Hello,
Welcome to Dark Moon Musings #10.
I know, the dark moon is long gone, and the moon is nearing first quarter.
I was practicing what I preach and retreated so deep this doubly-dark moon (thanks to being in the depths of winter) that I couldn’t bring myself to sit at the computer.
Also, I liked the idea of this newsletter going out when the energies of both the moon phase and solar year aligned (at least here in the southern hemisphere).
Here in the south we are at the beginning of a new lunar cycle AND a new solar year.
Remember, six months ago in Dark Moon #04, when I told you that New Year’s Eve wasn’t the best time for resolutions?
Well, now is the perfect time to set resolutions.
After the Winter Solstice, when daylight begins to grow again, is the birth of the new year in a physical sense.
If you are ever going to pause, now is the time.
The days are short, nights are long, and it is the ideal time for seeking out solitude and for setting aside time to lay the foundations of the year ahead.
My resolution is to be more conscious of my connection with plants and to be more creative with them. As I stir my porridge I visualise oat plants, as I take my herbal supplements I imagine the plants themselves, as I feed my sourdough starter I communicate with wheat, and so on. I’m also trying to do something extra creative with plants each day (see below for my favourite creative plant play so far).
Below, I also share an update on my Inside Time Outside retreats and information on a couple of upcoming events in the Hunter/Newcastle region you may be interested in.
With love,
Tricia
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Year's ago I heard about First Australians creating a medicinal steam bath with Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa). The story fascinated me and I've long wanted to try it. Dodonaea viscosa has some amazing medicinal properties, including being particularly good at clearing chest congestion. A few weeks back I decided to give it a go. I asked Mike to dig me a big hole, "kinda like a shallow grave". He dug me one very splendid grave and then I lit a big fire in it. After several hours, I let the fire die down and removed the remaining coals. I lined the warm hole with handfulls of hop bush (thankfully we have plenty of them growing on our property that I could prune), made sure I was wearing only natural fabrics such as cotton and wool, and climbed into the hole. I draped a wool blanket over me and was in heaven. It was like a warm aromatic bath. I will definately be doing this again!
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Inside Time Outside Retreat - New midweek date
My Inside Time Outside retreats have been growing slowly since I started several years ago. I started with one day per season, then grew to two, and now I'm ready to add a third day—a midweek Wednesday retreat. I love that the midweek retreat is ideal for sending the kids off to school, or having a day off work, and then heading to the hills. Retreats run from 10 am until 4 pm and focus on inner health and wellbeing through nature connection.
Enjoy barefoot bushwalking, nature meditation, safe solitude, time in circle with other women, and learn how to better align your life with the cycles and seasons of life and nature.
The first of the early spring retreats has sold out, but there are still tickets available for Wednesday 31st August and Sunday 4th September. Book here.
And if you wish to take advantage of the early bird price (only $80 for the entire day including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea) - the November early summer retreats are open for bookings.
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We had a special guest at our most recent Inside Time Outside retreat: Joana Ruival (second from left, front row) from Soundness Arts. Oh my! It was magical. Joana gave us a sound healing experience beneath the sheoaks in my favourite forest. It was exactly what I needed. So much so, I've since enjoyed a private session with Joana and am taking the whole family to one of her workshops this weekend (more details below).
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Women's moon circle in Newcastle - hosted by Rahkel.
My friend Rahkel has supported my Inside Time Outside retreats since they begun. We trained together and she has had my back for nearly every one of my gatherings. I have so much respect for this wise, playful and delightfully unique woman. And I'm thrilled she is hosting a series of women's circles in Newcastle.
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Rahkel and I at one of my early Inside Time Outside retreats.
Photo: Brydie Piaff. (Congrats to Brydie for making it yet again into the finalist list for the National Photographic Portrait Prize with this beautiful image).
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Rahkel's circles align with term 3 of the NSW school year and will be held fortnightly on Fridays 10am to 2pm (from 29th of July until 23rd of September) in a secluded nature space at Blackbutt Reserve, New Lambton, Newcastle.
I'll be there and am looking forward to the depth and magic I imagine will happen with meeting so frequently.
Here's a few words from Rahkel:
Circles will wind us through the portals of the dark, new and full moons as we relate to the seasons of the year and our life season. Offering us each a chance to cycle through moon prayers as we courageously call in transformation in our lives, held by the portal of the circle cauldron container we build together.
Babes in arms and toddlers welcome to this adult focused space. LGBTQIA+ very welcome.
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Breathwork, soundhealing & cold plunge in Wollombi
Joana Ruival and Aaron Johnson are hosting a joint event this weekend in Wollombi (c. 1.5 hrs from Newcastle or Sydney). I've done sound healing with Joana and breathwork with Aaron, so I know how magic this day will be. Add in an opprtunity to experience the benefits of ice baths, and I can't wait! Will I see you there?
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