The Cosmic Cauldron – The Cauldron Goddess

When the Cauldron Feels Empty-The Sacred Void

As the darkness increases and the cold sets in, we can experience a challenging time emotionally and mentally, here in the northern hemisphere. Late Autumn and the Scorpio season brings themes of death, transformation and rebirth, as well as deep diving into the locked closets of our emotions, lineages and past life memories. We may find ourselves in the sacred void of the unknown, a place of release and cleansing, and a liminal emptiness that calls for pause, rest and recalibration before the new light of Solstice comes.

This year is particularly emo, with tons of planets in water signs, and in retrograde, bringing the past right up in our faces- to tie up loose ends, close old chapters, clear away baggage and anything that we’re holding onto that doesn’t belong in the new cycle being birthed in 2026.

We all seem to be going through our own rebirthing process, myself included. It reminds me a lot of the labor of childbirth. Waves of change flowing through me as old skins and inherited patterns release and something new slowly gets closer to being born within. My nervous system and body have been undergoing deep healing as I clear old patterns and trauma from my current and past lives as well as lineage wounds. It has been laborious and not fun to say the least, but I know it is helping me get where I need and want to be in the future. I am already amazed at how much lighter and freer I feel after releasing a lot of stuff over the past few months.

I want more for myself. I want my authentic self fully back home within so I can share more with the world. I am freeing myself of the weight of others’ expectations that I’ve been carrying my whole life. I am breaking unspoken rules and releasing absorbed projections that have taken up a lot of internal space, keeping me small. These have been streaming out of me- through my dreams, my emotional and physical body. Thankfully, I have the support of healers in both human and spirit form and the Earth with me on this journey.

Some days in this liminal transition time, I feel unmotivated and empty. When I was thinking of what I wanted to write for this post, all that came to mind was ‘my cauldron is empty’.

I felt like I didn’t have anything to share. No inspiration or helpful information I thought people would want to hear. Because, I have been in liminal space, a bit of a personal void. Yet there is nothing empty about the void. It’s actually quite fertile and filled with gratitude, grace, magic and mystery. It has transformed me in powerful ways and continues to. I’ve become impressed and fond of it. Surely there must be something I can say about this void or emptiness that could be helpful? I’ll give it my best.

Finding our Way through the Dark

We may find ourselves in the void in many instances in our lives when things are in transition. Between one chapter and another. During times of loss, illness, healing, separation, death, as well as birth, marriage, moving house, starting a new job, lifestyle or embracing a new identity. It can also be in a seasonal change.

We recently unexpectedly got a heavy dumping of snow here in Toronto, before all the leaves had changed and dropped. Temps dropped to winter levels. It felt like the vitality of the earth had just suddenly gone before I got to say goodbye. It triggered a heaviness in my heart- a reminder of the times circumstances or people slipped away in my life unexpectedly, and I never got to say goodbye or grieve properly.

We also recently changed the clocks back to standard time- much better for our circadian rhythms, but it takes some getting used to. All of a sudden the night goes on forever and the daytime, if it’s overcast or rainy, just feels like more darkness. This combo of darkness, dampness, and saying goodbye to the growth season made me feel particularly low and old wounds came to the surface to be felt and healed. Our environment can affect us on deep levels.

The seasons always mirror a part of our life- fall reminds us of what is on its way out, what is dying, or ending its cycle. We may feel more emotional or on edge as we clutch to nostalgia, ride waves of grief or fear the unknown. We know an emptiness awaits us, and we may fear that emptiness.

Yet, in order for new life to bloom, a period of slowness, rest and incubation is necessary.

Emptiness is simply potential- it holds all the fertility and possibility in the universe.

It awaits our spark of energy to ignite it and set in motion a whole new path of possibility. But there is a time to simply wait, to allow it to be- so our energy can build itself up before the new spark can come into existence.

Life requires a time of rest, integration, recalibration and renewal. We sleep 1/3 of our lives for this reason. We don’t function well without this sacred surrender to the void. The surrender to rest allows us to awaken with new energy the next day.

Having experienced a lot of insomnia over the last year, I was reminded just how precious sleep is. I saw a sleep therapist for a few months which really helped me get back on track. One thing I learned was how important it was for me to re-learn how to surrender and trust my body’s natural capabilities and the Great Mystery itself. Practicing surrender and trust helped me perhaps more than any sleep remedies.

Part of the issue for me was that surrender felt like pain and powerlessness, which stemmed from old traumas, some of which involved my body being in physical pain or emotional suffering. I’ve relived so much of my past over the last year- my moments of powerlessness since birth or even before.

My faith was tested this year, as I grappled with my past and self-doubt and was pushed to strengthen my faith in Spirit and learn the art of surrender, while discerning it from powerlessness.

My attempts to escape my fears and old pain never worked, and my attempts to control the healing process (which is also a type of escape) backfired and made me feel worse. I spent a lot of time with trees and water and listening to the voice of the earth, my body and my intuition to help me stay afloat. The more I practiced this, the more it proved to be helpful and the more I was able to embody my faith and trust the process.

I know I am part of nature and move with its rhythms and its organic, non-linear ways. The more I trusted the messy, non-linear process in my body and psyche, the easier it became to sleep, and to release my past pain, and feel better than I ever have in many ways. I now sleep well again and have more freedom and lightness in my body, and a growing inner sovereignty than I can remember ever having.

Surrender to the divine and practicing faith offers us the power we need when we’re faced with the uncertainty life brings. I also cultivated a strong daily gratitude practice which expanded my faith.

How do you deal with uncertainty and the unknown? Do you grip onto controlling smaller things in your life, like diet, your body, environment, or do you escape or numb out? How does your spiritual practice support you?

Creative Droughts and Spaces Between

Sometimes, when the cauldron feels empty, it is more on a creative level, where we’re between projects, or something we put a lot of energy into has ended and we have yet to conceive a new plan, idea or pathway forward.

As creative beings, it can sometimes be hard to admit it when we feel empty, uninspired, unmotivated, tired, or just like we’re in the void and have no clue what we’re doing or what’s next. It feels like we aren’t moving, and that can be scary in a culture that moves too fast and expects us to always be doing and producing.

But being in a phase of nothingness is totally normal and ok! We are nature and nature moves in cycles. Slowing down is often what we need to do when there is a lot to process and integrate during times of transition. Some stages last longer than others. Sometimes they don’t go in a predictable way. But each stage serves a purpose and happens in Divine timing.

Patience and divine timing is something I’ve really had to learn to trust over the years. I like to feel in control, so life has brought me many lessons in surrender and letting go. I’ve learned to embrace the void, as a sacred cauldron of rebirth. A beautiful space of pure potential and possibility. This space only asks us to wait, and to let ourselves dream.

But the void can feel scary. Especially in a culture that raises us to feel that rest, slowness, darkness, transition or stillness are dangerous, and the unknown is akin to death. But death always leads to rebirth. Energy is continuously in a flow of changing form, it doesn’t end.

The dark womb is where life begins. It is where we can allow new dreams to take shape.

Do you give yourself space and time to simply wonder and dream? Do you let yourself simply wander and be in a space of not-knowing and enjoy it? If not, what if you did?

Embracing Sacred Pause, Silence and Honing our Intuition

We live in a very logical and visual culture, so it can be helpful to become more well-rounded by honing our other skills, especially non-linear and intuitive ways of processing and being.

We need to balance ourselves by learning to feel our emotions- no matter how painful or messy they are. We need to practice trusting our intuition- that calm, quiet inner knowing we feel when we embrace the mystery that lies within the present moment.

Pause and darkness are what allow us to become more present and hear these parts of us.

When it is dark outside, we need to rely on our senses other than sight to get around. We need to feel what’s in our heart and our gut, feel the moment with our feet and hands, smell the air, sharpen our hearing. Attune to what we sense, rather than what we think or what is visible on the surface.

