What the evolution of personal development can teach us about what’s next for your mind, body and spirit?

What the evolution of personal development can teach us about what’s next for your mind, body and spirit?

Inspiration, Magickal Living, On Purpose

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how much (and fast) the world around us is changing?

It’s like we’re living in a sci-fi movie, but without the cool outfits and flying cars (yet!).

As the world around us shifts and evolves, so do our individual experiences and perspectives.

It’s important to take stock of our own journey and reflect on how it aligns with the broader shifts happening in the world.

By looking back at the past and examining the evolution of personal growth, we can gain insight into the potential direction of the next 30 years.

Join me on a whistlestop tour of personal development through the decades, as we explore the connection between societal shifts and our own evolution and what the past can teach us about what’s coming next.

Together, we can navigate the changes ahead with more grace and purpose, rather than feeling we’re at the mercy of the ever-increasing speed of the changes around us.

 

If I’m honest, sometimes I can get a bit jaded about the whole personal development ‘thing’ – it can feel exhausting or overdone.

Feeling the need to evaluate everything, thinking there’s something always ‘wrong’ with you, or that you need to be fixed.

Because let’s face it:

  • Sometimes watching TV is just wanting to relax or be entertained, not because you’re avoiding responsibilities.
  • Sometimes buying expensive clothes is because you like the way they look and not because you’re trying to impress anyone.
  • Sometimes you’re staying up late just because you want to enjoy some quiet time and not because you’re unable to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
  • Sometimes you’re having a glass of wine (or two) just because you like the taste and not because you’re trying to numb your emotions.
  • Sometimes you’re eating a donut just because you want to eat a donut and not because you’re filled with self-loathing or are unable to control your impulses.

I’ve resisted even claiming, or admitting, that this is the field of work that I’m in.

Even though I’ve written not one, not two, but THREE books on how to live a more aligned life! If that’s not personal development… then what is!?

 

Rebellion

This all got me thinking about the evolution of the self-development industry, and how it’s pretty much been one generation rebelling against the values of their parents and/or society.

And rebelling and breaking free of how it’s been done, is how we’ve always evolved.

The 60’s and the ‘hippy’ free-love movement rebelling against the idea of the 1950’s housewife.

The developing idea of the ‘self’ of the 70’s taken to its extreme with consumerism and the ‘Yuppies’ of the 80’s.

And then the 90’s tempering that extreme with its focus on becoming more emotionally aware and concerned about others – rather than just ourselves.

Of course these are horribly over simplified observations, but those patterns were there whether you bought into them or not.

 

A reminder

And this reminded me why I actually do love personal development, not as a tool to ‘fix’ yourself (thanks ‘work hard’ 80’s influence), but as a tool of discovery and awareness.

A tool to get clear on who you are, to understand what’s important to you in terms of values etc and how you want to contribute to the world around you. Then from that clear and grounded place, you can take a stand for those things and not just get swept along by whatever the popular ‘group think’ of the moment is.

 

Where it all began (for me…)

When I was 16, way back in the 90’s, I started reading a book called ‘Teach Yourself Yoga’. That small book, started what I now know as my journey into this weird and wonderful world of personal development.

Back then I had been searching for something, although I didn’t know what and I certainly didn’t have the language to describe it, I somehow came across this book.

I grew up in a small fishing village, way before the days of Amazon next day delivery, but somehow this book ‘found’ me and was my first gateway into a new way of seeing and being in the world.

Growing up in the 90’s immersed in ‘Girl Power’, Grunge music, and a sprinkling of some upbeat BritPop had more effect on me than I realised.

I think many generations think they’re the ones that are going to ‘save the world’, I was no different, feeling that we’d herald in a new one with changes in tech and systems in society. But now, older and possibly wiser, I feel that we, as a collective, rather than one generation, really are ready to change the world, and this is most definitely reflected in the current transits in astrology with Pluto starting its transition into Aquarius, where it will stay until 2043, I think this is that time!

Little did the 16 year old me know what a Pandora’s box of curios and ‘worlds’ that one book would open for me and how different it would be from the world of the family I was born into.

I think we can learn so much about ourselves when we look backwards. Not to dwell in the past, but to notice the patterns and untangle their grip on us, so that we can move forward with wisdom rather than baggage.

There is so much to be learnt from the past, yet we often like to rush forward embracing the next shiny, new object, often thinking ‘new’ means better. And of course sometimes it does, and other times maybe not so much… (Who remembers the fleeting life of mini-discs!?)

Whether we’ve consciously chosen to explore our own self-development or not, changes in society will have shaped you, your beliefs and your experience of the world.

My own personal development journey has changed as I’ve changed. As I’ve learnt more about myself, my interests and life, and of course as the world around me has changed, but it’s always been rooted in personal power and celebrating your individuality – thanks to the 90’s and my Aquarius Sun lol.

 

And where it all began for us…

So let’s take a look at how Western society has also been on its own self development journey and how it could’ve influenced you, or your parents, and where we might be heading….

Each decade has shaped the next, with an emergence of new ideas, breakthroughs and methods in the ever-expanding field of personal development, body, mind and spirit.

These changes have influenced cultural attitudes and values, changing everything from how we view health to how we define success in our own lives.

The 1960’s

Get High on Life!

The Rise of Self-Discovery, Mind Expansion, and Civil Rights

Psychoanalysis and psychedelics became more widely used in the 1960s, and people became increasingly curious about exploring consciousness and the nature of the self. 

A counterculture movement grew up, which rejected the values of mainstream culture and encouraged people to try out new ideas and different ways of living.

