Moonwise

Moonwise

By Dorothee Sophie RoyalSociety & Culture
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Moonwise episodes

  • SURRENDER: Anne Murphy on Navigating the Sacred Wilderness of Grief (Ep. 44)

    "We as a culture are not necessarily skilled in the deathing and dying process, nor are we aptly prepared for it." - Anne Murphy 

    In this episode of Moonwise, we speak with ceremonialist and death educator Anne Murphy about navigating the sacred wilderness of grief. We talk about aging and eldership, moving through loss and creating ceremonies that deepen community wellness.

    We also talk about:

    • The importance of initiation rites
    • Honoring our elders
    • Ancestral healing
    • Why death is invisible in our culture
    • Death as a wake up call to life

      • Anne Murphy is a ceremonialist, death educator, home vigil guide and community organizer in the death movement. She brings strength, beauty and balance to support people with a heart-centered approach to death care.

      Links:

      • Athousandhands.com
      • Grief is Learned 

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        59 min
      • INTUITION: Queen Afua on Listening to the Voice Within (Ep. 43)

        "Impeccable listening is the roadmap of paying close attention.” — Queen Afua

        In this episode of Moonwise, we speak with Queen Afua about intuition and healing through impeccable listening. We talk about listening to the voice of your womb and learning to trust spirit. Queen Afua shares her tips for longevity, immune boosting practices and how to turn your home into a wellness retreat.

        We also talk about:

        • Trusting spirit
        • Healing with plants
        • Turning your home into a retreat center
        • The meaning of the Ankh
        • The rise of the feminine


          • Queen Afua is a Master Holistic Healer and Herbalist, Polarity Practitioner, and lay midwife. She is the author of seven best-selling wellness books, including the popular book SACRED WOMAN which comes out this month in a 20th Anniversary Edition. Queen Afua is the Mother of Womb Wellness Movement and is founder of Womb Yoga Dance. Among her many celebrity clients are Erykah Badu, Vanessa Williams, Stevie Wonder, Lauren London, India Arie, and Common.

          Links:

          • QueenAfua.com
          • Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind, and Spirit


            • Leave us a written review on Apple Podcasts, and get a shout out on the show!

            Follow Moonwise on Instagram: @moonwise.co

            59 min
          • PRESENCE: Heather McKittrick on Healing with Flowers (Ep. 42)

            “Flowers are a reminder of what you can do to be kind to yourself and what you can do to be more present.” - Heather McKittrick 

            In this episode of Moonwise, we speak with Heather McKittrick about healing with flowers. We talk about going beyond traditional talk therapy with nature connection, presence and creativity. We discuss the magic of flowers and why they show up during major life transitions. Heather shares her tips for bringing more joy into our lives and leads a beautiful 7-minute guided floral meditation.

            We also talk about:

            • Plant allies
            • The power of setting intentions
            • Healing anxiety, depression and PTSD

              • Heather McKittrick, LPC, CADC-I, LMHC, SUDP is a licensed mental health therapist and certified substance use disorder counselor since 2017. She is the founder and creator of Floral Healing Therapy, which combines floral arranging with talk therapy. Clients arrange flowers in counseling to heal from depression, anxiety, stress and trauma.

              Links:

              • Floral Healing Therapy
              • 25 Coping Skills for Anxiety

                • Enjoy the show? Get access to bonus content, seasonal herb guides, meditations and more by joining our community on Patreon: www.patreon.com/moonwise. Thank you for your support!

                40 min
              • VOICE: Sophie Cooper on Finding Your Sacred Sound (Ep. 41)

                “Every single person’s voice is a blueprint...our voices are each unique.”

                — SOPHIE COOPER


                In this episode of Moonwise, we speak with Sophie Cooper about finding your sacred sound. We talk about the voice as a bridge and how singing can be a healing practice. We discuss reverence for tending to a song and the way sound connects to the unseen. Sophie also shares her tips for beginners and those wishing to activate their own voice.

                We also talk about:

                • Vulnerability
                • Ancestral songs
                • Humming for stress relief
                • Sounding without judgement
                • The connection of songs and seeds

                  • Sophie Cooper is a song carrier, songwriter, artist, mother and life-long student of personal healing and collective transformation. As a voice coach, she brings together more than a decade of dedication to a ceremonial path, the tools gathered from numerous sound and voice teachers and over 10 years of somatic experience as a Qigong practitioner.


                  Sophie founded Voice Alchemy in 2016 to support embodied healing and vocal empowerment through voice lessons, singing workshops and group singing circles. You can listen to Sophie's original album of music ‘Rewilding’ on Bandcamp, iTunes, & Spotify.

                  She says, “I want to express my gratitude to all the indigenous teachers, elders and communities I have had the incredible honor to spend time with and learn from. I have received such help in my personal healing from these relationships. It feels important to me to acknowledge the dedication of indigenous peoples to keep the ancient ways alive even with the ongoing violence and imposition of European Colonialism. As a descendent of European settlers and immigrants on Turtle Island, it is my hope to be a good ally and do my humble part to participate in the healing and repair that is being called for at this time. May my voice be used in service of this intention.”

                  Links:

                  • voicealchemy.com
                  • rewilding.bandcamp.com
                  • Sophie Cooper on Spotify
                    • 46 min
                  • MOVEMENT: Heather Fraelick on Dancing with Life (Ep. 40)
                    "How are you dancing through your day?” - Heather Fraelick
                    In this episode of #moonwisepodcast, we speak with Heather Fraelick about embodiment and the art of dancing through life.
                    Heather Fraelick began her professional life as a dancer. Throughout her career, she experienced several dance related injuries that left her unable to perform. As a result, she decided to learn about healing and attend massage therapy school. The experience changed her life, and she chose to dedicate her career to the service of helping others heal. 
                    Now with over 15 years of massage therapy experience and over two decades of professional dance and movement education experience, she brings forth an intuitive blend of bodywork modalities to tailor each session to meet her clients' individual needs. Many of Heather's clients are world renowned dancers, musicians, actors and circus performers. She also works with a number of physicians, nurses, and office workers; many who are experiencing chronic pain and injuries. Her latest venture is completing her 200 hour yoga teacher training and is enjoying sharing her love of yoga with others in group workshops and private sessions. 
                    We talk about reconnecting with the childlike joy of movement. We discuss the connection between emotions and physical symptoms and how a healing crisis can be a wake up call. Heather speaks about her journey from professional dancer to licensed bodyworker and yoga teacher. She shares some simple practices you can do at home to transition out of a ‘fight or flight’ response and into ‘rest and digest’ mode. She says, “when you’re connected with yourself, I don’t think anything can really stop you.”
                    We also talk about:
                    Working with the body as a friend and ally
                    Unlocking memories in the body
                    Dealing with pain and loneliness
                    The power of touch and positive self talk
                    Finding creative ways to move during quarantine
                    51 min
                  • PERSPECTIVE: Michelle Coleman on Connecting with the Ancestors (Ep. 39)
                    "We’re invited to broaden our perspective, we have an opportunity to make an evolutionary shift.” - Michelle Coleman
                    In this episode of #moonwisepodcast, we speak with Michelle Coleman about connecting with Spirit and the Ancestors.
                    An ordained Earth-Based Interfaith Minister, Spiritual Advisor, Aborisha and Intuitive Reader, Michelle Coleman is a natural born healer, leader and nurturer tasked with helping the world remember how to live in healing love. Guided by her own spiritual connections, Michelle believes we'll never feel enough in this world without being in relationship with Spirit.
                    We talk about broadening our perspective through the Akashic records, decolonizing spirituality and love as a guiding star. We discuss humanity’s power of free will and how we can open to our infinite possibilities as a collective. Michelle also shares her tips for nurturing a relationship with the ancestors and engaging with spirit in everyday life. 
                    We also talk about:
                    The power of choice
                    Releasing ancestral pain
                    Praying with the elements
                    Engaging with our personal legacy
                    59 min
                  • AWAKEN: Joanne Ameya Cohen on Healing with Flower Essences (Ep. 38)
                    "There’s no one way to communicate with nature, it’s all right, it’s all supreme.” - Joanna Ameya Cohen
                    In this episode of #moonwisepodcast, we speak with Joanne Ameya Cohen about working with the healing power of flower essences.
                    Joanne Ameya Cohen is the Founder of the Woman Rising Mystery School. She is dedicated to supporting womxn remember and reclaim their embodied essence, guided by the Earth, Sun, Venus, and Moon. Through Ameya’s extensive training in the Mystical Arts of Shamanic Studies, Flower Essences, Moon Wisdom, and her Priestess Path, she expertly guides women to activate their Soul coding and awaken the grace of the Great Mystery that resides within. Ameya lives in Southern California with her partner and son.
                    “We do have an innate connection with the natural world,” says Ameya. We talk about connecting with the spirit of plants, opening our five senses and bringing our full presence to nature. We also discuss awakening to the priestess path, motherhood in the time of a pandemic and the transformative power of asking great questions. She explains, “when we ask great questions, that’s when our reality starts to change.“
                    We also talk about:
                    Learning to trust ourselves
                    Attuning to a plant or tree
                    Sitting in reciprocity with nature
                    54 min
                  • CONNECT: Erin Lovell Verinder on Plant Medicine for our Time (Ep. 37)
                    "Don’t underestimate the power of an herbal tea.” - Erin Lovell Verinder
                    In this episode of #moonwisepodcast, we speak with herbalist and healer Erin Lovell Verinder about plant medicine for our current time. We talk about the power of local weeds, the art of foraging and wildcrafting in a respectful way.
                    “This is plant medicine’s time to shine,” says Erin. We discuss nature connection and herbs known to support lungs and the immune system. She explains, “plants are earth’s wisdom keepers.” We also talk about the importance of rest and Erin’s experience with treating the epidemic of burnout. She says, “Plants are our past. Plants are our future. We are diminished if we can’t celebrate plants, properly understand their powers and harness their energy to heal ourselves.”
                    We also talk about:
                    Medicine sovereignty
                    Plants as ancestors
                    Weaving herbs into daily life
                    The wisdom of our bodies
                    54 min
                  • NEST: Alice Engelstad on the Spiritual Art of Homemaking (Ep. 36)
                    In this episode of #moonwisepodcast, we speak with homemaking mentor Alice Engelstad about the practical and spiritual art of tending your nest. We dive into strategies for building inner stability, creating harmony in the home and having the courage to go deep into our belief systems so that we can heal and change.
                    “Our home is really a womb,” says Alice. We talk about decluttering as a doorway to increased creativity and how objects and spaces hold energy. She asks, “do our homes hold our stuff or do our homes hold our family members?” We discuss the role of rhythm in family life and how to create meaningful pauses in our day. We talk about the importance of self-compassion and being gentle with our own self talk. Alice emphasizes humor, levity and flexibility in the process of creating your own sanctuary.
                    We also talk about:
                    Organizing as a practice of inner connection
                    Objects as an avatar of some aspect of ourselves
                    Perfectionism vs. self compassion
                    Approaching daily tasks with care and reverence
                    The nest as a container for growth
                    52 min
                  • BELONG: Becca Piastrelli on Healing Loneliness Through Connection (Ep.35)
                    "Loneliness is a teacher in this time of the ways we’ve gotten away from each other, the ways we’ve gotten away from belonging, the ways we’ve gotten away from ourselves.” - Becca Piastrelli
                    In this episode of #moonwisepodcast, we speak with writer and coach Becca Piastrelli about healing loneliness through connection.
                    Becca Piastrelli is a writer, coach, and host of the Belonging podcast. She holds space for womxn to explore ancestral wisdom, connect with the earth, and find meaningful and inclusive sisterhood. In the age of loneliness, Becca shows us how to feel like we truly belong - to each other, to the earth, to a lineage, and to ourselves.
                    “This is not working. There are symptoms showing us this is not working…So maybe the pain now is so severe that we can say, alright what’s on the other side of this? So we can vision something different,” says Becca. We dive into her insights about the history of loneliness, as well her experience reconnecting with ancestors, celebrating the seasons and learning to ask for help. She talks about making space for ritual and how to start recreating the village. We also discuss pregnancy and parenting amid a global pandemic.
                    We also talk about:
                    Whiteness and Connecting with European Ancestors
                    The Story of Sacrifice in Motherhood
                    Creating Meaning as a Collective
                    51 min

                  About Moonwise

                  From the publisher's feed

                  Moonwise podcast is a celebration of women’s wisdom, wellness and leadership. Join host Dorothée Sophie Royal for conversations about health, creativity, cycles and rites of passage. Our guests are…