Your Guide to a Good Samhain Samhain marks the beginning of the dark half of the year. The word means November in Irish, and Samhuin means ‘Summer’s End’ in Scottish Gaelic. This festival represents the point when the Otherworlds draw close, when our worlds begin to merge, and the edges

On Being Seen I hear talk of many different angles of ‘being seen’. Some folks struggle with vulnerability and feel judged by others day to day. I work with clients and students on their social media presence. Other than the ethics of social media, the main issue they face is

Is there a genetic reason for second sight? Recently I talked about my series of turtle omens. And we often share stories about knowing things we either shouldn’t know or that we know in advance (like when you avoid a certain road or get a bad feeling about a walk

,Omens are real 😵 This is my newsletter for this week…. but I can’t help but share it here too. I love getting my mind blown 👏👏👏 Last week, I was listening to a random podcast my husband recommended when the guest mentioned Aesop’s fables. I’d always assumed it was

Stories & Metaphor – The goddess and the king can be seen as aspects of your inner landscape 😍 Echtra mac nEchach Muigmedóin. Niall and his half-brothers, lost and thirsty after a hunt, come to a well guarded by a black, green-toothed hag who wants a kiss for the water.

Your language choice matters…. and it IS a choice. Language is not neutral. The words you reach for habitually become the story your emotional, physical, spiritual and mental bodies believe. I want to look at four patterns with you because I see them come up with folk I work with,

I was asked a question about angels in celtic spirituality. What I know is that angels came along with Christianity and the Romans. There are no pre-Christian ‘angelic’ type beings that we know of. Segueway…. you do you – if you love angels, great! Whether they were part of ancient

I should’ve called you out sooner But I didn’t I let it slide And just this once turned into all the time I should’ve said no to those many requests But I didn’t I pleased you And the weight grew til I filled to overwhelmed I should’ve faced the discomfort

My editor asked for an additional short section for my Seership book relating to Lower Cauldron Physical chapter. I thought you’d like to read my draft about Alcohol & Drugs: Alcohol  The idea that a glass of wine a night is good for you has well and truly been put

Are you a saviour? This is wee note for the Saviours out there Remember not to work harder than the person you’re helping. It’s a helpful barometer when applied sensibly. Like, no, I’m not talking about little kids, or your elderly parent who has dementia, or the people who show up

The difference between empathy and emotional labour I’m an empathic and empathetic person. I have always tried to understand why people are unkind, cruel, bullying, passive-aggressive, overly sharp, unfeeling, or thoughtless… to me, to others, or to themselves. But I had to learn the difference between empathy and emotional labour.

What am I doing wrong? I’d been wading through yet another self-help author waxing lyrical on self-esteem. I was highlighting passages, taking notes, and, I thought, doing the internal work I was supposed to be doing. It was a Tuesday morning, nothing special about it, really, when I found myself

January has a way of making people feel like they should already know their direction, their Souls purpose, and what the year ahead is asking of them. If you feel unsure or not particularly inspired right now, nothing has gone wrong. I’m delighted to report that you’re not ‘behind’. In

Struggle with Boundaries? Here are some boundary statements to help this festive season: First, remember that healthy boundaries are a pathway to intimate, meaningful and trusting relationships… they really can change your world! How other people feel about and react to your boundaries is not your responsibility. But give people

The ancient vows controlling your life I got new glasses. The optician was kind, the test was quick, and I had fun choosing new frames…they look good. That’s the practical side sorted. But something else happened before that appointment. I noticed a resistance in my body when my husband gently

Entering The North of the Wheel of the Year Samhain serves as the threshold into the North, opening the gateway to Winter. When you cross this threshold, you enter a direction of the wheel where courage becomes your companion and resilience shapes your path. In the North, we find attributes

When your Guides go quiet there’s a particular kind of loneliness that comes when you reach out to your guides, your helping spirits, your allies and hear only silence. Your journeys feel empty. Your drums beat into a void. The presence that once felt so tangible has withdrawn, leaving you