Events that shaped personal development:

  • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the US, outlawed discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin, and contributed to a more tolerant cultural attitude.
  • The publication of Timothy Leary’s “The Psychedelic Experience,” which popularised the use of psychedelic drugs for spiritual exploration and self-discovery.
  • The publication of R.D. Laing’s “The Divided Self,” which helped popularise anti-psychiatry and contributed to a growing interest in psychoanalysis and self-discovery.
  • The formation of the Beatles, which brought a new wave of music, fashion, and youth culture to the UK and helped contribute to a more liberal and tolerant cultural attitude.

The 1970’s

Unleash Your Inner Potential!

The Human Potential Movement, Feminism, and New Age Spirituality

The human potential movement, which promoted personal development and fulfilment, emerged in the 1970s. This led to a move toward a more individualistic philosophy with a focus on freedom of choice and expression.

People realised they had a ‘self’ and their experiences were valid. This brought about the rise in therapy as we know it today.

Also during this time, the feminist movement gained greater traction. It always shocks me that here in the UK, it wasn’t until 1975 that women could open a bank account in their own name! That was only a few years before I was born.

Events that shaped personal development:

  • The publication of Abraham Maslow’s “Toward a Psychology of Being,” which contributed to the rise of the human potential movement and the emphasis on self-actualisation.
  • The publication of “The Secret Life of Plants,” which helped popularise the idea of plant consciousness and alternative spirituality.
  • The founding of the Ms. Foundation for Women, which promoted gender equality and women’s empowerment.
  • The rise of the punk movement in the UK, which rejected mainstream cultural values and encouraged individualism and self-expression.

The 1980’s

Think Positive and Get Rich!

The Business, Fitness, and Positive Thinking Craze

The 1980’s saw a rise in materialism and consumerism, it became very much about the individual with the backdrop of blockbuster films such as Wall Street; ‘greed is good’ – Gordon Gekko.

Self-help books and tv shows aimed to show individuals how to improve themselves, and their financial and professional lives.

Aerobics and other exercise fads helped create a focus on physical health and fitness.

Self-help ‘gurus’ like Tony Robbins, popularised positive thinking and the law of attraction.

Events that shaped personal development:

  • The rise of conservative political figures such as Reagan and Thatcher emphasised individualism, hard work, and success.
  • The publication of John Naisbitt’s “Megatrends,” predicted the rise of a service-oriented, information-based society and contributed to the focus on business and financial success.
  • The popularity of Jane Fonda’s workout videos started to shape a culture with a focus on physical fitness and wellness.
  • The AIDS epidemic brought a greater awareness of sexual health and the importance of mental and emotional wellbeing.

The 1990’s

Your Body Speaks Your Mind!

A Revolution in Personal Development.

The 1990s saw a trend towards emotional intelligence, emphasising the value of recognising and controlling your feelings.

Mind-body practices such as mindfulness meditation, yoga, and tai chi became increasingly popular—”hello,” my ‘Teach Yourself Yoga Book!”—and researchers began paying more attention to the relationship between the mind, emotions, and the rest of the body.

Events that shaped personal development:

  • The publication of Daniel Goleman’s “Emotional Intelligence,” helped popularise the concept of emotional intelligence and its importance in personal and professional success.
  • The popularity of Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now,” focused on mindfulness and the mind-body connection.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, which helped promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace and other areas of society.
  • The emergence of Britpop in the UK, which represented a rebellion against cultural and musical norms of the time, and reflected a desire for change.

The 2000’s

I Am the Brand!

Navigating Personal Development in the Growing Digital Age.

In the 2000s, personal branding became more popular as social media grew and people began to curate their online presence.

The idea of being able to live a more balanced lifestyle, which included more time for rest and rejuvenation, and the idea of self-care, became increasingly popular.

Novels and shows that had themes of resiliency and triumphing over hardship also became more popular during this time.

Events that shaped personal development:

  • The rise of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, promoted the idea of personal branding as people curated their personal digital presence.
  • The publication of Arianna Huffington’s “Thrive” which wanted to redefine success by exploring the importance of work-life balance and self-care.
  • The global financial crisis meant people focused on financial stability and the importance of work-life balance.
  • The establishment of the European Social Charter in 2000, which helped promote social justice and the importance of human rights.

The 2010’s

“I Saw That”- Karma

Personal Development in the Age of Authenticity.

In the 2000s, personal branding became more popular as social media grew and people began to curate their online presence.

The idea of being able to live a more balanced lifestyle, which included more time for rest and rejuvenation, and the idea of self-care, became increasingly popular.

Novels and shows that had themes of resiliency and triumphing over hardship also became more popular during this time.

Events that shaped personal development:

  • The rise of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, promoted the idea of personal branding as people curated their personal digital presence.
  • The publication of Arianna Huffington’s “Thrive” which wanted to redefine success by exploring the importance of work-life balance and self-care.
  • The global financial crisis meant people focused on financial stability and the importance of work-life balance.
  • The establishment of the European Social Charter in 2000, which helped promote social justice and the importance of human rights.

The Lessons Learnt

As I mentioned earlier, there’s a lot of wisdom that can be gained by taking a moment to look backwards.

Here’s what we can learn from the evolution of personal development:

  • The 60’s remind us to expand our awareness and challenge the status quo.
  • The 70’s gave us personal development as we know it today and emphasised the importance of free expression.
  • The 80’s showed us the importance of creating a healthy balance in both our personal and professional lives.
  • The 90’s affirmed that the mind and body work together; we can’t treat one without the other.
  • The 00’s taught us resiliency in a fast-changing world.
  • The 10’s highlighted the importance of mindfulness and social responsibility.

