is ceremony the point of it all?? (new pod)


Dear ones -

Happy Full Moon in Scorpio - a time for leaning into the death of things which are ready to release to make way for new life and aliveness.

I write to you today from the mountains outside of Santa Fe where the warm sun balances the cold wind as it sighs through the cedars; and the full moon is bright enough to cast shadows while the coyotes yip and howl all night long. There are blooms. And on the highest peaks, there’s also still snow.

Today’s podcast episode is a continuation of my last solo episode, a real-time wondering about ceremony, initiations, and the sacred.

What if the very things which challenge our ability to ‘fix’ or ‘produce’ in the ways we’re used to are the things which bring us closer to sacredness?

I recorded this episode a month ago, right after I recorded the ‘Sacredness: Pt 1’ episode and while grief and uncertainty were right under the surface of my skin.

Like with Sacredness Pt 1, I ended up adding in some updates and edits as I was prepping to release.

Like with Sacredness Pt 1, my wonderings are raw and full of prevarication.

You won’t find many sound bites or clear-cut answers here. Instead you’ll hear me drawing threads of understanding and insight together in real time, while being a mouthpiece for something that might be wisdom (or maybe not?) to come through.

You’ll hear me muse further on:

  • what we should perhaps be looking for in our guides and mentors;
  • a saying I heard in a yoga class and why I think it’s short-sighted as far as a spiritual and cultural approach goes;
  • my understanding of the term ‘shaman’ and why it might help us to stop thinking we all can or should be one;
  • how language can affect our ability to be in right relationship with ceremony, with the sacred, with the medicine we each carry;
  • the language of energy as our birthright;
  • the role of the messy and uncomfortable in our initiations and becoming;
  • ceremony vs navel-gazing;
  • and a part of my journey I don’t speak about much, but which seems to be pointing me to…. something. 

As tender as parts of this episode feel, you're welcome to witness me around the fire.

When the road of 'words' and 'doing' and 'fixes' runs out, may we arrive at the profound and terrifying silence. And in this silence, may we meet ourselves stripped bare. And when we find ourselves stripped bare, may we hold the present of what really matters in our hands and heart. And may we realize we were only ever beautiful and worthy. May we finally realize what it is to be alive.

with Love,

Kate

2923 Pine Spring Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Hi! I'm Kate - an intuitive, medicine woman, and guide for embodied Presence

I care with every fiber of my being that you, a creature of soul and soil, are trying to thrive in systems not designed for you. Where ancient wounds of disconnect, inherited traumas, and misalignments with our over-culture leave you feeling out of place, too much, or like a canary in the mine, I see invitations back deeper into your own aliveness; vital next steps to a wiser, more relational future. Let’s navigate your big questions and transitions together. I’ll support you living meaningfully in this world even though you may feel like you were designed for a different one. I’ll keep you orienting to the truth, heart, and essential wholeness of who you are at the edge of great joy and when you need your feet held to the fire of your own journey. You can see what I offer: www.wildsacredjourney.com and sign up to get a little bit of me, direct to your inbox!

Read more from Hi! I'm Kate - an intuitive, medicine woman, and guide for embodied Presence

Dear ones - Happy beginning of September and New Moon time. I'm going to aim for an email at the beginning of each month with an overview of anything coming up. This month, the monthly overview email happens to also coincide with a new podcast episode drop! A Tarot Card for September: I was doing a card drawing for a “Year-of-Tarot” member today and felt inspired to pull a card for all of us for the month: Card from Shadowscapes Tarot by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and Barbara Moore I always...

Dear ones - “Am I doing enough?” How often do you find yourself wondering that? "Am I doing enough when it comes to my children and whether or not they're OK?" "Am I doing enough to ensure my future and the future of the ones I love?" "Am I doing enough to love myself and be myself in the world?" "Am I doing enough to love my partner?" "Am I doing enough at work?" "Am I doing enough when it comes to mitigating climate catastrophes?" "Am I doing enough about genocide, about injustice, about...

Dear ones - When people are skeptical about “animal guides” or “plant teachers,” part of their criticism usually revolves around the question: “how do you know you’re not just making it up to justify things?” Answer: You don’t. Not really. But we humans are meaning-making creatures. And we are observant. Much of our scientific and academic knowledge pursuits are based around the idea of being an impartial observer. As though we could somehow separate ourselves from the world we are observing....