A reminder for the Empaths Do you ever feel overwhelmed by energy or information that is not yours? Do you struggle in crowds or in groups of people? You do not have to live like that. You are the master of your own experience. I am a highly empathetic person…

Why your gut instinct might be lying to you “Trust your gut” only works if your nervous system is regulated. When your system is stuck in fight, flight, freeze or fawn, it confuses familiarity with safety. It will tell you to avoid what feels unfamiliar, even if it’s good for

Let’s talk about ruthlessness. Before you begin reading, sit with the word. What happens in your body? How do you feel? Notice that and write it down before you read on.   I’m not talking about violence, cruelty or manipulation. Ruthlessness is the part of you that moves forward with

Behaviours that look emotionally intelligent – but might not be… Saying “I understand” when someone hurts you, even though you feel dismissed inside 👉 You’re practising empathy and seeing their perspective. However, you may also be skipping over your emotional truth to stay calm or avoid conflict. 🌿 Try instead:

Does someone else’s bad mood affect you? Ever noticed how someone else’s bad mood can send you into a spiral even when it has nothing to do with you? Maybe they say, “I’m just having a hard day,” but your body reacts… Fix it. Make it better. Or you’ll be

Do you struggle with RSD? (I did and had no clue…) We all feel hurt when someone criticises us or pushes us away. That’s human. But if rejection hits you like a punch in the gut, even when nothing harsh was said, you might be dealing with something more intense

What did I do wrong?!? A trigger I often see in individuals who grew up with a parent who was emotionally intense yet equally emotionally unavailable is the rush of anxiety they feel when someone around them seems upset. Even if it has nothing to do with them. This is

Meta feelings are essentially your emotional response to your own emotions. This includes your thoughts, reactions, and attitudes towards what you feel. Origins of Meta-Emotion The concept of Meta-Emotion emerged in the 1990s, thanks to researchers Gottman, Katz, and Hooven. It initially described the way parents communicate with their children

People-Pleasing Is Not Kindness – It’s a Nervous System Strategy People often mistake people-pleasing for being kind. But it isn’t kindness. When you’re caught in people-pleasing, you’re not choosing generosity. You’re trying to feel safe. This means you track the moods of everyone around you and apologise for things that

Love over Fear, what does that mean? Sometimes, our relationship with the land is built on fear. Fear of climate change Fear of destruction Fear of what we might lose That fear is real. But that isn’t the whole story. Our ancestors didn’t relate to the land as something to

Are you uncomfortable sharing in an online group? If sharing in an online group feels uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Do you recognise any of the following statements? ➡️ Many people come into this space having never been encouraged to speak from personal experience in I language – it feels ‘self-centred’.

Not Seeing in Journeys? You’re Not Alone. And You’re Not Doing It Wrong. A student recently shared that she struggles to ‘see’ like others, and she found it very discouraging. I think that is something that hits home for many. ➡️ First, I invite you to share your experience of

How to tell if its you or not… the emotional maturity test Starting out on a Cauldrons path can be challenging—we might second-guess ourselves and wonder if we’re the problem when we face conflict. We try to be accountable for our actions and take responsibility for our ‘stuff’. But it’s

Authenticity People don’t always like it when you like yourself more than they think you should. When you refuse to be ashamed of things they believe you should feel guilt over. When you stop apologizing for existing in a way that doesn’t conform to their expectations. Living your life according

Old Irish names of the week I enjoyed this PDF. If you love a bit of research, have a read and let me know what you think 🥰 Even if you don’t enjoy research, I encourage you to have a quick flick through – I think papers like this demonstrate

When should you call in your Guardian Guide? Your Guardian Guide is always available to offer wisdom, protection, and energetic support. They help you hold strong boundaries, navigate emotional and social overwhelm, and reconnect with your inner power. If you’ve yet to meet your Guardian Guide you can read this

Emotional Monitoring A piece of Middle Cauldron work is recognizing when you monitor other people’s emotions more than your own. (Learn more about working with The Three Cauldrons Here) Do you scan the room for shifts in energy? Do you ask, “Are you okay?” when someone sighs or goes quiet?