We’ve moved from being self-aware about how others have treated us to being self-obsessed and wanting to just look out for ourselves.

To being self-aware about how others have treated us and wanting to take responsibility for ourselves and become resilient.

To becoming resilient and knowing that whilst we and our experiences matter, so do other people and their experiences, and those of our communities too.

This is a natural evolution that could only have happened with each stage of growth.

Just like the natural progression from a toddler’s ‘selfish’ ‘mine’ and ‘no’ as it realises that it’s an individual who can influence the world around it. To a healthy adult taking personal responsibility and responsibility for how they show up and contribute to the world around them.

What’s next for your body, mind and soul…

As we continue to move through the 2020s and into the 2030s, these events and movements from the past will continue to shape our cultural attitudes and values towards personal development.

We can pretend we don’t live in an ever-changing and evolving world, or we can create the change consciously and intentionally and not just get swept along trying to hold onto things that are familiar to us.

I believe the more we can ‘develop’ ourselves so that we know ourselves deeply, not only will we navigate these changes with greater ease, we’ll also be able to contribute to them and shape them in a really meaningful and constructive way.

And I think the main areas of focus over the coming years will be:

  • mental health,
  • resilience,
  • digital wellbeing and health,
  • social justice and activism,
  • sustainability.

And as we continue to evolve, there will be a growing interest in, and need for, a focus on:

Spiritual health
To support you find, and embody, your purpose, and experience fulfilment in everyday life.

Energetic health
To keep your own energy running freely, so that you don’t pick up, or aren’t unduly, influenced by other people and their energy.

Psychic health
To protect yourself from the awakening (and unrefined) energies of others as they begin to explore their spiritual and energetic selves.

And we will develop these areas through community and connection – “Hello again!’ Pluto transiting through Aquarius.

Next steps..

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Sacred Self-Care: Infuse Magick into Your Self-Care Routine and Recharge Your Soul

Sacred Self-Care: Infuse Magick into Your Self-Care Routine and Recharge Your Soul

Inspiration, Magickal Living, Magickal Self-Care

Today, we’re diving into the enchanting world of self-care, and I’ve got the ultimate guide for you.

As a magickal person, it’s easy forget to take a step back and focus on our own well-being.

It’s time to remember why we need to make self-care a priority and allow our magickal energy to flow freely.

We’ve got some fun, engaging, and magickal tips for you straight from our latest event: A Month of Magick where we kicked off with the episode: ‘Sacred Self-Care – Infuse your self-care routine with magick to recharge your soul’.

This post, and the podcast, are full of actionable steps to transform your self-care routine. So, grab your grimoire and get ready to be inspired!

The Magick of Self-Care

Self-care is more than just pampering yourself; it’s about nourishing your body, mind, and spirit to maintain balance and harmony in your life.

As magickal practitioners, we understand the importance of energy and focus, and self-care helps us sustain those vital components. Remember, a well-tended magickal person is a powerful one!

 

Sacred Self-Care Practices for the Magickal Soul

Here’s some ideas to inspire you:

REMEMBER: Safety first! Powerful magick come with taking responsibility for yourself and your actions. If you’re not sure if something is safe, or right, for you, seek appropriate guidance!

Physical:
  • Conjure up a sweat potion by engaging in heart-pumping activities like dancing with the rhythm of the universe.
  • Transform your body into a temple of nourishment by feasting on enchanted fruits, veggies, and other wholesome foods that suit you.
  • Rest like the majestic creature that you are, allowing your body to regenerate and weave its magick through slumber.
  • Stretch your limbs like an otherworldly serpent, practicing gentle fluid movements.
  • Dive into the mystical realm of relaxation through the soothing powers of a warm, scented bath or shower.

 

Emotional:
  • Unleash your inner dragon and express your fiery emotions by journaling, painting, or composing music.
  • Embrace your emotional chameleon, allowing yourself to feel and process every hue of your emotional spectrum.
  • Summon your inner nurturer and practice compassionate self-talk, sprinkling kindness and love on yourself and your thoughts.
  • Teleport yourself into the fictional world of movies, books, or TV shows to experience catharsis and emotional release.
  • Seek the wisdom of a trusted oracle, therapist, or counsellor to help you navigate the labyrinth of your emotions.

 

Social:
  • Conjure magickal connections by surrounding yourself with your magickal community, who support and empower you.
  • Engage in astral socialisation, maintaining connections through the digital realm when meeting in person isn’t possible.
  • Cast spells of kindness and generosity upon others, sharing your love and compassion with the world.
  • Participate in arcane gatherings, such as clubs or groups, that resonate with your soul’s frequency.
  • Set healthy boundaries, protecting your sacred energy from unwanted influences and maintaining balance.

 

Mental:
  • Hone your psychic abilities by practicing mindfulness, and focusing your attention on the present moment.
  • Feed your voracious intellectual appetite by devouring knowledge from books, podcasts, and other sources of arcane wisdom.
  • Challenge your mind with mystical puzzles and brain games, sharpening your cognitive wand for future spells.
  • Engage in sorcerous debates and discussions, exchanging ideas and perspectives with fellow enchanters.
  • Craft your own mental sanctuary through visualisation and imagination, providing a haven for your thoughts and ideas.

 

Spiritual:
  • Connect with the cosmic source through meditation or prayer, tapping into the universal flow of energy.
  • Seek the guidance of the celestial bodies, exploring astrology and learning how the stars and planets influence your journey.
  • Delve into the realms of crystals and herbs, harnessing their energies to enhance your spiritual growth and healing.
  • Unearth your personal power through ritual and intention-setting, manifesting the reality you desire.
  • Wander through the mystical beauty of nature, grounding yourself and deepening your connection with Mother Earth.

Magickal DIY Self-Care Recipes

AGAIN, REMEMBER: Safety first!

Magickal DIY Self-Care Recipes

Get creative and whip up your own magickal self-care potions and concoctions!

Here’s some ideas to get you started:

1. Bath Salts:
Combine Epsom salt, sea salt, and your choice of herbs, essential oils, and crystals to create a magickal, soothing soak.

2. Candles:
Make your own intention candles by infusing them with herbs and essential oils and charging them with crystals that align with your self-care intention.

3. Essential Oil Blends:
Craft personalised essential oil blends for anointing, diffusing, or adding to your bath for a magickal aromatherapy experience.

 

Remember, the magick lies in your intention and personalisation. Feel free to experiment and adjust these recipes to resonate with your unique energy and magickal practice.

Your Magickal Self-Care Journey Starts Now

Now that you’re armed with these enchanting self-care tips, it’s time to make yourself a priority.

Remember, self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

By incorporating these magickal practices into your routine, you’ll not only be nurturing your body, mind, and soul, but you’ll also be amplifying the power of your magick.

As you embark on this sacred self-care journey, come and share your experiences and tips with our magickal community. 

Take a deep breath, embrace your inner magick, and commit to making sacred self-care a part of your life!

Next Steps

Learn more about the Month of Magick

I know your time is precious, so I’ve created a simple way to support you add more magick to your day.

Each day, for 30 day’s, you’ll receive access to powerful 5-10 minute podcast episodes that are packed with practical tips to help you tap into your inner power and magick.

Listen to them on the go, at a time that works for you.

Get ready to rev up your broomsticks, because every episode will leave you feeling bewitched and empowered!

From mystical mindfulness to potent spells for self-love, we’ve got you covered. Our sorcerous secrets will help you harness the cosmos, supercharge your intuition, and manifest your dreams with unstoppable force.

Join us for A Month of Magick

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Celebrating the Spring Equinox

Celebrating the Spring Equinox

Inspiration, Magickal Living, Nature Connection, Sacred Rhythms

Connect with the energy of the Spring Equinox

Here’s some fun ways for you to connect with, and enjoy, the energy of the Spring Equinox

Jump straight to the practical activities:

Time to start moving forward

Spring Equinox is a festival that celebrates the first day of spring.

It is sometimes known as ‘Ostara’ if you celebrate Ostara, the ancient Germanic goddess of the spring, 

Around the Spring Equinox, days are getting longer and warmer, and the nights shorter.

This is a time of balance.

The balance of light and dark.

The balance of the inner world and outer world.

The balance and joining of the conscious and unconscious.

The Spring Equinox is marked on 20th/21st of March in the Northern Hemisphere, and  the 20th/21st of September in the Southern Hemisphere.

The earth energy is rising and increasing, and there is a feeling of moving forward and burgeoning possibility.

Nature is coming alive, the sun is gaining in strength. Trees are blossoming and the spring flowers are bursting forth with their colour and vibrancy. Animals are having their young.

We’re surrounded by life’s ability to regenerate.

We move from the darkness and stillness of winter, to an outward expression of life’s growth cycle.

The Spring Equinox brings with it the energy of fresh starts and is a time to express and move towards that which you want.

March also brings with it the energy of rebirth and signifies the astrological New Year as the sun moves into Aries, the beginning of the zodiac wheel.

Celebrating the Spring Equinox

Spring has been a time of celebration throughout history, with people gathering to mark the return of life at the end of the dark winter months.

The ancient Mayans held a festival to honour the god of fertility and planting, the Hindu festival of Holi, also known as the “Festival of Colours,” is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring.

Nowruz is the Persian New Year, which is celebrated on the Spring Equinox, and Christians, who absorbed many traditional earth celebrations into their traditions, observe Easter in the energy of Spring as they celebrate the energy of rebirth and resurrection.

During the Spring Equinox I love to decorate eggs (and get some chocolate ones!) and hide them around the garden – or the house, as I do live in the notoriously wet UK! –  for my little boy to find. And we’ll also plant seeds to symbolise the the renewal of life.

And of course there’s the celebration(?), well, at least the ritual… of spring cleaning! To physically, and symbolically, clear out the old to make way for the new.

 

Ancient wisdom for modern times

Celebrating the Spring Equinox, and other earth festivals or sabbats, helps us connect with the natural world and the cycles of the seasons. They remind us that we are part of something larger than ourselves and that there is a deeper rhythm to life that we are tapped into.

This is especially important as we tend to live to the timetables of other people. And connecting to the changes of the seasons, reminds us that there’s another way to live our life and that if we struggle with the traditional 9-5 lifestyle, there’s another rhythm we can align with.

Pausing to observe the Spring Equinox doesn’t have to be fancy. You can simply take a moment to notice how the world around you is changing and how that energy is reflected or changing within you.

For example, right now, where I live, the daffodils and crocuses are all around me. We’ve gone from the muddy brown fields, to white snowdrops, and now we have the colourful yellow and purples of the daffodils and crocuses lining the paths.

New life, new hope and more energy is on the way.

Spring reminds us, that no matter how dark, wet, cold or barren winter has been, we can always trust that spring will return.

In our own lives, we can remember that no matter how ‘dark’ and barren a circumstance can appear, it won’t always feel that way!

Connect with the energy of the Spring Equinox

Whilst you don’t need to do anything special to celebrate the Spring Equinox, it does always feel special to me to do something with a little more intention, for example, you could:

1. Plant some seeds

The Spring Equinox is the perfect time to start planning and planting a garden, or even some plants on your window sill.

