Dear ones -I’ve been back in the States a little over a month now and I’m reminded: integration often takes longer than we think it will - the space between what’s here, now, and what we now know to be possible is a place of healthy tension, heartbreak, creativity, imagination… hopefully leading to more wholeness and vibrant human-spirit expression. In the turning of the seasons and daily cycles, the moon is swelling again to fullness. Which means… it’s podcast time again! As my post-pilgrimage integration journey continues, I share with you some John O’Donohue-inspired musings around Absence as creative force and soul-home. You’ll hear a breath meditation and synopsis of the Slavic story of Vasilisa (plus an image from the story which feels potent to me right now); as well as some of my wonderings on:
I continue exploring the perfection of our messy designs and share with you an invitation to be kinder to ourselves when going through a rough patch. And I’d love to keep hearing from you: What do you think? Where do you find rhythm between your own Presence, Absence, and vacancy? Does any of this land for you? Or do you see it all as something else? I'll close with a blessing to take with us through the day: May we know each moment to be the threshold it is because we honor both our body-self and our invisible-self. And may both those selves have places to retreat into rest. May we treat ourselves to absence when the time is now. May we befriend our hunger and longing so it becomes the instigating spark of our creativity and imagination. May our many pieces come home to wholeness. And may we be able to sort the dreams from the dirt to find the treasures of possibility in all our peak experiences. with Love, Kate P.S. The Sanctuary gathering next week on Tues (free this month as we try it out together) is meant to be replenishing sanctuary for our body-self and invisible-self. And will use stories like Vasilisa’s (and other ancestral archetypes) to bring us into the space between Presence and Absence where already and not yet, belonging and longing, find a certain rhythm and harmony. You can grab your spot to join us here. |
2923 Pine Spring Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042 |
Are you a compassion warrior, culture worker, and rebel who cares deeply about humanity; who's tired of doing all the “right things” and still getting what you’re trying to avoid; and who feels trapped between burning it all down or dying but would rather be wildly, and sacredly alive? I'm an animist and ancestral wisdom guide; ceremonialist, and empath. And I love guiding other humans who want to use their burnout and purpose anxiety as a jumping-off point to journey into their shadows and the shadows of modern society in order to de-armor their hearts; remember a deeper, wilder sense of belonging to the world; and reclaim the rich and sacred spark of their aliveness. This newsletter contains wisdom nuggets, podcast episodes, and invitations to paid and free offerings from my business. All in support of remembering a more animist and land-based culture; holding firm to our humanity in a dehumanizing world; and living with compassion, vulnerability, and reverence.
Dear ones - Yesterday evening, I watched the almost-full moon rise while the snow-dusted peaks dipped in and out of the clouds. Today, the wind gusts so strongly, even sitting, my body was having to work to stay upright. Winter is still holding on here in East Kintyre. Some say this moon would more traditionally have been called the Ice Moon or the Snow Moon in Ireland and Scotland. And there are those who believe the ancient Ogham alphabet (dating back possibly as early as 1st century BC)...
Dear ones - There’s a lot of upheaval in the world and it feels surreal to be alive amid so many unfolding crises while also going about the mundane of our days. I’m naming that because while political activism work doesn’t feel like it’s my best contribution to these times (but guiding people to stay human does), I don’t believe in bypassing either. I believe we have to hold the tension of wondering if we’re doing the right things and enough of them; alongside loving the people around us,...
Dear ones - I want to start off quickly acknowledging - the energy feels heavy out there right now. There's a lot of fear, exhaustion, unrest, and uncertainty. Remember to take some deep breaths, rest (I guide you into some in my last podcast episode, ep 56, if you want some support in that), connect with people you love and feel safe around. Take yourself offline and invest in things which are real, as well as your longer-distance connections and community. I suspect one of the most...