Silence can feel scary because it allows us to hear the voices of our buried truths and dreams that we’d maybe rather not see or hear, for fear that they may take us off into the unknown wilderness. But these voices carry the gifts of the new life awaiting us beyond the void.

We can plant seeds in this season for next year- But how can we know what to plant if we don’t slow down and listen to the new life that’s calling us?

When we pause, turn off our phones, noise and take a moment to simply be- what arises?

What if we embrace the darkness, the silence and simply light a candle? Take a moment to check in with ourselves to hear the whispers from deep within?

What if instead of trying to figure out our next step logically or force a plan, we simply tuned into this moment and allowed our instincts or intuition guide us forward?

Emptiness brings the Magic

Energy and inspiration need to have space to enter. Often when life seems to be slowing us down, or forcing a pause, it is because we need to receive something, but have been too busy to let it in.

Magic requires receptivity- our open hands, arms, and heart. When we fill every moment with action, noise or distraction, we cannot receive the new idea, spark, inspiration or energy we really want.

Sometimes our manifestations get blocked because on some level we don’t believe we deserve it, or that we don’t have what it takes to get it, or maybe we’re simply holding onto something else that is taking up too much space for it to come in.

So, when it comes to creating something new, we can start by clearing and making that space, then letting ourselves be empty and open to receive.

What is something you wish to have in your life? Is there space for that right now? Is there perhaps a belief or attachment to something else taking up that space in yourself or life? Are you open to creating space and letting yourself receive the new energy and inspiration that awaits?

In the cyclic flow of life, we cannot skip steps. In order to create, to renew and birth new life, we must embrace the stage of emptiness- which is actually full of potential. Perhaps the darkness is actually the most fertile phase of all. The more we practice simply being in it- in surrender, patience and trust, the more magic will be able to come through and ignite all we wish to manifest in the future.

I am here in the dark womb cauldron with you- may we embrace this sacred pause and open to the magic being formed- unseen yet full of new life!

If you’d like to feel the warmth and love that exists in the void, I recommend this beautiful music for meditation and relaxation called ‘Within the Void’ by Mei-Lan and Ali Pervez Mehdi.

Blessed New Moon in Scorpio and the depths of Samhain season!

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 1^st 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 3^rd 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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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

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:

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,

Serena

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The Cauldron Times- Navigating Eclipses & Transitions

It’s Eclipse Season again, which is what I lovingly call a collective ‘Cauldron Time’, which is a time of transformation that impacts us deeply and can alter the course of our lives.

Spanning from the Spring Equinox until about the end of April 2024, we are in one of these times. We had a Lunar Eclipse on March 25th, we have a Solar Eclipse on April 8th and we also have Mercury retrograding from April 1st-24th. This period emphasizes the need for flexibility and inner reflection as things shift and change to bring us onto a path more aligned with who we truly are.

The Cauldron is a symbol prominent in Celtic Myth that represents transformation and rebirth. I think of ‘Cauldron Times’ as those times in life where we are neither ‘here’ anymore, nor ‘there’ yet. We are stewing and brewing in the Great Mother’s cauldron, surrendering to her plan for us, as she seeks to helps us grow into our full potential.

We can think of a Cauldron Time as a spiritual gateway, a metaphorical cocoon, a mysterious twilight, a period of being betwixt and between while we await a transformation to complete.

Cauldron times can range from uncomfortable to very challenging or even traumatic. Some examples of natural transitions I would consider to be Cauldron Times are puberty, pregnancy, becoming a parent, midlife, perimenopause/menopause, illness/healing and dying. Other common ones are marriage & divorce, moving, ending/starting a career path, business or relationship. There are many more.

Cauldron Times are anytime we are no longer who we once were and not yet who we will be. This is, in a way, the human condition itself, as we are always evolving and changing! But the Cauldron Times are characterized by a more intense period of struggle with our sense of self, identity, and feel a clear ‘before’ and ‘after’ version of who we are and our life path.

Often after a Cauldron Time we find there is no going back to who we once were. They commit us to a new level in our evolution and growth.

The Cauldron Time transforms us thoroughly enough to mark us. Sometimes we may not even be aware of how deeply an experience etched itself on our souls until many years later. Sometimes what seemed like a regular job, or relationship at the beginning turned out to be life changing, altering our sense of self or path forever.

A Cauldron Time can last days, weeks, months or years, depending on what type it is. It may begin and end abruptly, or be much more gradual.

Surrender

Many Cauldron Time experiences leave us with little to no control. Things are breaking down, dissolving or falling away in order to make way for something new. This is often painful. In most cases we must surrender and accept the change taking place and find ways to cope and evolve through it. There may be adjustments to make, new things to learn, and inner healing required to move through it. Denying or resisting this kind of change or controlling its trajectory is often futile.

We are conditioned in school to believe that if you have good intentions and work really hard, you can achieve your goals. That if you behave and follow the rules, you’ll receive rewards. That you control your destiny. That life moves in a straight line of logical decisions and accomplishments.

But as we grow up, we find out the real world isn’t like that. Bad things happen to good people. There are folks who treat their bodies terribly who live into their 90s and young healthy athletes who die of cancer. There are kind loving couples who struggle to have a child, and abusive people who have lots of children. A global pandemic can hit anytime. You can lose everything through no fault of your own. Life isn’t fair or logical. It can be painful, nonsensical, chaotic. We are most definitely not always in the driver’s seat.

Fate can swoop in when it feels like it to wash away all your efforts. It can come out of left field and drop you on a completely different course. Oftentimes these changes teach us important lessons. Maturity comes with an awareness and respect for the larger forces at work in the universe beyond our individual human self. It comes with humility and learning how to accept, adapt, and do our best with the cards we’re given. It doesn’t mean we give up on life completely, or let go of personal responsibility. But acknowledging that devastating loss, hardship, betrayal and pain is an essential part of our evolution can help us accept, learn, and become more empathetic people.

To me, surrender is the art of learning the limits of our manifesting ability and trusting the divine to bring us where we need to be, to learn the lessons and have the experiences our soul needs.

Sometimes we need to trust divine timing and the flow of life. This is one of the biggest lessons of a Cauldron Time. In letting go of our usual habits, expectations and assumed reality, we can grow into a more expansive, strong, wise, compassionate version of ourselves.

Eclipses

Eclipses are times where the hands of fate often move us off one course and onto another. It is believed that they bring us back onto our path if we’ve strayed. It depends, of course on how the eclipse hits our unique astrological chart. Some will affect us greatly, and others we may barely notice. Not every eclipse will feel like a Cauldron Time for us, but it may for someone else.

Eclipses often conceal the fullness of a situation but also reveal something we were unaware of. Previously concealed information, news and proclamations from others may come out of the blue. While new information may come to light, the full situation may not yet be fully clear, so it can be good to move cautiously rather than react impulsively.

Eclipses are super-charged full and new moons. Emotions are high, and everyone feels a bit more on edge. Our sense of time may alter as well, as it can feel like more time has passed than actually has, because things change more intensely in a short period.

Emotional triggers often happen around eclipses, which can reveal to us how we really feel about something or someone, or how someone really feels about us. This may change our relationship with the person permanently, for better or worse. Eclipses are very much about shadow work. They reveal what’s been in shadow and what is beneath the surface. They ask that we deal with these truths.

Eclipses help enhance our self-awareness and align us with our true self and support our growth and evolution. There is no predicting exactly how we will experience an Eclipse. But it is said that whatever transpires during an eclipse was meant to be, and it is putting us on path. It is also considered a time where we don’t need to make things happen, because life is trying to get us to flow in a particular direction, so the more flexible we are, the better.

During this time of transition, having some guidance can help.