Get your hands in the earth and start sowing some seeds, and intentions, and trust that they’ll come to fruition as the months go on.

 

2. Go for a walk in nature

Take a walk through the countryside, the woods, a local park, or even walk down the city street looking for signs of new life emerging.

Immerse yourself in the beauty and energy of the season.

 

3. Create a springtime altar

Use natural elements like flowers, branches, and stones to create a beautiful altar that honours the changing of the seasons.

You could also include symbolic items like eggs or seeds to represent new beginnings and growth.

 

4. Have a picnic

Enjoy a nourishing picnic in the park with family, friends or just by yourself. You may even want to incorporate some colorful spring flowers into your experience.

 

2. Make a springtime craft

Get creative and make a spring-themed craft, such as a floral wreath, a mini besom broom for your altar – or a full size one for your house, or paint and decorate some eggs.

Tap into your creative energy and bring some seasonal colour into your home.

Finally, some Journal Prompts to Connect with the Energy of the Spring Equinox:

  • What new beginnings am I ready to embrace this Spring?
  • What are some ways I can honor the changes happening in my life right now?
  • What seeds of intention am I planting for the months ahead?
  • What habits, patterns or behaviours do I need to release in order to make room for growth and renewal?
  • How can I connect with the natural world and the rhythms of the season?
  • What areas of my life could benefit from some spring cleaning or decluttering?
  • What are some ways I can tap into my creativity and bring more joy and playfulness into my life?
  • How can I cultivate a sense of abundance and generosity in all areas of my life?

Next Steps

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WORKING WITH THE SEASONS?

SACRED RHYTHMS
£127

Unleash your true power and magick by embracing nature’s cycle of growth

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How to manifest magick in nature

How to manifest magick in nature

Inspiration, Magickal Living, Q&A, Witchiness

 This question was answered in a longer Q&A I recorded for the magickal community in December 2022

Question answered between 15 mins 56 secs – 23 mins 23 secs of the video

Keys points:

  • Nature is magick
  • Nature could be a mountain or a house plant
  • Connecting with nature is like an relationship, the more intentional you become the better the realtionship becomes
  • Connecting with magick is a skill, and like any skill the more you practice the easier the skill become
  • The better you get, the easier it is to not notice what’s becoming your n ‘normal’
  • ‘Quiet’ experiences can be as powerful as ‘loud’ ones
  • You can’t fail to connect with nature when you’re with nature

Transcript: edited in places for clarity

This person asks:

“How can I manifest magick in nature?

 

Like on a hike. I’ve experienced this three times. Once during a downpour, another on a summit pike peak and a third in a sandstorm. Those times were surreal.”

So, how can you manifest magick when you’re in nature?

 

Nature is the magick

For me, the nature is the magick. That is the magick.

Now it’s interesting that this person has manifested their magick and I’d love to know what their definition of magick was during those times, but we’ve got it during a downpour, at a summit – the Pike’s peak, and in a sandstorm.

So they love that ‘drama’ that heightened experience.

They love that culmination of something big and who doesn’t? In that moment the magick, it’s obvious.

 

Story time…

I want to share with you a little story and hopefully this will bring some of this to light for you.

I was taking a group of people to connect with some yew trees. Like I said, I’m obsessed by trees… and we’re doing this event where we we’re connecting with the magick of the land and connecting with the trees.

I went along, dressed in my cloak and with my staff.. it was brilliant.

We were out in the moors of Wales.

It was with a group of people, and they were saying things like; I can feel this energy with the trees, and I can feel this from the land, and my body’s tingling and this is amazing.

They were having all of these really brilliant experiences.

It’s so fun when you can feel that in nature, because it feels in that moment. You know it’s real. (And the magick is of course real, even if you don’t feel that).

But in that moment they were feeling it. And they were feeling a shift in their body and a shift in their awareness. It was real and tangible, just like those storms and on that peak.

This was probably about seven years ago and I remember thinking to myself…

I feel so silly sharing this…

But I thought to myself ‘Oh, I wish I felt that’.

‘I wish I felt that tingliness’ and you know, all of that really strong stuff.

 

When the magick becomes ‘normal’

Later I was telling a friend about it and how I wish I could feel the strength of feelings that others were feeling. And she just looked at me, and said ‘really Rebecca?’

And I continued ‘Oh, it just sounded so fun. You know, I don’t feel any of that…’

She asked, ‘What does that tree over there tell you?’

And I told her what the message was.

And she was asked, ‘really, you don’t feel anything?’

And I was like, ‘oh…’

She said to me, and it was so true, and I would imagine this is true for many of you listening.

She said ‘it’s so normal for you to feel and communicate with everything around you that you don’t even notice anymore. It’s your new level of normal’.

It’s like any skill.

 

Everything gets easier the more you practice

I remember when I first learned to drive a manual car in the UK. Getting those gears, sorting out that clutch to time it with the gears so you didn’t either ‘kangaroo’ the car or grind the gears.

It seemed to take me forever to get that sorted out. I felt very sorry for my driving instructor’s car, I’m, surprised it had any gears left.

But now I don’t even notice. I don’t notice what my feet are doing or what my hands doing. I don’t even notice looking at my mirrors… obviously I am looking at my mirrors, but I don’t have to go: Mirror… signal.. maneuverer…

I can just check where everything is, have really good awareness and drive for a very safely.

It’s the same with our magick.

We can sometimes think that about the heightened experiences. They’re amazing.

They’re fun. They’re so tangible.

 

The ‘quiet’ experiences are important too

And yet the quiet voices, the quiet experience, just that shift in energy when we’re connecting with nature, whether we’re out hiking or whether we’re sat with a plant that’s in our front room, it doesn’t matter, you’re still having that moment of connection. It just requires that you pay more attention.

If I was to drive a car and I could ask what gear am I in? Originally when I first started driving I’d have to look down to see what gear I was in.

Now I can hear it because of the car engine, or I could touch the gear stick and I would just know because of its positioning.

I can bring my awareness back to it. But I don’t need to.

And it’s the same when we’re in nature.

 

Creating a relationship with nature

What you can do, is you can be more intentional when you enter place in nature.

Like this afternoon, I’m going off to a waterfall. and I’m already asking the waterfall, ‘Can I come today? Can I come and visit you today?’

And I’d love to say the answer is always yes, I have had a ‘no’ once. I asked the waterfall, ‘can I come and see you today?’ And it said, ‘no’.

I was already driving there and I was like, ‘What? What’d you mean I can’t come, I’m already going there.’

And so, I ignored it. I was like, ‘ I’m going anyway. I’m sure the ‘no’ was a mistake’.

So arrogant…

Anyway, I got to the waterfall and it was closed.

Because of lockdown they’d shut access to the waterfall down. So I couldn’t go and visit that day.

It’s the only time I’ve ever had a ‘no’ from nature.

When I can visit, as I go down to this waterfall, just as you walk to the river to walk alongside the river, to walk to the waterfall, there’s these two amazing trees. They’re like guardian trees.

And so I will ask them, I will say ‘hello’ to them or give them an offering.

And when you go into nature, do the same thing. Communicate with the land if you want to feel the magick, because the magick is all about creating relationship.

If you know where you’re going, tell the land ahead of time; ‘I’m coming. I’m on my way. Is that okay?’

When you get there, have a look to see if there are any guardians.

For where I’m going today, there’s these huge Redwood trees. And it’s really quite unusual because the rest of the trees are moss covered yews and more native trees to this country, but there’s these two guardian redwoods that are enormous.

But maybe there’s a rock. Maybe there’s a cave you go through. Maybe there’s just an extra patch of flowers… say ‘hello’, leave an offering.

 

Making an offering to nature

An offering doesn’t have to be anything significant, expensive or complicated.

It could be a pebble you found as you walked there, it could be your breath. It could be a ‘thank you’. It could be a ‘hello’. Sometimes I leave a strand of hair.

Don’t leave plastic. Don’t leave coins. Don’t leave clooties because usually the ribbons we leave are full of plastic. And none of that is very good for nature.

But you can even offering of your words, your favourite poem, a thought, a thank you.
Anything like that, or just a breath. ‘I offer you this breath’.

And that’s as simple as it can be.

 

Becoming intentional creates better realtionships, always

And when you set that intention, when you become more intentional, that’s when you’re going to have a deeper relationship with magick, and that’s when you can have a deeper relationship with nature.

But in answer to your question; how do you manifest more magick in nature? You’re already doing it. Everybody is already doing it. Because you can’t not be connected with the magick of nature when you’re in nature, it’s just about becoming more intentional.

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Everyday Magick: Balancing magickal practice with mental health and domestic life

Everyday Magick: Balancing magickal practice with mental health and domestic life

Inspiration, Magickal Living, Q&A, Witchiness

 This question was answered in a longer Q&A I recorded for the magickal community in December 2022

Question answered between 0.00 – 15 mins 40 secs of the video

Keys points:

  • Magick is who you are not what you do
  • When you feel overwhelmed it’s often because  you’ve lost connection with who you are and what’s important to you
  • Conflicts of ‘should I do this?’ or ‘should I do that?’ are often you trying to fit into other people’s standards and expectations, and ignoring your own needs
  • Your intuition and intellect are both important, you receive valuable information from both
  • You become ‘more intuitive’ by learning to trust yourself
  • You trust yourself more when you become a person of your word
  • Our need/desire to fit in can keep us separated from what we truly desire
  • Spell work and your magick are different things
  • You need to embrace all of yourself to feel truly fulfilled and aligned
  • Ignoring parts of yourself keeps you feeling depleted and overwhelmed

Transcript: edited in places for clarity

Balancing life and magick

We’ve had some really good questions. And the first one, I think it’s a really important one. It’s about balancing life and magick.

I’m going to read you what they’ve said and then I’m going to give you my take on it because they talk about life as in their spiritual life, their magickal life and their ‘muggle’ life, as if they’re all separate. And actually I want to talk to you about how I believe they’re all the same.

They ask:

“How do you suggest a person balance their magickal practice, living in connection with spiritual/intuitive work, with mental health?

 

Life involves different energetic levels. And at times of mental and emotional struggle, it can feel like for me, that these things cause conflict or lead to more confusion and doubt in your own intuition and other abilities. I’m trying to push through, and it can sometimes feel like it’s having a negative impact on my mental health, which is clearly not the goal.”

 

And she continues: “is taking a break from magick sometimes the best choice?”

 

Being out of touch with yourself

So what I would say here, is absolutely never push through. Pushing through is not the plan here. But equally, I see magick as who you are. It’s not something you take a break from.

When we have those conflicts of ‘should I do this’ or ‘should I do that?’ Or when we’re out of touch with our intuition it’s usually because we’re out of touch with ourselves and our needs.

We’re trying to push through and do what we think we should do, we’re trying to focus on the expectations, trying to live up to someone else’s standards of who we are.

Rather than coming back to us, who we are, what we need.

 

Should you take a break from magick?

So when you asking, ‘should you take a break from magick?’ What I would say is I would take a break from… I wouldn’t say ‘everything’, but I don’t mean you have go live in a monastery because obviously most people can’t do that.

But I would just take a moment.

This time between the years is a really good time to do that. If you’re in the Northern hemisphere, where in winter, this darkness is a really good time to feel into this and ask yourself:

What is it you actually want in life right now?

What’s really not in alignment for you?

 

Intuition isn’t a special gift for special occassions

Because your intuition isn’t a special gift that you bring out just to work your magick.

Your intuition is constantly communicating with you.

Your intuition is so important and it’s as important as the intellect.

Just like living life and going through the everyday things like, connecting with friends and family, going to work, earning money and paying your bills.  All of that is as important as a connection to something bigger than yourself, as important as learning how to wield and weave your magick in the world to support you live the life that you want.

They are not separate.

They are a life of weaving.

If you heard the phrase ‘weaving the web’, that’s what it is. It’s layers upon layers upon layers.

When we try and squash one area for example, we do live in a world that prioritises intellect, that prioritises logic and reason and dismisses intuition as ‘oh, isn’t that lovely?’ ‘Isn’t that twee?’

People can say ‘it’s not provable’, ‘it’s intangible, dismiss it!’

And yet it’s so important. It has so much information for us, we need both.

 

Working with your intuition and intellect

I see them as an infinity sign which contains both. Your intuition inspires you to take action. You take action. You try it in the world. You test it, is it working for you? Then you get that intuitive insight that inspires you to refine your action, and then you take more action. It’s always this combination of the two.

So, when you go, right, that’s it, I’m not doing my spiritual work. I’m not doing my intuitive work. (I say ‘work’, but it’s not really work…) When you say ‘I’m not connecting with my magick’, you’re cutting off half of you.

You’re cutting off the part of you that gives you that richness of life, that gives you that deep connection to yourself.

You’re cutting off that part of you that allows you to know what’s yours and what’s not, to know the magick that you’re here to wield and weave in the world. And I don’t mean like to create a love potion, although that could be fun…  but I’m talking about the magick that you uniquely offer in the world.

And I want to pick up on something that you said about intuition, because I think this is really important.

 

Becoming more intuitive

People often say to me, ‘Rebecca, how, how do I support my intuition? How do I become more intuitive?’

The thing is, you already are intuitive.

What you have to learn to do is trust yourself.

And we are really bad at trusting ourselves.

For example, if somebody lies to you. You don’t trust them.

Maybe the first time they lied to you, you let them off. The second time, the third time, you’re not trusting them again.

Perhaps a friend, who’s always late, says to you ‘I’ll definitely be on time this time, I promise.’ And guess what?  You don’t believe them. They’re not on time. They become untrustworthy. And it might seem funny and frivolous that they’re always late, but inside you don’t trust them to turn up on time.

Which leads to you not trusting them for bigger things.

 

Become a person of your word

Now, the reason I share this, is because when you lie to yourself, you start not trusting yourself too.

When you say to yourself, ‘I’m definitely going to be in bed before midnight’, and then you don’t.

When you say, ‘I’m never letting them speak to me like that again’ and then you do.

When you say, ‘I’m never behaving like that ever again’ and then you do.

You’re lying to yourself.

And that lying to yourself stops you being able to trust yourself.

And it’s not often big lies. It’s the little lies.

The drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, little lie, after little lie, after little that we stop trusting ourselves.

So when we come to make a decision, when we need to ask ourselves, ‘what is it I do want’, and you want to rely on that inner wisdom, that inner knowing, your intuition will give you the answer.

But you won’t trust it.

Because actually you’re a person that’s untrustworthy because you lied to yourself over and over again.

Whilst we might tell ourselves that ‘it’s only a little lie’. Actually, it’s really significant because it’s undermined your ability to trust yourself.

So, when you do have an intuitive insight, you don’t trust it. You want proof.

But that’s not how intuition works.

So you’ll often say ‘just one more card’, as you pull another oracle card for guidance.

‘Just give me another sign’. Just one more sign. Just one more sign…

Looking for more reassurance.

And then what felt so true and what you felt like, ‘Yes, this was definitely what I needed to do’, then becomes the energy of ‘maybe it wasn’t as good as I initially thought it was. Maybe I was mistaken. Maybe I was unsure’.

So that intuition piece is really important. On my website, RebeccaAnuwen.com, if you go to the shop, there is a short course on intuition. It takes you through those steps. It’s not about closing your eyes and seeing or visioning what what’s coming through. It goes back to basics, teaching you how to trust yourself, because that is the fundamental piece.

 

It’s not sexy, but it does work

I always think none of this is sexy. It’s not like wearing fancy robes, whilst wafting along the beach in your kaftan.

It’s not sitting up a tree at midnight and talking to the moon.

And although both of those can be fun, it is about your relationship with yourself. That’s what the energy of your intuition and that’s what your power, that’s what your magick. That’s what your spiritual life is. It’s all a relationship with self.

You cannot separate that from everything else.

So if your logic and reason, which often is governed by judgments expectations – societal expectations, religious expectations, cultural expectations for family expectations – is often governed by that.

‘Oh, that’s what I should do’. And it feels safe. It feels safe to have someone tell us what to do, how to behave, what we should want, what we should do.

Of course, it feels safe. It feels easy.

 

Following the rules isn’t always the right thing to do

‘Oh, I just I’ll just follow the rules that society has given me. And then I’ll feel happy, then I’ll have a good life and then everything will unfold as it should do. And I’ll have whatever you think you should have.’

However, what that does is it takes you away from your truth.

