In this episode, we take a journey through the ancient Wheel of the Year, exploring the solstices, equinoxes, and the lesser-known cross-quarter days (Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain) that ancient cultures across the globe have honored since long before recorded history. We trace how many of today's religious holidays, from Christmas to Halloween, have roots in these earth-based, solar celebrations, and reflect on what gets lost and gained when sacred cyclical wisdom gets absorbed into linear tradition.
Karen brings in the lens of traditional Chinese medicine, describing the solstices and equinoxes as the "cosmic breathing of the earth" and unpacking how our elemental natures (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) tie us to the seasons in deeply personal ways; we even find out Julie's element live on air. Meredith shares her own complicated relationship with fire and the fear she's working to transform into reverence, while Julie reflects on the years she spent in Alaska, where telling time by the solstice and the blooming of fireweed was simply a way of life.
We talk about the mythic battle between the Oak King and the Holly King, the balance of light and dark, and how the animals in our lives never lost their connection to these cycles, even as we did. We close with an invitation: step outside at dawn or dusk this week, set down the agenda, and just watch what the animals around you are doing. That's where the reconnection begins.
RESOURCES:Do YOU want to be an animal communicator or learn more about Soul Level Intuitive Coaching®?Check out the new classes and Be Open Community offered by our teacher,
Danielle MacKinnon. It’s a great place to learn Energy Management, trusting yourself and even finding a great, supportive community.
YOUR HOSTSJulie is a Soul Level Animal Communicator®, Heart Animal Soul Professional Communicator, Soul Level Intuitive Coach®, Spirit Animal Sacred Alchemy Practitioner and Certified Trauma-Informed Grief Coach. She writes the column
“Trust the Animals” on Substack and is a teaching assistant for the Danielle MacKinnon School. Find out more about her and her monthly Pet Loss Grief Circles at her website:
https://www.juliehirt-intuitive.com/Karen is a Soul Level Animal Communicator®, Soul Level Intuitive Coach®, Pangu Shengong (qigong) Instructor and Energy Healer. She is an End-of-life Companion Animal Doula through the UVM certificate program and a teaching assistant for the Danielle MacKinnon School. She is also on the board of NicaLove Animal Rescue and the Founder and a Director of The Animal Communication Collective®. Find out more about her at her website:
https://www.karendendysmith.com/Meredith is a Soul Level Animal Communicator®, Soul Level Intuitive Coach®, Let Animals Lead® Animal Reiki Practitioner, and certified dog trainer with a focus on behavior modification and positive reinforcement. She is also a Director of The Animal Communication Collective®. Find out more about her at her website:
