound’. (Join my upcoming Samhain Circle on this topic!).

The Samhain cauldron of transformation can be an emotional time of transition. We may experience intense grief, love, desire, sadness, anger, or joy to a greater intensity than usual. The increased darkness of the sky can increase our instinct to draw inward, slow down and bring in the comfort food and blankets. It can also increase anxiety around the unknown.

It can be helpful as we flow through the dark time of year to warm our spirits with light, candles, indoor plants, nourishing comfort food, warm drinks, music and people we enjoy being around. This is an important phase in the cycle of life- one that our culture does not allow much experience of. To sit with the reality of death, not just of our physical body, but of aspects of ourselves, and to allow ourselves to feel all the emotions, including the emptiness- is considered quite taboo in this culture. To unplug from our phones, the noise, and allow some silence in can feel overwhelming to some. If so, just keep it simple. Give yourself a small window of time before it gets dark to have some silence. Or, surround yourself with candles and comfort as you take a little quiet time to doodle or listen to music or have a warm bath.

Our spirit guides and ancestors are quite close to us at this time. They often have a message for us and much love to share. How can we receive these if we are constantly busy and plugged into media? Can we allow more space and slowness in order to feel into our depths and hear the whisperings of our guides? They are helping us to heal and renew during this phase, and there is so much fertility in our depths- new creative seeds waiting to be found and planted like bulbs to grow anew in the spring. This is also known as the Witches’ New Year, where we let go of this cycle and begin preparing our inner soil and planting new seeds that must incubate beneath the surface until spring.

So, honor yourself at this time with gentleness, love, comfort and allow for some slowness and quiet to reveal the stirrings of your heart that will take you into the new cycle. This doesn’t all have to be done right now- Samhain, like each of the seasons on the Wheel of the Year- lasts around 6 weeks. Savor it and take your time letting the darkness reveal the treasures within!

Samhain Oracle Reading:

What does this season have in store for you? Take 3 deep relaxing breaths to get centered. Then ask your guides- ‘what do I need to know now?’ and choose a card below. Then, scroll down to find that number and read the description.

I am using the Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle by Lorraine Anderson, Juliet Diaz and Giada Rose. Words are by the deck’s author.

Remember that number and scroll down for the description!

  1. Graveyard: Peace, Acknowledgement. There is a song that bellows in the peace of knowing no end, in acknowledging the crossroads of eternity.

Many see a graveyard as a symbol for mortality. It collects the tears of mourners whose loved ones have been laid to rest. Its stillness is an ominous song that creeps up the spine, leaving us to ponder who Death will come for next. But a graveyard is a place of serenity where souls can find peace and stillness beyond the harsh realities of living. There is no longer the need to struggle against what is. It is a place of surrender.

There are those who fear the graveyard for it has long been the home of wandering spirits who cannot find peace. Those who have not transitioned to eternity, forced to live a half life; neither dead nor alive. Souls who are faced with taking responsibility for a life not lived to the full, focused on things that didn’t matter and holding onto resentment.

The Graveyard card will help you find peace with where you are. There are times when we will be faced with difficult situations that are beyond your control. Those are the times that we must surrender to our current place. There’s no use in fighting a battle you’ve already lost. Take control over the one thing you can change- yourself. The situation you’re inquiring about is no longer in your hands. The powers that be have taken over. Often, we are faced with a challenging ending that is necessary to facilitate a bright new beginning.

2. Elders: Compassion, Wisdom. Birthed from seed within the belly of the moon, they are the wise felt touches over our hearts and felt deep within the marrow of our spirit.

Elders are wise. They are the ones who’ve lives and experienced more ups and downs, twists and turns than the rest of us. Elders were the storytellers and keepers of knowledge, they were the ones we sought when in turmoil and who would hold us as we wept for the unfairness life can bring. They had compassion for us but also gave sage advice drawn from their decades of experience.

Today many elders are seen as a burden instead of cherished loved ones who deserve the right to be supported and cared for in their old age. Many elders have not been given the space to share the wise words of their traditions because our modern world moves too fast for their slow wisdom. Yet, there are those among us, particularly witches, who still see the wisdom in their old ways.

If you hold the Elders card, it is to remind you to have compassion for others and to never disregard someone else’s wisdom or experience. A Zen saying tells us, ‘You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.’. This knowledge can be applied to wisdom as well. Often the thing you need most when life is moving too fast is to slow down to see what you’ve been missing or, in this case, who you’ve been missing.

This card is a call to meet with your elders to see if they have wisdom to share about your ancestors that can help you on your path.

3. Rooted: Grounded, connection. May you never tear the living ritual that is magic merged within the roots of your being, the soil of your soul.

We are often told to start building with intuition, which is undoubtedly true; never underestimate the power of working with spirit. You need to learn to ground the spiritual information into your physical life. To be flighty is to connect to spirit but to be rooted is to become a channel for spirit. You become a vessel that allows the divine intelligence to spread its wisdom here on Earth. A more familiar word is manifestation. Being grounded is about being present and aware of how things make you feel. You have to feel into your body.

You are being asked to dig in deeper. Maintaining deep roots is how to pull yourself from the darkness. It’s easy to get grounded or to do your spiritual practice when things are going well. It’s an entirely different ball game when you feel defeated and broken, but the darkest parts of your journey are when you need to be rooted most. The real gift of spiritual commitment is found when you feel like your back is against a wall.

Don’t give up when times are hard. Instead find nourishment below the surface. Find your connection to your true self, your ancestors, your guides, your trust and your instincts. Your situation is not hard so that you can give up; it is a call to surrender to your practice.

4. Broom: Clearing, purifying, home. What dreams may come from what you seek; make room, make way! A clearing need be.

A broom or besom can be found in any home for sweeping dust and dirt. However, a broom to a witch is more than a simple household tool. It holds a special significance and sweeps more than dust and dirt away.

Brooms are often used to sweep away to Native Americans burning white sage. It sweeps away the physical and invisible energies that have crept in from the outside world. This clearing of energy contributes to a witch’s wellbeing. Clearing out the old and dusty, a witch makes space for the new. Sweeping out negative energy, a witch raises her vibration and therefore her strength.

When the Broom sweeps into your life you are being called to do some cleaning. Some things surrounding your current situation have been neglected. You need to clear out this dust of the past. This card can also mean clearing your aura. As healers, we tend to hold on to the energy of others for much longer than we need. It’s important to do regular purification rituals to keep your aura nice and tidy. The more you clear out the old, the more you make room for new energies to come into your life. Removing things both physical or metaphorical from your life, such as momentos from past relationships or giving away things that remind you of old situations, helps with that process of clearing.

5. Crystals and Herbs: Earth’s Medicine, healing. Oh what medicine, what sacredness to behold. A dash of healing straight from Mother’s home.

This card is an allegory for the profound healing that comes from working with Earth’s medicine. Sometimes you have to come back to the basics- Earth energy. This means touching the Earth and her offerings, getting to know your crystals, herbs, essential oils and the ground you walk on, forest bathing, or sleeping under the stars, finding a quiet stream or meadow and speaking to your surroundings, talking to plants or growing new ones. Invite Earth healing into your life in whatever way feels right to you as the Earth is always here for you, but like your guides, Mother Nature needs an invitation.

Pulling Crystals and Herbs is an invitation to find a deeper connection with Earth energy. Mother Earth is calling you home, and that healing can be found within nature’s language. The Earth element represents grounding, connection, stability and strength. Nature nourishes and supports you and all things on this planet. Behold the sacredness that is Earth magic. You will feel more replenished as you develop your connection.

This message is amplified if you’ve been feeling burned out- if you are sleeping but not rested, full but not hungry or active but not energized. This card holds even deeper meaning for you as it signals you’ve lost touch with the anchoring of working with Earth energy. This message is even more significant if you have pulled the Rooted card or feel called to read it.

Did your card resonate? I hope it did! I hope you uncover gems of richness and renewal and we flow through this time of change, death and rebirth.

If you would like to celebrate Samhain with me, and are in or near Toronto, ON, please join me on Friday, November 7th for Samhain Circle: Healing the Witch Wound! We will discuss the Witch Wound, go on a guided meditation journey for healing and reclaiming our power, and create little cauldron pouches filled with crystals and herbs to help us on our journey.

Samhain Circle: Healing the Witch Wound

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What is Earth-Based Healing?

What exactly is earth-based healing? How can earth-based spirituality help us heal and grow?

Earth-based spirituality is a nature-based path of connection, remembering, healing and growth, rooted in animism.

Animism is the world view that sees all life as alive and interconnected. Each tree, rock, plant and animal has a spirit, and therefore a healing gift for the world. We are not separate from nature, and therefore, when we connect with our non-human kin, we remember our own medicine, too, and that we are not alone, that we belong in the family of this Earth world.

This is an ancient way of being that has existed in cultures all across the globe and is a foundation in many paths of witchcraft. It is very much alive in Indigenous traditions.

I feel one reason it is so popular today, is that we are in a crisis of isolation and have a deep hunger for belonging.

Social media, pandemic mandates, capitalism, and all the ‘isms’ have all contributed to this sense of isolation and separateness that has escalated in recent years.

My hope is that as we move into a new paradigm, as challenging as it may be, more folks will wake up to the fact that this deep hunger for belonging cannot be satiated through social media. Human connection is essential to our well-being and many of us are only satisfied with connecting with people in real life. Beyond that, I feel many of us have an even deeper need for belonging that connections with other people cannot fill- It is the need to feel a kinship with nature. There is a need to belong to the land we walk on and our animal, plant, tree and rock kin. This is our original relationship to the source of life- without the human mind and its drama- we need to remember our belonging with the land.

Deep down in our bones, we know we too, are wild.

The cleansing rain, the soft mossy earth, the whisper of a raven’s wing, the haunting song of humpback whales, the crackling flames of a bonfire- all live within us. We are Earth and Earth is us. When we spend time in the woods, there is often a deep remembering. Remembering the ancestors and how they lived, and of our own belonging to the earth. A remembering of the ancient wisdom trees hold, and the sacredness of the life of a deer- just as sacred as our own.

Life becomes magical when we remember our own inner wildness.

When I say ‘wildness’, I mean our innate connection to the Earth, which can be very quiet and introspective, not necessarily dance-around-the-bonfire-naked kind of wild, though that may be included too!

When we re-ignite our remembering of our kinship with the earth, our sense of belonging grows. It is hard to feel alone when we remember this.

How Do We Practice Earth-Based Spirituality?

The great thing about this practice is that there is no one way. Each individual will have their own unique way of practicing. At its foundation, it is about connecting with nature regularly, and intimately. It’s about going beyond the physical and into the energetic and spiritual essence of animals, plants, crystals, rocks, bodies of water, landscapes, sacred sites and more. It is a deepened sensitivity and intuitive listening to the world around us- to feel what’s beyond the surface and into the heart and soul of the living beings that surround us. It is also fundamentally about being in reciprocal relationship with the being around us- not feeling superior or ‘other’, but being a friend or family member with the beings around us.

One’s practice can entail listening to and talking to plants, and getting to know their energy and medicine. It can include connecting deeply with animals, and working with animal spirits for protection, energy, or healing in daily life. It can entail observing the equinoxes, solstices and moon cycles, connecting with the ancestors of the land, and much more.

Some folks are solitary, while some like more formal gatherings. Some prefer structured rituals, while some keep it loose and just live in tune with the earth and its cycles more intuitively. Someone living on a farm or in the woods will have a different practice than someone in a big city. Neither way is right or wrong, all are valid.

For me, my earth-based practice includes a lot of attuning to the energies I feel from the earth and its cycles as well as the moon. Connecting with the spirits of trees, rocks, animals and the elements is central to my practice, as well as observing my emotional and embodied experience during moon cycles and seasonal cycles.  

I don’t really spend time doing spells, but I have a lot of regular rituals- such as visiting local trees, talking with them, learning from them and giving offerings to them. I try to visit trees almost daily.

I also grow plants in my garden and like to take care of them and listen to them, harvest them and make teas, smoke cleanse, and herbal charms.

I also take regular sojourns to the spirit realm to connect with animal allies and do different rituals of connection with them.

I have many rocks and crystals in my space as well, which I enjoy placing on my body for healing, or wearing for protection, or adding into a healing pouch.

How Does an Earth-Based Path Help Us Heal?

Earth-based spirituality is healing because it is about being in relationship with the world around us. It heals our collective isolation wound. It helps us remember that we belong. Being in relationship with our non-human kin is the foundation of its power.

When we see plants as kin, we don’t wish to harm them, we respect them. This is a form of un-colonising our conditioning. True witchy power doesn’t come from using plants, herbs or crystals to fulfill a personal desire, but from having a respectful relationship with them and treating them as friends or family. They may wish to help you fulfill a desire, or they may want to teach you something, help you heal, or they may simply wish to simply ‘be’ in the environment, or work with insects and animals and not with humans.

Our non-human kin may be called ‘healing allies’ or ‘spirit allies’ or guides that help us heal or deal with a challenge in the present. Their medicine, or the special qualities they carry serve as reminders of a part of ourselves that wishes to come into wholeness.

Each aspect of nature, including us, are an expression of Spirit which flows through everything. Sometimes along our human journey, we forget, suppress or reject aspects of ourselves- to survive, to fit in, or to ‘succeed’ at goals that we set for ourselves. Over time, those aspects may call to be remembered, loved and integrated. These shadow aspects of ourselves, often contain gifts and medicines long forgotten or suppressed over generations in our lineage.

When we answer the call to remembering our kinship with aspects of nature, we are remembering our connection to the whole, and to our own wholeness.

In reality, we are completely whole, and perfect, just as we are. We are perfect and whole just as nature is. We only need to simply exist. Yet, we forget this, and need reminders.

Our kin in nature help reflect back to us forgotten parts of ourselves that are ready to come into integration within ourselves.

For example, we may have gone through some painful breakups that have left our heart untrusting and closed to intimacy. Connecting with a Rose Quartz crystal- and developing a relationship with them over time, can help us heal our heart. Working with Rose could also help, as these allies hold the energy of unconditional love. They can help us remember how to love ourselves again and open our heart to more true connections.

Another example could be that we’ve forgotten our confidence, and thus we may find working with a wild cat like a lion ally or another animal can help us remember this aspect of our nature. Or perhaps we work with the element of fire or sunlight to help ignite our inner flame of strength and confidence.

If we are in a situation where we need to get more grounded and sustain strength over a long period of time. In this case, an Oak tree may help us remember our strength and help ground us.

If you were embarking on a journey- whether a new educational program or traveling, you may find a bird ally helpful, as they resonate with freedom of movement and perspective. Each bird is so unique however, that there will be a specific one that carries an energy you would most resonate with.

How Do We Know Which Ally to Connect With?

Trust your intuition and curiosity. Perhaps you keep noticing a certain tree lately? Or, an animal keeps showing up in your dreams? Or you find yourself craving baths, being near water or wanting to cleanse?

Experiment and notice how you feel. Remember, this is an innate part of you, your inner wild one that has always been there, waiting to be remembered.

It doesn’t have to be complicated, and we don’t necessarily need a human teacher to intermediate between us and the earth. However, it is always great to learn from others! Especially Indigenous folks, when it comes to this land here on Turtle Island.

I believe we all have an inner spiritual guide or healer within that leads us to exactly where we need to be, and shows us what we need. We just need to listen, and to notice what we are being shown. Notice your dream symbols, notice your desires, notice repeated symbols in your environment. Be curious!

What area of your life do you feel drawn to healing or improving? What type of energy does this area need? What animal, element, crystal, herb or tree carries a similar energy?

Here are some more ways you can bring some Earth-Based rituals into your life:

–Walk in a nearby park or forest and allow yourself to be drawn to a plant or tree. Get to know them, sit with them, talk to them, become friends. Bring an offering of animal-safe food or herbs, or offer loving words of gratitude, song or even a kiss or a hug.

–Choose a crystal you are drawn to. You may also find a rock on the ground and ask if you can take them home. Hold the rock to your heart or wherever on your body you intuitively feel their energy. What is their energy like? How do they make you feel? Rocks hold the wisdom of time and the land they are from. Read about their origins and properties, wear it or keep it nearby.

–Get acquainted with an herb you are drawn to. Connect with them outside, if possible. If not, connect with them as a dried herb- either as is, or in a tea or tincture. (Of course be sure to check out the medicinal properties if you are ingesting it!). What is their energy like? If they were a person, what would they be like? How do they make you feel?

–Keep a Moon journal. Note the phase and how you feel during that phase. You may wish to read my blog posts on honouring the moon cycles here and here.

-Let the elements heal you. When the sun is out, take some time to receive the healing light of its rays into your heart, mind, belly. Feel the warmth and light fill any areas of sadness, fear, emptiness or malaise. If grief, wistfulness or overwhelm come over you, spend some time near water for cleansing and renewal. Even just listening to a recording of ocean waves can kindle our remembering. When experiencing anxiety, confusion or overwhelm, spend some time grounding in the earth. Take off your shoes and feel it under your feet. Lean against a tree or sit on a rock to remember your own stability.

As our practice grows over time, we start to feel a greater kinship and belonging- not only to the land, but also to ourselves. When we connect to all the beauty and medicine that exists around us, we remember that it is the same beauty and medicine we carry within.

If you are looking for some support to help you embark or continue on your earth-based spiritual journey, I am here to do just that! I take you on a guided journey to find your allies, through my one-on-one program: Nourish Your Spirit. In a series of 6 sessions, we uncover the healing needed through a Tarot Reading, learn grounding, centering, energetic cleansing and protection practices, and find a crystal, animal, herb, tree and elemental ally for you to work with. Contact me for a free 30 min consult!

In kinship,

Serena

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How to Honor the New Moon & Waxing Moon

How to Honor the New Moon & Waxing Moon

In my last blog post, I spoke about honoring the Full and Waning Moon phases, so in this one, let’s explore the New & Waxing Moons!

When working with moon phases, we are called to pay attention to our feelings and emotions, the tug of our hearts, wombs, bodies and soul. Lunar energy has its own rhythm, which is not honored in our capitalist, patriarchal systems.

Like the Moon, we too are meant to ebb and flow, to rest and renew, to allow changes in our energy levels and productivity, our social habits and our perception. We can be multi-faceted. We can be moody, change our minds and hearts. We can have varying levels of energy. Yet we live in a world that often demands constant productivity, consistency, extraverted energy and sociability.

The New to Waxing Moon happens over a 2-week period before the Full Moon arrives in its bright beauty. This phase is one of planting, building, creating, and increase. This is a preferred energy by our social standards, making it often an easier energy to surf than the waning moon. However the New Moon itself can be challenging, or a mixed bag as the Full Moon often is. 

The New Moon is a when the slate is wiped clean and a new cycle begins. The last cycle has ended and we have cleared some space for something new to be planted, or have a gem of wisdom to take with us into this next new cycle.

Sometimes the New Moon feels heavy, empty or challenging emotionally, as we may still be releasing the end of the last cycle and clearing space for the new. We may feel low energy, and people tend to hermit a bit still during this phase. This is all well and good, as it is important to honor your body and psyche’s needs at this time. Often we need some empty space in our schedule to process, and to allow ourselves to dream, and receive the new spark or seed to be planted into our new cycle.

There is often enthusiastic anticipation of this new beginning energy, and folks can’t wait to jump on manifesting their desires for this phase! I find it valuable however to allow for some pause around the New Moon for at least the first day or two to actually tune into your deepest self and needs, to allow the next cycle’s seeds of inspiration to rise up into awareness from within.

Planting seeds of intention may take several days or up to a week. It can take a while to feel a clear sense of what you desire and want to cultivate and grow. So, no need to rush into manifesting on the exact New Moon! Take your time to feel into what wants to come into being and build it gradually as the light increases.

New Moon Vibes

Keywords for the New Moon:

Rest

Dream

Renew

Begin

Open

Possibility

Receive

Inspiration

Hope

Excitement

Intention

Plant

Plan

Brainstorm

Experiment

Try

Seek

The New Moon is the transition between the archetype of an Elder and a Newborn, so in a sense it is like we can see the world with fresh eyes again around the New Moon. We can welcome a shift in perspective, one that holds both the wisdom of the last cycle and new hope and inspiration for the next.

This is the time to try something new, experiment, and be open to possibilities. Not everything we desire or plan at this time will be worth cultivating or make it to the Full Moon. However, at the New Moon, we can entertain possibilities and enjoy exploring and experimenting, so that at the 1st Quarter phase, one week later, we can narrow our focus and take action on something more specific, or in a specific way.


We may wish to plant a variety of seeds and see what takes until we can home in on what feels best or seems to be working. This is the time to experiment and be open!

Sometime around the New Moon, even if I’m not feeling particularly energetic, I find it helpful to get out for a walk, spend time in nature or somehow expose myself to inspiration, new ideas, and energies. If I just go out in public anywhere in the city, I often come across something- whether its hearing live music playing, having an interesting conversation with a store clerk, seeing a beautiful mural or a tree in the park, there’s always something that acts as a catalyst for my new intentions.

To honor the New Moon, I would suggest opening yourself to possibilities! Once the hermit phase is over, just get out and open to receive new inspiration. You can also do this through reading a book, or taking in media or entertainment of some kind. A seed will find its way to take root.

Ways to honor the New Moon:

Rest and pause so you can sense and feel what new energy is emerging

Putter, do simple daily tasks that allow your mind to wander and dream

Allow yourself to receive- take in nourishment for mind, body, heart and soul

Explore a subject you’re interested in online

Seek entertainment- ie) scroll on social media, see a play, watch a new show or movie

Get out for a walk

Have a conversation with a friend or a stranger

Seek out art, beauty, new scenery

Spend time in Nature

Practice openness and curiosity

Seek a shift in perspective

Write down desires and dreams- no matter how unrealistic or fantastical they seem

Envision your dream- create a vision board, begin to gather inspo, seek out resources

Brainstorm

Make a loose plan- know it can be refined and modified later

Write positive affirmations for yourself

Write down inspiring quotes

Seek out people who are doing what you want to be doing

Explore your options and don’t be afraid to experiment or try something new

Waxing Moon Energy- Build, nourish, prepare, create!

The Waxing Moon includes the Crescent Moon, First Quarter Moon and Gibbous Moon phases, which flow from one to the other up until the Full Moon, the peak of energy.

The waxing phases are about building, preparation and creation. They involve planting a seed of intention and nurturing that seed with actions and tending to see the result 2 weeks later at the Full Moon.

These phases are suitable for increasing, growth, and building something up, rather than releasing, letting go or breaking something down. Both energies can take place at once, as nature isn’t all or nothing! Often both things are happening at the same time, but the focus is on the building and growing aspect, as energies are rising to support growth, like in spring.

The Crescent Moon phase comes a few days after the New Moon, where we explored potential and dreamed. We may feel very vulnerable or hesitant during this phase, as we step out into the unknown (think the Fool card in Tarot), but we have to start somewhere. There is room to experiment here and focus on inspiration and positive potential as we embark on our journey forward. This phase asks us to summon our courage, take a little step out of our comfort zone. It can also be a gathering phase, in which we build up our resources in order to reach a goal.

The First Quarter Moon comes next, and here is a ‘crisis point’ similar to the 3rd Quarter Waning Moon, but it is more about how our external reality bumps up against our goals and hopes. We often need to take a bolder action of some kind. We may need to contend with an obstacle, internal or external, and adjust our course forward a bit. We may need to shift our expectations or take a different approach than we originally thought. It’s normal here to make a change, take a concrete action or meet an obstacle that actually helps us forward.

Finally, the Gibbous Moon phase leads us into the Full Moon. Here, the energy tide is high and building up to a crescendo. We may feel some pressure building up, to perfect our creation or reach our goal. This can be a busy time, as we prepare, focus and perfect what we are doing. There is also a bit of surrender needed here, as there is a lot of energy pushing us forward without us having to paddle the boat too much, as we’re already engaged and building something. The energy will find its way, we just may want to adjust the channel for its release into the best form we can.

What we plant, nurture, tend and manifest in the Waxing cycle may be something simple like trying a new class, implementing a new health routine, creating an altar, learning a new subject, nurturing a friendship or relationship, or it could be a career move, house or apartment hunt, or creative endeavor. It can also be about our inner work and healing, where we implement a new thinking habit, self-perception, healing modality, medicine or embrace a new attitude towards our life.

As we reach the Full Moon phase, it doesn’t mean the whole thing has to be done and figured out! Some manifestations take many moon cycles to manifest. Each one is a step along the way.

Once we come to the Full Moon, we can assess the peak culmination and the journey we took to get there. We then go on to integrate, process and release what we no longer need as the Moon wanes. What is meant to stay will stay, to be worked on some more in the next cycle, and what’s meant to leave will leave, if it proved not to support our purpose or goal. Read more about the Full and Waning Moons here.

What are you planting, nurturing, or building right now? A new sense of self? A creative project? A career goal or domestic goal?

Eclipses:

Currently we are building towards a Lunar Eclipse- thus what we are building or working towards is likely nothing entirely new, but an outgrowth of the challenges and turning points of March 2025, and September 2024. It may be feeling intense, as it is an extra powerful moon cycle. Lunar Eclipses are like extra powerful Full Moons that bring more long-lasting culminations, endings, accomplishments and changes than regular Full Moons. You can read more about eclipses and how to navigate them here and here.

How do you honor the New & Waxing Moon phases?

Share in the comments!

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How to Honor the Full Moon & Waning Moon

The Lunar cycle is such a central part of an earth-based spiritual practice. Many folks are especially drawn to doing something special to honor the Full Moon, as it is such an energetic time of the month. After approximately three days of fullness, the light of the moon begins to darken and wane. It then heads into the Disseminating, Third Quarter and Balsamic moon phases over the next two weeks, until the renewal of the New Moon.

Each phase has its own special energy, but we are often too busy to notice the more subtle energies that lie between the Full and New Moon. Here, I will focus on the Full Moon phase, and touch on the following two weeks of waning light that can be felt and tuned into if desired.

The easiest way to honor each lunar phase is to simply tune into how we feel! The moon is intrinsically connected to our emotions and thus can be felt on an emotional and physical level quite powerfully.

There’s a lot of talk about spell work and ritual around Full and New Moons, yet one doesn’t need to get all formal or analytical about this. We don’t need to worry about having the right colored candles, crystals, words or do a lot of prep to make magic. Ritual can be any action that aligns with the energy of the moment. It can be as simple as checking in with our body, our heart, journaling, having a good cry, going for a walk, singing, drawing or moving our body in tune with how we feel. Magic is something that exists all the time. It is felt as a result of being fully present with ourselves and the energies around us, not something we need to create with a special formula.

Often the material world naturally reflects the energies of the lunar cycle. Lunar magic, in its ebbs and flows is a constant that we can tap into any time. Rather than trying to ‘use the moon cycles to manifest what we want’ with specific spells or rituals, I advise simply opening up our senses and attuning our actions to harmonise with the lunar moment. Just notice how it feels, in your heart, in your body.

What’s your mood like? What’s the mood of the people surrounding you? The plants and animals around you? What are your dreams at night like? How is your sleep and energy levels? What emotions, desires, pulls or feels are flowing through you? How are things shifting?

Each week has a different lunar energy. Observe how that energy is manifesting within and around you.

Honor the Moon by flowing with it, rather than against it.

The Full Moon is a very expressive, emotional high tide. It is helpful to express your feelings to someone, or through art, journaling or just to yourself to gain clarity, healing, awareness and release of anything that’s been brewing beneath the surface for the last couple weeks (or longer!).

Full Moon Vibes

Keywords for the Full Moon are:

Culmination

Realisation

Awareness

Expression

Manifestation

Fullness

Visibility

Illumination

Clarity

Revealing truth

Balance & conflict

Light & shadow

Things coming to a head

Outward flow

Breakthrough

Release

The Full Moon Energies:

The energy of the Full Moon is a swell of upward and outward energy. That which has been planted or initiated at the New Moon comes to a culmination. Oftentimes, we are unaware of the seeds we have actually planted. Even if our conscious mind planted seeds at the New Moon, our unconscious may have had a secret agenda that may become known at the Full Moon.

Whatever has been brewing or stewing beneath the surface is revealed. This can be a healing breakthrough, even if it causes stress or conflict at first. When things come from our subconscious into our awareness it helps us to take steps towards new decisions that bring healing and a better quality of life.

This can be the busiest and most productive as well as stressful phase of the lunar cycle, as everything comes to a head and is revealed. That which has been worked on behind the scenes comes into a culmination or manifestation. It can be a time of honest proclamations and emotional outbursts, these can lead to healing breakthroughs as well as necessary endings. We often need time to integrate the truth that is being revealed to us into our body and psyche over the next two weeks, until the lunar cycle is completed by the New Moon.

This phase can be triumphant or challenging, or both. It can also be a very social, celebratory phase, as our energies are pulled outwards to connect with others.

Because the Full Moon is an opposition aspect between the Sun and Moon, there is often a ‘self versus other’ energy at play. Either self vs partner/friend/coworker/boss/family member/society, or ‘mine vs theirs’ or ‘this vs that’- there’s a conflict or oppositional energy to balance within ourselves, often through other people or another point of view.

This is all to help us balance different aspects of ourselves. Perhaps we’ve given too much energy to one aspect of ourselves and now a neglected part is crying for our attention. This may be experienced through conflict with others or our environment. Sometimes we just receive some awareness of where we could bring some more balance into our lives, or something that needs to change so we can be more authentically ourselves.

Even if we feel pretty calm around the Full Moon, others may be sailing rougher seas. This is because each Full Moon happens in a different astrological sign, and these can hit us all differently, based on how it interacts with our individual astrology. So, even if it’s not feeling like a big deal for us, our partner or friend may be really going through it, which also affects us. We also may find others are more high energy or excited than we are, or vice versa.

Sometimes the Full Moon’s emotional brew doesn’t rise up fully until there’s an opportunity when it can. If we are too busy holding all our feelings in, keeping it all together for work, or being a solid rock for others during the Full Moon, we may not receive our own emotional effects until a few days later. This is why it is important to make some space and time around Full Moons for yourself. The longer we hold things in, the less likely our emotions come out in healthy ways.

We may also feel the effects more strongly a few days before the Full Moon instead of during the 3 days of peak fullness. The waves come when they can find a way through. This might even only be during our dreams at night. The Full Moon is a great time to remember your dreams, write them down and see what they are trying to reveal.

How to Honor the Full Moon:

All we need to do is give ourselves the space and time to FEEL our emotions and EXPRESS them. Let them show us the part(s) of us that are calling for attention. Let them flow through us, whether it be anger, rage, grief, joy, pride, love. We are meant to feel the full range of human emotions in this life, despite the hierarchy of ‘acceptable’ ones by society.

Emotions are also ‘energy in motion’, so they need to move and be expressed in healthy ways. Doing so prevents us from reacting in ways we may regret later. Once we are aware of what we’ve been feeling deep down, we can decide how we wish to move forward with that information.

Ways to Honor the Full Moon energies- Feel & express emotions, connect with others:

Journal your feelings and thoughts

Try some creative writing

Deep, releasing breaths

Sing

Drum and chant from the heart

Play a musical instrument

Do some sounding (just making sounds as you exhale, letting whatever needs to come out to come out)

Dance to music you feel called to

Walk outside

Move your body any way that feels good: Shaking, stomping, wiggling, stretching etc.

Scream or yell in a safe place

Punch a pillow or other safe object

Have an honest conversation with a friend, loved one or therapist

Take a salt bath

Watch a movie or reading a book that tugs your heartstrings

Listen to music you feel drawn to

Spend time in nature, especially around water or in water

Listen to ocean waves or whale song

Smoke cleanse your self & space

Record your dreams, speak them aloud to someone

Speak your feelings aloud- to yourself or another who you feel safe to process with

Play a sport or game

Go out with friends

Hold a gathering or celebration

What happens next? The Waning Moon Period:

Once the Full Moon starts to lose its intensity (usually a few days later or when the moon sign has changed), we come into a phase of integration and release.

The period of the Waning Moon is two weeks long and includes the Disseminating phase, Third Quarter phase and Balsamic Phase. Each of these last a few days and flow into the next. I won’t go into much detail of each of these Waning Moon phases here, but overall, this Waning Moon period is where we integrate, process and release the awareness that the Full Moon brought up. It takes a while for our body to catch up sometimes, so our nervous system may take some time to realign, and our psyche may take some time to rebalance.

Shortly after the Full Moon, during the Disseminating Moon, we may wish to continue with some activities of expression that are listed above to help process the energies. We may feel called to synthesize our newly gleaned awareness into something that can be helpful from our experience to share with others. This is an alchemizing, creative time where we can make beauty from our wounds, create new pathways forward and give thanks to others, and the universe.

As the Third Quarter phase comes into play, we may feel challenged to make an internal shift to let go of something that no longer serves us. This is an important time to release, lighten our load and tend to the inner part of us that felt triggered at the Full Moon with gentleness. Energetic cleansing practices, such as smoke cleansing, baths, walks in nature, and healing therapies are great at this Moon Phase. We may need some extra self-care and self-nurturance here. We may also feel empowered as we turn a corner within and make decisions about how we want to move forward.

As we get closer to the New Moon, the moon’s light is becoming less visible, our energies go increasingly inward and downward. We may feel lower energy or wish to be alone. We may also feel called to simplify and free ourselves from anything we don’t need and keep things light and easy. This is our time to release our attachment to material outcomes and embrace a more spiritual perspective. It is a great time for retreat. Meditation, nature, stillness, extra sleep, spiritual practices and healing therapies are supportive during this phase as we prepare to renew and turn over a whole new leaf at the New Moon!

The Lunar Cycle vs dominant culture:

Flowing with the Moon’s shifting tides is very counter-cultural. It upsets the patriarchal system. Our calendars and schedules are not made in honor of the lunar cycles. We are expected to perform in the same way all month long. This is especially hard on menstruating bodies and psyches, which flow in a very similar way as the moon. But it is also hard on any of us sensitive beings who wish to honor nature’s cycles within and without.

Reclaiming our shifting tides and emotional nature is a form of reclaiming lost power. It is a way of healing our lineage and transforming the world. Honoring the ebbs and flows we feel in body and psyche are powerful ways of coming into realignment with nature. We carry the Moon within us (all genders), and its power is available to help us evolve, grow, shapeshift, create and manifest with greater ease and authenticity- if we choose to tap into it.

How do you like to honor the Full Moon? How do you feel at the Waning Moon?

Share in the comments!

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The Gifts & Challenges of Being an Urban Witch

As a highly sensitive, introverted witch who lives in a city with a population of 7.1 million, there are days when I long to get out of the city for some peace and quiet, to really immerse myself in nature and feel nothing but the love between the land and me.  

Like most of us living in Toronto, the usual things can be overwhelming- traffic, noise and air pollution, constant people everywhere and the workaholic culture can make it difficult to slow down and feel a rooted sense of belonging with the land.

I have been living here for the better part of 24 years and have learned how to thrive as an urban witch through connecting to the land and navigating the challenges and gifts of being a witch in a big city.

I wanted to identify some of these and give a few tips as well. These can also apply to anyone following an earth-based spiritual path, in any city you wish to connect more deeply to!

Why is connecting with the land we live on so important?

If you practice an earth-based form of spirituality, connecting with the land is central. Even if you don’t practice this form of spirituality, connecting with the land helps you feel more anchored in a sense of belonging where you live, it also helps undo and repair colonial ways of being and the damage it has done to our relationships with each other, the land and ourselves.

It is hard for me to talk about ‘the land’ as though it is separate from us. I use terms like ‘nature’ and ‘the earth’ because colonialism is woven into our language. But us earth based spirituality folks know that WE ARE NATURE too. We embody the land and are not separate from it. The trees, animals, plant beings and rocks are kin. When the land is out of balance, we are too. I feel language can be changed somehow to reflect this, yet I haven’t found the right words yet. So for now, I say ‘nature’ or ‘the land’ as though we are not all intertwined, but truthfully we are one. It is our birthright to remember this kinship and cultivate it- wherever you live and whomever you are!

There are many reasons why people don’t feel connected to the land they live on.  Especially in a big city, it can be easy to get caught up in the colonial, industrial system imposed on us and lose our sense of the heartbeat of the earth beneath our feet. The land wants us to connect, interact, to harvest its medicines (in sustainable, reciprocal ways) and be in relationship. It wants us to rekindle our sacred original kinship and contract. All we have to do is pay attention. Once we make the effort to be in relationship with land, we feel a sense of greater belonging to place and to each other.    

I highly recommend this short video by Robin Wall Kimmerer, discussing the importance of us connecting with the land from an Indigenous perspective, as it benefits us as well as the land itself to have an emotional and spiritual connection with one another.

Relationship with an urban landscape

local art reflecting the tree

Many spiritual, witchy, earth loving folks idealize living in a rural setting, in peace and quiet with the songs of the land bathing us in its love every day.

We may fantasize about living in a Victorian mansion with massive gardens and a greenhouse, like in the movie Practical Magic. Perhaps we dream of a little yurt in the woods, or a cottage on a secluded lake with loons serenading us under a night sky full of stars.

But the reality is, many folks need to live in cities for work, education, family, proximity to health and social services, spiritual reasons and more. Also, many folks thrive in cities. As much as I love being immersed in trees and quiet, my own guides keep bringing me here to Toronto because this is where my spiritual evolution and work needs to happen. This may change again in the future, but this is what it is for now.

So much of the witchy practices and rituals we are taught to do in books or see in media are done in a rural landscape, and yet so many witches live in cities. Here though, we may need to adapt our practice and work harder at it. This can make us feel like we are somehow ‘less than’ rural witches or lacking in resources, skills or spiritual vibrations necessary for magic- when this simply isn’t true!

Urban landscapes are FULL of life. Not just humans and cars, but animals and plants of many kinds. Also, remember, we humans are nature too! We are all one. Magick is just as powerful in the city as anywhere else. It may have even more magickal potential, because the city creates a complex nexus of energy. We are all very connected in this nexus, so if you are sending out healing, positive vibes, it has the potential to reach more people and beings in the environment. Likewise, we can receive a large variety of energies from this nexus, and this requires we develop skills to filter out some of the negative while cultivating the positive.

Deer at an east end urban park, Morningside Park

City energy moves faster than rural energy, which can mean that many of its inhabitants may be on a fast track of personal change and transformation. This can require a different approach to one’s earth-based practice, one that can help bring grounding and balance to the effects of such constant change.  

The challenges that a larger city brings has the potential make us a more focused, adaptable, creative and tolerant witch, because we are forced to do things a bit differently.

If you can witch in the city, you can witch anywhere. It’s the difference between practicing meditation in a calm temple, vs practicing it in a stressful situation, when you need it most. Meditation is meant to be applied in our everyday lives, just as we are meant to weave our magical practice into our everyday lives, not wait until we are away on retreat to do so.  

Witching in Toronto- Canada’s largest city

High Park, Toronto

Many folks outside Toronto love to hate on Toronto. The big city can be challenging and bring up strong reactions, some of which are reflections of people’s shadow rather than the city itself. Large cities hold a bit of everything and can act as a mirror of one’s issues.

Granted, life can be hard in the city. Cost of living, for one. But there are perks, like not needing a car, diversity, job and education opportunities, health services and social opportunities.

I wasn’t born and raised here, neither were most of its residents. It is the most ethnically diverse city in the world, with the majority of folks coming from elsewhere. Overall, I’ve really enjoyed living here because I am never bored, always learning new things and meeting amazing people! I am also aware of its many challenges, including affordability. It is however a city that encourages constant evolution and personal growth. It doesn’t let you stagnate. It will bring up your shadow, and move you forward, ready or not. This is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you are on a spiritual path and want to evolve, Toronto can be a gold mine.

I just want to address a few common witchy challenges I have encountered and tips. Some are specific to my city but you will likely have your own where you find yourself. Feel free to share your own city’s gits/lessons and witchy tips in the comments!

Some Challenges of Being an Urban Witch:

plant babies I grew from seed

Gardening: Herbs and plants are often eaten by squirrels, rabbits, bugs, trampled on or peed/pooped on by people’s dogs and cats.

Tip: Plant-growing needs extra attentiveness, openness to learning and patience. There is little we can control about others’ behavior or animals in the city. We just have to let go and keep learning. I get a pro gardener to check in with my garden once in a while. It can also be helpful to talk with neighbors about their gardening tips too as they have the same struggles!

Food offerings: Food for the land and/or other spirits put outside may immediately be eaten by raccoons, squirrels or rabbits. Should we even bother?

Tip: Offerings placed outside must be carefully considered for animal safety. Research what is harmful to local animals. Food offerings for spirits can be placed inside the home with intention, then outside later once the spirits have gotten the energy they need. Also, squirrels and raccoons are part of the land here, so their spirits strengthened by our offerings helps the land too! Alternatives to food offerings include– herbs, our energy, kind words, song, poetry, water, cleanup of the nearby area, creating something in their honor. If we haven’t brought anything physical with us, there is always our love, our touch, our breath, words and intentions! The land and spirits respond to all these things.

Apartments/condo living: This can make plant care challenging- Those lucky enough to have balconies are limited to container gardening or can’t grow many varieties due to lack of sun outside, and many live in dark basement apartments.

one of my plant windows- north facing/lower light

Tip: Relate to fewer plants more deeply, find low-light tolerant ones. Relate to herbs and local plants by getting out to visit them in other locations in the city in parks and gardens. Many varieties grow in the parks and valleys here.

There is also the issue of noise which can make some aspects of witchy practice tricky to do without disturbing others or being disturbed by others. Noise-cancelling headphones are helpful. Drumming and chanting can be done outdoors in a park if need be due to intolerant roommates or neighbors.  

Roommate issues: It can be tricky to practice with roommates, such as dealing with allergies to herbal smoke or conflicting spiritual beliefs.

Tip: Our fellow humans offer us challenges to make us city witches stronger, more creative and adaptable. Use smoke outside only, create essential oil sprays for indoors. Find common ground between differing beliefs, yet stand your ground for your right to your practice. These can be very challenging lessons. Often the folks in our lives are meant to teach us by bringing up an aspect of ourselves we don’t like. Shadow work is part of the spiritual work of a witch. How can we stand our ground while also respecting others? How can we integrate our wholeness? Healing some of our fears of persecution and the shame from the Witch Wound can be helpful in navigating boundaries and compromise. You may wish to read my post: Healing the Witch Wound.

Moon Rituals & other outdoor rituals: Placing crystals or water outside to ‘bathe in moonlight’ may be more likely to be bathed in streetlamp light, car exhaust, and tons of traffic noise or collective emotional stress. Placing something outside can absorb very chaotic energies on any given day, depending on your location. This may not apply to you if you’re in a quiet neighborhood away from traffic.

Tip: Maximize the positive vibes of your indoor space. You can catch the moonlight indoors from a windowsill or spot in the room. Put things outside when the vibes are good, and then bring things inside again if the energies shift for the worse. If the full moon has really chaotic vibes outside, wait a night or two, or keep the crystal on a windowsill. Better to have absorbed more positive vibes overall than a chaotic full moon. I also feel it is ok to absorb both artificial light mixed with moonlight. We can’t have it all. There are also other ways to charge our crystals and water! Sunlight is a lovely option, as well as using our own positive energy with our hands and heart. You can sing a song or a spell and emanate energy through your hands. I do this with my water and crystals all the time. We are nature too.

Willows- Centre Island, Toronto

Communing with the land in public spaces: Many trees and bodies of water often happen to be public spaces full of other people with little privacy or quiet, making tuning in challenging.When I lived more rurally, it was easy to just walk to a forest or a trail and not see another soul for an hour. That rarely happens in Toronto. I maybe go 30 seconds without people walking by in most nearby urban parks. There may be sirens and horns blaring, music blasting, kids yelling, or garbage trucks vrooming in the background. This teaches us to filter outside noise and activity and really deeply focus our attention and listen to the trees, water, or land we are connecting with. It takes practice.

Tips: I often do my walks at night or times when there are less people around. Winter and bad weather days are also easier for tuning in. I stick to parks and places that are safe in off-hours and invoke spiritual protection when need be. Cemeteries are another great option as they are usually quiet and full of spiritual energy! As city folks, we have to learn to filter and block out certain stimuli and tune into others. Practice blocking out the noise and tune into the water, tree or rock you are connecting with. You will eventually get really good at focusing and receiving energy very quickly and efficiently. I bring earbuds to plug in my ears while I commune with a tree in a noisy public spot.

Me on the Seaton Trail in Pickering

Communing with nature in public can feel embarrassing or like you’re a weirdo: I understand. It’s taken me years to figure out how to commune with the land without being too obvious about it, especially if I am out with my teenage daughter who gets embarrassed by me easily.

Tip: I eventually had to accept that I simply AM a weirdo and that’s totally ok! Cities are full of weirdos, making it even easier to be one. Release shame. This is an opportunity to heal the Witch Wound. If I let my embarrassment stop me from connecting with the land in public, I would never have the chance to at all. I have no choice but to stop caring It’s so worth it! But if you’re still feeling limited by this, try just casually sitting by a tree and pretend you’re looking at your phone. Then, once you’ve tuned into the tree, you can easily type what the tree is saying to you in a notes app.

The stimulation and others’ energy can be overwhelming and stressful: Yes, I totally empathise, as a highly sensitive introvert.

 Tips: Boundaries, cleansing and protection! This is probably the biggest difference between an urban witch’s practice and a rural witch. We have to have boundaries, cleansing and protection practices as part of daily life or we can suffer. You wouldn’t go out in January without a coat. Don’t leave your home in Toronto without your energetic protection suit. This may be why urbanites like to wear black. It helps protect our energy. This is why we don’t give our attention to every random person we see, that would be extremely exhausting. We need to be selective and clear about what we will and will not do with our precious energy. Keep strong cleansing practice and do this daily, such as smoke cleansing, showers, breathwork and other energetic techniques. Follow this with a protection practice. Practice your ‘resting Witch face’ and a very quick extra-protection practice if you find yourself in a sketchy situation. I work with animal allies and visualization for this. I may also wear protective crystals and carry herbs for protection in my purse or on me.

Me wearing my typical black in Salem, MA.

To sum up, challenges connecting with the land and practicing as an urban witch can teach us lessons in: Adaptability, patience, letting go of control, getting creative, getting along with others & doing our shadow work, dispelling shame, healing the Witch Wound, cleansing, boundaries, focus and protection. These are witch skills that when cultivated, make us much stronger! We are not only cultivating a relationship with the land, but the other humans inhabiting it with us. This is in and of itself a bundle full of gifts gleaned from our urban witch practice.

Now, onto some gifts of witching in the city…

The Gifts of Being an Urban Witch:

Toronto Beaches sunset

It’s easier to find other witches or witch-friendly events and spaces: In a big city, it’s just easier to be yourself. You can wear all the black and pentacles you want and no one will stare at you or judge you. You can even wear a witch hat and or sparkly cape on a normal day. You may find strangers who happen to be witches strike up a convo with you on the subway or grocery store. I have met witches and had interesting spiritual conversations with many random people just based on a piece of jewelry I was wearing or a witchy button on my bag.

Tip: We can find each other easily in big ponds, if we’re willing to express ourselves just the teeniest bit! Wear something that starts a conversation. Go to witchy gatherings and shops to meet some like-minded folks!

Some Toronto witchy shops: Ram & Rebirth, Old’s Cool General Store, Gifts from the Earth & Geologic, The Plant Mystic, Happy Soul, The Rock Store, Alternity, The Hermit’s Lamp, The Occult Shop.

It’s easier to cultivate a specific witchy interest: Because there are more diverse folks in the city, we are more likely to find others who share our specific interests. In a smaller town, you may have to be more broader in your interests to connect with others. All things spiritual can get lumped together like chakras, astrology, mediumship and spellwork. In a large city you can find someone who shares your obsession with Ancient Egypt, Sigils, Chaos Magic or Welsh Gods and share with others in-person through friendship, workshops or clubs. Online communities are great for this too, of course, but lack the in-person connection!.

Tip: Look for specific workshops or gatherings around your interest in your city. Or, just start your own club or Meetup group!

Great diversity and access to wildlife and parks: Did you know Toronto has one of the largest urban parks in North America? Yup, the Rouge National Urban Park in the east end is beautiful.  We have many accessible urban parks by public transit such as High Park, the Beaches, Trinity Bellwoods, Sunnybrook, Dufferin Grove, the Toronto Islands, The Humber River, Scarborough Bluffs, Morningside Park, and many more. We also sit right on Lake Ontario, which is the 14th largest in the world. We also have a great ravine network that offers many opportunities to connect to the land and local wildlife.

I see more ‘wild’ animals on a daily basis in Toronto than I ever did living rural. On a given day, I will see at least several of these animals: Squirrels, racoons, opossums, foxes, coyotes, deer, beavers, turtles, muskrats, salmon, hawks, owls, bats, rabbits, mice, rats, ducks, pigeons, swans, ravens, crows, vultures, blue jays, cardinals, finches, and tons of other beautiful birds and mammals and fish! The wildlife here is used to living amongst humans and therefore less shy and more visible. The plant life is just as diverse.

Rouge National Urban Park

Tip: Look up parks and trails in your city. Look for walking groups, plant-lovers, and bird watchers. There’s a whole world of non-human kin that are waiting to connect with you!

Toronto-based nature groups: NANPS, Protect Nature TO, High Park Nature Centre, Toronto Nature Lovers Meetup, Toronto Field Naturalists.

There’s a rich history to explore: Because cities grow over time, they have a very rich and interesting history, which adds to the well of energy coming from the land itself as well as all the man-made structures. One of the things that has transformed my sense of belonging in my neighborhood was learning about its history. I live in what was once its own town called East Toronto, which was a central station for the Grand Trunk Railway and used to have a large horse racing site. Knowing the history explained a lot about the energy I felt here. I learned from the local historical society that offers walking tours and now can feel the magic of the past emanating from the buildings and land that surround me. I also encourage you to learn the Indigenous history of the land you live on- this is key to understanding how we got here and the work still needed to repair these relationships with land and each other.

Tip: Learn the history of where you live. There are layers of energy emanating from the land as well as the man-made structures. Feel the magic of all the lives lived and the ghosts of the past offering us information and support for moving forward. Participate in local ghost tours and history tours of the city (ie: Haunted Walks Toronto has historical info as well as mystical). They are fascinating!

Toronto Historic Tours and info: Heritage Toronto, History of Toronto, Beach & East Toronto Historical Society, Haunted Walks, Toronto History Walks Meetup group.

Tkaronto Indigenous history & learning: First Story, Events at NCCT, Indigenous Studies @ York U, Indigenous Studies U of T, A collection of resources by U of T.

The city strengthens your weak spots: Perhaps the biggest gifts we can get from practicing in the city are from the challenges it offers. We are forced to be creative, adaptable, tolerant of humans, and sharpen our witchy skills to be more focused, practical and efficient. It is really nice to get out of the city to just rest and be open to the songs of a forest, or feel the beauty of a quiet lake. But, I realized over the years that what I really needed to cultivate was not my sensitivity, thoughtfulness or openness, I was already good at that. I needed to learn things like boundaries, cleansing, protection, efficiency, patience and focus.

Tip: Discover what your gifts are and what needs work. Use the city’s challenges to strengthen your weak spots.

 You cannot be lonely if you are connecting with the land: I recently saw a news article stating that Toronto was ‘Canada’s loneliest city’. I find this very sad, as I have had the opposite experience living here, but it is also understandable. The pandemic changed how we socialize, and this is not specific to just Toronto. Folks are now going out less and staying at home more. People turn to social media instead of calling a friend and going out or trying out a new class or club. I think this loneliness however is also deeper than connecting with other people– it comes from a longing to feel connection with the land and a sense of belonging to place. My feeling is that this malaise has more to do with dominant culture becoming so removed from the land. This is more palpable in a large city than in a small town because there are more distractions.

 Tip: My remedy for loneliness is first and foremost to connect to the land. Find a nearby tree in a local park and tell it your story. Make friends. Bring it an offering. Go to the lake’s edge and tell it your pain- the waters will listen and offer their love. Learn from local events or Indigenous centres about this land and its history. Join a nature group (see above for recommendations). Spend more time outside connecting with the land itself.

Morningside Park

Greater appreciation for nature in all its forms: When I lived in a smaller city and in a rural setting, I could meditate in the woods for an hour and feel completely safe and just soak up the wisdom of the trees. I gathered a sizeable collection of raven and crow feathers with ease.  Because this became so commonplace, I began to lose appreciation for it. When living in Toronto, I feel so blessed to find a bird feather, appreciate every little garden plant, and often say ‘thankyou for being here’ when I pass by the older trees especially. In the city, you never know when one of your tree friends will get cut down suddenly, so you savor every moment with them.

Getting outside of the city for a weekend or longer is a great way to remember how easy it can be to connect with the land, and help you stay inspired to keep at it in the city.

Tip: Appreciate every tree, every bird, every quiet moment. Appreciate the cacophony oh humans and land interacting, merging, blending, dancing together. All is nature. All is temporary. All is life.

We need the land and the land needs us. Let’s find ways of cultivating relationship with our fellow kin in the human and non-human world. Let’s open up to the possibility that we are not separate, but beautiful expressions of the same divine patterns. Let’s remember our original kinship and make our practice a reflection of that remembering.

Even the smallest action, such as picking up garbage in a park, offering a tree kind words of gratitude, or just slowing down enough to hear the birds’ singing brings us home to that belonging we all crave so deeply, that is a driving force behind our earth-based practice.

What gifts and challenges have you experienced connecting with the land in the city? What have you learned?

Toronto Beaches- Great swimming!

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Spring Equinox Wisdom & Oracle Reading!

Spring Equinox Blessings!

What a powerful season of change we are in right now. Not only is Spring Equinox the astrological new year, but we are also amidst an eclipse season and Mercury and Venus retrograde. The Sun moves into fiery, trailblazing Aries and there are some larger planetary shifts from Pisces into Aries coming soon, too. Talk about endings and beginnings! Big and small cycles moving through here.

March of this year is just a lot, energetically. So if you’re really feeling it right now, you’re not alone. We are shedding an old skin as a new one emerges from underneath and this process can have us feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed. We may feel alot of mixed feelings as the past, present and future all meet up together to create a new brew in our inner cauldron.

Things get clearer as April moves in and by May we can really feel like we’re flowing forward again. We are in this retrograde energy to integrate all we’ve been going through these last 6 months and much further back too. There are some bigger cycles closing here, so there may be many past memories, emotions and experiences bubbling up to the surface now to be integrated, moved through and released.

We are shedding so much, like the Snake. Old outworn programming, social conditioning, burdens we no longer need to carry. It’s a process we need to be patient with, which can be hard in Aries season. But we are moving forward, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.

The planetary energies are really reflecting that spring dynamic of two steps forward, one step back. One day you are wearing your light spring coat and rain boots, then the next day it’s back to the parka and winter boots. It’s sunny, then it snows, then it rains. You’re not sure whether to ditch the sweaters just yet, but you really want to. It seems we can never really dress right for the weather. That’s kind of the vibe of this eclipse and retrograde season. It can be confusing, frustrating, exhausting, exciting and overwhelming.

All this push-pull, back and forth energy is like labour contractions- it is a necessary process leading to our imminent rebirth. We must trust that all this change is bringing us exactly where we need to be.

Have patience with yourself and your own process. Letting go can be hard, and there is so much vulnerability that comes with rebirth. Like the little sprouts poking up through the soil, we must turn our gaze to the sunlight- to hope, inspiration, vision, desire. We must gather our strength and rise up to meet our destiny with faith and trust in the universal flow of life.

Spring Equinox brings us a beautiful balance of darkness and light- the Equinoxes are helpful in showing us where we are out of balance and need to make adjustments. We may be evaluating our relationships, jobs, lifestyles, work-life balance, inner-outer needs and may see where some shifts could be made for greater balance and wellbeing.

When we look at Spring’s opposite season- the Fall Equinox- we see a similar theme of shedding and letting go. However, the difference is that Fall is about letting go of what we don’t want to take with us on the inner journey we’re about to embark on, and embracing changes that draw us inwards and down into our subconscious realms, spiritual realms, roots, and shadow material.