I believe we are meant to trust our wisest selves, and not just blindly listen to the advice of others. So, keep in mind, while I will offer some advice based on my own experience, please just do you, experiment and follow what you feel works for you!

Here’s my little advice list for dealing with Eclipses:

Remember that some eclipses will affect you more deeply, and others may feel mild. It may not really be a Cauldron Time for you, but it may be for someone you know. You can be empathetic and supportive to them in that case. Also, the collective will likely be impacted, and so we are too, as we are all connected.

Leave space in your schedule for the unexpected and for processing your feelings. If you overschedule yourself, you may get stressed out, reactive or say things you regret later, because emotions tend to run high. You may also find things just don’t pan out how you hoped. Take it as an invitation to slow down, do a bit less and draw your attention inward.

It’s not the best time to schedule important gatherings, social events, or project launches you want to go smoothly. Eclipse energy can be chaotic, unpredictable or have unintended consequences. A launch or gathering is easier to handle once eclipse season is over, when the energies are more stable. Permission to stay home and be a hermit! However, if you do have something planned you cannot change or you feel strongly about the timing, it may be an experience you need, or part of your growth journey. It also really depends on the type of gathering, and the eclipse energies. As a highly sensitive introvert, I usually avoid large gatherings at this time (and most of the time, lol).

Stay grounded yet flexible. Eclipses have a way of uprooting us or making us feel a bit nervous or edgy. Keep your daily routines- regular mealtimes, meditation, exercise, spiritual practice, etc. going at a steady rhythm to keep your grounded and centered. Along with this, just be open to new ways of seeing and doing things. Be like a Willow tree- rooted yet soft.

Take a break from manifesting. Often folks wonder if they should do manifestation spells and rituals under an eclipse. I personally don’t because I find the energy is too intense and chaotic. Things are breaking down and shifting. The soil is being cleared and turned. The weather is stormy. If you plant seeds, they may take if you’re lucky, but why not wait until conditions are favorable? The conditions are favorable for inner work, however. Connecting with our own emotions, shadow work, healing and transformation are what eclipses encourage. I apply this for both the solar and lunar eclipse, and the whole eclipse season. Again, feel free to experiment for yourself.

It’s a great time for grounding and processing rituals, such as journaling, reflection, a craft, yoga, movement, nature walks, Tarot, anything that helps you be present with yourself and how you feel, and anything that encourages self-awareness or healing is wonderful. It’s also ok to do nothing in particular and just go with the flow!

It is a great time to get support- from a healer, therapist, or a friend to help you navigate your feelings and thoughts. You don’t have to completely hole up and avoid life during eclipses. Healing, support and care are available. I do tend to be a Hermit during Eclipse season, with the exception of my work and things that serve my wellbeing.

Any of the above list can apply to another Cauldron Time you may be experiencing. Be kind to yourself. Be patient with the process. It’s ok to be a work in progress. It’s ok to be neither here nor there, betwixt and between!

Being in Transition is Counter-Cultural

I think one of the hardest things about being in a state of transition or change is that it is frowned upon by our dominant culture. Our mechanized world loves clear definition, boxes and hitting goals.

What if our goals change? What if we aren’t who we thought we were? What if we have a goal, but it’s a winding road there, and the messy, ugly in-between part lasts a long time?

You are allowed to be a mess. For life to be a mess. To not know the next step. To feel confused, overwhelmed or tired. You’re allowed to neither be here nor there. We’re all a work in progress. Letting go of our need to have it all figured out and fit into a neat box is the first step.

Trust that in time, things will come together, how and when they are meant to. I fully believe in Divine Timing. While it can be challenging, I am learning the importance of surrender in making transitions empowering, healing experiences rather than scary ones.

Aries Energy

Mercury goes retrograde on April 1^st in fire sign Aries, adding even more emphasis on our need for flexibility and self-awareness. Our ‘spring forward’ momentum may feel slowed down. On April 8^th, we have the Solar Eclipse in Aries.

Aries energy helps us to home in on what our most authentic desires are. The next few weeks can help us identify the ways in which we want to nurture our personal needs, passions and independence, trailblaze or start something new. It can also help us find ways to live more in alignment with our inner flame. It may help us heal some wounds around who we truly are, help us shed fears and live more bravely and authentically.

We may feel frustrated at times, since linear progress may not happen how we want or as fast as we want this month, as Aries loves to push forward. But we are making progress here. As we re-align with who we truly are and what we truly want, we make progress. As we re-kindle our inner flame of passion and energy, we make progress. As we release the insecurities, masks and heavy expectations we no longer need, we make progress! Inner work is the foundation of making our dreams happen in the physical world.

The Eclipses and Mercury retrograde come to make sure we are moving forward in the right direction instead of the wrong one. There is method to the universe’s madness!

Here are some reflection questions you can work with over the next few weeks. Feel free to apply them to a specific situation you are struggling with.

What do I feel ‘done’ with?
What is no longer working for me?
Where could I afford to be a bit more honest? A bit more vulnerable? A bit braver?
What persistent desire keeps bubbling up to be felt, no matter how often I try to push it down?
What lights me up inside?
What habits or actions do I do regularly that drain my energy?
What habits or actions help to fuel my energy?
What parts of myself do I feel insecure about?
What parts of myself am I proud of?
What part of myself do I feel needs more space to exist and express itself in my life?
What part of myself or desire have I been neglecting or pushing away?

I hope this was a bit of a helpful guiding light for your path as we navigate the transitions of April, and beyond. Note that you can apply much of this to any transitional time you are navigating, like a big life change, whether it is short term or long term.

If you’d like some support and guidance for your journey at this time, I offer Tarot Readings to shed light on your situation and bring balance to your mind, body and spirit! I also offer 1 on 1 Reclaim Your Magick Sessions to help resource you for stressful times.

Blessings,

Serena

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Giving Ourselves Permission to Rest, Let Go & Dream

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to give ourselves permission. Permission to rest. To do the bare minimum. To keep it simple. To not be at our best all the time. To care for ourselves first.

We have arrived at the most stressful time of year. Constant pressure to spend money, socialise, be productive, cope with family dynamics along with increasing darkness and cold- these create the perfect recipe for burnout.

Often, we just kind of push through it and forget it happened by January. Sometimes our body forces us to hit the pause button. But what would happen if this year we did something different?

What would happen if we slowed down enough to feel our deepest feelings and desires?

What would happen if we put our self-care ahead of our holiday shopping?

What if instead of resentfully going through the motions this year, we set boundaries that felt good for us?

We won’t likely get the permission we need from outside of us, so we need to give it to ourselves.

The Universe Wants Us to Slow Down

If you are like me and have a hard time giving yourself permission to do less, then take it from the authority of the Cosmos and the Planets- they want us all to slow down right now, too.

Currently, Mars- the planet of our energy drive and passion- is retrograde and has been since Oct 30^th. Since then, you may have noticed your energy has shifted- you may have lost motivation for something you were full steam ahead on. You may feel more tired, frustrated or just lacking in momentum or drive. Things have slowed down, or obstacles have come up for you to deal with.

Traditionally, Mars retrograde is not a good time to initiate anything new or make strides forward in our lives, because our will may not be in alignment with our deepest desires. It asks instead that we turn our awareness inwards to better understand our true motivations and uncover what we really want. Mars also rules the body and sexuality. What is our body truly needing right now? Where does our energy naturally want to go when left to its own devices? Are their energy leaks? Is energy pent up or stifled somehow? Are there more satisfying ways in which we can channel our energy? This reflection process continues into mid-January.

Mars Retrograde is overlapped by Mercury Retrograde from Dec 28^th – Jan 18^th. This is another invitation from the universe to slow down and reflect. Mercury is the planet of communication, ideas and planning. During this time, it is best to be flexible and set nothing in stone. We often need to process memories from the past that come up for review. New information can come to light during this time that changes our plans and goals. While it encourages reflection and slows down progress on goals, doing things that begin with ‘re’ are favoured- such as renew, revise, reflect, research or redo. It is not ideal to sign any contracts or making permanent commitments, as we are likely to change our minds later- and remember, others are re-thinking things too, which adds to the mix.

With all of this happening, we may as well surrender to the process of inner awareness and renewal. As annoying as they can be, retrogrades are very helpful and have our best interest at heart. They ensure we are in alignment with ourselves. They prevent us from going full steam ahead in the wrong direction. They want us to make decisions based on our most authentic self and full awareness of the situation. We will not go forward blindly once we come out of this cave. We will be assured of ourselves and better equipped.

So, take heart, and remember the internal work is the most valuable work we can do. It is what stays with us on our deathbeds. Our outer accomplishments mean nothing if they aren’t rooted in our authenticity.

The Darkness Beckons

Wisdom of the Cailleach Oracle by Jane Brideson

It is completely natural to fear the darkness. We are hardwired to survive, and darkness puts us on edge. We can’t see what surrounds us, what’s ahead of us, we are ultimately afraid of what we don’t know and cannot see. Darkness means nighttime, and nighttime means cold, predators and vulnerability.

It is also natural to feel at home and at peace in the darkness. We begin our very lives in the darkness of the womb. The comfy, warm darkness in which we have everything we need. We like to go to sleep in the darkness, temporarily letting go of our mortal coil to dream and process all we’ve experienced in the day.

The darkness goes hand in hand with vulnerability and surrender to something greater than ourselves. This surrender is actually necessary to our body and psyche. We are hardwired to rest, recuperate and dream in the dark.

The darkness is a womb of potential and possibility, like the night sky shimmering with stars off in the distance.

What dreams, visions or new pathways can we make space for now?

What would happen if we embraced the darkness as a blanket of quiet comfort and potential?

Darkness offers us the opportunity to process our life experiences, and to dream- both consciously while we’re awake, as well as when we sleep.

Taking Our Dreams Seriously

Our society as a whole has trouble sleeping, which isn’t a surprise. We’ve moved away from nature’s cycles in favor of keeping lightness and productivity constant. Embracing the darkness is something outside of dominant culture, yet something deeply important to our survival.

Dreaming allows us to process all the emotions and undercurrents of our day, gifting us with deep self-awareness if we remember them. It is important to write down our dreams or tell them to someone in order to decipher their symbols.

Dreams are taken very seriously in many cultures. They are a reflection of our subconscious as well as a channel of communication from our Spirit. To be honest, most of my life’s biggest decisions were made based on dreams I’ve had. I know that sounds kind of impractical, but I put a lot of stock in my dreams and they have never let me down yet. Whenever I’ve been in a time of transition, on a wrong path, indecisive about something- my dreams come to the rescue by giving me big clarity and putting me back on path.

My only regret is when I didn’t listen to them. I eventually learned the lessons I needed to, but they came at a price- a ton of wasted time and energy going down the wrong path. So, I’ve learned to value my sleep and dreaming time, to write down as many dreams as I can remember, as soon as possible after having them. I have enjoyed working with dream books that give exercises on how to go more deeply into the dream and decipher its messages. I have also worked on some of them with my therapist over the years. I avoid dream symbol books and websites because dreams are so much more complex and personal than those general interpretations.

What are ways we can maximise our sleeping and dreaming potential?

We can spend less time on our phones, especially at bedtime. Try a dim light, or even candlelight in your bedroom before bed. Take some time to meditate, journal your feelings, read a book, or simply reflect on your day before going to sleep.

Some recommend drinking water before bed so that your bladder wakes you up in the night, helping you to catch a dream.

Placing a few drop of lavender oil on a Kleenex beside the bed can be helpful for relaxation.

You can also create a dream pillow by filling a pouch with herbs such as chamomile, mugwort, lavender or sweet gale.

Drink a relaxing tea before bed, such as chamomile, lavender, mugwort or sweet gale. One of my favourite bedtime teas is ‘Lucid Dream Tea’ by Algonquin Tea company, made with sweet gale.

For those who can’t sleep or remember their dreams for a variety of reasons, you can give your psyche more processing time, by placing more importance on ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’. This can be challenging at times, but so helpful in raising our self-awareness and regulating our nervous systems. Sometimes I just like to putter mindlessly around the house or take a nice long stare out the window to allow for internal processing.

I try to take inspiration from my cats who relax, sleep or daydream at least 15 hours of the day. Cats are masters of the art of doing nothing!

Elder Wisdom

Winter holds Wise Elder energy.

In the life-death-rebirth cycle of the seasons, we celebrate the trailblazing energy of youth in spring, the manifesting energy of adulthood in summer, the harvesting energy of midlife in fall and the wisdom of elderhood and death in Winter. The Elder energies are present in many mythological characters and deities globally, as well as in our ancestors.

I connect with the Elder in several forms, such as the Crone Goddess and specifically the Goddess Cerridwen. Working with a Crone Goddess or deities that carry wise elder energy, ancestors, or a living elder can support us with their wisdom and integrity.

The Elder is about wisdom gleaned from experience. Community and family elders are the ones who give the wise, sage advice to the young. There are some things that can only be learned through experience, and when passed on by elders, they help strengthen the younger generations.

Nowadays, it can be hard to decipher true wisdom from fake wisdom. One basically just needs to know how to make a pretty website and be social media savvy to position themselves as an ‘expert’ on anything they wish! This favors younger folks, of course and makes it easy for people to be fooled by appearances.

Unfortunately, too many older people who have decades of knowledge and experience in their field who don’t possess the same level of tech-savvy-ness can fall off the map. Meanwhile, the younger folks who haven’t even studied in the field, have minimal knowledge or experience on a subject take the recognition, clients and opportunities that they do not really deserve. I’ve seen this in the Astrology and Tarot world too frequently. Plagiarism, lack of knowledge and misinformation abound.

It is also true that being in one’s elder years doesn’t automatically endow wisdom or authority. There are plenty of younger folks who’ve done the work, who carry knowledge and integrity, and older folks who behave childishly, selfishly or get stuck in their ways. The dark side of elderhood is resistance to change.

On a symbolic level, I choose to see the archetypal Elder energy as free from toxic human behaviour, but still relatable, like a loving, wise grandmother or grandfather. We all have our unique relationship to this aspect of ourselves, to the elders in our lives, and this is something to reflect on.

Embracing the power of quiet, slow and simple

Tis the season for slowing down and simplifying. Here are some questions you can journal with or reflect on:

Where can you give yourself some permission to move slower or more mindfully this season?

Are there extra demands on your energy that you could shift or let go of? How can you simplify?

What brings you comfort? Can you give yourself permission to comfort yourself in whatever way you need without guilt?

How can you better prioritise rest and dreaming in your life at this time? Can you give yourself permission to take a nap or go to bed earlier?

If you have trouble giving yourself permission- take it from the Elders, the Ancestors, the Crone, the Spirit of Winter and the Cosmos:

You have permission. You have permission to rest, slow down and do less. You may simply be. You are enough.

May your Solstice/Yule/Holiday be restful, supportive and soulful,

Serena

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The Cauldron- Sacred Symbol & Tool of the Witch

What comes to mind when you see a cauldron? Witches casting spells, a bubbling potion, or perhaps a hearty stew cooking over a fire? The cauldron is historically both a very mundane and mystical object that continues to be a powerful symbol of many things. It is one of my favourite tools as a Witch and a representation of my practice and path.

In celebration of The Cauldron Goddess’ birthday month (we are one year old!), I thought I’d share a bit about my own reflections and experiences with the cauldron- as a symbol and sacred tool of the Witch.

The Hearth & Cooking

At its most mundane, the cauldron is a cooking pot. A staple of our ancestors far and wide, this portable and durable vessel has served humanity for generations, providing nourishment, and sustaining life.

The pot cooking over the fire conjures deep memories of comfort, warmth, family, and home. It is for this reason that the cauldron is a strong symbol of the hearth. For nomadic peoples, I imagine the cauldron felt like an anchor of home while on the move. For those rooted to place, the cauldron held a central position to the home and served as faithful provider of nourishment and comfort.

The cauldron is the container where raw, unintegrated ingredients come together to create something delicious and sustaining for our work and growth. Cooking may seem very mundane yet cooking always involves a transformation of energy and materials. There is creative energy and magick weaved into the process.

Cooking has historically been deemed ‘women’s work’ because of its nurturing and domestic properties. Patriarchy has devalued these qualities and therefore the healing or magickal aspects of cooking are less valued than its artistic or competitive forms. There are currently so many competitive cooking shows taking centre stage, that it almost seems that for this ‘woman’s work’ to be valued, it must fit into the capitalistic/patriarchal paradigm, along with other art forms that have become more about competition than soul-nourishment and love.

There’s nothing wrong with refining one’s skills, of course. But, I suppose I think of cooking as something soulful, as our original magick, the mother of all rituals and witchcraft. It is where one thing becomes another and serves to heal and nourish us. We can add intentions, prayers, healing herbs and energy medicine into our culinary creations. There is power in the cauldron. It is here where we can connect the cauldron to the Witch.

The Witch

The Witch is the one who nourishes and sustains life, who heals and transforms, who makes magick and serves their family and community.

Healing and Witchcraft are deeply intertwined. Through history, the village Wise Woman was the healer and midwife everyone would call on when ill or in labor. With the influence of patriarchy, colonization and modern medicine, folks who followed the old ways, the Wise Woman ways were punished, ostracized or even killed. They twisted the healing, life sustaining Wise Woman into something evil, a repulsive and fearful death-bringer or spirit of chaos- a ‘Witch’ in the negative sense of the word. Yet the Witch is and always was simply a Healer. The word Witch is connected to ‘wit’ and wisdom, implying that witches were also sacred knowledge keepers.

Women’s power as healers and community leaders has been diminished over centuries and we are still in the process of reclaiming this power within ourselves. For me, using the cauldron is one way that I reclaim my power as Witch and Healer.

The cauldron remains a powerful symbol of healing and witchcraft to the modern psyche. Since we don’t use cauldrons much anymore, it also represents something ancient and mysterious from the past. We associate it with spells, potions, witches and some other mysterious things related to the sacred feminine…

The Womb & Creativity

The cauldron can be seen as representing the Mother energy. It contains, nourishes, sustains, and protects the creation within it. The pagan chant ‘one thing becomes another, in the mother, in the mother’ is one of my favourites to chant over my cauldron as I make a brew or do a spell. The cauldron is resonant with the womb, as a vessel of nourishment and protection of new life.

Within our womb space, in our pelvic bowl lies the energy of creation. Our sensual, sexual energy and our creative ‘flow’ stem from here, whether or not we have a physical womb. Those of us with wombs can also physically carry life here.

The pelvic bowl is very much like our own physical cauldron which holds our creative power.

An Embodied Cauldron Practice

In the Irish bardic poem, ‘The Cauldron of Poesy’, three internal cauldrons found within the body are referenced. The Cauldron of Warming, the Cauldron of Motion, and the Cauldron of Wisdom. I created my own personal grounding practice with these 3 cauldrons, even before I had heard of this poem, so I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered it.

The Cauldron of Warming sits within our pelvic bowl, where our creative ‘fuel’ resides. I like to think of this cauldron sitting within my pelvic bowl with its 3 legs energetically reaching to the earth like roots from my sitz bones and coccyx. I meditate on this cauldron, imagining its contents as fluid creative energies within me. I notice if they are stagnant, clouded, toxic or flowing, vibrant and well. I feel my connection the Earth Mother and imagine that healing energy flowing through my cauldron. I chant ‘oooohhh’ here, while connecting to the energies of the land. Chanting helps to transmute any negative energies.

The Cauldron of Motion sits in the heart centre. Here, we experience what ‘moves’ us, such as art, poetry, music, love, relationships, sorrow, and grief. I imagine this cauldron’s legs energetically connected to the cauldron below it, and its contents fluid again. Ideally, the energies flow clearly and vibrate with love. Chanting helps to transmute the energy. I chant ‘eeeeee’ here while connecting to the energies of water and sea. The combination of ‘ooohhh’, ‘eeee’ and ‘oooo’ sounds are one way to connect with the Awen- the Divine inspiration that flows through all life.

The Cauldron of Wisdom sits within or atop the head, and I imagine it open, facing upward to the skies above as a direct link to Spirit and the Awen- the divine inspiration that flows through all life. I imagine it receiving inspiration from above and its contents are the energy of flowing light. I imagine my thoughts cleared and stagnant energy released. Through this meditation I become a channel for the Awen, for divine inspiration, for the healing energy of the goddess Cerridwen- my matron goddess to come through. I chant ‘oooo’ here to transmute the energies.

Doing this practice helps me to become a channel for creative energies on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.

Cerridwen- The Cauldron Goddess Herself

Cerridwen is one of the main goddesses I work with, and she is the classic Witch from Welsh myth. I share her story and some of my thoughts on it here. Cerridwen is famous for her cauldron in which she brews a potion of Awen- divine inspiration and knowledge for her ugly son, Afagddu, for whom she wants a better life. The potion takes a year and a day to complete. After all this hard work it accidentally ends up going to a servant boy, Gwion, who through a process of initiation and transformation becomes the most inspirational of bards, Taliesin.

Cerridwen’s cauldron is important because her role is that of Wise Woman, Witch, Healer and Mother. Her cauldron is like an extension of herself.

When her potion went to the wrong boy, Cerridwen was quite angry her spell went awry. The cauldron cracked and broke, turning the potion to poison. Its breaking could symbolise Cerridwen’s emotions, or a forced breaking of her old self and initiation to a new level of spiritual growth. It could represent the laws of magick being broken, or the appearance of fate taking over.

Cerridwen is also an initiatrix of change and transformation. Not only does she push Gwyion to become more than he ever thought he could be, but she too, is transformed in the process.

There is much symbolism in Cerridwen’s story- about power, fate, the wise use of magick and the emotional intensity of motherhood. The cauldron can represent any of this as well.

Transformation & Rebirth

I think of the cauldron as symbolic of the transformational events in our lives. Those challenging times where we must change or be changed. Those times where we must surrender to a power greater than us to carry us forward. When we must let go of who we are to become who we are meant to be. The cauldron is like a crucible- an agent of change, transformation and rebirth. What goes in comes out as something new.

Can you think of a time in your life where you underwent deep internal changes that left you feeling like you died and were reborn? That’s a cauldron experience. I think these can also be felt as smaller and less dramatic as well, like when we are pushed out of our comfort zone and make changes to adapt.

I feel like I am undergoing some kind cauldron experience most of the time, in at least one area of my life. Some cauldron experiences are slow boiling and take time, like Cerridwen’s brew, for a year or several. Others are more fast-acting and short term.

Some cauldron life experience examples are: Undergoing an intense course or learning program where you learn new skills and change as a person; Becoming a mother or a parent; Losing a loved one and your sense of self being changed from the loss; Divorce or separation; Becoming ill; Healing from illness; Being in a relationship that tests you; Moving to a new place; Changing Careers, etc.

One thing about the cauldron is that what goes in comes out differently, in a new form. Our transformational experiences remake us anew. We are not meant to stagnate or stay the same forever.

The cauldron is the mother that pushes us to grow and become who we have the potential to be. She is also that safe container who enables us to be vulnerable while the change is happening.

