The Moonflower Path

On December 21, we move through the longest night of the year, and on this day we welcome back the sun by celebrating the Winter Solstice [Yule]. In this final episode of 2023, I talk through the ways you can slowly, intuitively, and creatively celebrate this seasonal transition. Happy Winter Solstice, moonflower!

Rituals Mentioned [links provided]:

Build a seasonal altar

Here is a conversation with the author of one of my favorite reads from this past year: The Halfling Saga. There are currently two books out from this amazing series, and the third is soon to be released. If you haven’t read these books yet, they will soon be added to your TBR after listening to this conversation with Melissa Blair. 

In this conversation we do absolutely talk about Melissa’s books, her inspiration, and some foundational aspects of the stories, but we also talk about what it’s like to navigate being a creative person, and even more specifically what it’s like to also live with depression. Melissa is super honest, vulnerable, and real in this conversation, and I felt incredibly honored by what she shared and the practical advice she offers listeners. I personally got A LOT out of this conversation, and I know you will too. 

About our guest: Melissa Blair (she/her) is an Anishinaabe-kwe from the northern part of Turtle Island (Canada). She writes books that explore themes of colonialism, identity, cultural revitalization, and Indigenous sovereignty. When she's not writing she is posting bookish content on TikTok @melissas.bookshelf or failing to get through her massive TBR pile. Apart from books, Melissa loves board games, hiking, and movies but absolutely despises spoons.

Cozy Gaming as a form of self-care! This conversation is for you regardless of if you’ve never played a video game in your life or you’ve already an avid gamer. I 100% believe that cozy gaming is a wonderful addition to anyone’s self-care toolkit, and in this episode you will quickly learn why.

Iona and I talk about:

- How cozy gaming can actually be a healthy form of self-care

- How Iona practices self-care in her own life

- How to get into cozy gaming as someone who’s never played before

- Below you’ll find the list of games we talk about

Recently, a member of this community said "I've made it a priority to make 'cozy' a way of life", and I thought: YES! That is it. That is a core component of the way we like to lead our lives over here in these parts, and it's time we talk about it. In this episode, I share more about: - What defines coziness - The history of cozy - The rise of cozy - The accessibility of cozy - How to make 'cozy' a way of life, for YOU More Support:

I've made the challenging but necessary decision to put The Moonflower Path Community Space into hibernation mode for an undetermined amount of time. Listen to this episode to learn a bit more about:

- The "why" of this decision (since I'm still in the messiness of it, this is a brief share, and in time I will open up more)

- What to expect from The Moonflower Path as a whole

- What's happening in the podcast (it's not going anywhere)

- How you TOO can take radical breaks, moonflower

Stay tuned for how I'd like to gather with you, December, to end our collective chapters, together.

More Support:

This is a 10ish minute meditation to come to when you're need of a dose of rest. You might put this on before bed to help you sleep or mid-day as a restful reset. Get comfy and let yourself remember: you are worthy of rest and you are enough in simply BEing.

More Support:

I just came back from being away on vacation in Greece for two weeks with my family, and I brought with me my little traveling self-care toolkit. I thought it would be fun to talk you through my process in creating it, how it serves and supports me, and how you can create one for yourself! 

How do you care for yourself (and others) when you're grieving? What even IS grief?

In this conversation with Queer Counsellor, Mady Harber, we talk about:

• Mady’s personal story and journey with grief, and how it’s shaped how she shows up as human and a counsellor

• The somatic side of grieving

• How we all experience grief in different forms and different ways and how to support yourself through its ups and downs

• How to gently support a friend in their grieving process

• What to expect in the very special Gently Grieving workshop happening in The Moonflower Path Community Space later this month – which you can register for today!

This is a very tender and vulnerable conversation, and I feel so honored that Mady felt comfortable to share as she did, because I know you’ll get a lot out of it, no matter what your relationship with grief is.

Eco-anxiety it very real, very present, and I'm here to help support you through it. In this video I share some somatic self-care tips to help navigate the emotions that come along with being an earth-loving soul who feels the grief with the state of the climate right now, but don't want to let the anxiety paralyze you from doing something about it.

More Support:

How can you shift from shaming yourself [or others] for feeling drained or tired, into feeling empowered to prioritize and lean into your body's signals for more REST? In this episode we talk about why we're all so freaking tired and 10 ways you can be part of the restful revolution by being a rest queen.

More Support:

You know the feeling, either you've taken time off, or the Universe has forced you to slow down for whatever reason. You know it's the right decision, so why are you feeling so restless?? Let's talk about gentle ways to navigate the restlessness or resistance that comes up when taking a break, pausing, or slowing down. This is a conversation about walking the path of seasonal living in the Fall -- hope it serves you well!

More Support:

Happy Autumn Equinox or Mabon, moonflower! In seasonal rituals episodes (which come out every seasonal transition) I talk through the energies and themes found in this coming season, the upcoming lunar forecast, and offer some gentle rituals you could turn to celebrate your own start to Fall. You'll be sure to find lots of inspiration here for your self-care journey.

Resources mentioned:

The idea of feeling balanced sounds like a wonderful thought, doesn't it? It might elicit feelings of calm, ease, and having your life together, right? Like, finding "work life balance" or being able to balance all the many demands of life. It's truly a calming thought. Yet.. it's not entirely realistic. In today’s episode, I will guide you through the ways that we here in The Moonflower Path like to use balance as a supportive practice instead of an unrealistic end destination. I think you’ll find a lot of value from this conversation, moonflower.

More Support:

Do you ever find yourself along your self-care journey asking yourself “wait, I thought I didn’t struggle with this thing anymore?” Yeh me too, and that moonflower, is one of the helpful and humbling things I learnt this past summer. So, I’m here to share with you some of the lessons I learnt along my self-care journey, and some gentle guidance on how you can continue to support yourself along the ups and downs of your self-care journey.

Resources mentioned:

About this episode:

In seasonal ritual episodes, you are offered the opportunity to explore your own relationship with seasonal transitions through somatic ritual and intuitive self-care. Litha (AKA Summer Solstice) is the longest day of the year, welcoming in the start of Summer, recognized on June 21.

In this episode Carolynne talks about:

+ the themes of Summer

+ lunar seasonal forecast

+ a few seasonal rituals you might want to explore

Resources mentioned:

About this episode:

Connect with your “why” as a creative, redefine your own version of what a successful and happy creative life can look like (instead of feeling trapped by other people’s expectations), and learn the value of self-care and support on your creative path. This is an insightful and cozy conversation with creative coach: Nicole Colbeck.

About this episode:

The summer is full, boisterous, busy, and just a lot. For some highly sensitive folk, or moonflowers, it doesn’t feel so great, and that’s okay! The way you feel during the warmer months is valid. So instead of wishing you didn’t feel this way, let’s use the way you feel to guide what supports will help support you this Summer. Over the past few years, I have personally acquired self-care supports that have drastically improved my relationship with Summer, and I share them with you in this episode.

Resources mentioned:

About this episode:

Every month, within The Moonflower Path Community Space, we explore a new seasonal theme. So, welcome to the theme for the month of June: Abundance. In this episode we explore what embodying abundance might begin to look and feel like in your body and in your life, and the ways that we'll be exploring it together, in the community.

Resources mentioned:

About this episode:

A real, raw, and vulnerable reminder that you are worthy, valid, and enough exactly as you are.

Throw this episode on when you need a reminder that:

• Yes, you're allowed to say no to stuff, regardless of people's reactions
• Yes, your passions, dreams, and desires are worthy regardless of the way the world receives them
• Yes, your sensitivity and emotions are allowed to be felt, regardless of if it makes others uncomfortable
• Yes, you are perfect exactly as you are, regardless of how often you've been told that you're not

Resources mentioned:

About this episode:

Flowers are the beautiful and magical plant allies here to support you during the warmer months of the year. Whether it be you being in need of more calm or more inspiration, through playing with, creating with, and listening to the wisdom of flowers, you will be sure to feel supported on your self-care journey. Listen to this episode for why it's supportive to connect with flowers as a sensitive, creative, and earth-loving soul as well as how to practice flower magic (in a super accessible way.)

Resources mentioned:

About this episode:

Typically yoga nidra is a practice folks turn to when they are looking for deep rest and for help with sleep. Which is wonderful, yet there is so much more to be found in this practice. I believe that by introducing yoga nidra into your self-care journey, as a way of embodying your heart's desires and intentions, is a radical way to push against hustle culture and grinding towards your goals. Give this episode a listen if you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, and are looking for a way to feel sustained and supported on your self-care path, back home to yourself.

Resources mentioned:

About this episode:

Well... this was not the episode I planned to record! But, there's magic in vulnerability and authenticity. In this episode this is a real-time share on what it can look like and sound like to be creatively empty and the ways in which you can lovingly care for yourself through that. This is real Carolynne sharing with you, unedited, and un scripted. Thank you for holding space for my words, moonflower.

"Create" is the theme we're exploring in The Moonflower Path Community in May, so if this is something you'd love some more support with, we'd love to have you join this cozy space.

Resources mentioned:

About this episode:

In seasonal ritual episodes, you are offered the opportunity to explore your own relationship with seasonal transitions through somatic ritual and intuitive self-care. Beltane is the mid-Spring celebration, recognized on May 1. In this episode you I talk about:

• the themes of Beltane
• how to be in flow with them
• my intuitive take [use the grief you feel for climate change to fuel your capacity for impact]
• lunar seasonal forecast
• a few seasonal rituals you might want to explore

Resources & rituals:

The doors are officially open! In this episode I share all the information that will help you decide which tier will be best suited for your needs as the moonflower that you are. There are three different tiers, three different paths you can walk along, in The Moonflower Path Community Space; The Homestead, The Meadow, and The Fireside. Which one will you join? This episode will help you decide. :)

Founding member pricing available from April 17-26!

