Embracing your shadows at Samhain

We are now at the cross-quarter festival that some of our Celtic ancestors named Samhain (pronounced Sow-en, Sah-wen or Sow-ain) which for some, later became known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween.

 We are entering the dark half of the year. The pumpkin lanterns 🎃 light the way, in a nod to the tradition of lighting fires to lead spirits home, and the representations of ghostly figures 👻 remind us that this was a time of deeply honouring those who have passed over. Traditionally, this wasn’t a time of fear, but of accepting death as part of life.

 Yes, this is a time of deep reflection. It’s also Scorpio ♏️ season and this can stir in us some uncomfortability as we come face-to-face with our shadows, or the parts of ourselves we don’t like to show or even accept. 👿

 We can’t move forward until this is done and this can be difficult, but essential, self-work. Don’t be surprised if, at this time of year, a mirror is held up to these hidden aspects, to be faced and dealt with once and for all. 🪞

 Known as the season to let-go, some of us find ourselves clinging on to things that no longer fit our lives… and it can be so hard to finally say ‘enough-is-enough’… ‘this has to end’. 🍂

 It takes courage to know that endings simply create new beginnings. Sometimes we are literally stepping into the unknown and not knowing what awaits does not sit well with us all. I know this, and yet I still fear it… everytime! 🫣

 I also know that this is where the magic✨ happens! For this is also the season for transformation 🪄 and when we finally give in to our winter hibernation we will emerge renewed!

 So, embrace Samhain by allowing yourself time for deep reflection, honour (rather than fear) your shadows, go slow and let go, let go, let go… 🍂

 This is a good time:

🔸kick some leaves on the forest floor, be inspired how the leaves fall without fear!

🔸journal, talk to a coach, bring up the difficult conversation, look truly at yourself in the mirrror, go deep - all that hidden ‘brush it under the rug’ stuff is rising so instead of fearing it - face it, so you can enter winter without dragging it all with you into a new year.

🔸nourish yourself from the inside… cook and eat warming and colourful soups, stews and fruit puddings. Consider having a candlelit supper and lay an extra place in honour of the ancestors! 🕯️

Get ready for transformation… 🍂🪄✨

Finding balance at the Autumn Equinox

The autumn equinox is the astrological turn of the season from summer to autumn. There’s a shift, a feeling of change in the air, and I know for many of us, in our lives too. 🔃

The final harvest is gathered in, and we may take this time to reflect back to the spring equinox and to give thanks for all we have achieved and enjoyed since then. 🙏

Letting go of summer is a relief for some, but tinged with a bitter-sweet-sadness for others, often deeply felt with ‘back-to-school’ vibes. ✏️

There might also be a sense of ‘no longer but not yet…’ - a bit like the weather, we can’t decide whether to wear a tshirt or a jumper! Things might feel a bit messy at the moment as we tidy away summer whilst preparing for our autumn. 🍂

And, there will be things we leave behind - that we no longer want or to take with us into our new season… whether that’s stuff in the wardrobe or the ‘other stuff’!

It can feel ‘a lot’ so now is the time to plan how we can look after ourselves over the next six months, until the seasons start to turn again. Could you make this your ‘season for self-care’? 😌

The equinox reminds us that life is really all about balance, and Libra ♎️ season, with its symbolism of the scales, calls us to question imbalance in our lives, and readdress this, so we live and love with more equilibrium. ⚖️

This is a good time:

🔸On a walk, look at the changing colours from greens and yellows, to browns and golds, notice how nature doesn’t rush, but slowly moves from one season to the next. Is there learning in this?

🔸To have an autumn sort-out… what do you want to take with you into the new season and what needs to be let-go or left behind?

🔸 To organise a new self-care plan - have regular massages 🙌, start the Yoga practice 🧘, enjoy a bubble bath 🛁, eat well 🍜 - whatever it is, commit to it!

Yes! Change is coming… 🍂

Ways to celebrate Lammas

Lammas, celebrated on 1 August, is halfway between the summer solstice ☀️ and autumn equinox. 🍂 

 Traditionally and still in rural communities, this signifies the time for harvest.

 You’ll notice berries ripening, the first juicy blackberries ready for making jam and preserves. The wheat 🌾 is ready for cutting - the combine harvesters are out collecting in the crops before the rains come.🌦️

This is a time to celebrate the fullness of our lives, to be grateful, and to gather in  the resources we need to sustain us throughout the leaner winter months. 

It’s Leo ♌️ season, so your roar 🦁 may be strong - it is time to shine as YOU - all of you, as only you can do.☀️ Could you make a promise to yourself to be more yourself… worry less about what others think… do something lovely for yourself?

 Now the peak of summer, you may be feeling energetic and ready for fun… or you may find you are already burned out and exhausted. 🥵 

 If you are like me, you are probably feeling short bursts of both… the energies are especially full-on this year! ↔️

 So, balance the upward rising 🔥 energy by also grounding yourself and taking extended rest. 😴 

 Now is a good time to:

🔸Celebrate YOU!  Write a list of all the things you like about YOU!  Write down one thing (or more) that you have done this year so far that you are proud of, pleased with, or feel excited by!

🔸 Bake bread, or take a walk in nature and notice the abundance of crops and berries.

🔸 Aim to balance high energy with deep rest.

 Enjoy your summer! 🌻 

How to feel into the Summer Solstice...

Yes! Yes! Yes! It is time to feel the sun on your skin, ☀️ the soft summer breeze blowing through your hair, 🌬️ and the earth beneath your feet! 🦶 

I LOVE 💗summer, in particular June, as it’s when I feel most alive with joy. 

This is a time of great expansion, when almost anything feels possible, and you may feel that at last all those plans are coming into full bloom! 🌺 

Everything should feel full abundant. Nature is busy bursting with leaves, flowers, fruit and insects. 🐝 Lavender grows with wild abandon. Strawberries 🍓 are in season, rich and juicy, sweet and ripe - this is summer! 

I am a summer solstice baby (21 June), and so maybe that’s why I feel such an affinty with this festival.

The longest day, the shortest night - traditionally a time of mirth and merriment, and mostly celebrating the sun with all it’s life-giving energy. 🔥 

The word ‘solstice’ comes from the Latin ‘solstitium’ which means when the sun apparently hangs still in the sky for a few days. A short pause in the year to reflect and rest. 😌

This is a good time to:

🔸get outside, in the sun, soak it up. 

🔸practice radical self-care - holidays, crystal flower baths, rolling down hillsides - whatever floats your boat 🚤- maybe an actual boat? 🤔 

🔸have fun… do fun things… nurture your inner child and sense of play! 

Summer is here! 🌼