What is a sticky compliment? Oh, your house is so clean, you must think I’m a real mess! Your cooking is amazing, I wish I could cook as well as you. A sticky compliment is a demand in disguise. These types of comments have negative self-talk attached, and they demand

Animal of the East EAST = PROSPERITY Two thousand years ago, a small group of Celts and their flock settled on the islands of St Kilda. Among them were the ancestors of today’s Soay sheep—agile, slender, and independent. Both males and females had horns, and unlike modern sheep, they couldn’t

Declining a Gift If someone offers you a gift… …and you don’t accept it, who does it belong to? Answer: To the person who offered you the gift. You are not obligated to carry what isn’t yours. Someone’s harsh words, dismissive tone, or assumptions about you don’t define you unless

There are people on the planet now who are the Cycle Breakers. They are breaking the mould of their family line. Cycle breakers have the ability to feel, acknowledge and heal the pain from their entire lineage. They don’t numb or run or deny or hide. They are a group

Upper Cauldron Info on vows, pledges and curses This conversation happened during the Upper Cauldron training last night. Click for the replay. A vow, curse, or pledge is a binding statement of intent that carries energetic, psychological, and sometimes spiritual weight. These can be made consciously or unconsciously in this

Honesty without tact I’m someone who speaks their mind. I’ve learned the hard way that holding back makes me feel unwell—body, mind, and spirit. But I’ve also seen what happens when people speak up without care. They bulldoze others in the name of ‘honesty.’ They make people feel small, defensive,

When life changes… PIVOT! A student recently asked me for some information on transitions… let’s chat about pivoting 🤩 WHAT IS A TRANSITION? Transitions are moments when you move from one activity, environment, or emotional state to another. These shifts can be as simple as transitioning from work to home

Window of Tolerance The Lower Cauldron is intricately linked to your nervous system, making it the first step in healing trauma. People with complex trauma often have a dysregulated nervous system, which narrows their window of tolerance—the range within which they can handle stress or stimulation without becoming overwhelmed. Here’s

‘Feel your Feelings’ – You might agree that it doesn’t mean much… and it’s hard to quantify. I used to feel a little enraged when people would say – just feel your feelings – WHAT DOES THAT MEAN THOUGH!! Here is my breakdown ⬇️ ‘Feel your feelings’ is an ambiguous

ey are alwaAre you sseking freedom? I’ve always craved freedom. It’s been a constant pull in my life, even though I felt anything but free for much of my childhood and well into my thirties. I often think about freedom of choice, financial freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of religion

Motivation Doesn’t Exist Without Action Waiting for motivation to strike is like standing in front of a tap, expecting it to fill your glass without lifting a finger. The truth is, motivation doesn’t just appear. It follows action. You have to turn the tap. And the tap is action. When

Immature self-awareness leads to self-loathing because you’re only aware of your issues and flaws… Mature and regulated self-awareness leads to growth and forward momentum because you are aware of your flaws and fabulousness in equal measure. Remember 👏 your 👏 amazingness 👏 every 👏 damn 👏 day! Tips: To shift

The struggle with being a beginner A voice in my head whispers, “Don’t share this—you’ll sound conceited.” But I’ve learned that voice is often a sign to share because others might feel the same way. I’ve been thinking about this quote I saw: “Progress isn’t measured by how good you

I spent a long time being irritated by the word authentic, especially ‘become your authentic self’, which I have used in event blurbs. It got me thinking… what message is held in my irritation, and here are some thoughts 🤩 Have you ever tried so hard to “be authentic” that

A Shamanic Journey When people first begin a shamanic journey, there’s often a subtle (or not-so-subtle) expectation that it will play out like a blockbuster movie in their mind. Full of vivid, cinematic scenes with crystal-clear guides, lush landscapes, and perfectly framed messages from Spirit. If this is what you’ve

I used to have this patternof seeking approval: I’d spend so much time trying to fit into places or be around people where I wasn’t wanted or welcome. My mother-in-law springs to mind! I tried many ways to connect with her, but it never worked; something was always wrong. I

When most people think of shamanic journeying, they picture someone lying still, eyes closed, with a steady drumbeat in the background. While this approach works, it’s not the only way to access the unseen realms. For some, it’s not even the best way. If you’ve ever struggled to “drop in”

Understanding your values is essential, and it’s surprising how many people have yet to give them much thought. Living in true alignment with yourself is easier if you know what drives you at your core. Learning your Values is a key part of The Cauldrons Way course—and with good reason.

So many folks are caught up searching for their “soul’s purpose.” It’s easy to become obsessed with the idea that there is one definitive calling we need to discover, that our lives are somehow incomplete until we find it. But the Centre of the Wheel of the Year teaches something

When Safety Breeds Stagnancy Hardship and difficulty are not comfortable experiences, but they are necessary for human growth. The ancient Celts understood this deeply—it was woven into every facet of their society and spirituality. They valued resilience, courage, and the strength that comes from facing what is difficult head-on. In

I’ve noticed some folks obsessed with why something happened. Why did they say that? Why did life turn out this way? Why did they hurt me? This is a form of avoidance. You are avoiding what is—the facts of the situation. Wishing things were different does not change the reality

In times past, water was seen as more than a necessity—it was alive with spirit and magic. The oldest names in the landscape often belong to rivers, with many believed to be named after goddesses. Connection The connection between water and divine female energies was so close that it became

The “Grey Rock Method” is a strategy for dealing with individuals who display narcissistic behaviour or other toxic traits. This method involves making yourself emotionally uninteresting, or “grey,” to the narcissist. The goal is to discourage them from engaging with you by being as unresponsive and unengaging as possible, much

Childhood trauma can quietly shape who you are, often without you realizing it. When you grow up in an environment where your emotional needs are ignored, invalidated, or actively harmed, you adapt to survive. These survival strategies become habits; as an adult, they show up in ways that don’t always

Life calls for a balance between rallying and resting. Each serves a different purpose. Rallying helps you gather strength and press forward through discomfort. Resting allows you to let go, recharge, and accept where you are. The art lies in knowing which action fits the moment. Signs It’s Time to

Narcissistic Friendships This intense friendship builds quickly – a whirlwind entry into your life—a connection that feels instantly close and authentic. However, before you know it, boundaries blur, and your personal space fades away. These friendships are a means of control rather than a genuine connection; the impact can be

About thruth and perspective Four blind men walk together. They’ve heard of a mysterious creature called an Elephant nearby, and each wants to know what this “elephant” is. They approach the animal. Each touches a different part. One man touches the trunk and says, “It’s a snake.” Another touches the

The drama triangle, a concept created by Stephen Karpman, is a powerful framework for understanding how you get caught up in unproductive, often painful dynamics in relationships. In the triangle, you tend to play one of three roles: the Victim, the Prosecutor, or the Rescuer. These roles keep you locked

There is not much known about the ancient Wheel of the Year. We can, however, create a fairly robust idea through later stories and myths. Non of the information we have is earlier than the mediavel period. That is over 1000 yers after the time of the Celts in the

What does that even mean? Let’s think about it… Is this familiar? ⬇️ You’re going over in your mind, perhaps for the hundredth time, what you wish you said. You run the scenario this way and that way. You cringe when you think of everything you couldn’t say. BLEUCH 🤮 I

1️⃣ I do not leave offerings behind. I don’t bury offerings. ⁣ Sites may have had offerings made at auspicious times of year. However, these offerings would have been cleared away afterwards. No magic cleaner comes and takes away tea lights, plastic, glass and metal offerings. Even biodegradable offerings build