Spring is about shedding what our inner journey demonstrated is holding us back, so we can launch into a journey of outward manifestation and self-actualization. We are being drawn out and upward, like the buds on the trees, flowers and sprouts reaching for the light of the sun.

There is an aspect of ourselves that is rising, reaching for the light and longing to be seen, heard and embodied. We may not even have a clear sense of what that is for us yet, but there is often a feeling that comes around this time of year of a desire or wish we want to fulfill. A part of us that wants to be felt and expressed more fully in our lives. Through the challenging inward journey that winter took us through, a new seed or gift was conceived and is trying to find its way into our consciousness and into the physical world.

In order to rise up, we may experience a type of breakthrough akin to the sprout breaking ground. There may be a hurdle to jump over, fears to confront, a new pathway or trail to blaze. We may be shedding old generational narratives, old trauma responses, and creating new pathways, which take courage. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge any brave steps you are taking forward. Your small step forward creates a pathway for others.

Remember we all sprout, rise and bloom in our own time. The seasonal calendar may not be perfectly in sync with your particular rhythm of growth and shedding, but regardless, new life is rising around us, to be enjoyed, seen, felt and heard to nourish us no matter what stage we find ourselves in! Light, life and love are slowly blooming around us to feed our heart and soul with all it needs so we can do what we’re here to do.

Spiritual Support with Animal Allies

With all of this change, it is very helpful to connect with our Animal Allies this season.

Animal energies help us remember different aspects of ourselves, each holding its own particular medicine. Animal Allies are spirit guides that come to us in animal form, and are an important part of Indigenous cultures all over the world.

Animal Allies come to us to help protect us, strengthen us, and align us with our gifts and power. They help us embody aspects of our being we may have forgotten and give us the strength we require to get through challenging times.

My journey with animal allies is ongoing and has changed my life for the better in countless ways. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without these relationships in my life.

If you are interested in connecting with your own Animal Ally to help you move through this season of rebirth, please join me online for the Spring Equinox Circle- Connecting With Our Animal Allies this Friday, March 21st @7pm EDT!

You can also connect with animal energy with the oracle reading below- I am using the beautiful new Animal Elders Oracle by Indigenous creators Asha Frost & Hawlii Pichette.

Choose Your Animal Oracle Card:

Take 3 deep breaths to ground and center yourself. Then ask- ‘What animal energy can help me most for this Spring Equinox?’ Then gaze at the cards below and let your intuition choose one!

Remember the number of the card you chose, and scroll down for its meaning! Descriptions are by Asha Frost, the deck’s author.

  1. Elder Cardinal- Gitchi-aya’aa misko-bineshiinh– Ignite Your Flame

With their bright and beautiful red plumage, Cardinal often bring instant delight when they fly across our path. A powerful messenger from the spirit world, this Elder asks you to reconnect to your inner flame. There is a fire that dances inside of you, yearning to be expressed and released. Maybe it’s a truth that needs to be shared, or perhaps it’s a way of leading in the world, but whatever it might be, a call to courage is the message of Elder Cardinal. What are you currently feeling fired up and passionate about? Your ideas matter, and you cannot hide in fear of being shamed or misunderstood any longer.

Cardinal swoops in as a messenger from an ancestor or loved one who has passed. They are standing behind you in full support, flooding you with the courage that you have inherited from your loved one’s heart. Feel this warmth now as you dare to speak, share, and take bold steps toward sparking new consciousness in the world.

You have the support of generations behind you, and if your flame feels small or you feel scared, lean into your ancestral support, and they will remind you why you’re here. Elder Cardinal brings a splash of good luck, encouraging your inner flame to grow in the magnificient fire that your ancestors have always held for you. Be loud and be proud; your life force is yearning to be shared.

Elder Cardinal speaks: “When you need to remember your brave spirit, call on me, and I will invoke the resilience of your ancestors. Many of them have walked in courage, helping to create the opportunities that now lie before you. Your flame is fueled by their wisdom, their love, their challenges, and their growth. My vibrant red feathers inspire you to take a bold step, and I hand you one to carry with you. Remember that your ancestors did not have the same privilege to speak and share. It is now your sacred responsibility to use that inner fire.”

2. Elder Canada Goose- Gitchi-aya’aa Nika– Invest in Community

A wisdom keeper of community and connection, the Canada Goose reminds you of the power of dedicating care to your fellow kin on this planet. This elder is part of many Indigenous creation stories, supporting Sky Woman in her journey down to the earth. Canada Goose shows up today to call you into leadership and to invite you to be a voice for those who don’t have one. With their characteristic V-shaped formation during migration, Elder Canada Goose teaches us that we must lean on one another to get where we need to go.

In order to create an equitable world, we all need to shoulder some responsibility to care and take action. We cannot fly free unless we all fly free, and Canada Goose calls you to the front of the V formation. You are here to set the pace for your community through words and actions, for you have always known that nobody should be left behind. Remember you can lean on the support of others, calling upon the communities you are connected to , to rise up in allyship.

Elder Canada Goose knows the power of strong family bonds and asks you to look around at those who might not be seen, heard or uplifted. Invite them into your sacred circle, advocate for them and remember that we are all interconnected. Community care is the best care; you know what to do and where to direct your compassion and love. With this Elder flying beside you and helping to lead the way, you remember the power of inclusivity and building a just world.

Elder Canada Goose Speaks: “With you at the forefront, you set the pace. Invoke me when you need guidance and clarity around how to be the best ally and advocate. There are many ways to be an activist in this world and I will help you return to your true nature regarding what is best for you and your communities. Your actions have an incredible impact on the world around you, and I offer you a feather to welcome you into leading the way.”

3. Elder Horse- Gitchi-aya’aa mishtadim– Honor Your Sensitivity

Elder Horse trots across the wildflowers into your cards to affirm the current heightened sensitivity of your heart and spirit. As incredibly attuned beings, Horses invite you into the spaces and places inside yourself that feel extra perceptive and acutely aware. This Elder holds incredible physical and emotional sensitivity, as well as powerful muscles that allow them to travel far. It is in this way that they remind you that your sensitive nature is a strength and not a weakness.

Just as Elder Horse can sense emotions, shifts in energy and even potential threats, you too are asked to trust your ability to feel moments deeply. Because sensitivity has often been shamed in our younger selves, we are frequently conditioned to turn away from the imperceptible nudges our body and spirit offer us. Horse always trusts their acute senses and reacts accordingly with a swish of the tail or a swifter gait, and this Elder is here to support all that you are feeling and picking up on.

Sometimes amplified sensitivity can feel raw for our hearts and spirits, and this Elder reminds you of the importance of a calm external environment. Just as the Horse gallops through fields and forests and nourishes themselves near bodies of water, you are asked to do the same. The Earth Mother is always here to help you regulate your nervous system. Know that you can pull on the reins of life and set appropriate boundaries when your system feels flooded. Take the time to graze on what balances you. The world needs your tender heart.

Elder Horse Speaks: “When your relational experiences or your environment are filled with subtle signs that are only detectable to you, call upon me so that I can help you trust yourself. When you find yourself saying that you’re too sensitive, remember that your acute perception is a superpower. I am here to remind you that trusting those nudges will always lead you to greener and more vibrant pastures.”

4. Elder Coyote- Gitchi-aya’aa wissagi-ma’iingan– Embrace Flexibility

To many Coyote is a trickster, bringing us witty and unpredictable energy. Culturally, for Indigenous people, this trickster has strong medicine. If Elder Coyote has crossed your path, it’s a reminder to stay extra curious and not get thrown off by unexpected changes and obstacles. There is no room for rigidity, and the current situations in your life require you to be more flexible and adaptable.

If questions arise around which path to follow or what decision to make, Elder Coyote asks you to seek a new way. If you only see two paths before you, this Elder suggests a third. If you have always been serious and responsible in your decision making, this Elder adds lightness of heart and laughter. It has been said that before we pray, we must laugh so that the sacred can flow through more effortlessly. Bring in this good medicine so the trickster spirit can guide you.

Elder Coyote reminds you to see through the illusion of certainty. While the energies may feel erratic and chaotic, stay with the shake-up. You have the power to adapt and move forward in a new and amplified way.

Elder Coyote Speaks: “Even though I am known to be a jokester, when I show up it’s a sign to pay attention, for my medicine is powerful. If you are feeling confused about how your life is going or if something isn’t turning out how you anticipated, I’m here to bring joy to the redirection. If you are having a hard time letting go of expectations, reach down and feel my bushy tail wagging as I support you. We will trot along the path of the unknown together. I shall remind you that even if you make a ‘mistake’, you will remember not to take yourself so seriously, for spirit has a plan.”

5. Elder Hummingbird- Gitchi-aya’aa nenookaasiins– Remember the Magic

This tiny and beautiful bird has many enchanting gifts to offer you. Hummingbird has to eat every 10 to 15 minutes to sustain their energy, and yet they travel long distances, trusting that all of creation will support them sweetly. The flowers of creation meet their expectation, offering nectar abundantly. This Elder comes forward to remind you that you are constantly showered with sweetness and support.

Elder Hummingbird calls you back into the magic of your child self when you held awe and wonder. Do you remember wishing on a star? How about the joy of blowing on a dandelion puff? The innocence of your child heart is asking to be remembered. You are invited to see how even though you’ve journeyed through the ups and downs of life, the spark of magic remains a part of you. Gifts and blessings are here to touch your life, and this Elder asks you to expand your capacity to receive them.

The fluttering of the Hummingbird’s wings is a miraculous sight to see, and with this delicate bird at your side, the same quick vibration is offered to you. Look for the magic all around, see the beauty that Mother Earth offers you, and open your heart to receive. The nectar is here to feed you, and teh blessings of your life are about to bloom in a riot of kaleidoscopic color.

Elder Hummingbird Speaks: “Invoke my spirit when you have forgotten the magic of life, for I can fly in all directions and gather it from the past, present and future. I flutter before you and expand your heart to remind you of your inherent worthiness to receive sweetness. I carry an incredible ability to remember the flowers that have nourished me, and I bring this memory medicine to you. I shall help you to recall the sparkle in your eyes and the hope in your spirit that you once held. Magic abounds.”

6. Elder Frog- Gitchi-aya’aa amagakii- Break Generational Cycles

A symbol of rebirth and renewal, this Elder hops into your energy space, calling you from the land to the water. Water is our first medicine, and when Frog shows up it invites us back into this space of creation. When you swam in your mother’s waters, you were sensitive to the energies swirling around, imprinted with different thoughts, words, and environments. In those waters you were also exposed to inherited energy threads that link you to generations past.

When you were birthed out of your first waters, you brought these energies into your earth walk, and with each step you have chosen what to carry with you and what to heal and release. Addressing generational wounds is a lifelong journey and is calling to you once again. What are you compelled to do in a different way than your parents? What is something that happened to your ancestors that you can alchemize into medicine? A generational wound is coming forward for you, and as you bring healing awareness to it, Elder Frog guides you through the waters of creation with care and safety.

As you move through this renewal, there are waves of wisdom that flow forward, connecting you to the stories, healing and resilience of your ancestors. Elder Frog swims beside you as a tadpole, sprouts legs, and hops beside you to encourage your metamorphosis. You are reminded that, with their help, each time you swim into the depths of your generational healing you will emerge cleansed and renewed.

Elder Frog Speaks: “It is courageous to go back and address the pains and wounds of the past. I see the brilliant sparkle of your sacred waters each time you acknowledge a layer to be healed. Each time you exit a body of water, think of me, for I am with you, bringing forward generational rebirth and beauty. It can feel vulnerable to move through these cycles, and I am here to hold you while you take your first steps upon the land as your renewed self toward your reimagined life.”

7. Elder Raven- Gitchi-aya’aa gaagaagi– Activate Your Spiritual Connection

One of the most intelligent birds in the sky, Raven soars into your sacred space today to connect you more deeply to the intelligence of the universe. Elder Raven acts as a powerful messenger and opens up your connection to the spirit world and beyond. Ancient and ancestral wisdom drop in with ease when this Elder appears, and you are asked to listen with an attentive heart.

You are ready for the next level of your soul evolution, but it will take a greater commitment and dedication to your spirit connection through rituals and ceremonies to achieve it. It is in these sacred spaces where the echoes of knowledge and wisdom drop in, so be prepared to dive deep into your spiritual practices. Elder Raven opens the bridge between this physical realm in a way you have not yet experienced. Ancient secrets flow from the higher realms, and Raven captures these energies in their beak, bringing them down from the star nations to the earth.

Elder Raven reminds you of the magic you have held for many lifetimes. You are an old soul, and the memories from your previous lives are revealing themselves. Tap into the memories of when you practiced as a medicine person, healer, and seer, for you are meant to bring this forward into your current life. With Raven guiding you, your connections to the spirit world is strengthened, and your gifts grow and blossom. It’s a time of great responsibility on your spiritual path and you are ready.

Elder Raven Speaks: “Invoke me when your spirit is ready for great transformation. I will help you remember the vast tapestry of gifts that you already hold. When you call on my medicine, I will encourage you to share your elevated abilities with the world so we can all remember our interconnectedness. You are a vessel for higher-level spiritual wisdom, and I offer you my feather as an invitation to listen to the call of the ancient ones. They sing to you from the stars and are delighted that you are now listening.”

8. Elder Hare- Gitchi-aya’aa waabooz– Seek Perspective

Often in life, you gain perspective on a situation or challenge only after time has passed and you have had some distance to reflect. In those moments, you must hold compassion for the previous version of yourself who didn’t know then what you know now.

Elder Hare is hopping into your field today, asking you to take inventory of how your past experiences have shaped you, marked you and changed you. Hares have an incredible capacity to see 360 degrees around them without turning their heads- in the winter, seeing their tracks in the snow behind them and the clean, untouched blanket of white ahead of them. They offer the medicine of holding the past, present and future all at once.

Is there a relationship from your past that felt like a world-ending loss when it came to an end? Did you have a creer change or job loss that shook up your life? Was there an unexpected redirection of your path that felt painful or a failure that brought shame? Elder Hare is here, holding space as you alchemize those previous pains into current wisdom. It’s a gift to be able to look back at the places where your heart was broken in the past and see that eventually light poured through the cracks, sealing them up. It is time to seal any lingering cracks from these situations and own the power of what you have learned.

Elder Hare Speaks: “Call upon my insightful medicine when you are ready to dig deep and examine past scars left on your heart. I am here with my swift energy, helping you to transform pain into purpose and challenge into knowing. With my help, this process will go quickly, so get ready for an increased level of energy as we call back any energy you may need to reclaim. As you feel this strengthening healing energy moving in yoru body, mind and spirit, know that you now hold everything you need to make powerful decisions and live the life of your dreams.”

Did your card resonate? I hope it did! Feel free to ask another question to the oracle and choose another card if you like!

Wishing you blessings of rebirth in light, joy, freedom and renewal this Equinox and beyond!

xo

Serena

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Betwixt & Between: The Power of Liminality

As we navigate Pisces season and Eclipse season this March, we swim in a realm of deep liminality and transition.

Pisces invites us into the universal, cosmic ocean of life, the sacred source of being, our non-material existence. This is a very counter-cultural, mystical place to reside, one that honours spirit, mystery and magic and asks that we expand our perception beyond the material and logical.

As someone who appreciates both science and spirituality, I know that science becomes mysticism if you go far enough. Matter is mostly empty space, even if we perceive it to be solid. The more you learn about the material world, the more you realise is still unknown. The seemingly solid structures our society is built on become blurry and dissolve into meaninglessness if we rely too heavily on them. Mystery is the true underpinning beneath our feet if we dare look beyond the forms it manifests through.

Life holds many mysteries that cannot be explained, that cannot be pinned down or quantified. It is meant to be this way. Otherwise, what would be the point of being here? Mystery gives life meaning and allows us to learn and grow.

Our Spirit self dwells in Mystery, and it is during times of liminality that we can most easily touch this magic and let it rekindle our memory of our spiritual home and self.

What is Liminality?

Liminality is the in-between place- not completely in one realm or another. It is also the in-between time- when we are no longer who we once were or who we are becoming.

Accessing liminality is part of almost every spiritual practice. It is sought after for growth, transformation and renewal.

Experiencing liminality may be pleasant or unpleasant, or both. Its doorways often take us both into illumination, enlightenment, as well as shadow and darkness. These are ultimately part of the same continuum, as one is necessary to experience the other. This is why folks doing their spiritual work will often know both their light and darkness intimately.

Liminal Places & Spaces

Bryn Celli Ddu- Sacred Burial Chamber in Anglesey, Wales.

Liminal places are sacred spaces we seek to connect with the divine or have a transformational experience. They are often removed from typical everyday activities and may be constructed purposefully to be aligned with constellations, ley lines, or sacred geometry. However, they may simply be where they are out of necessity or natural formation. Some liminal places are:

  • Temples, churches, sanctuaries
  • Tree groves
  • Watery shores
  • Stone circles
  • Cairns/burial chambers
  • Crossroads
  • Caves
  • Hilltops
  • Lakes

Liminal places don’t necessarily have to be a place with historical spiritual relevance. They can be stumbled upon in various forests and landscapes, easing our access to the Spirit world. One doesn’t need to be in a liminal place to access a liminal space within, however.

We can find ourselves in a liminal space internally, no matter where we physically dwell.

Liminal spaces where we may dwell in consciousness:

  • Transitory moments between sleep and wakefulness
  • Journeys to the otherworld, or spirit world through trance, shamanic journeying or plant medicine.
  • Union with the divine through meditation, movement, chanting or other forms.
  • Channeling and expressing intuitive downloads, psychic messages or impressions in its various forms.
  • Being in ‘the flow’ creatively- when you are channeling and manifesting visions in the material world, for example through all forms of art.
  • Trance states that arise through doing a repetitive task or through repetitive rhythms.

In these spaces, we are neither fully in our ‘mundane’ consciousness, nor immersed in the spirit world or dream space, but in-between, so we can channel these energies and insights into our lives.

Then there are liminal times. Liminal times are when we are amidst changes and they can often come with feelings of uncertainty and fearing the unknown. During liminal times our well-worn path and routine disappears, and we are faced with new territory. We are forced out of our comfort zone and must change to adapt to the situation. Often during these periods we are leaving behind an old self and embracing a new version of ourselves.

We are collectively in a liminal time. This whole year of 2025 is quite transitional, which is why collective anxiety it quite high these days. If you’re a sensitive like myself feeling this, you’re not alone. Keep your spiritual & grounding practices strong, my friends! This is a collective gateway, and it too shall pass.

A large portion of the planets are huddled together in Pisces right now, the final sign before rebirth into Aries. We are all on an individual, social and spiritual level shedding some old skins and making space for a new chapter.

We will move into a new skin that fits us better. As we near Aries, there is a call for us to reclaim our power, be brave and create a new path forward. For now, we embrace the in-between.

Liminal times in life:

  • Physical transitions such as puberty, pregnancy, parenting, menopause, aging, recovery and healing from illness, identity shifts.
  • Emotional transitions such as death of a loved one, retirement, moving to an unknown place, child leaving home, relationship changes (marriage/breakups/divorce), family changes, trauma healing, identity shifts.  
  • Less dramatic versions of the above such as starting a new job or school program, a local move, changes in appearance, unforeseen circumstances, changing plans, a new pet- Anything that forces us to pause, takes us off the usual path, or opens us up to lasting inner and/or outer changes.
  • Dusk & dawn- Sacred gateways we are offered each day to tune into deeper, unseen realms
  • Major planetary changes and transits- This year a lot of the planets are ending cycles in signs and beginning in new ones, putting us all in a collective transition.
  • Eclipses- New and full moons that carry extra weight and often coincide with fated, lasting changes and events.
  • Seasonal transitions such as Equinoxes & Solstices- These cardinal points carry the energies of endings and new beginnings that last approximately 3 months each.

Eclipses are Liminal Gateways to Growth

In the Red Spring Garden in Glastonbury, UK

Eclipse season, which is approximately the month containing both the solar and lunar eclipses is also considered a liminal time. Eclipse season’s purpose is to help us grow by clearing the old and offering us new perspectives and ways of doing things.

The whole month of March is eclipse season this year and is a continuation of a story that began in September 2024, dealing with themes of spirituality, mind-body health, healing, work-life balance, sensitivity, forgiveness, releasing the past, and getting clearer on where we put our faith and how we ground our beliefs into our everyday lives.

Eclipses last in the same signs for about 18 months, so we are still at the beginning of this chapter. Each eclipse season offers us a doorway into a mystical realm of inspiration, liberation from outworn stories, and opportunities to align more strongly with our spiritual purpose and inner light. (For eclipse season tips, you may wish to read my blog post from September about Grounding Through Eclipses and Times of Chaos. )

Liminality is a Great Spiritual Teacher

Glastonbury Tor

Most spiritual paths involve some practices that embrace being in a liminal state of consciousness. But why? What does liminality offer us? Mainly, a change in perspective.

  • Liminality helps us see the big picture– Our human dramas become much smaller when we step outside of them and recognize that we are part of a much bigger picture. We are drops in the ocean of life. We are all connected in a sacred dance and flow. We are part of something much greater and more powerful than we realize, and we are always connected to this divine power, in every moment.

  • We can see new pathways and opportunities that we couldn’t before– We can easily get stuck on autopilot- forgetting that other possibilities exist for us than the ones right in front of us or what we are used to doing. Liminal times and spaces allow us to imagine more for ourselves and see new pathways that were previously hidden from our view.  

  • We can access new aspects of ourselves- Aspects of ourselves may be inaccessible when clinging to our same routines for too long. For instance, maybe we used to be more creative, but family duties have been prioritized for so long that this part ourselves has been undernourished. Liminal spaces help us reconnect to this part of ourselves and pave the way for new routines that can integrate this.

  • Ego power fades, spiritual power expands- Accessing liminal consciousness often involves leaving our ego at the door. I don’t mean just our inner pride or vanity, but also our very sense of self or individuality, which can be quite jarring at times. These experiences can bring us much closer to our true power- our spirit- which is connected to all life. This communion with spirit aligns us with our wholeness, while also clarifying our individual path and purpose. *Please keep in mind that the above applies to entering liminal consciousness in situations that are not dangerous to your mental or physical health. I don’t encourage trying to ‘lose yourself’ in harmful ways.

  • Greater presence in the moment– Liminality alters our sense of time and space, so we are less focused on the past or future. We are more present to the now. Not just its physical energy, but its inherent spiritual energy. This is in large part what is responsible for all the expanded consciousness and access to new opportunities, pathways and parts of ourselves. The more fully present to the moment we are, the more life becomes available to us.

As our consciousness expands, old identities, stories and energy drains fade and dissolve.

We reconnect with lost parts, soul pieces, and re-member ourselves whole. Greater peace, presence, strength, confidence and inner light grow!  

However, in order to access the power of liminality, we must embrace the unknown.

It is perfectly normal to fear the unknown. But I always remind myself that Fear=False Evidence Appearing Real. The unknown is abundant and fertile soil rich with possibility and new life we simply have yet to imagine!

How to work with liminality and embrace it in our life:

Somewhere in Cornwall, UK

Liminal times and places should be handled with care and reverence. It is a time to be sensitive and kind to yourself, and create a sacred container around your experience.

You can facilitate access to spiritual guidance by doing simple practices that can ease you into a more liminal state. Once your mind is calm and you are feeling comfortable and open to intuitive guidance, you may wish to commune with your higher self, spirit or source, ask a question you’ve been struggling with, and listen for an intuitive message.

Simple practices to facilitate entering a liminal state of mind:

Breathing Practice: There is a sacred space of liminality between each inhale and exhale- and each exhale and inhale. Sit comfortably, take a few breaths to simply relax. When you are ready, inhale for 4 counts, then hold the breath for 4 counts. Then exhale for 4 counts and pause with empty lungs for 4 counts. Repeat as often as needed until you feel relaxed in those in-between pauses between inhales and exhales.

Trance Music: Put on some music that has a repetitive beat. It could be fast or slow, which ever helps you in that moment to become calm and open. Begin to move in a repetitive manner. It could be a shifting of your weight side to side while standing or sitting, rocking, or it could be a repeated movement of any kind that is simple and comfortable to keep doing. Let yourself surrender to the rhythms and let your imagination flow. Don’t censor anything, think or analyze what you are doing. Just allow yourself to flow with the rhythm, merging your movement with the music. Allow feelings and visions to emerge from this experience.

Water, Earth & Sky: Sit near a large body of water outdoors, or if this isn’t available, you can do this indoors, listening to ocean wave sounds and looking at a photo of a shore. Sit (or imagine you are sitting) at the water’s edge. Notice the connection between the earth, the water and the sky. Let the sound of the waves put you in a relaxed state. Notice how the sound of your breath is just like the waves. Feel the waves flowing through your heart. Notice how your body and the earth are connected, grounded, heavy. Notice how the sky is open, expansive and free, like your mind. Breathe the sky into your mind. Breathe the peace of the waves into your heart, and then breathe the earth’s strength into your body. Feel how you are one with earth, water and sky.  Feel your connection to all life.

Other ways to enter a liminal state could be: Yoga, dance, walking in nature, rhythmic drumming or listening to a shamanic drumming track, sitting with a tree, coloring in a coloring book, chanting, meditating, mindfulness exercises, staring at a candle flame, taking a bath, or any other activity that helps turn off your day-to-day thinking and enter an open and relaxed state of being.

During this Pisces and Eclipse season, take some time to slow down- don’t over-schedule yourself. Give yourself the opportunity to relax, rest more and have the ability to enter liminal space. Pay attention to your night dreams and allow some time to simply day dream too!

What helps you enter a liminal state of mind?

Tips for Navigating Liminal Times:

  • Give yourself some space and grace– Leave space in your schedule and give yourself extra time to rest, process and recuperate. Don’t pressure yourself to achieve or perform at ideal or ‘normal’ levels. Be kind and gentle with yourself, you are processing more energy and information than usual. Say no to extra duties, efforts or activities and let go of perfectionism.
  • Meet liminality like an old friend– Let it be a remembering and returning home to your true nature- wise, adaptable, expansive and light.
  • Embrace any discomfort as expansion- And a deepening of your capacity for light and life force energy. Like a deep stretch that feels uncomfortable now, but will feel amazing later. Change is an invitation to expand, create and start anew.
  • You are a co-creator of the universe: Hold the Unknown as abundant potential, awaiting your creative input and manifestation.
  • Grounding is important! Embracing liminality means we allow for change without losing our grip on reality. Reach out to friends, healers, professionals and helpers if you need help. Nature is a natural grounding, calming force for our body, energy and nervous system. You can read my blog about Grounding During Eclipses and Times of Chaos. Or, you can practice my Grounding Tree Meditation.

Remember you are never alone. There are others just like you, feeling just like you right now. There are healing allies, support around you, ready to help, and are likely also helping already behind the scenes.

If you would like some support in connecting with your spirit helpers and healing allies, as well as energetic cleansing and protection skills, you may be interested in my Nourish Your Spirit Program.

Flowing with you through these transformational times,

xo

Serena

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Imbolc Wisdom- In the Belly We Grow

We are now entering the season of Imbolc, celebrated in early February. The word Imbolc comes from Gaelic meaning ‘In the Belly’ referring to the peak of lambing season in the UK, where the ewes are pregnant and/or nursing their young.

The goddess Brigid, who later became St. Brigid is venerated this time of year. She brings new life and fertility to the land, as well as healing and inspiration to our lives. As a goddess of fire, she is associated with the hearth and smithcraft as well as poetry and inspiration. She awakens the earth and the spark of life within us to be reborn anew.

Here in Canada, it is often our coldest time of year with everything still under a lot of ice and snow, spring seemingly eons away. Yet, the light is noticeably increasing, bringing us the hope and reassurance that indeed spring will come!

Funny enough however, here in Toronto, I saw snowdrops sprouting through the ground last year at Imbolc! I had never seen them so early, as it was a very mild winter, the warmest on record, I believe.

Snowdrops in Toronto in February 2024

Snowdrops are a common Imbolc symbol of hope and new life in the UK as they begin to sprout at this time. I am not sure we’ll be so lucky to see snowdrops here this year, but even if we don’t see the physical evidence of new life sprouting, we must have faith that life is forming, incubating, and stirring beneath the ground, just waiting for the perfect moment to be born.

Imbolc is very much a season that asks us to cultivate faith and patience. There is so much we just can’t see yet. Trust the process. New life is stirring, forming, becoming. We must hold space for some mystery yet and allow for some things to unfold in divine timing.

This is an incubation period energetically, but it is not passive. In fact, it is a perfect time to strengthen and nourish ourselves for the journey ahead. It is a ripe time to gather our resources and prepare. Not from a place of fear, but from a place of love and hope. We must tend to our inner strength and light. This might mean prioritizing self-care or positive connections, anything that brings us a sense of inner peace, happiness and warmth.

This is a wonderful time for gentle nurturance of new dreams, goals and aspirations that may be stirring within. It is a time for some tenderness and care as we are not quite who we were and not yet who we wish to become. Allow for innocence and childlike dreams imaginings to surface, for they may become seeds of rebirth. Honor your inner child.

Imbolc is the season opposite Lammas, held in early August. Both times of year are considered times of preparation. At Lammas, we are harvesting the outcome of our work and toil of the warm months and gathering our resources for the inner journey coming in fall. We separate the wheat from the chaff in our lives, give thanks for all we have and begin to slowly draw our energies inwards as the darkness increases.

At Imbolc, we have come through an inner journey and are preparing to slowly come out of our cave and into the light, as the sunlight increases. We have gleaned wisdom from the dark terrain we’ve traversed and must decide how we’d like to put that into action in the world. We cannot rush the process, but can use this time to sift through our dreams, visions and yearnings and decide what will see the light of day in manifestation and what will wait in the ethers for now. This requires some receptivity and deep listening, as we turn our ear to the whisperings of our heart and soul.

Brigid reminds us to tend to the creative spark within ourselves. This light is our unique essence, love, and medicine we carry. The world needs us to shine. We each have a purpose. We all matter right now, and the more of us that are lit up inside, the stronger we become against the powers that strive to keep our light diminished.

Energetically, love is extremely powerful and brings us together to make us stronger. I am not talking about romantic love (not specifically), but rather a universal love, the love that motivates us to shine our light in the world, to care for others, and for the planet, to create works of art, to start movements and communities. While we can’t be in a state of love all the time, cultivating it in small gentle ways within ourselves and then connecting with others who share that love increases our ability to move mountains.

Whether it is people, a cause, the earth, animals, a creative or spiritual practice, tend to that which you care most about now. This increases your power. Also, let yourself receive love and care in return! We all have nurturing ability within us, and we also have that nurturing energy available to us through the Earth, the Goddess or Divine Mother energy. Let yourself receive what you need.

I invite you to imagine we are literally in the belly of the Goddess, held and nurtured right now. We are not who we were last year and not quite who we are becoming yet, but we are changing, and we are growing.  She is holding us safe and helping us become who we are meant to be with her divine love that is available to us all.

There are some unknowns of what life will be like in the future. During these times we may feel restless, impatient, and want to control some things that we cannot control. We may ignore the things that are completely within our control. We may wish to see things we are not yet meant to see or look away from things we must see. We may wish to jump into new life before we are ripe and ready for it.

While we may feel like we need to make everything happen now, or we just simply wish to escape to anywhere but here, there are other ways to use the energy of this time:

We can begin to envision the future we’d like to experience. We can prepare ourselves, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually for what we wish to create or cultivate in our life. This might look like:

  • Resourcing ourselves with love– Connect with loved ones, friends, kindred spirits, pets, nature, a passion or cause you care about. Who brings warmth to your heart? Can you let yourself receive it? Where can you offer love to others? Becoming aware of our connections and networks help us forge a supportive container for our creations.

  • Healing our wounds, doing our trauma work and releasing blockages that are holding us back. What do you feel is preventing you from living the life you desire? What can help you heal and move forward? Baby healing steps make a big difference! Notice how far you’ve come already. All types of healing are well-supported during this season.

  • Looking for inspiration in new places, spaces and people. What helps you feel inspired? Music? Art? Nature? Spiritual ideas? Open to new sources that feed and brighten your inner fire. They just might be the seeds of your magnificent manifestations in the future.

  • Experimenting with small shifts in our habits, thought patterns, diet or our daily life. What helps you feel more energized? What could you release to feel lighter? Every small thing you do for your own energy right now will serve you well in the months to come.

  • Planning, visioning, brainstorming- This is a great time to tinker with ideas you want to manifest in the future. Is there a creative project you wish to begin? An experience you wish to have? A community you wish to start? Sketch it out, write it down, envision it happening, make a draft, start the foundation.

  • Cleansing, clearing, making sacred space- Your space reflects your inner self. Optimize the energy in your home or space by getting rid of clutter, fixing broken things, redecorating or changing the energy to reflect your goals. Create an altar or make changes to your existing one(s).

  • Awakening your inner Hearth- Your own energy field requires cleansing and protection too. Become aware of the flow of energy in your body. Is there an area of your body that feels blocked or rigid and needs softening? Or an area that needs a bit more light, energy and vitality? Bodywork, energy work, chanting or meditation practice can help. See resources I created below to help your energy flow!

I have created a couple of Imbolc resources for you. A chant and a meditation:

Chanting helps to open up our creative energy channels and ease the flow of expression. May my ‘In the Belly’ chant inspire you to sing along and help you move forward gently through these times:

Lyrics:

In the Belly song lyrics:

In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are transformed again.

In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are reborn anew.

In the belly we are dreaming

In the belly we are healing

In the belly we are nourishing

In the belly we are strengthening

In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are transformed again.

In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are reborn anew.

In the belly we are reclaiming

In the belly we are remembering

In the belly we are reweaving

In the belly we are rewilding

In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are transformed again.

In the belly we are, in the belly we are, in the belly we are reborn anew.

Awakening the Inner Hearth Meditation:

Here is the meditation I created that we will do together at our upcoming Imbolc Circle followed by a ritual and craft. May it support your Imbolc journey this year:

May we turn to face the direction our heart is pulling us to and trust that what we seek is also seeking us. May we find our way forward with clarity.  

Remember that you ARE the light, the flame, the warmth of the hearth. In the belly of the Great Mother we grow and patiently await our rebirth!

*If you are in the Toronto area and would like to celebrate Imbolc with me, register for the upcoming in-person Imbolc Circle: Awakening the Inner Hearth at my home on Friday, Feb 7th, 2025 @7pm!

Much love and bright Imbolc blessings,

Serena

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Daily Rituals for Embodying Your Magick

We are spiritual beings with a physical body, and the Earth is too. Every tree, rock, and animal have a spirit and yet must contend with living an embodied life.

As humans, we find all kinds of ways to forget our body- through trying control it, deny it, or avoid it due to trauma, social conditioning, oppressive systems and more.

Our mind, heart, soul and body are all connected, so when one is out of balance, the others can be too. During stressful times, it is easy for our nervous systems to be dysregulated, which can affect our overall health.

We can choose to feed the fear, feed the numbness, or feed our body and soul with what nourishes us. This helps us to be energetically strong and present to navigate our daily life.

We can meditate, pray and connect to Spirit, but if we aren’t integrating the needs of our body (and whole self) with our spiritual work then we can’t fully come into our power as spiritual beings living in this physical world. Likewise, we can diet, exercise, take supplements and do all the ‘right’ things for our body, but if we aren’t connected to our Spirit (and whole self), we also may struggle to embody our power.

What Does it Mean to Embody our Magick?

Tree Pose

Embodying our magick means that we live, breathe and express our spiritual practice through our body and into our daily life.  It means that we bring our spiritual energy into form through how we carry ourselves and interact with the world around us. We become a physical channel of divine energy on earth.

For example, if being attuned to the element of water is a central part of your spiritual practice, then you may wish to try moving your body with more fluidity or softness, bless your glass of water before drinking it, express your emotions more freely, wear blues and greens, and spend lots of time in and around water. In a sense, you strive to embody the water itself and express its energy into the world.

Perhaps you are feeling connected to an animal ally right now. To embody that animal’s energy more in your life, you can do a bit of research- What do they eat? How do they move? What environment do they thrive in? And then you can emulate them to some degree in your life, transforming your own energy in powerful ways.

Embodying our magick is essentially a self-healing tool and practice. Some may call it shapeshifting, some may call it cultivating your inner Priestess, Witch, Mage, etc. It is essentially becoming a clearer channel for the Divine to flow through you and actively grounding that energy into your body.

What is central to your spiritual practice right now? How can you manifest that quality or energy more within your body, actions and in the world around you?

Perfection is Not the Goal

In the process of becoming a clearer channel for the Divine to flow through, we may come up against some challenges. There may be trauma, illness, injuries or chronic habits that inhibit the fullness of our spiritual power from flowing with ease through our body. This is very normal and simply part of the spiritual journey. Perfectionism itself can be a barrier to overcome.

You are not less spiritual or less powerful if you have physical or mental health challenges to contend with. In fact, integrating them and navigating through them can bring you more capacity for expressing your spiritual energy in the world, as the healing process brings deepened self-knowledge, empathy and wisdom. The body doesn’t have to be ‘perfect’ by any means for divine energy to flow through!

Nature is perfectly imperfect and fully divine in all its diversity.

Many powerful healers have met great obstacles on the mental, emotional and physical level, and that healing process enables them to hold great spiritual energy and help others more compassionately.

Our healing is never truly done, so trying to achieve some kind of embodied spiritual perfection is not the goal. Just being more integrated and self-aware is.

Depending on your needs, a therapist who is familiar with somatic work, a bodyworker or energy healer may be helpful.

Have you experienced barriers to feeling comfortable in your body? What have you learned about yourself through the process?

A Relaxed Body is a Powerful Body

Relaxation is a cat’s power

I recently became aware of a fabulous quote by embodiment facilitator Prentis Hemphill:

“One of my teachers says, ‘A relaxed body is the most powerful body that we have.’…Because when we are relaxed, we can do almost anything. I can make any kind of move from a relaxed body. I have a lot of choices from a relaxed body. From a body that is tight, tense, or protective, has taken on a protective shell, there’s only a limited number of moves we can make from that body. We’ve already foreclosed certain options.”

This is such a succinct way to put it. When we are relaxed, we have options. We can shapeshift into anything we need to, and that is powerful.

What makes you feel more relaxed?

Daily Ritual Ideas for Embodying Your Magick

simply holding a rock can help ground us

There are many ways to align body and spirit in our daily life. Here are some simple rituals to support embodying your magick in your practice. The possibilities are endless of course, so these are suggestions you can embellish or combine together to create your own:  

Morning Grounding Rituals: Yoga or any movement that expresses your devotion and supports your body; My Grounding Tree Meditation; Morning herbal tea with prayer; Mindful eating of breakfast with gratitude, Walk in nature to attune to the land; Smoke Cleanse attuning to the plant medicines.

Evening Relaxation Rituals: Essential oil/salt bath with intention stirred into the water; Slow movement or mindful breathing with devotional music; Evening Walk in nature to process the day and attune to the land spirits; Journal writing for processing as well as a tool of connection with your higher self/spirit.

Regular Check-ins: Starting and ending the day with a ritual is great, but it’s also important to check in with how we’re doing during the day as well. Take a break from work to simply ask: What do I need right now? First ask your body, then your heart, then your mind, then your spirit.

Pleasure Rituals: Many spiritual traditions eschew pleasure- however paganism recognizes pleasure as our birthright and an essential aspect of practice. Keep it simple. What scent arouses your sensuality? What sound brings you peace? What color makes you feel good when you wear it? What activity makes you giddy with joy? Surround yourself with the things that nourish your senses. Take it a step further and create a perfume for the deity you are working with, or if you enjoy singing or drawing or another art, create something that is fun as well as devotional.

Dress up: Adornment and costuming are great ways to bring a spiritual aspect of yourself into form! You can do some more subtle forms of adornment such as jewelry, or a change to your hair and makeup, or go full out with a new wardrobe to help you channel the vibes you are working with.

Communing with Nature: Visit a nearby tree in a park for a conversation; Talk to/sing/water your houseplants; Give your pet some love; Sit on the earth and merge with its wisdom; Swim or spend time near a body of water and let it cleanse your energy.  

Movement: Any type of movement that is done mindfully or with intention can become a spiritual practice. Whether it is taking a few deep breaths and stretching in your office chair; Dancing to music that helps you feel connected to all life; Moving intuitively to the sound of oceans waves; Or merging with your animal ally and dancing it into form, spirit loves to move through us when we let go of our rigid habits and move our body organically.

Music: Make a playlist of songs that evoke the energy you wish to embody more of. I create playlists for every sabbat/seasonal celebration that helps me attune to its energies. I also create playlists for deities I work with, and animal allies I work with too. Use the playlist alongside any other rituals you do or listen to it while you cook, drive, or do other daily activities.

Color Therapy: Color is energy and holds the power to transform how you feel and interact with the world. What color have you been feeling drawn to lately? How does it make you feel? How can you incorporate it into your wardrobe, jewelry, environment or daily life? You may wish to connect with crystals, flowers, herbs or environments with that color.

Crystal Therapy: Crystal beings hold powerful energies and are medicine for our body and spirit. You may have a favorite or feel drawn to one in particular at a certain time in your life. Go to a crystal shop (in person preferably) and notice which crystal draws you- it may carry an energy your spirit wants to emulate. If you take one home, spend time connecting with it. Notice how it makes you feel. You can place it on your body regularly or wear it or carry it with you.

Trees- Grounding tree meditation: I admit I am a huge tree-lover and they remain one of my favourite ways to connect with the Divine on a regular basis. You may wish to spend some time hugging or leaning against your favourite tree and listening to its wisdom. You may also wish to emulate tree energy in your practice.

I have recorded a variation of my Grounding Tree Meditation. Each time I do it it’s a bit different. This one is approximately 13 mins long, check it out here:

I hope you feel inspired to incorporate a new ritual to support embodying your Magick! If you have any other ideas you wish to share, please feel free to share in the comments below!

May your body and spirit be nourished, supported and well during these times of change,

Blessings,

Serena

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Snake Medicine- Shedding Old Skins

Every spring and fall, I feel very connected to Snake energy. While in real life, snakes evoke a natural caution and sometimes squeamishness for me, they are actually one of my most powerful animal allies that I work with on a spiritual level for clearing and healing.

Every time Snake showed up in my life, a healing on the creative, energetic or sexual level happened shortly after and lasted for several months.

I have had many real-life encounters with snakes, mostly while walking in the woods. Once, while sitting and meditating on a rock on a beach I received an intuitive download about my life and future. Then, as soon as I got up to leave, a massive snake slithered out from under the rock I had been sitting upon. It startled me at first! But it also felt meaningful, and not that surprising, as I had been working with Snake energy in my practice to help me heal a chronic health condition.

Snake awakens our intuitive, creative and vital energies, and help us to transmute our pain into power. They help us heal the past and restore energy harmony within our bodies.

The Healing Gifts of Snake Energy

Snake slithers along the ground, attuned to the vibrations, trusting them to guide her to places of warmth, rest, food and companionship. She flicks out her tongue to smell the air and follows the scent that draws her. She glides sinuously along each bump, crack and curve of the land. She is deeply connected to the earth and subtle energy currents.

Snake is equally feared as revered. Some can kill us with their bite. Most are harmless and simply mind their own business, yet send us humans into full panic mode. We evolved to fear snakes for survival reasons. Yet, on the spiritual level, they actually take care of us and have been a symbol of healing for centuries.

Snakes have been revered since ancient times in many cultures. They are often associated with wisdom, healing, longevity and transformation. They are the shamanic visionaries, the mystic healers, the Kundalini itself rising from the base of our spine.

Caduceus Image by Freepik

The Caduceus is an ancient symbol derived from Yoga, the two snakes representing the Ida and Pingala, or intertwining solar and lunar energies around the central column, the Shushumna- the Kundalini energy column that dwells in our spine, bridging the Earth and the Divine. When Ida and Pingala (inner Yin and Yang energies) dance in harmony, Kundalini awakens and rises.

This symbol has also been historically connected to the Greek God Hermes and a similar version of it with one snake called the Rod of Asclepius, (belonging to the Greek God of Healing Aesculapius), is a prominent symbol in the medical profession.

So, in both eastern and western medicine, snakes are associated with healing.

When Snake shows up for us, it is probably because we are amidst a healing process or about to be. We may feel trepidation at first, but Snake cares for us deeply and only wants our liberation from what no longer serves our growth or potential. She wants us to thrive and embody our power.

Following Our Instincts

Snake teaches us to trust our instincts.

They don’t have the best sight or hearing, so they rely on vibration and smell. Snake reminds us attune to the vibrations we feel and what we smell in any situation, rather than what is seen and heard on the surface level.

You know that feeling you get in your gut that something just feels off? The vibes you feel underneath the words? That’s your snakey-sense kicking in. Follow the scent of truth and you will find your way forward.

One thing I love about Snakes is that they don’t tend to move in straight lines, but in sinuous waves and curls. This inspires us to let go of the idea that our path in life needs to be a linear one. Those of us who attune to the deeper vibrations within and around us may move in a different pattern, such as curves or spirals, following a different vibration than those around us.

Forward movement is sometimes better accomplished in waves, spirals or through our senses rather than thought. Our travels can be smoother when we follow the waves of our emotions, the rhythms of the earth and our sensual instincts, rather than trying to follow a straight or rigid path in life.

As walkers between worlds, Snakes bring us the gift of cultivating our life-force energy. They do this by helping us trust our instincts to lead us to places and experiences that enhance our vitality, and by thrusting us through the necessary shedding that must be done in order to continue growing. They keep our life force alive, by helping us move and flow!

Shedding Old Skins, Awakening to Rebirth

Snakeskin Photo by geekfight on Freeimages.com

Snakes grow their entire life, so they continuously need to shed their skin to accommodate their new size. Many shed their skin twice a year, before the winter and then again after emerging in spring.

When their skin is about to shed, they become less active, eat less and their eyes turn a cloudy white. They may get more anxious, irritable or aggressive as the skin-shedding process can be uncomfortable. They understandably feel vulnerable during this process. Their energies are focused on releasing the old skin, as there is a new skin growing underneath.

Skin-shedding is a death and rebirth process, not unlike ones we experience as humans. There are times when we are in a personal transition, and we too feel vulnerable or irritable as we change.

We may need to withdraw from our usual activities, social engagements and take time to follow the call inward. This is a potent time for dreaming and receiving messages from Spirit.

This liminal shedding experience is echoed during menstruation time. As the uterine lining sheds, we shed energy from the month past that is no longer conducive to our growth cycle. We may feel irritable and uncomfortable (or in a lot of pain, depending on our cycles), and not have the energy for the outside world we normally do, because of all that is going on in our body. Our energy is pulled into the dream state more easily and the body requires rest for this spiritual and energetic shift.

The Fall season, as well as the waning moon are also common times for us to feel this call to shed old baggage and prioritize rest, healing and inner work. These are times when we may withdraw some of our energy from the external world to focus on the process of inner change.  One foot is here on Earth and the other is in the Otherworld or Spirit world.

Feeling Misunderstood

For some of us highly sensitive folks on a spiritual healing path, or those working with a Snake ally, dwelling between this world and the Spirit world is a lifestyle. It may appear from the outside looking in that we are reclusive, anti-social, introverted (gasp!), or even aloof, snobbish, escapist, detached, moody or intimidating. These are typical misunderstandings or self-judgements we encounter when we are called to walk a Snake path in life or enter a spiritual time of transformation and rebirth.

In the capitalistic, material world it can seem like those on a spiritual path are doing nothing of value. However, personal healing and rebirth require a ton of energy, courage and strength. Self-healing affects our lineage and the collective at large.  It radiates to others around us. It stays with us when we leave this world. It may be the most valuable thing we can do.

Like the Snake, we may seek privacy and seclusion for our times of skin-shedding and to help contain the sacred unfolding of our rebirth. Alternatively, we may let only a trusted few  into our sanctuary during these times. If others are used to having access to your energy all the time, it can be challenging but also very energizing to place boundaries around your tender transitions to let things unfold in a sacred space of your own making.

What Are You Ready to Shed?

Snake in a tree

This time of year is conducive to our own personal skin shedding. We may wish to finally let go of old selves, habitual ways of thinking, relationships, or material things we’ve accumulated that are no longer serving our highest good.

It is important to remember that it is perfectly normal to feel vulnerable or anxious when things in our life or aspects of ourselves seem to be falling away. When life brings change, we may immediately feel like something must be wrong. It is partly a survival instinct, but it also can be a trauma response and social conditioning to maintain a ‘safe’ status quo that can eventually stifle our life force.  

We need to be gentle with ourselves and remember that change and loss come because new life is emerging from within. Like the Snake shedding their old skin because a new one is forming underneath, loss is a natural outcome of new growth, and like Snake we are meant to continuously grow.

The new will be revealed in time. During the in-between transition, honor this sacred time of being closer than ever to Spirit.

I am shedding a bunch of things right now. Old timelines and goals I had carried that have now proven unrealistic and misaligned with my spiritual values. I’ve been gradually shedding old fitness routines and re-training how I breathe, move, eat and treat my body in its middle age. I am shedding habitual ways of relating and repeating childhood traumas and feeding old fears. I am shedding social expectations I internalized about what I should have accomplished by now and simply let my journey be an authentic expression of who I am rather than trying to fit into boxes.

What do you feel is changing or healing in your life?

We may wish to reflect on the following questions:

What Old Skin is shedding? What no longer feels relevant to who you are now and where you’re headed?

What is the New Skin emerging? What new energy, desires or dreams are rising up from within?

How do you use your vital energies in daily life? Do these activities or relationships nourish, energize or drain you?

How can you use your energy in more revitalizing and empowering ways?

Connect with Snake to help you follow the flow of energies calling you forward and help you to leave behind that which isn’t serving your highest good.

How to connect with Snake?

My Snake tattoo (belly/ribs), she is always with me
  1. You can start by closing your eyes and taking a few relaxing breaths.
  2. Bring one hand to your heart and the other to your lower belly and feel the energy awaken in these areas.  
  3. Then simply call Snake spirit. Open your heart to receiving their wisdom. Sense the energy in your pelvic region, as this area is attuned to the Snake creative impulse. You may wish to look at an inspiring photo of a snake to help you connect.
  4. Ask them- “Dear Snake Spirit, I am open to receiving your wisdom. Do you wish to connect with me today?” If yes, take a moment to let the energy build and ask, “What guidance do you have for me today?” and listen for their answer.
  5. You can create a little Snake altar in your home if you wish, with an offering, a photo, or representation of them and a candle and connect on a regular basis.

Another great way to connect with Snake is to dance! Put on some sensual music and let your instincts guide your movements. Imagine a golden Snake energy flowing through your belly and limbs as you move, clearing out stagnant energy and bringing in health, vitality and power.

You may also find you naturally feel Snake energy when you practice Yoga, vigorous exercise, dance or have sex. Notice the ways in which Snake may already be present in your life, as they are our kin.

Do you have any experience with Snake as a spiritual ally? Or a real-life encounter that moved you? Please feel free to share in the comments!

Wishing you ease and flow through this ‘shedding season’ of change,

xo

Serena

Interested in nourishing your spirit through animal ally connection and more? You may wish to check out my 6-week program: Nourish Your Spirit- Healing Allies Program, available online or in-person.

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Staying Grounded Through Eclipses & Times of Chaos

There are times in life when our feet barely touch the earth. Where we just don’t feel centered or like ourselves. Our consciousness may be immersed in the future or past, or so preoccupied with a situation or person that we can’t see the forest for the trees. We may feel unsettled, anxious, spacey, depressed or simply outside of our body and the present moment.

These challenging feelings can come with any big transition, change, chronic stress or traumatic event.

These feelings are common during Eclipse Season- the duration of approximately one month that spans the Solar and Lunar Eclipse cycle. Its energies reverberate through the next six months, as we integrate and embody its lessons. If you are a highly sensitive person, then you may feel eclipse seasons with greater intensity as you are attuned to the collective emotions as well as your own, which can be triggered at this time.

We are still in eclipse season now, as we are experiencing a Solar Eclipse in Libra, after the Lunar Eclipse in Pisces a couple weeks ago. This eclipse is about reclaiming our inner sovereignty and creating a healthier balance in our life. Themes of give and take, relating, justice, peace and harmony reign.

We may notice how people-pleasing or giving our power away to others no longer serves us. How trusting ourselves and caring for our own needs first is necessary if we are to dance in harmony with another in a healthy way. It is a great time to ground into what brings us true peace and inner strength. It is an opportunity to take our energy back, patch up leaks and drains, and move forward in a more sustainable way.

Eclipses are not to be feared, but to be respected. They are a great time for inner work, healing and transformation. They are not a time to assume the smooth hum of everyday life will be our status quo. Eclipses aren’t ‘bad’, but they are chaotic and can be stressful, because they are meant to unsettle us. This is to help us evolve, heal and grow. They bring an opportunity for us to walk into the future in a new, more liberated way. Eclipses gift us with new perspective, inner awareness and alignment with who we currently are and where we need to go.

But these gifts don’t necessarily come easily. Oftentimes, eclipse season brings unexpected things out of the blue. Things that were hidden from us come into the light, while the full truth of a situation may still be obscured. Old wounds and deeper issues get triggered by a conversation, an unexpected event or reminder of the past.

Doors may suddenly close, while unexpected windows open. Endings and beginnings take place. This process can take the few weeks surrounding the eclipses. It can be confusing, like a fog has set in around us. Once it clears, reality looks different.

Eclipses require extra space and time to process- as we are processing much more information, emotions, memories, feelings than normal through our body, mind and heart.

If we choose to pay attention to the deeper energies at work, we may notice how they are teaching us how to navigate uncertainty and strengthen our intuitive muscles. Like driving through fog, we need to slow down, get present, and begin using some of our under-used resources.  

Navigating uncertainty is one of my least favourite things to do, so that must be why I find myself doing it a lot. It’s a life lesson I can’t seem to run away from. I have anxiety and there are times it gets the better of me, this eclipse season being no exception. I feel the collective anxiety is very high right now.

So, I thought today I’d share a few simple things that helped me manage anxiety and stay grounded through this eclipse season, so we can experience not only its challenges but its gifts!

Faith:  The Calm Eye in the Middle of the Storm

Times of change can put our spiritual practice and faith to the test.

In this soup of collective fear and anxiety, it can be hard to hear the loving voice of our inner wisdom speaking. It is easy to get caught up in the flurries of fear and the many distractions thrown at us.

But our Spirit is bright, calm and clear, all the time. We can tap into this light any time we need a reminder of who we really are, like the calm eye in the middle of the storm. Our Spirit can see how this moment is an important part of our whole journey, in ways we could never see.

There is a call to have faith in the process here, to be willing to trust the unseen forces- our spirit guides, deity, our higher self, ancestors, etc. and trust they have our back! When life looks like a mess of obstacles, mistakes, fears and challenges to us, Spirit sees a sparkling pathway we cannot see, one made just for us to collect the gifts and experiences we need to move forward on our path in a better, stronger way. We are loved and cared for, always, especially during our darkest times.

It can be hard to have faith, especially when there is so much suffering. But faith in something is what helps us put one foot in front of the other. It keeps us grounded. Faith doesn’t need to be blind, conventional, nor unwavering. It only needs to feel true to you, a beacon of light in the darkness, something that fuels hope and peace for you in this moment.

Whether you access your faith through prayer, joining with others in spiritual community, sitting at your altar or going for a walk in the woods- The important thing is that you connect with Spirit regularly to strengthen your bond.

What strengthens your Spirit? How does your faith support you in challenging times? What is one way you can tap into your faith right now? How can you grow your faith each day?

Grounding: Trees, Water, Food and Plant Medicines for Support

For those of us on the earth-based path, grounding is not only steadying for our body and mind, but an essential part of our spiritual practice. Earth and Spirit are on the same continuum.

A tree is not just a tree but a wise elder with deep roots here that can help guide and strengthen us when we feel lost.

Walking in nature and connecting with the Tree Beings can be very helpful for anxiety.

Each Tree has its own special medicine and personality. I highly recommend getting to know the Tree Beings around you and find even just one to visit on a regular basis to lean up against, relax with, and listen to for its advice. Ask if they are interested in starting a new friendship, and give an offering of appreciation, such as cleaning up any garbage, giving it water, or putting down herbs or animal safe food at its roots.

Once you establish a connection with your Tree, just be present and receptive to them. Get a sense of their energy. Feel free to ask them a question about your life or situation.

The Oak trees have been giving me very specific advice about my health and my movement practice. They also encourage me to strengthen some boundaries and be more ruthless in keeping my mind out of harmful thought patterns.

The Willows I visited have been helpful in softening areas of tension in my body and energy field. They encouraged me to breathe and release trapped emotions, as well as reminded me to be much kinder to myself.

A nearby Spruce helped me understand how my energy was influenced by the collective energy and gave me information about timelines, cycles and protection.

Is there a Tree you’d like to connect with in your area?

Another grounding activity I love is sitting on the beach. Being where land, water and sky connect is a sacred place of liminality. It helps us connect with the divine and the earth in balance. I often get my most powerful healing messages when sitting by water.

Wading in Lake Ontario, I let the waves gently cleanse away old ways of being that are no longer serving me. The waves remind me that this is simply part of a cycle and ‘this too shall pass.’

When at the beach, I hold the local rocks in my hands and place them on my body where I needed grounding. When I do this, I feel immediately safe. I have a few at home to do this anytime I need.

Grounding foods are another great way to stay rooted through chaotic times.

Drinking tea made of roots such as ginger and turmeric, and warm spices ease digestion and help us stay rooted.

Eating root vegetables, hearty grains, nuts and seeds can be helpful.  if you eat meat, then increasing your intake of unprocessed, lean meat can be very grounding and restorative.

Adaptogens such as Reishi mushroom and Holy Basil have been helpful at keeping me in balance during stressful times.

Getting enough rest is paramount. If you have insomnia, or have trouble sleeping during eclipses like I do, there are many things you can do. In general, activities that relax you before bed such a yoga or meditation, exercising earlier during the day, and avoiding screens before bed may help. Sleep inducing herbs and teas may also help. Weighted blankets, blackout curtains, eye pillows can also help. Everyone is different however with sleep needs.

What activities or foods ground you? Do you have a special place in nature you can go to feel safe and supported? Are you getting enough rest and sleep?

Being Present: Right Now is the Only Thing That Exists

We live in a very distracting world. Our senses are constantly bombarded with stimuli, especially here in Toronto, and it can be very overwhelming to our system on every level.

But even aside from noise, traffic, people, screens, computers and phones, we can distract ourselves with work, relationships, addictions, or constant ruminating and destructive thoughts about the past or future.

The less things we are doing at once, the more we can be present and access the steady, eternal calm beneath the moment. Like the ‘eye in the middle of the storm’ I mentioned. No matter what is happening externally- in the environment, in our emotional body or our mind, there is a still lake of deep peace and eternal serenity we can attune to.

Meditation has been around for thousands of years for a reason. Most of our stress originates in our minds. The mind itself is but a movie screen of our thoughts, not a true reflection of reality. Learning to watch our thoughts come and go, and attuning to the eternal oneness that is underneath it all can be a powerful grounding and centering practice.

Mindful Breathing is another great way to get present. When feeling anxious, inhale for 4 counts, pause with full lungs for 4 counts, then exhale for 4 counts. Repeat a few times, gradually extending the length of the exhale so that it is longer than your inhale. This helps to engage the parasympathetic nervous system to calm your nerves.

For some folks, becoming still, focusing on the breath or noticing thoughts can be an overwhelming, anxiety-inducing activity. In this case, staying engaged in a daily task or physical movement is a more accessible way to be present.

Focusing on physical tasks in daily life– such as cleaning, vacuuming, preparing food, cuddling pets or brushing their fur, folding laundry or exercising can become sacred rituals to help us focus on the here and now, on what is in front of us. This can help pull us out of the projections of our mind into the future and the past and remind us of the peace inherent in our everyday existence.  

Naming 3 things you see, smell, hear, or feel is another great way to ground into the moment, and helps a panic or anxiety attack. This can be practiced daily. For instance, on your break at work, you can just take a moment to notice and name 3 sensations you feel- ie) The cool breeze on your cheek, your shirt caressing your lower back, tension in your shoulders. Then notice how that changed your demeanor. You can add complexity to it as well, such as ‘name 3 things you can see that are red’. This helps you to bring your awareness back into the reality in front of you, rather than the mind’s projected fears.

Mindful eating can help you stay in the moment. Instead of eating while talking to others, listening to a podcast or thinking about your to-do list, try immersing your attention on the act of chewing the food, the sensations in your mouth and body, the full experience of the act of eating.

What activities help ground you into the present moment? What thoughts or distractions pull you out of it? What is one way you could become more present to this moment right now?

Sharing and Connecting: We are never alone

My husband and I on the Friends set reproduction a couple years ago

As someone conditioned to be low-maintenance and highly attuned to others, it can be hard for me to open about my struggles and reach out for support. I tend to reserve my venting and vulnerability for my partner or professional healers. I always find though, that whatever I am struggling with, there are always others going through the same thing. Often it is part of a larger, collective struggle as well. We are all connected and we experience things like eclipses altogether. Many of us are likely experiencing the same themes and feelings in our lives, just in slightly different situations.

Every time I hold my circles and we share what’s been going on for us, we discover that others in the room are feeling the same. We all learn from each other and support each other.

Guaranteed, you are not alone in whatever you are going through right now. If you have even just one person in your life that you trust, that is a willing, caring listener, connect with them and share.

One thing I am slowly learning is that sharing our struggles with others doesn’t necessarily mean we are burdening them. When we share our problems with others, it can also heal them too, as they may have felt the same in the past or right now in the present, too.

Now, this isn’t to say that you should use your friends or loved ones as a dumping ground or get in the habit of sharing and not return the favor of listening. If you are someone always on the listening end, maybe try sharing. If you are someone always on the sharing end, maybe ask how others are feeling and listen.

If you don’t have any humans right now in your life that you feel comfortable connecting with, what about a pet? A spirit helper, tree, plant, or body of water? Are there any folks you follow on social media who inspire you or share your struggle? Any communities or support groups you feel drawn to connecting with online or in-person?

I often like to speak with my ancestors and spirit guides as well. They are always listening and happy when we connect! Even writing in my journal is a therapeutic form of expression when I don’t feel I can talk to anyone.

Who in your life do you feel comfortable sharing your feelings with? What communities, friends, family or professionals do you have in your life to inspire or support you? How do you support others? Is there a balance?

Play: Leisure, fun and play are essential aspects of life

My lovely friend Jazzie and I playing with veils

Last but not least, during heavy or transformational times, we need to remember how to play. This may look like trying out a new exciting recipe for dinner, playing a game with your child or pet, playing a board game or card game with a friend, creating art just for fun, coloring, exploring a new part of your neighborhood, traveling, watching a movie or dancing to one of your favorite songs. Whatever gets you out of your funk and reminds you what it feels like to have fun again!

What do you do for fun? What would happen if you did that a little more often? Is there something new you’d love to try?

I hope that you are navigating this eclipse fog with some support. We are getting through this together, and flowing forward into a more liberated and aligned future. Remember that you are not alone and the Earth Mother holds you, always. May we come out the other side empowered and renewed!

If you would like some guidance or support, such as a Tarot Reading, Spiritual Coaching or Earth-Based Healing, please check out my services which are offered online and in-person.

Sending love and stability for these chaotic times,

xo

Serena

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Letting Go of Spiritual Boxes & Embracing Your Unique Path

Life is full of ideals and expectations about who we should be- and this also goes for who we should be as a Witch, a spiritual person, or a follower of a certain tradition. Sometimes these come from the current culture and trends, other times they are passed down through generations or through long-held traditions. Often we internalize them.

While sometimes ideals and expectations help us grow, other times they hold us back and become a stifling box that we struggle to fit into or get stuck in over time.

Social media floods us with specific ideas about what being a Pagan, Witch or having a spiritual practice should look like or be like. These days there are pressures to fit your spirituality into an existing aesthetic, to create an entire brand around it and spend many hours a day making inspirational yet illusory content to gain followers which now includes a lot of AI generated stuff.

This isn’t to say that everyone making spiritual content is expressing something inauthentic, fake, or is stuck in a box (myself included here!) just that this is an expectation that social media puts puts on us. This can lead to some unrealistic ideals as to what a witchy life really is and what it actually looks like. It really is time consuming as well, and I’d rather be doing my spiritual practice than trying to fit it into social media’s tiny boxes for consumption.

Glamour and Illusions

Seven of Cups- Not all is as it seems, choose wisely

Most of the images we see in media can be deeply inspiring but not necessarily a reflection of our daily reality. Images of women in hooded shawls meditating with ancient standing stones, dancing in white dresses in misty forests, or drawing handmade Tarot cards by candlelight are beautiful and inspiring, but can set an impossible ideal of the ‘magical life’ that folks may feel they need to attain to be a ‘real witch’.

While my own practice includes rituals of card-pulling, nature walks, yoga , meditation, chanting or journeying, it’s not necessarily aesthetically pretty, upholding an ideal nor something I feel is meant to be shared.

Sometimes my practice looks like lying in my pj’s journaling a disturbing dream, ugly-crying through old emotional pain the shower or breathing a quick and desperate prayer on my way to sleep after a stressful day.

My practice also looks like vacuuming, washing dishes or cooking a meal with intention. Sometimes it’s just doing nothing, taking a nap or cuddling my cats. It’s also asking existential questions while I look blankly into my fridge for the answers, or tuning in to my inner wisdom while standing in line at the grocery store or sitting on the subway.

I hope to remind us all, whether a newbie or experienced on the path- that magic is everywhere, all the time, including within us.

Your spiritual or witchy practice can be anything you do that brings meaning into your daily life. Mindfulness and intention are what can make a seemingly routine or mundane action, like eating breakfast, magickal.

For example, you can eat your breakfast with gratitude to the Earth Mother and connect with your food’s origins. As you eat, you can give thanks to your body and appreciate it. You can recite a daily affirmation, receiving the positive energy of the words as nourishment with your food.

Living a spiritual life can be as simple as integrating meaning and perspective into your daily existence.

Magickal practice is called such because it is like working a muscle, a repeated remembering of our wholeness and power, which can be called upon in times of stress or suffering.

It’s also about being true to you and honest with yourself. Your practice may fit into an existing tradition or current trend just fine. Until maybe it doesn’t. Then it’s ok to step out of the box!

Some examples of trying to fit into a spiritual box:

Eight of Swords- Free your mind, free yourself
  • Portraying your spirituality on social media to please an algorithm, gain popularity or fit into an aesthetic: You don’t need to conform to these expectations or share everything. Some spiritual experiences are meant just for you and not others.

  • Conforming within a spiritual group or tradition that conflicts with your true values: Perhaps you’re attracted to something within this group or path but there are things that make you feel uneasy or like you have to put away or hide an important part of yourself or your beliefs/values to follow it. This will eventually make it really hard to stay or move forward.

  • Sticking to a ritual, practice, tradition or path because you feel you should, even if it isn’t resonating with you anymore: Perhaps you’ve always done something one way and it used to support you but now it feels meaningless or like you’ve outgrown it. It’s ok to evolve out of something! Commitment and repetition can be strengthening and supportive, until it’s not and you need to change it up somehow.

  • Following spiritual trends to be trendy: Is this helping you grow spiritually or is it stemming out of ego, or a need to belong and be accepted? Or, is it just not truly resonating with you?

  • Following a teacher that isn’t really helping you grow: Maybe this teacher is highly recommended, or popular with others. But if they don’t resonate with you, your values, or they raise red flags- you don’t need to stick with them.  

  •  Engaging in a spiritual practice because it helps you avoid reality: Spiritual bypassing is a common trap on the path. It may feel good at first, but ultimately asks you to not love or accept your whole self- light and shadow. While we all need some time out from the heaviness and negativity of this world, I feel the purpose of spiritual practice is to help us live our earthly life with more presence, meaning, and faith, rather than avoidance.

One thing I have learned over the years is that I need my spiritual path to allow me to be who I already am, as well as who I want to be. In my light and my darkness. In my bliss and in my daily responsibilities.

It does however, take some time and experimentation to figure things out. So, don’t feel bad or beat yourself up if you’re stuck in a box. These lessons are part of the path! They make us wiser.

Following Traditions vs Forging Your Own Path

Eight of Cups: It’s ok to leave it behind and follow the call to a new horizon

I’ve often felt like something was wrong with me for not feeling 100% devoted to one path, one tradition, one deity or pantheon in my life. I wondered, was I too weak, lazy or not committed enough to keep going in that one direction? Why was I failing? Why did I always feel I was hitting a wall and unable to keep going? Why couldn’t I just find ‘the one’ path for me?

My Spirit would only lead me so far down an existing path before guiding me elsewhere. My mind would get confused by this. I didn’t want to be someone who just dabbled, or took spirituality lightly. Truthfully I wasn’t someone like that. But what my Spirit was showing me, was that I didn’t need to be more committed to an existing path, I needed to learn to commit to my own unique path and my own intuition, rather than the path I was immersed in at the time.

I often spend years immersed in one tradition before I move onto another one and do the same, like a serial monogamist. But these days, different aspects of my many paths (which are all under the Pagan umbrella) come and go as needed into my daily practice, and they’ve kind of formed their own beautiful tapestry where I can easily access an entire thread if need be.

I appreciate and respect wisdom traditions, teachers and the roots of spiritual practices. I respect those who’ve forged paths before me. But I am here to forge my own path. I let my intuition guide me, which comes in the form of a strong internal pull coupled with signs in my life pointing in that direction.

As we get older, I think most of us understand that life is too short to waste our precious time and energy squishing into stifling boxes, or pretending to be someone we are not. We also learn to embrace the limits of our energy and the curveballs thrown into our path.

Spiritual growth is never linear for me, and so my commitment is to my own process of becoming wiser rather than to a fixed set of beliefs or teachings.

Quieting the Inner Critic & Letting Go of Control

The Hanged Man: New perspective is gained from surrender and letting go

As August brings with it a reflective vibe (and Mercury retrograde), I have been assessing my ‘progress’ on my dreams and goals I made at Imbolc and have been hard on myself for where I’ve fallen short.

I started scolding myself for not having met a creative goal I made at Imbolc. In fact, I haven’t even started the project. Instead, my body and soul called for some deep healing, cleansing and rest. I’ve learned to listen to this call when it comes.

So, I spent the last month focusing on healing with a liver and diet cleanse, as well as some shamanic and energy healing with my healers, which brought up some past life pain and emotions. I am just coming out of this process and am a bit exhausted, but also much lighter and freer, energetically.

Another Imbolc goal I had was to gain more herbal knowledge, but instead of intentional study, I have been spending hours with my indoor plants dealing with bug infestations and out in my garden trying to save my Mugwort and other plants from hungry rabbits.

I learned through months of trial and error that nemetodes are a decent remedy for fungus gnats, and rabbits are very sneaky. I suppose this has furthered my knowledge in a certain way, just not in the way I’d intended!

At Lughnasadh/Lammas, I didn’t do any traditional baking of bread, nor did I hold a circle, because I needed a break. I celebrated Lammas in a more internal, reflective way this year, but criticized myself for ‘not doing enough’ anyway.

Conditioning runs deep!

Just because we have a tradition of baking bread at Lammas doesn’t mean we have to do that. Just because we had a beautiful plan or goal, doesn’t mean circumstances and timing support it. We may like to think we can manifest things we want, but sometimes the universe has another (better) plan.

Many folks are drawn to witchcraft because they want to feel more in control of life or circumstances. They want to have the power to manifest their desires. Yet, I’ve learned all we can really control is ourselves and how we respond to what life puts in front of us. Our inner work is really where it’s at.

Over the years, my practice has moved away from manifestation and spell work and towards my inner work- healing and shadow work, as well as surrender, and embracing the Mystery. This is where my path has taken me and it has helped me grow.

It doesn’t mean we are any less of a witch or spiritual person if we do things differently than someone else or how culture dictates it to us. You don’t need to do spells, grow herbs, chant, worship deity or wear shawls at dusk in the forest, to be a ‘real’ witch. Witches come in all forms, and magick does too.

A Full Moon Calling for Freedom

The Star: Aquarius, pouring the waters of inspiration on Earth.

I am writing this as we head into a Full Moon in Aquarius on August 19th- the sign of liberation from outmoded boxes, traditions and expectations. This full moon is brimming with the energy of freedom, inspiring a change in perspective and the release of chains that we may have wrapped around ourselves or boxes we are ready to climb out of-mentally, emotionally, physically or spiritually.

It may feel tense or unsettling, like we are being pushed out of our comfort zone and there may be some resistance. Know that we don’t need to overthrow our whole life, of course. Even a small adjustment to an existing container can have profound effects.

This is a great Full Moon for bringing our awareness to where we can release some tension or stagnancy- a massage would be great, or softening some mental knots and listening to the unique song that is only ours within our heart.

It can be helpful to journal, move, exercise, dance or process your feelings in expressive ways. Listen to your inner voice and remember that you are the creator/creatrix of your own life. Release any chains or old stories that hold you back.

Reflection questions: These can apply on the mental, emotional, spiritual or physical level.

Where might I need to loosen up a bit?

Where am I forcing myself into a box that just doesn’t fit?

Am I clinging to any outmoded ideas about myself, my life or my spiritual practice that are no longer serving me?

What structures or containers are supporting my growth and which are not?

What small adjustment can I make now to allow more space to be myself, to move, flow or grow?

I hope that whatever path or practices you embrace, they nourish you deeply and give you the spaciousness, support and freedom you desire.

Can you think of a time you felt stuck in a box- a spiritual or mental expectation or ideal that was holding you back? How did you free yourself? Please feel free to share in the comments!

xo

Serena

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First Harvest Wisdom + Tarot Reading!

Blessed First Harvest! This season is also celebrated as Lammas, Lughnasadh and Gwyl Awst, which each have their regional variations but are very similar. I call it First Harvest for simplicity, as it is the first of three harvest festivals. This is the harvest of grain, followed by the harvest of fruits and vegetables at Autumn Equinox and then the harvest of the hunt at Samhain.

At First Harvest, traditions celebrate the harvesting of grains such as oats, wheat and barley, which are baked into bread. It honors skills and crafts, the God Lugh, and coming together in community to share our bounty, creations and wares.

As we enter this extended harvest period, the universe calls us to begin a process of integration, learning, and gathering wisdom from our toils since the beginning of the year. We can think back to Imbolc season (approx. February 1st-March 21st) and see how our visions and goals for the year have manifested. Some themes from that time may come back into our life for review now.