Now your truth might be something very similar to the expectations of others. It might be bits and pieces of all of these expectations. But it will be your way of doing it, your version.

 

A tug of war between what you want and what others want from you

However, often what you end up with is this tug of war between following your intuition, your soul, and your spirit, all of which is longing to express this thing in a particular way.

But your logic and your reason is pulling you in another direction, telling you ‘you have to fit in’.

You have to fit in otherwise you feel not good enough. You feel ostracized, you feel like you don’t belong. And these are really important to us as humans.

And so we end up suppressing our power, suppressing our magick, suppressing our intuition, because we desperately want to fit in.

We might not go around saying, ‘I desperately want to fit in’, but what it looks like is:

  • not speaking up
  • not asserting that boundary because you’re afraid you might cause trouble
  • not having those difficult conversations because you don’t want to be kicked out of the group, kicked out of the community.

And so all of those things are that energy of wanting to fit in, to feel part of the community, to feel needed, to feel that we belong.

And part of it feels easy, but actually it’s really, really hard.

 

Trying to fit in takes an unexpected toll on you well-being

All of those masks, all of those roles that you take on, become really exhausting and then we start blaming the power and the magick. Telling ourselves that we just need to take a break and step away from it.

But actually, you can’t, because it’s who you are.

You have to embrace all of you.

Otherwise you do have that push-pull, which affects our emotions and it ends up us feeling exhausted, depleted, disconnected and distant.

We engage less with the world, which of course then affects our mental health.

Now of course, with things like mental health, get the support that’s needed, if that’s required.

 

Misalignment affects our mental health

However, often our negative mental health is a misalignment with our actions and what we know to be true for ourselves.

That lack of fulfilment sends us down into this spiral of:

  • not feeling good enough.
  • Thinking that nothing ever works out
  • feel disconnected from all of these things in life.
  • Feeling that you don’t fit in

And it’s all of that energy that pushes you over, trying to force yourself into a way of being that’s not aligned with your truth.

 

Asking the brave question

When actually, you need to ask the courageous and brave question, of: what is it you actually want? And then create that life alongside everything else.

So, when you ask, ‘should I give my magick a break?’ Well, if you’re doing. spell work, I would say yes.

But if you’re talking about magick as a way of being in the world, I would say absolutely not because you’re not actually embracing your true magick.

 

When to give spell work a break

And the reason I say you would give spell work a rest, is because for spells to work effectively and for them to work reliably, you have to be in alignment with who you are and what you want.

Because if you’re not clear on who you are, what you want, and what your intentions are, you’re likely to get wonky magick or wonky results at best.

When you know who you are, what’s important to you, what your power and what your magick is, how you want to show up in the world, the things that are important to you, and then you do spell work, all of that energy is aligned. And it’s just beautiful.

 

You can only be nourished by aligned energy and actions

That aligned energy circles around you. It feeds you, it nourishes you, you expands it, you receive it back.

But if you feel wonky, shaky, misaligned, like you’re being pushed and pulled from everywhere. And then you try and do a spell on top of that. You end up with that push and pull energy.

That doesn’t mean you can’t do spell work when you’re feeling awful, because sometimes that helps you come back to centre.

But focus on you first.

You have to get that foundation of you feeling good and aligned.

 

You don’t need to feel your ‘best self’

You don’t have to feel your best self all the time. Because you can still weave incredible magick, you can cast incredible spells when you feel awful. But you do have to be clear in who you are and you do have to have a level of personal awareness about what you want to achieve and why.

Okay. So, let me just check that I answered your questions…

Yeah, so that conflict leading to confusion and doubt. That is the energy of like that push-pull of you dismissing the truth of who you are, dismissing the things that are important to you, dismissing your own power, your own magick.

And if you see the world as disparate it’s like, here you’re doing/being this, and over here you’re doing/being this, and over there you’re doing/being this. Then of course, you’re going to feel fractured.

 

Embracing all of you is where the real magick happens

But when you can embrace all of you, that’s where the real magick happens.

I often think of it like a cauldron. I love cauldrons. I’m obsessed by cauldrons, cauldrons and trees.

When you have a cauldron, yes, it’s used for magick. But what it’s used first and foremost is for cooking. It’s a cooking vessel. And just like magick, when you bring all your things together, like when you cook a soup, that’s where the magick happens.

I’m quite partial to a lentil soup. And lentils by themselves are quite nice, carrots by themselves are quite nice, celery by itself is quite nice, the same for onions and peas.

But when you bring them all together with some herbs and spices, you get something that’s so much flavourful. It’s hearty and nourishing and fulfilling. Rather than just eating those things separately.

And it’s the same with you and your life.

If you can bring all of you together, the richness of who you are, then life becomes blended, tasty and delicious. Rather than trying to keep everything separated.

So, bring all of that together.

You don’t have to wear a witch’s hat and go out with your magick wand… although that would be fun…

But just feel that magick within you.

Someone said to me the other day, ‘Rebecca, you’re just like you are on your podcast.’ I had been talking to them about something for about an hour and they said ‘you’re just like on all of your podcasts. You’re so cheerful…’ and all of these other things.

I was like, ‘oh, thanks’. But the truth is I don’t know how to be anything else.

I can only show up as me, as all of me. And most of the time that is cheerful. I have my grumpy moments. But they are only moments. Because I have a word with myself. And snap myself out of it, but that’s because I’ve been doing this work for a long time, and I know my own nonsense.

This path of magick, for me, is a journey of knowing yourself deeply. And of knowing all of the mischief that you’re capable of causing that can distract you from your own power and magick.

Okay. So, I hope that’s helpful.

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