In this powerful episode of Bertena’s Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we dive deep into embodied shadow work, the Priestess Path, and the sacred winter descent. Learn what the shadow truly is, why it appears during the darker months, and how embracing your hidden emotions, intuition, and truth strengthens your spiritual path. This episode blends education, storytelling, myth, somatic practices, and guided meditation to help you meet your Shadow Priestess, awaken your inner wisdom, and begin integrating the parts of yourself you once pushed away. Perfect for anyone called to shadow work, Divine Feminine healing, priestess wisdom, or intuitive development.

Your host, Bertena, is a Priestess, Reiki Master Teacher, intuitive guide, and founder of The Ancient Arts of the Priestess Academy. With more than 30 years of teaching experience and deep training in metaphysics, priestess traditions, divination, somatic healing, and the Divine Feminine, she blends academic knowledge with spiritual wisdom to guide women into empowerment, authenticity, and sacred self-discovery. Bertena offers classes, trainings, meditations, and spiritual mentorship online and at Cosmic Connections in Nashville, helping women reclaim their intuition, embodiment, and divine inner light.

Ready to go deeper into your own shadow healing and priestess awakening? Join me for the free intro class “Shadow Work & The Priestess Path” on December 4, and the 60-minute immersive ritual “Embodying the Shadow: A Priestess Activation” on December 18. Register at bertena.org or through Cosmic Connections. And don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode, and explore more Divine Feminine wisdom through my classes, writings, and offerings. Your shadow is not your weakness—it is your wisdom calling you home.

Discover what it truly means to be a modern priestess in this powerful episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine. Bertena shares her personal journey to becoming a priestess and explains the ancient role of the priestess, how it fits into today’s world, and why so many women are feeling called to this sacred path. You’ll learn how to begin your own priestess journey, what a priestess does, and how the Priestess Academy can guide you through goddess studies, feminine awakening, and spiritual transformation. This episode introduces Level 1 of the Priestess Academy—now available for free, explores the year-long Level 2 Goddess Studies program, and previews the upcoming Rose, Water, and Forest Priestess paths launching in 2026. You can also join us for a live Q&A on December 11th at 7pm CT on Zoom, and read more on the blog at Bertena.org.

Bertena is a Priestess, Reiki Master Teacher, somatic yoga guide, spirit guide communicator, author, and spiritual educator with over 30 years of teaching and metaphysical experience. She blends academic knowledge as a former sociology professor with deep intuitive work, goddess studies, energy healing, and priestess traditions. Through her classes, books, and The Ancient Arts of the Priestess Academy, she helps women awaken their Divine Feminine wisdom, develop intuition, embody their spiritual gifts, and step into a life of purpose, magic, and sacred leadership.

This short update is a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has supported The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine. I’m sharing my gratitude, reflecting on the past year, and letting you know that the podcast is returning with fresh energy, renewed intention, and powerful new episodes. Expect more Divine Feminine wisdom, spirit guide teachings, energy healing, rituals, and intuitive support as we begin this next chapter together.

This episode may answer questions such as:
• How do I restart my spiritual journey after a break?
• What does a Divine Feminine reset look like?
• How can I reconnect with my intuition after burnout?
• What can I expect from a new cycle of spiritual growth?
• How do I prepare for a fresh spiritual beginning?

Fall is one of the most spiritually transformative seasons of the year. In this episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore the deeper meaning of autumn through an SEO-rich lens—diving into themes of release, reflection, ancestral healing, intuition, and personal transformation. You’ll learn why fall naturally invites us to let go, how seasonal energy supports emotional and spiritual renewal, and how to use autumn’s wisdom to realign your life, your rituals, and your inner world.

This episode also answers highly searched questions such as:
• What is the spiritual meaning of fall?
• Why is autumn a time of letting go and renewal?
• How do seasonal energy shifts affect emotions and intuition?
• What rituals help with releasing and manifesting during fall?
• How can I connect with my ancestors during the autumn season?
• Why do people feel more reflective or tired in the fall?
• How does the fall equinox support spiritual balance?

Experience a deeply restorative, trauma-informed Yoga Nidra designed specifically for PTSD, anxiety, and nervous system healing. In this episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, you’ll be guided through grounding breathwork, safe body awareness, and gentle visualization techniques that support emotional regulation and reconnect you with your body from a place of safety, compassion, and choice. This session is ideal for anyone seeking somatic healing, nervous system support, or a soothing reset for mind and body.

This episode answers highly searched questions such as:
• What is trauma-informed Yoga Nidra?
• How does Yoga Nidra help with PTSD and anxiety?
• Why is the nervous system so important for healing trauma?
• Can guided meditation help the body feel safe again?
• What breathwork techniques calm the nervous system?
• How do somatic practices support emotional regulation?
• Is Yoga Nidra safe for people with trauma or dissociation?
• How often should you practice Yoga Nidra for healing?
• What does “safe visualization” mean in trauma-informed meditation?
• How can I reconnect with my body when it feels overwhelming?

Somatic Yoga is a gentle, body-led healing practice designed to support trauma recovery, nervous system regulation, and emotional release. In this episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore what Somatic Yoga truly is, how it differs from traditional yoga, and why this slow, intuitive approach can be deeply healing for anyone carrying stress, anxiety, burnout, or unresolved trauma. You’ll learn how mindful movement rewires the nervous system, restores a sense of safety, and helps the body release stored emotional tension in a compassionate, accessible way.

Throughout the episode, we also answer some of the most searched questions about this healing modality, including:
• What is Somatic Yoga and how does it work?
• How does Somatic Yoga help with trauma, PTSD, and emotional release?
• What makes Somatic Yoga different from traditional yoga practices?
• How can gentle movement support nervous system healing?
• Why does the body store emotional tension, and how can it be released safely?
• Is Somatic Yoga beneficial for anxiety, stress, and overwhelm?
• Can beginners or those with chronic pain practice Somatic Yoga?
• How does Somatic Yoga strengthen intuition and mind-body awareness?
• What are the benefits of trauma-informed yoga practices?
• How can I start a Somatic Yoga practice at home?

This episode offers education, support, and a deeper understanding of how reconnecting with the body can open the door to profound emotional and spiritual healing.

In this Lammas-themed episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore the sacred energy of August’s first harvest and the powerful Divine Feminine teachings of Demeter, Rhiannon, Inanna, and Ala. This episode guides you through the deeper spiritual meaning of Lammas, offering rituals, altar ideas, meditations, and journaling practices to help you align with the Wheel of the Year. Discover how the harvest season supports gratitude, release, intuition, and inner transformation as you move into the next phase of your spiritual journey.

This episode also answers questions such as:
• What is the spiritual meaning of Lammas or Lughnasadh?
• How does the harvest season support abundance and renewal?
• Which goddesses are connected to Lammas and early autumn?
• What rituals can I use to honor Lammas and the Divine Feminine?
• How do I create a Lammas altar for gratitude and manifestation?
• What meditations deepen connection to harvest energy?
• How can journaling support my spiritual growth during Lammas?
• What lessons do Demeter, Rhiannon, Inanna, and Ala teach?
• How do I work with seasonal energy for healing and release?
• How can I align my practice with the Wheel of the Year?

Feeling drained, unmotivated, or disconnected from your joy? In this episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore the deeper energetic, emotional, and spiritual reasons behind feeling stuck. You’ll learn how burnout, misalignment, and suppressed intuition shape these “stuck” seasons—and how simple spiritual tools, rituals, and healing practices can help you return to clarity, motivation, and inner alignment.

This episode also answers questions such as:
• Why do I feel stuck even when I’m trying to change?
• What are the spiritual signs of burnout or misalignment?
• How can I reconnect with my intuition when I feel blocked?
• What rituals help release stagnant energy?
• How do I restore my motivation and inner fire?
• What does feeling stuck mean on a soul level?

Perfect for anyone needing grounding, direction, or a fresh start on their spiritual path.

Welcome back, beautiful souls, to another episode of Bertena’s Spiritual Sanctuary, a sacred space where we explore the intersection of healing, spirit, and embodiment. I’m your host, Bertena Varney, and today we’re diving into a gentle yet profound topic: Somatic Yoga—what it is, how it helps us heal, and why it may be one of the most powerful spiritual tools you’ll ever use.

Whether you're new to somatic practices, returning to your body after trauma or burnout, or simply longing to slow down and listen—this episode is for you.

Take a breath with me…
Inhale… and exhale…
Let’s begin.

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For women over 40, balancing work, family, personal needs, and spiritual growth can feel overwhelming. In this episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore why midlife feels so emotionally and energetically demanding—and how to create harmony through Divine Feminine practices, boundaries, and soul-aligned rituals. You’ll learn practical tools to protect your energy, reconnect with your intuition, and rediscover your sense of purpose during this powerful season of life.

This episode also answers questions such as:
• Why is midlife so spiritually and emotionally challenging for women?
• How can I balance work, family, and my own needs without burning out?
• What Divine Feminine practices support women over 40?
• How do I reconnect with my purpose during midlife?
• What rituals help restore balance and inner peace?
• How can I protect my energy while caring for everyone else?

A supportive episode for any woman navigating midlife shifts, awakening, or transformation.