I explore the relationship between the cauldron and holding safe space for healing & transformation in this post.

How to use the Cauldron as a Witch’s tool

The cauldron may not be used in everyday cooking anymore, but we can use it as a magickal tool to enhance our own personal healing and transformation. Cauldrons come in every size, from large dinner-size cauldrons to tiny purse-size cauldrons. I love them all. Here are a few ways I like to use them:

Smoke cleansing: The cauldron makes an excellent holder for herbs and resins. You can place a piece of charcoal within it and burns your smoke cleansing herbs on it or, you can place the herbs directly into the cauldron and light them. The smaller cauldrons are great for this.

Grounding practice: The cauldron is usually made of iron and therefore an excellent grounding tool. You can use it like I do in the above grounding ritual or make up your own!

Burning spells: The cauldron is a safe container to burn pieces of paper with words written on it or other objects that are part of your spells.

Scrying: The black cauldron is a perfect backdrop for scrying. Fill the cauldron with water and take your time to ground and centre before gazing into the cauldron to see visions. This works best with a medium to large cauldron.

Potions & Cooking: Use a larger cauldron to hold your potions or healing soups, the old-fashioned way. I purchased a couple of beautiful large cauldrons from Bristow Iron Works, including the stand and hooks for this purpose.

An altar in itself: The cauldron can make a wonderful keeper of sacred energy. A large cauldron can be filled with crystals, herbs, beautiful images, and objects to anchor the sacred into your space. A small cauldron makes a great travel altar- fill it with herbs and crystals to uplift your energy while away.

Salt Bowl or Centrepiece: I have used a cauldron as a salt bowl and centrepiece for my dining room table. I filled it with salt to absorb negative energies, and with herbs and crystals to help bring harmony to my dinner table.

Symbol: You can use the cauldron as a symbol on your altar, your desk or bedside table for anything we discussed in this blog- symbol of your inner Witch or Wise Woman, the womb, the sacred feminine or Mother energy, transformation & rebirth, etc. Keep it as a reminder of your magick!

If you are interested in the symbolism of the cauldron and its connections to myths, I highly recommend the book The Witch’s Cauldron, by Laura Tempest Zakroff.

What does the cauldron symbolise for you? Do you use one in your practice?

May the cauldron bring you the warmth and soul-nourishment you need in these transformational times.

Serena

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Dancing With the Sacred Unknown

We are collectively in uncharted waters. Much of what we have known and relied upon has been washed away, requiring constant flexibility and resilience as we swim to keep our heads above water as best as we can. It is as though the solid ground beneath us has given way to water.

Sometimes, in times like these, our best option is to float.

When we float is there is nothing but water and sky, and we are held in suspension- it seems as though we are outside of time and space, heart open to the vast unknown. Depending on your comfort level with water, this can feel super scary or total bliss (or both!). Whether the water is still or pulsing with waves, it can still hold us up.

Without struggling or striving, we can rest into that support, even as it ebbs and flows. This can feel like a gift to our souls as we remember what it feels like to be a babe in the great Goddess’ womb, part of the origins of life itself.

These times of transition and uncertainty ask us to take a break from striving and feel what it might be like to be held by something greater.

Allowing ourselves to be held by something greater doesn’t necessarily mean we give up on things that matter to us and do nothing about our circumstance or situation. It is not a complete surrender of our free will, agency or engagement with the material world. No.

It is a practice of remembering that we are not always in control. It is accepting what we cannot change and at the same time allowing ourselves to open to greater potentiality within ourselves. Like floating on the water, we can accept the flow and open to what new directions and awareness the experience might bring. We remain curious, aware and open to something bigger than us to take us where we need to be. When we are attuned to the flow, we will better know how and where to swim.

Divine Darkness

The Dark Mother energy of Cerridwen has been incredibly healing and helpful to me in navigating this uncharted territory. It is not surprising that she showed up shortly before the pandemic began.

Dark Goddesses are not dark in nature so much as they are present and supportive to us when we are in dark times. Times when we cannot see what lies ahead, transitional times, times when we are meeting our shadow face to face or healing and moving through trauma. Dark Goddesses bring the wisdom, strength and lessons we need in order to navigate these challenges.

In my life, when one of these Goddesses shows up, it is an indication that I am going to be doing some deeper work or going on an inner underworld journey.

Through my relationship with Cerridwen, I have been practicing trust, surrender and being held by The Mystery. Cerridwen’s cauldron is the dark womb of potential and rebirth. This dark womb/cauldron imagery is something I work with regularly.

So much of Cerridwen’s energy, gifts and lessons in my experience is about that surrender to something larger. Trusting this divine energy to hold me in the sacred unknown. In Cerridwen’s deep cosmic cauldron, I feel safely held, yet open to vast potential. It is a very nameless, dark, void-like space at times.

Emptiness & The Creative Cycle

I was feeling quite creatively barren and empty when Cerridwen showed up. I was scraping the bottom of the barrel of new ideas, passion or motivation. I felt the emptiness had come with the end of a chapter and awaiting a new beginning. I was struggling to feel engaged or excited about anything. Cerridwen, as the goddess of inspiration, came into my sphere.

But she didn’t just bestow an abundance of passions and inspiration upon me out of thin air. She beckoned that I come and spend time with Her first. She is named the goddess of Inspiration, because it is through the challenging experience of transformation and surrender to the dark womb of nothingness, that inspiration can be born.

I felt a strong draw to Her, and began to read about Her, connect with Her, and follow her mysterious trail of will o’ the wisps towards Her cauldron, and entered into its mysteries.

In a nutshell, the cauldron transformed me. It recognised what needed to be released, where I needed to be strengthened and the process is still continuing today.

I have not emerged from the cauldron yet. I am still releasing and transforming within it. In letting go of old habits and becoming aware of my true inner light and strength, I am more trusting in myself and my ability to float and swim.

As I go through this journey with Cerridwen in Her cauldron, my inspiration is increasing. I am feeling more connected to what stirs my passion and aligned with my authentic self. I am also more comfortable with the unknown and finding ways to dance with it.

I recognise that life moves in cycles and new life always emerges from the emptiness. We don’t always know how the new life will show up, but it always does. So, I am looking forward to the continued emergence and growth that is sourced from that original emptiness I surrendered to. I trust that it will flourish in its own way and timing.

The Sacred Unknown

There is something sacred about the transitional times in life. Dawn, dusk, birth, death, those moments when we are neither here nor there, between versions of ourselves, ways of being in the world. These are sacred times. We are closer than ever to the source of life at these times, and while they are often uncomfortable, lonely, traumatic, or unbearable, they are the times when we are most held by something greater.

These are the times dark goddesses and spirit guides have made themselves clearly known to me. I have met important healers and had serendipitous experiences that changed the course of my life during these times.

Sometimes we have to be broken down in order to open up. I find it interesting that the word ‘scared’ is in the word ‘sacred’. I feel that moving through our deepest fears can be a deeply spiritual experience, because it can change us forever and help us grow.

It is important however, during these transitional times, to hold safe space for ourselves and ensure we have someone who can hold safe space for us, as safety is necessary in order to truly grow from our depths. The cauldron represents the sacred container that allows us to do so.

Water, Darkness & Reflection

I feel that it is important while we are going through times like these that we take time to look back and reflect on how far we’ve come.

How have you become more braver? stronger? More adaptable? What have you let go of? What new things have you opened up to? How have you changed?

It is also a good time to explore our relationship to the element of water and to darkness.

How do you feel about going with the flow? What have you learned from navigating change? How do you find your way when you cannot see what’s ahead? How do you cope with uncertainty?

Rituals for Being Held by the Dark Womb/Primordial Source:

I invite you to try connecting to the dark womb/primordial source as a way to cultivate trust in the unknown. It is something I enjoy doing.

If you have a bathtub, you can try taking a bath at night, with all the lights out. Imagine you are resting in the great goddess’ womb, merging with the primordial source of being. Silence is a very powerful accompaniment to this, just listening to the sound of your own breathing. However if that is too challenging, you may wish to play some deeply relaxing music. I suggest Deep Sleep by Calm Collective, Long Ambients by Moby or Voyage by Garth Stevenson. Simply rest in the darkness and feel as you are held within the womb.

You can recite the following affirmations:

I am safe. I am held. I am safe and held in the dark womb. I trust in divine timing. My time to birth will come. I now rest in the sacred unknown.

If you do not have a bathtub, or don’t feel comfortable in water, you can also lie down on your bed in darkness (if you cannot make your room completely dark, try wearing a blindfold). This makes sense to do at bedtime. Relax into bed, and imagine you are floating in the middle of a lake at night under a sky full of stars. You are warm and snuggled in the covers. Imagine you are within the Great Mother’s Womb, held safely. Connect to the silence, following the sound of your breath in and out. Or, if you’d rather, you can play relaxing music as I suggested above. Say the affirmations above to yourself.

You may also wish to visit a float spa, such as H2O Float Studio here in Toronto. Or, if it is warm where you are, go ahead and float on an actual body of water.

May the changes of these times create a relationship with darkness that is no longer one of fear, but of deep comfort, like the darkness of the womb, the darkness that is the source of life.

xo Serena

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Connecting with our Wise Inner Elder/Crone

‘Tis the season of the Elder, Crone, Hag and Wise One within. The season of tough love which urges us to to simplify, surrender, conserve our physical energy and contemplate the bigger questions in life.

The Crone aspect of the triple goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone) rules over the dark moon phase of the lunar cycle and winter in the seasonal cycle. For those with a menstrual cycle, this aspect rules over one’s bleeding time- where body and mind ask us to slow down, release the past and open to new dreams and potential by tapping into the wisdom of the Universe.

The winter season carries the same energy, asking us to make space to reflect, dream and simply ‘be’. The working world doesn’t stop for winter, but invites us to simplify and conserve our energy. The subconscious requires more attention and processing, pulling us to sleep, meditate and heal our inner self.

Who is the Crone?

The Crone is the Death Goddess, the One who Sees in the Dark, She who comes to our aid when we are going through dark and difficult times. She teaches us the lessons of surrender, letting go, patience, strength and the necessity of death and decay to bring new life.

These can hard lessons to swallow, which is why there is a general fear of this aspect of the goddess, and consequently, a fear of womxn as they age, and a general devaluing of elder wisdom in our youth-obsessed, death-avoidant culture.

We are taught to equate old age with death rather than wisdom. If one believes in reincarnation, or an afterlife, or even just in the cycles of nature, we can find comfort in knowing that energy never ceases to exist, it simply transforms. But change can be scary, especially when it comes to death- the greatest mystery of all.

The Crone teaches us that death is a necessary component of life.

There are Crone goddesses in cultures all over the world. Some that fit this category are Ereshkigal, Nepthys, Hekate, Mother Holle, Sedna, Kali, Cerridwen, Cailleach Bear, Baba Yaga, and more. What these goddesses all have in common that they are somehow connected to the realm of death in some way. It is reflected in their myths, or by seasonal association. They often share stories of pain, trauma and rebirth that render them the wisdom to help us through our own difficult passages. They are also known for their knowledge of the unseen realms and the mysteries, as they are the lights that guide us through the dark.

Elder as Community Leader

During the winter solstice we welcome the energy of Capricorn, as it initiates the winter season, followed by the last 2 signs of the zodiac, Aquarius and Pisces. These three signs rule over the winter months in the northern hemisphere and carry the qualities of Crone/Elder energy in each their unique way. They are the signs most concerned with the collective- its structures, social health and spiritual wellbeing.

Similarly, the elders in a society are meant to be the ones who care for the community by being advisors and in turn, the community takes care of them. In our current system, elders- especially women and 2SLGBTQIA+ folks are not given value or purposeful roles and they are often forgotten and shunned to the shadows of society.

As we go through the winter months, we start to look at the big picture more. We become more aware of our sense of security and place in the world, as well as whether the collective is sustained within the structures that are meant to support it.

Things get serious in Capricorn season. Survival and security are at the top of our minds. We need to get responsible and be accountable. We start to think about our long-range goals and what practical steps we need to take to get there. We notice if the structure our life rests on is sound, and make any necessary adjustments. Capricorn, an earth sign asks us to be patient, think long term and think like an elder.

When we contemplate our goals, we my ask ourselves: Is it functional and sustainable? (Capricorn) Is it inclusive and progressive? (Aquarius) Does it leave room for spirituality and liminality? (Pisces).

Elder wisdom reminds us that we are small beings in a big universe, we are not the centre of it.

It also reminds us that we are all an intricate and important part of the web of life and have a duty to participate in its weaving. We must follow the light of our inner wisdom to lead us to our part to play in the dance of life.

From the Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle deck

Connecting to the Wise Elder Within

The Crone aspect of the goddess has always been the one that most resonated with me. Maybe because I was born in the depths of winter, or because I always felt like an old soul. It’s just an energy I gravitate toward and strive to cultivate. I feel it needs a greater voice and value in our culture.

Family structures have shifted in such a way that many of us have not been able to have a strong bond with grandparents, aunts and uncles or other elders in our lives. We may feel groundless or lost because of a lack of this energy in society. Sometimes family dynamics are simply too toxic or dysfunctional to have healthy relationships with our elders. Intergenerational trauma plays a big part and each generation must contend with its own struggles.

Connecting with our inner Elder can help heal that generational trauma, by bringing death to old patterns we are carrying and acting with wisdom. No matter what our physical age, we all have an inner Wise Elder within that we can connect with and consult with when we reach an impasse in our lives. It can become part of a regular practice to strengthen this part of us, so that when times get tough, we have the internal light to help us through.

If you are someone who journals, you may wish to try journaling on these reflection questions below. Or, perhaps you wish to simply contemplate these seeds in your mind, as a way to start connecting to your inner Elder.

What are qualities you admire in the elders you’ve encountered in your life?

In what ways does the Elder/Crone energy show up in your life?

How have the losses in your life changed you?

How do you feel about aging?

How do you imagine yourself as an elder in the future?

If you are already an elder, how would you describe your role and way of expressing this energy in your life?

What metaphorical or physical ‘wrinkles’ and ‘scars’ in life have strengthened you or made you who you are today?

If your younger self was looking for advice from you right now, what would you tell them?

Imagine you are with a wise elder right now, who knows everything about you, loves you unconditionally, really ‘sees’ you on the deepest level. What would they say to you about your life situation right now?

Crone spirit I found in the woods- do you see her face?

I think often about the future, and what kind of elder I want to become. I imagine different scenarios (some include grandchildren, while others include more cats, and maybe even a dog). My husband is much older than me, so I imagine what it would be like to live my elder years without him, which is very hard. I think about the strong independent women elders in my life, the ways they stay young at heart and the ways they express their wisdom and age gracefully.

The more I connect with my own inner Wise Elder/Crone, the more I live my life authentically, let go of the small stuff, and release the things that drain me. My inner Elder sees the big picture and knows the price of acting in self-abandonment or out of step with my values. Integrity is probably the most important lesson I learn from this part of me. She urges me to do the right thing, rather than the easy thing.

What does your inner Elder or Crone say to you?

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Why I started The Cauldron Goddess

Perhaps you’re like me and have felt kind of isolated and alone in your path as a witch, a pagan or spiritual person. Perhaps you are still in ‘the broom closet’ and not sure about being open about who you are yet. Maybe you’ve been out of the closet for a long time, but the path’s been super lonely or challenging.