In this short and sweet episode I share some powerful words in how I'm committing to support you on your self-care journey, and how that will help bring my dream for the world to fruition.

The Moonflower Path Community Space opens this Spring! To become a founding member when the doors open, please get your name on the waitlist.

This is a vulnerable share. In this episode I talk about my experience and clunky journey towards the enoughness and acceptance I have felt through claiming the identity of being a highly sensitive person. You will also get a really inspiring take on the challenges AND gifts [that I've experienced] that come along with being an HSP, as well as practical and supportive ways to thrive as an HSP. Hoping this episode serves you well. xo

The Moonflower Path Community Space opens this Spring! To become a founding member when the doors open, please get your name on the waitlist.

This is the most common question I get: "How do I actually fit in and commit to the self-care I want to do?"

As I share another chapter and pivotal moment in my journey, you will learn one of the loving internal shifts that might help you create more space for self-care in your life. Hint, hint: it's believing in your inherent worthiness of it. 

Welcome to the podcast's first edition of: Seasonal Rituals! I know this episode will serve you well, because these resources have always been so well received when shared to the folks registered to the newsletter. In this episode I will share a little Spring forecast (what's happening in the moon and sun this season!), what energies, themes, and lessons you might explore this Spring, and what self-care rituals you can bring into your celebration of this seasonal transition. 

Resources shared in this episode:

I would say that turning to the wisdom of the moon is one of the top most supportive and nourishing supports on a moonflower's path -- a moonflower being YOU -- a sensitive, creative, and earth-loving soul. So, if you're ready to embrace who you TRULY are and see what magic can come out from that, then this is the episode for you. I’ll share with you what my take is on lunar living, how you might find support from this somatic ritual, as well as share a few resources you can turn to to expand upon this episode.

Resources shared in this episode:

This episode is all about seasonal living, what that might mean, how it might support you, and the ways we’ll explore that in this space. Seasonal living is a blanket term I like to use when talking about living in alignment with the Earth’s wisdom, whether that be by honoring the seasons, the cycles of the sun, the cycles of the moon, or the elements. It’s truly about looking to the Earth, learning more about her wisdom, and realizing that you too are of nature and that you can find a more ease, connection, and flow in acknowledging your own earthly wisdom and cycles.

Please subscribe, REVIEW, and share this podcast with a friend, so we can grow this moonflower community!

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Moving your body might not always feel like the most natural thing to do, if you’ve been convinced to ignore your body, that your body is something to be shameful, or if your relationship with your body has been fraught with painful moments. So, to create safety and comfort in your body, within the container of your somatic practice, can help you to be able to create that same sense of safety with you when you're out and about in the world. This is about creating a foundation of safety and comfort in your body in order for you to be able listen to and trust your own intuitive-body within the context of somatic practices, AND in life.

Please subscribe, REVIEW, and share this podcast with a friend, so we can grow this moonflower community!

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This episode is a practical one. If we’re going to be talking about somatic practice, self-care, and ritual in this space, I want to take the time to define each of these terms, so that we’re all on the same page. This will be a helpful episode if you’re new to these terms, and if you’re curious about how it might apply to you as a sensitive, creative, and earth-loving soul.

Please subscribe, rate, and review to help grow the moonflower community!

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In this episode I share the first chapter of my journey around the impact and transformation that I went through when making the big decision to put my body and my self-care at the forefront of my life. I know firsthand what it feels like to feel physical symptoms from mental illness or severe burnout – which I believe is a manifestation of ignoring your intuition. We’ll end with some inquiry on how your body is doing, your relationship with self-care, and a few simple ways that you could implement somatic self-care in your life today.

Thank you for subscribing, rating, and reviewing this podcast. :)

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In this first episode of the show, Carolynne introduces herself, shares a bit more about the "why" of creating this podcast, sheds some light on what it means to walk along the path of being a moonflower, and ends with some gentle prompts to help you connect with your own inner moonflower. This is a cozy first taste of what you can expect in this supportive space.

Prompts:

+ What does the word moonflower mean to you?

+ Is it a word that resonates with the way you actually want to live your life?

+ In what ways could you walk towards that part of yourself that lights up when you think of living life as a moonflower?

Thank you for helping us grow the moonflower community and share the love by leaving a review!

Welcome to The Moonflower Path Podcast. This space is for the highly-sensitive, the creatives, the earth-loving, the caregivers, the weirdos, the feelers, the changemakers, and dreamers of the world. Here we are all about guiding you to trust your body-intuition so you can find home and shift culture. Through the exploration of somatic practice, self-care, and seasonal ritual my hope is that you will be inspired to be in harmony with yourself and in a dance with the Earth. Hosted by Yoga & Self-Care Guide Carolynne Colbeck.

First episode drops on Imbolc: February 1! 

Please SUBSCRIBE and share this trailer with your community, so we can grow the moonflower community. :)

Thank you for listening! Come join the community: