We live in complex times. My heart goes out, comes back crying, and settles back in my chest. Breathing, feeling, expanding. Present, painful, here. We live in complex times. May you find your breath, anchors and glimmers of hope and beauty, amidst the pain. Don't get lost. Come back. Come back.
The leaves are falling. The world is goldening. Dry air. Growing and falling tides, swell, change. This is my favorite time of year. The transitional season. Coming inwards again. Tide receding even as the winter tide grows, even as the winter stones pile up against our surf-stairs, even as we change into our winter wetsuits, water colder than air. Change happening. Wars. Weddings. The works.
Anchors and touchstones are everyday bits of extraordinary grace that help presence us back in our bodies amidst adversity. This can be a practice like taking three breaths, an object like a special stone that you keep in your pocket or by your desk, or an idea like a word or phrase that you return to throughout the day.
In rough waters, what anchors you?
Reflect & Manifest
I’m embarking on a big writing project. Elements are organically falling into place. This was on my 2023 “Manifest” list, and a Big Dream far before that.
Have you ever had a Childhood Dream or Big Goal organically manifest? What conditions supported this manifesting?
After Halloween, I start reflecting on the year that came before, and visioning the year that lies ahead. As the darkness grows, I feel a delicious reflectiveness settle in. This is the time of year where it feels most natural to ponder big questions— and write.
What are your Big Dreams— or Childhood Dreams? What's calling for your attention? How can you cultivate the soil so that the fruit knows that this is the perfect place to grow? What reflective processes and timing feels natural to you?
Here’s my “Reflect & Manifest” template for reflecting on 2023, and manifesting the 2024 of your dreams. Download, share with friends, print… do as you please. And:
- I hope that you have some kind of “Reflect & Manifest” process— ‘cuz it’s important to look back before stepping forward, so you can learn, refine, and move with intention. When done right, manifestation works.
- Have fun!
Download template & guide:
EarthBody Substack
Substack is a blog-meets-newsletter style platform where I will share book tidbits, seasonal reflections, and more. I am just getting started (and open to ideas).
Join me on Substack!
Coming up
- Elemental Creativity at Green Gulch Farm— art, movement, and meditation with Zen Monk Fu Schroeder, Art Monk Abbess Suiko McCall, and me! 11/29 - 12/3 (Get to know us on video here! This retreat will be extra special with the radical teacher trio of Zen monk, artist, and acupuncturist)
- The Five Elements of Yoga & Chinese Medicine retreat at Esalen with Paula Wild and me, 12/11 - 12/15 (Love hot springs with an ocean view, alongside yoga practice and Chinese medicine goodness? Come join us!)
- Ojai Herbal Symposium in Ojai, CA and online. 12 CEUs for acupuncturists! 11/11 - 11/12
- Ecstatic Dance at Bodhi Salt, end of the month
Recommendations
- Love ethnobotany? Mimi Hernandez just published her gorgeous new (and first) book, The National Geographic Herbal-- watch for our upcoming November Tea Talks interview!
- Made in Taiwan is a new (and first) cookbook from my favorite young Asian American New York Times author, Clarissa Wei! (For gluten and sugar "okay" folks, see her sweet and savory mooncake recipes on NYT)
- Poignant interview with herbal author Chanchal Cabrera (author of Holistic Cancer Care) about Holistic Cancer Care on HerbRally
- Fun interview with herbal author Robin Rose Bennett about Green Witchery on Herbal Radio
❤️ Happy beginning-of-the-holiday-season, and welcome to the darkening days,
acupuncture . herbs . art
Book your acupuncture appointment here
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PS- Want to share my "Reflect & Manifest" template? You can share this link here. ❤ Enjoy!