Or perhaps you don’t consider yourself a witch at all, but your sensitive spirit comes alive in nature, and you wish to delve more deeply into that nourishment you receive when you slow down and connect to the cycles of the seasons, the celestial bodies, the earth, air, fire and water, the animal beings of the planet.

You perhaps know you are intuitive but sometimes don’t trust this part of yourself.

Maybe you are feeling some uncertainty or are going through a transition and wish for some guidance from your higher self.

Whomever you are, welcome and thankyou for coming by for a visit!

Things have been isolating in general over these long months of pandemic crisis. Many witches, pagans, and spiritual folks don’t have churches or temples in mainstream society. We are forging our paths and communities without much social support, in many ways, our very existence goes against the grain of colonial, patriarchal culture.

I am mainly a solitary witch, and happy being so, but sometimes, it can get a tad lonely. Even though I am in a big city where lots of other witches live, each of us has our unique path. Even if we are part of a group, our spirituality tends to be a very personal, individual thing. Some of us thrive when we are free to follow the beat of our own drum. Some thrive when in community. Some of my biggest lessons have been about the strength and empowerment that comes with forging my own path, and participating in community endeavors in small doses.

There is a fine line between solitary and lonely. It’s ok to dance that line sometimes, I feel it is part of the journey.

Truthfully, when we are on this path, we soon discover that we are never really alone. We are surrounded by allies and friends in the trees, rocks, animals, sky beings, ancestors, and spirit guides that surround us.

Even though I am solitary, I hold small community gatherings- the Hearthfire Circles– and try to attend events as well. As an introvert, I often find large events overwhelming, so I prefer smaller ones. The urge for community is often a strong desire in us witchy people and this exists alongside a need for solitude- to commune with nature, do our internal work and to rebuild a relationship with Spirit that is free of doctrines that do not resonate with us.

Part of why this urge for community it strong in me, and I feel in many other spiritual folks, is that we remember the old ways singing in our bones.

On a deep level, we remember living in sustainable community structures- in sacred connection with the land and each other-in reverence for all life. We remember the ways of folk magick, land-based practices that honour the cycles of the moon and seasons. We wish to return to more authentic, meaningful connections with others and ourselves. Perhaps we wish to revive the traditions of our ancestors- or at least, reclaim them in a new form that honours the present reality and the future we wish to create.

Our current culture under colonial, white supremacist, patriarchal capitalism can make creating a life like this quite challenging.

There are layers of oppression that have wounded many generations of us that takes a while to unpack and heal, and there are many obstacles in the fabric of our modern culture that makes us choose between the survival of our body or the survival of our soul. It also emphasizes the survival of some folks at the expense of others.

‘Community’ now is a word used rather loosely. It can pertain to one’s Instagram following, Facebook group or membership to a corporate entity. These are fine ways to connect, but they often lack the depth, intimacy and real-life energetic exchanges between people that we instinctively crave. We are also contending with barriers such as white supremacy, patriarchy, cis-heteronormativity, and all the ‘isms’ pervading not only the mainstream but pagan spiritual communities as well.

My wish, my motivation behind my spiritual practice and The Cauldron Goddess, is not only to reclaim my own power as a witch and wise woman, but to help others do the same. I wish to be part of the change I wish to see in the world. It’s kind of a big ask sometimes, but the path demands that we stay awake and aware of the world around us, and the power of small steps to eventually make big impacts.

I feel that my own practice, my writing and both my in-person and online work are some of those small things that can send magickal ripples out into the world.

Pandemic Burnout & Nourishing the Spirit

Over the pandemic, like many of us, I experienced recurring burnout. It was my constant companion, with peaks and valleys of anxiety and depression. I am privileged enough to have been able to see an amazing therapist through it whom I’ve been seeing for many years now, and I’ve had the freedom to do the healing work necessary to cope.

A lot of old patterns and stories were triggered this year, and I have been releasing them and healing them ongoingly.

What I realised over the pandemic is how essential my spiritual practice is to my own wellbeing and how necessary it was that I nourish my spirit in order to be be present for my family and clients.

My witchcraft practice reminds me that I am not alone, that I am part of the sacred flow of life around me. It also teaches me to honour my sensitivity and protect myself energetically when the world around me becomes too much.

Nourishing my soul had taken a backseat to duty for too long. Instead of heeding the call of my spirit, of taking time to process who I was and what I really needed in the moment, I continued to prioritise work, duty and the mundane without the magick. I was scraping the bottom of the bucket to the point where nothing was left for my clients, my family, myself, no one.

Prioritizing my spiritual practice has become a lifeline, and so re-centering my energies onto the things I love and bring me joy- witchcraft, writing, tarot and my circles is how I am filling up my cauldron again.

Ultimately, The Cauldron Goddess is for me- a way to keep my energy focused on what nourishes me, and in turn I hope it be a source of support for you too.

Womb Healing

My background and experience is in mind-body therapies and womb healing work.

For most of my adult life, I have struggled with endometriosis and this set me on a long journey of healing in mind, body and spirit. For the last 5 years, since my surgery, I have been gratefully pain-free and slowly rebuilding myself a new life that finally doesn’t centre around chronic pain. With my newfound energy, I did some things that were on the backburner during my 20s and early 30s.

I got a driver’s license, went to college, started working out and eating some of the foods I enjoyed but couldn’t eat due to my condition. I traveled and started to work with womb healing clients 1 on 1 in a deeper capacity because I had the energy and experience to make a difference.

Until that energy bottomed out.

At first I thought it was just the pandemic and all the personal challenges that came with it. But it slowly became clear that it was more than that. I knew my soul was urging me to move on from focusing on womb health. The time had come to shift into focusing on my spiritual life more.

Womb wellness was always a part of my life, and always will be. But I’ve been changing, my path has been changing, and my work has to change with it. Cerridwen called me. My spirit called me to focus on my sacred craft and practice. The cauldron, which among other things is symbolic for nourishment, containment and the womb, was calling me to explore it in new ways.

My womb space healing work continues now, just in a different, more expansive form. The Cauldron Goddess is an extension of this work, but with a focus more on the spiritual aspect. It is now in a form that can benefit anyone with or without a womb, with or without a womb health issue. It is about nourishment, self-care, and soul-care. All of which benefit the womb space, if that is something you need.

But I am moving beyond the physical womb itself to focus on nourishing the spiritual womb, the inner hearth.

The Cauldron & The Hearth

My intention is to create an energetic hearth with this blog and offer my services as a cauldron of nourishment for your soul.

This has been my practice as a Hearthwitch over the years- creating a sense of nourishment, safety and sacredness within my self. This then naturally extends to my home, family, clientele and community.

Taking the role of sacred space-holder, of empathetic listener and intuitive guide is my pleasure and passion. This role is nourished by my own spiritual and creative practices.

I have basic counselling, trauma and social work training that I feel is an important asset to what I offer as spiritual healing facilitator and tarot reader. I strive to create that safe cauldron for you to tune into your own intuition and self-healing abilities.

I will be sharing about topics like Tarot, witchy healing tools, sacred crafts, navigating the transitions through life-death-rebirth cycles, and all things related to my path as a hearthwitch, womb witch and devotee of Cerridwen- Goddess of inspiration, transformation and Mother of the Cauldron.

This isn’t my first blog, nor will it be my last. Its purpose is both a hearth for my thoughts, feelings and personal journey as well as a cauldron of teachings, tools and inspiration for your own journey. My hope is that in reading this, you will feel less alone, and more inspired!

So, come and sit down by the hearth with me, relax and nourish your intuitive, creative, nature-loving, witchy soul.

If you’re feeling comfortable, please reach out and connect with me for a reading, come to a circle or sign up for the Cauldron Collective newsletter below, and you’ll receive my free ebook with info on the Witches’ sabbats and moon phases with affirmations and journal prompts for your own practice.

Serena

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