For those living agricultural lifestyles, this is a busy time of much labor and hard work. Farmers, gardeners and those who work with the earth are aware of the need to process and organise the harvest into something sustainable for the future, such as separating the wheat from the chaff, drying, storing, canning, preserving, etc. Cooking and creating medicines from our harvest is another wonderful way to strengthen our bond with Mother Earth and nourish the soul.

Even if we are not gardeners or farmers, we may be processing the results of our work over the last six months and organising this into something that can be shared with others or that will sustain us in the future. We can honor the abundance of the Earth at this time through supporting local farmers at markets, eating seasonal foods, crafting something in honor of the earth, or supporting local artisans.

Our ‘harvest’ can come in many forms- tangible and intangible. While materialistic values reign in this world, this does not lessen the value and importance of our inner work. We can honor the accomplishment of any personal healing that we’ve been working on, brave steps we’ve taken, small goals we’ve achieved, any growth in our mental or emotional wellness, spiritual life, friendship, family, emotional satisfaction, inspiration, or other ways goodness has flourished in our lives.

Take some time to acknowledge all your efforts and allow gratitude to swell within your heart this season. Gratitude opens us up to even more abundance.

In an area of life where our harvest is low, we may need to be more discerning and creative with our resources. We can focus on investing limited resources where they are needed most. Where our harvest is more bountiful, we can share, give and support others. It is a time to tune into the flow of reciprocation in our lives- giving and receiving, expressing and listening, and adjusting the flow to be more sustainable and beneficial to ourselves and others.

During this year’s First Harvest season, we have a Mercury Retrograde period from August 5th-27th, which adds a twist of the unexpected and an even more reflective quality to this season, as pieces of the past come up to be processed and integrated. As we remember the past, we can see how far we’ve come and let go of what we no longer need to hold onto.

Embrace slow medicine and give yourself some extra time and space to become deeply present in mind, body, heart and soul. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain a new perspective on something you’ve been doing a certain way for a while, which may need to shift. Be open to twists and turns that will take you where you really need to be, rather than where you thought you’d be. Relax into the moment and go with the flow. Trust that all is supporting our highest good.

Now let’s get on to the Tarot Reading! (If you’d like to learn more about First Harvest and how to celebrate, please read my post: Why Lammas is Important and How to Celebrate.)

Take 3 deep breaths to clear your energy and relax. Once you are grounded and centered, ask:

“What do I need to know for this First Harvest season?”

Then, choose a card from the photo below. Scroll down to reveal each card and its meaning.

First Harvest Reading with The Gentle Tarot by Mariza Ryce Aparicio-Tovar

Remember that number! Now scroll down to find it. Descriptions are my own words except those in italics, which are of the deck’s author.

  1. The Moon- Delve into your depths to find the treasure

There’s a lot going on under the surface right now. Like a deep lake, you can see more clearly when the waters are still. Take this as an invitation to slow down and find stillness. Your heart may be telling a different story than your mind, and so you have to get off the hamster wheel to hear your inner truth. It is likely that your inner truth is spilling over into your nighttime dreams, so if you can, record your dreams and take time to process and learn from them. Harvest the wisdom that lies deep within, and separate it from any illusions you’ve ascribed to. This takes some time and effort, and a willingness to let go of the typical mundane grind. What helps you ease into an intuitive, peaceful frame of mind? Music? Movement? Meditation? Find your pathway opener. Then allow the treasures of your inner truth to bubble up into your awareness. All will fall into place once you make space for your inner wisdom.

What has your intuition been saying lately? Is there a calling that you have buried? What does your wild side have to say about the present life you live?

2. Judgement- Rise up and claim your power

This card is not so much about judgement, as it is about acceptance. Once we’ve accepted all that we are, all that we’ve been through, flaws, shadow, imperfections and all- can we feel truly empowered. This is a time of reckoning, of meeting your wholeness and an invitation to claim all of it. Be all of it. You are the fullness of your life experiences, and these have created the beautiful work of art that is you in this moment. We are always changing, shedding skins and evolving. Honour the unique and challenging path that brought you here. You are enough. You are beautiful, just as you are. Rise up from the ashes and stand in your power. The world needs your unique perspective and energy to make it a better place. What aspects of yourself do you feel ashamed of? Can you bring some tender loving care to those parts of yourself right now? Perhaps journaling this part of yourself or speaking to a loved one or therapist may be helpful at this time. This is an invitation to level-up, reclaim your power and begin anew with the wisdom of your experience.

Like this snake has freshly shed her skin, rise up to meet your higher self. Fulfill the promise you made to yourself upon arrival to this Earth, follow your true vocation.

3. The Emperor- Embrace your inner authority

You are the boss of your own life. Does it feel like you are? If not, perhaps bringing in a more supportive routine, structure or boundaries would be helpful at this time. Your energy is precious and it may be leaking out in certain aspects of your life. It is easy to get caught up in the needs of others, distractions, or scattering our energy in many directions. What this card calls for is a remembering of your inner authority, and a call to take yourself a bit more seriously. You are majestic and powerful. Does your life reflect this belief?

Re-assess your priorities. Re-connect with your personal goals. Create a schedule that honors these priorities and goals. Set boundaries with people who have too much access to your energy or who pull you off track. You may be grappling with issues with an authority figure in your life or even inside of you. There may be a perpetual habit of keeping yourself small because it feels safe. Or perhaps you’re being too hard on yourself. This can take time to heal. You can start small by reminding yourself that you are the boss of your own life. You are responsible first and foremost to yourself. You decide how to use your own energy. Claim your inner Sea Lion and show the world you’re worth it and you mean business!

4. Two of Stones- Stay grounded yet flexible!

Circumstances may have you balancing several things at once, which may be causing some overwhelm. You must stay grounded, yet flexible. If there is too much on your plate, delegate. Let go of what is unnecessary. You must find the balance that is sustainable for you. Even with adjustments, you may find you need to be a bit more flexible and adaptable than usual, but this will help you achieve what you’re aiming for and increase your skills. Mercury is retrograde, so things may come up out of left field forcing you to pivot or make changes to your plans. Don’t fret, as this experience is helping to move you in a better direction. Be light on your feet, go with the flow, and be open to doing things a different way. Be patient with the process and trust all is moving in the right direction, even if it seems a bit chaotic at times. You are strong, wise, and capable. Move with the grace and lightness of the woman in the card. You’ve got this!

When we surrender control, we gain opportunity. Embrace your courage and your strength.

5. Five of Thunder- Know when to surrender and let go

There are times in life where we must work and grind, push up against impossible odds, or fight for what we believe in. And then there are times where fighting is futile, and the more effort we put forth, the worse things get. As we grow wiser, we recognise that we must choose our battles and use our energy in ways that are most productive and life-affirming. This card in an invitation to put down your sword and let go. You’ve reached a limit. Perhaps you’ve been pushing in a direction that is not yielding results or is causing more harm than good to your well-being or that of others. Permission to pause, surrender and restore your energy. Ask for the help you need. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve lost, it just may mean you must find a new way to go forward. Take the time you need to rest and reflect on the situation. Process your feelings through journaling, art, physical activity or talking to a trusted friend. There is also an invitation of acceptance here- accept of the reality of this present moment, the truth of a situation, and the limitations of others or your own. It’s time to make inner peace a priority right now.

No need to climb to the tippity-top of this mountain, maybe you are just fine where you are and your path has other plans for you, another destination.

6. Root of Thunder- Be clear with your mission, and express with precision

You feel confident and ready to move forward on something. But before you jump full speed ahead, remember Mercury is going retrograde, meaning that some thoughtfulness and caution may be necessary first. You may find this time is helpful for clarifying your mission, plans, or intentions, or refine how you wish to express yourself. The details do matter, and if you slow down, you might find that the extra time spent will create a better outcome. Sometimes we run a hundred miles in the wrong direction. Keep your confidence, keep your faith, but take some time to refine your mission and execution. Get clear on your intentions and goals. Then maybe do a bit more research- do you know exactly where you’re headed? Is this the best path forward? Perhaps some extra preparation could go a long way? Is there another way to achieve what you desire? How might this land on others? Getting clear and precise with your energy will ensure you hit your mark. Patience is your ally. What is meant for you won’t pass you by.

Are you expressing and living your whole truth? Are you being compassionate and considerate to others? It is ok to take up space, but balance is essential.

7. The Fool- Open up to something new!

Nothing ventured, nothing gained! This is an invitation to trust your instincts. You may be venturing into new territory, wanting to try something for the first time or stepping out of your comfort zone. An air of innocence permeates your situation, and with it attracts the benevolence of the universe. Sure, there will be challenges ahead and perhaps some detours along the way, but you need to start somewhere, and listen to that little voice inside you coaxing you towards a new adventure. What is your heart pulling you towards? What are you feeling curious about? With Mercury Retrograde, you may wish to seek out guidance from those who’ve traveled there before or do a bit of research first, so you don’t get in over your head. Give yourself permission to experiment, make mistakes and have a beginner’s mind. Hold your vulnerability sacred. This may be the first small step towards a dream that is resurfacing from the past, or one you’ve held for some time. Be open to new experiences and ways of doing things. Wandering and meandering about can be great ways to get inspired.

Now is the time to be in the moment, to be fearless, to change paths, to be spontaneous, to trust. Uninhibited, you follow your heart’s desires. The entire universe supports your every move.

8. Temperance- Balance and moderation in all things

Sometimes life around us is divided and full of extremes. You may have felt pressured to ramp up your intensity or volume and strain to be heard and seen, or to take a big risk to get what you need. You may have overdone or over-indulged in something. Now is the time to come back into balance. Gentleness and moderation are called for. Where in your life are things out of balance? What has been taking its toll on your body, mind or spirit? Or all three?

Where you feel weakness, invite strength and confidence. Where you feel stress, invite ease and peace. Where you feel burdened, invite lightness and freedom. Your health and well-being depend on balance. What is your body asking for now? Spending time in nature can help restore harmony within, reminding you of your connection to the innate balance of the universe. Now is the time to invite balance into your diet, your exercise routine, your emotional connections, your work life and your mind.

Balance is key to having clear thoughts and clear ears for listening to your heart’s pull.

I hope your card resonated! I wish you an abundant First Harvest season and a beautiful rest of summer. If you are interested in going deeper with a more personalised Tarot Reading, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Blessings,

Serena

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Summer Solstice Wisdom + Oracle Reading!

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

— Mary Oliver, The Summer Day

At Summer Solstice, the Sun reaches its peak light, illuminating our deepest dark corners and strengthening us for the darker half of the year. The Earth Mother blooms in fullness, sharing her many gifts and medicines with the world, infused with the sun’s life force.

Here, we reach a culmination, a peak moment, a turning point in the year. I often think of the Summer Solstice as a moment of truth- where we can no longer hide from our deepest longings or avoid the reality in front of us.

The Solstice means ‘sun standing still’, and so the light shines on us in its fullness to see all we need to see, and feel all we need to feel, so we can let go of what holds us back and move forward in more nourishing, aligned ways.

The light shines on our lives to show us where we’ve reached the end of something- a habit, a dream, a relationship or way of being that no longer feels true or supportive for us. This is for our liberation and growth. We are changing and some things just don’t fit anymore, and that’s ok! We can make the necessary shifts we need. It can be a time of fated experiences, important connections and meaningful moments that etch themselves on our soul.

Summer Solstice is not only a time of clarity, illumination and endings, but also a time for new beginnings and expression. It aligns with the Sun moving into the nurturing water sign, Cancer, a cardinal sign, which means it initiates new beginnings (every sign on the solstices and equinoxes initiate a new season!). This new energy brings our attention to our home, inner life, our sensitivity, mothering, self-care, nourishment, family, roots and lineage.

We may begin to feel more in touch with our emotions, physical and creative desires, and inner child. This is an excellent time to dig into our past and childhood to heal sources of our current blockages or pain. It is also a ripe time to reflect on our inherited generational gifts and lessons and think about what kind of ancestor we wish to be for the future generations.

There is also a Full Moon in Capricorn happening around the Solstice this year, which turns up the emotional intensity and bring more awareness of the balance between our inner needs and our responsibilities and the structures we have in our life. The energy will help us to release energy drains, and create more soul-nourishing structures and goals- ones that make space for our spiritual growth and self-nurturance.

Some reflection questions for this Solstice/Full Moon:

What do you want to do with this one wild and precious life?

What kind of ancestor do you wish to be?

What brings you joy?

What if you took your needs, feelings and dreams more seriously?

What is bubbling up from your inner cauldron to be expressed and shared with the world?

Summer Solstice 2022

Summer Solstice Oracle Reading:

In honour of the Earth Mother’s bounty this time of year, I thought I’d bring out the Magickal Herb Oracle by Cheralyn Darcey & Deer Dandy.

This is a great time to work with plant allies- as there are so many herbs and flowers at our disposal now. These cards each have a specific plant and a message to go with it. It may be a starting point for you to begin a bond with a new plant spirit in the weeks to come!

Start by taking 3 deep relaxing breaths. Let go of any expectations. Then, gazing at the circle of cards below, ask “What plant energy do I need most right now?” and choose a card. Remember its number and then scroll down to find the description below.

(Descriptions are in the words of the deck’s author, Cheralyn Darcey.)

Magickal Herb Oracle by Cheralyn Darcey & Deer Dandy

Remember that number! Scroll down to find it.

  1. Balance- Passionflower

A return to centre is needed and may also be offered. Have you taken something too far, or maybe not reached out enough? Now is the time to come back to a more harmonious and even place. Stability is what you should be focused on at the moment, and rash actions and decisions are to be tempered. Now is not the time to take a risk, but rather to step back just a little and see what transpires. You may find you need to get more rest or time away, or retreat a little.

Magickal Uses: Love, sleep, balance, visions, peace, friendship. Amazon natives have used Passionflower as an addition to ayahuasca-based brews to deepen and magnify their visions. When strewn on the floor of a home, the flowers can end disharmony, and bathing is or carrying Passionflower creations will help you attract a lover.

2. Expansion- Ephedra

There is an opportunity for development and even the end of challenges that may have been difficult. It is time to look for a new direction or to examine more closely any possibilities that have presented themselves to you. Change is coming, but it may be more demanding than you anticipate before you get your bearings. There may be a betrayal that is very hard to accept. If you have been suffering from any challenge, this is a reminder to stop stewing in your anger, sadness or grief and move on.

Magikcal Uses: Longevity, immortality, lust, sex. Ephedra is used in magickal work to increase awareness and uncover the unknown. It has been used in China where it is known as ma huang as a medicine and in spiritual practice. It is native to China & Mongolia.

3. Attraction- Parsley

Someone or something is going to hold your attention and tempt you. It is also likely you will find yourself the focus of someone else’s attention. There are other opportunities coming along soon, so don’t be dissuaded by setbacks, as a bigger picture is about to emerge. Something may end, but it will make way for a needed change and better times ahead. Better luck and happiness is around, and there are indications of a sort of rebirth that is greatly empowered, hardier and more successful than before. Romance is also suggested.

Magickal uses: Purification, protection, ending bad luck, divination, love. It was believed that sprinkling food with herbs, in particular parsley, would protect the food from both physical and energetic contamination. This is where the practice of garnishing comes from.

4. Flow- Ginko

If you are challenged in any way, then you are being offered hope and the resilience required. There is the possibility of achievement if you simply go with the flow, but you need to be patient, as things must take their natural course and time. Although this is the case, balance still has to be found, and perhaps some moderation should be practiced to help find it. You may discover that looking at your personal motivations and your recent reactions will lead to a greater understanding. This is a period of rest and a recharge could be of value now.

Magickal uses: Business, dreams, beauty, love, healing. After soaking dried Ginko nuts in water, place them in the bedroom to inspire love and enhance your beauty. Plant the nuts to celebrate the birth of a child, and it will ensure long life. Ginko wood can be made into amulets or pieces carried to ensure health and instigate healing.

5. Desire- Damiana

The pursuit of what you long for and the achievement of its obtainment are indicated. Something you long for could be in the spotlight and having a greater ripple effect through your life than usual. Is this a good thing? Perhaps, but be careful your desires do not cloud your focus or true purpose. Ambitions, passions and goals are all in a state of progression, as are calculated risks. A very important concern will come into your life shortly that needs your full commitment and attention. Relationships become more physical and passionate.

Magikcal uses: Lust, love, sex, desire, psychic abilities, clairvoyance. This herb assists in releasing inhibitions and hesitation. It can be used to heighten connection with magickal energies and to enhance visions and psychic abilities. Sprinkled lightly on the food of someone you desire can increase their passion and interest in you.

6. Activation- Yerba Mate

Now is the time to begin something new, put plans into action or put more energy into a project or situation. You can do what it is you desire. Not everyone around you may share your enthusiasm for a concept, idea or the path you are undertaking or considering, but you shouldn’t let that stop you. Physical action needs to be undertaken, as hesitation or failure to do so may mean a loss.

Magickal uses: Health, lust, love, energy, friendship. Yerba Mate has long been used as an aphrodisiac and in love, sex and lust magick. A potion created from it that is then shared by a couple will ensure they stay together forever. It could be a good idea to keep a little bottle of it somewhere, as you can always break the spell if need be by pouring it on the ground.

7. Compassion- Marshmallow

Trust your inner feelings and let them lead you a little more strongly. Spiritual energy will be very high, so perhaps fulfillment or illumination in this aspect of life will be easier to obtain. This is a time of giving, of looking out for others and taking a more supportive role. Remember that the more you give, the more you will receive, and in ways that may not be apparent in the first instance. Listen more that you talk, give more than you take and bend a little more than usual.

Magickal uses: Protection, psychic abilities, attract good spirits, marriage, persuasion, calm. Having marshmallow nearby when you perform spells will encourage good spirits and deities to assist you. The flowers are particularly good for love spells and blessings. Marshmallow is also regarded as an herb of persuasion, and carrying some on you will make others more likely to agree with you.

8. Abundance- Wild Yam

There is an indication of an increase in resources for you. Situations should be turning into a positive outcome or staying that way, and if you are looking for an answer, it is ‘yes’. An addition to your family or your circle of friends or even a new facet of life should be coming along shortly. Luck is also on your side at the moment. Make very sure you share any good fortune that comes your way and be careful of over-indulgence, obsession, pipe-dreaming and waste.

Magickal uses: Fertility, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, love, increases, healing. This herb is also known as devil’s bone, especially in the field of magick. Traditionally, it has been wrapped in a red cloth and carried to ensure vigorous health and a strong constitution. It can also be carried to attract a new love interest.

I hope your message resonated, and that the light of the Solstice brings you the clarity, healing and blessings you need!

If you are in or near Toronto, ON, please join us in-person on Friday, June 21st, 2024 for our Summer Solstice Circle: Magickal Plant Allies. We will go on a guided meditation journey to connect with a plant ally, create herbal charm sachets, feast and celebrate together!

Solstice and Full Moon Blessings!

Serena

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