33 Comments

This is so exquisite and mirrors my fears and desires to create new traditions with existing and new friends. Creating community. Legacy. Space for sharing and vulnerability. Feeling inept and unqualified to initiate, but going to anyway. Thank you ✨

Expand full comment

Feeling inept for something we have no models for sounds like exactly the right place to be. Keep going anyway.

Expand full comment

🙏🏾

Expand full comment

I recently got a tattoo of a heart on fire in the center of my chest. It serves as a reminder of that flame that lives inside of me, the one that makes me feel so deeply, the one that pushes me to action. In the past I’ve muted that intensity, thinking it leads only to destruction and isolation, but it is the flame that makes me feel most alive. The simple questions of “What flame is alive inside of you?….In a barren womb, what takes root?” were a much needed reminder that the flame itself is a gift. The flame itself is intuition- guiding me to my most full life. What sets my heart on fire? This was beautiful, Anna. Thank you as always.

Expand full comment

Thank you for your reflections always Emily. As you know, fire has been a big symbol for me this season too. <3

Expand full comment

This made me cry. Even though I grew up with traditions around holidays, I don’t feel connected to them anymore. I yearn for new traditions that feel meaningful to me now and for community to share them with. What a beautiful life you are creating. As others have said, I would join this in a second! As always, thank you for sharing.

Expand full comment

Thanks for reading Laura.

Expand full comment

My grandmother, who passed away five years ago, loved hummingbirds and had many knick knacks representing the animal when she was alive. Ever since she passed, a hummingbird has visited my parents' backyard almost every day and we all like to think it's her saying hi to us.

Expand full comment

I had a feeling I wasn't alone in this! Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment

beautiful

Expand full comment

oof <3 yeah.

Expand full comment

“It turns out that feeling like a phony is inevitable when you start a new ritual or tradition, whether you’re alone or not.” — This line got me.

Expand full comment

It really is a helpful beacon to remember when starting anything, especially something that our culture doesn't set the stage well for.

Expand full comment

Loved reading this. My mum also has dementia and I was hoping our interests would connect somewhere in the middle, but they never did. Now she's away with the fairies, cared for in a home, and I'm out looking for fairies in the bush on the other side of the world, dreaming of finding a community like yours. Also, yes to Martin Shaw and sober solstices. What a wonderful way to open your new tradition. I'd be there in a heartbeat! Sending lots of love x

Expand full comment

Thanks for reading and for this reflection Cassie! Mum solidarity to you. <3

Expand full comment

oh Anna. writing through teary eyes and hoping we can all find our way into nourishing communities. ♥️

Expand full comment

or build them <3

Expand full comment

I love the description of your ritual. Miigwech.

Expand full comment

Thank you for reading, Chris.

Expand full comment

This essay made me emotional. I loved it so much. ❤️

Expand full comment

Thanks Kristen, I felt really emotional writing it!!!

Expand full comment

<3

Expand full comment

So moved by this one, so much resonance. Thank you ✨

Expand full comment

Thank you for reading and taking a moment to reflect that Lisa. It always means a lot to be seen by you.

Expand full comment

thank you for writing. always so look forward to reading.

Expand full comment

That makes me smile, thank you for continuing to open my emails :)

Expand full comment

good one.

Expand full comment

this ritual sounds so magical. it's beautiful to share connection like this with a group that's willing to really go there

Expand full comment

you know it's like, at a certain point, why not/what else/if not now, when? Thanks for reading. <3

Expand full comment