Category Archives: Ritual

2026: My Year of Emancipation

Freedom is a vibrant palette reflecting our diverse paths to liberty. Blue evokes vast possibilities and openness; white symbolises purity and freedom from oppression. Red captures the revolutionary spirit and the courage required for liberty. Green connects us to nature, representing growth and renewal. Yellow and gold shine with enlightenment and hope, symbolising the joy of living without constraints. Each colour tells a story of the different ways we find and fight for freedom. I took this photo of the sunbird on the protea in Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town – a stolen moment of wild magic in between the hustle.

As the Gemini Full Moon of December 2025 cast its luminous glow, it invited me into a realm of introspection. This celestial event called for solitude, urging me to delve into my inner world and release the burdens quietly draining my spirit. Dreams, rich with symbolism, became portals to understanding, guiding me to let go of what no longer served me.

With Neptune’s direct station in Pisces, a transformative 14-year cycle came to a close, reshaping my inner self and dissolving outdated identities. Emotions surged, dreams intensified, and intuition sharpened, leading me back to the core of my truth. The Sagittarius New Moon also graced the sky in December, acting as a beacon for renewing my daily routines and nurturing my health, balancing service to others with honouring my own needs.

2025 was undeniably my year of Magic. This enchanted word became my guiding star, drawing me into a realm where mystery intertwined with daily life. It was a journey of embracing my roles as a WayFinder and Lightworker, celebrating authenticity and the wild spirit within. Magic was not just about transformation but about healing, tapping into Earth’s energies, and reconnecting with untamed beauty.

Standing on the precipice of 2026, my heart swells with anticipation for a year centred on Freedom and Emancipation. The Keepers of Light Life Path oracle (by Kyle Gray) reading has unveiled a path of profound change and liberation, promising a flourishing professional and public life guided by a redefined sense of purpose and success aligned with my authentic self. This is the year of Expansion of the Heart, where true growth happens in spaces of safety and emotional support, allowing me to redefine belonging and deepen my capacity for love.

Financially, 2026 invites me to reassess my relationship with money, letting go of long-held scarcity mindsets to embrace abundance through joy and passion. It’s a year ripe with opportunities for entrepreneurship and creative endeavours, where prosperity flows dynamically and vibrantly.

In this vibrant realm of existence, where love and acceptance intertwine with each heartbeat, the idea of Earth Angels shines brightly as a symbol of hope and transformation. These radiant souls, driven by a divine mission to spread love and healing, guide us towards spiritual evolution. My journey has been profoundly touched by such an Earth Angel—my Aunty Denise. Though not a blood relative, she embodied the essence of an Earth Angel with her quiet strength and boundless kindness. Her unexpected passing nearly two years ago left a void, yet she gifted me a legacy of love and liberation. In our last moments together, she encouraged me to embrace my wild-hearted odyssey, to dance to the rhythm of my own drum. Her unwavering acceptance and belief in my path have catalysed an enormous change within me, setting me free to explore the world with an open heart. Aunty Denise’s spirit continues to guide me, her indelible mark a testament to the power of Earth Angels in shaping our lives for the better.

As the sacred dance of life calls me to unleash my true self, 2026 becomes a canvas where divine interventions guide each step. I honour my lineage, healing ancestral wounds, and embracing a future rich with purpose and joy. This journey as a Lightworker is illuminated by the lighthouse versus rescue boat analogy. The lighthouse stands tall, offering steady, long-term guidance, empowering others to find their own way, while the rescue boat dives into crises, offering immediate relief but risking burnout and dependency. This year, I embrace my lighthouse phase, a beacon rooted in the wisdom of trust, light, love, rewilding, and magic that has shaped my path.

In numerology, 2026 is a year of new beginnings, a 1 year, and a 10 year. It’s also a Fire Horse year in Chinese astrology, a time of passion and dynamic change. As I embrace the words Freedom, Emancipation, Co-creation, and Beloved, I am ready to dance into this new chapter, guided by intuition and a heart purified by fire. Here’s to a year of becoming, where authenticity and balance reign, and where the wild heart beats ever stronger.

To feel in 2026… one with nature, guided by inner wisdom, held by the land, nourished and inspired, at home in my own skin, drawn to the trees, wild and free.

Toyed around with which word to use:

  • Freedom: Old English meaning exempt from a particular state or condition, evolving from a Proto-Germanic word meaning “beloved” or “at peace,” linked to tribal belonging and protection, linked to words like “friend.”
  • Liberty: Latin meaning free choice, independence, exemption from constraint.
  • Emancipation: Latin meaning to take out of hand, freedom from legal or social bondage, release from restrictions.

In the end, there are aspects of all three words at play this year.

I encountered some profound thoughts recently, and though I am unsure of their origin, I paraphrase them here:

Each family births a soul attuned to the quakes within their lineage. This one dreams in symbols, waking weary from battles unseen by others. She mourns for wounds not of her making but coursing through her veins. She carries more than her own sorrows; she bears echoes, ancestral murmurs, and silent grief buried for ages. Labelled as overly sensitive, too intense, too different, she is heaven's cycle breaker. Born with open eyes, her spirit rejects deceit, her nerves react to manipulation, and her heart refuses to accept dysfunction as normal. She doesn’t turn her back on her family; instead, she saves it by refusing replication. She disrupts, interrupts patterns, and says “no more” when others accept “that’s just the way it is.” She questions the unquestioned, heals the unhealed, and voices the unspoken. And yes—it costs her. Comfort, belonging, and inner peace are the price. Breaking a cycle incurs resistance; inherited pain loyalists label her an enemy. She is blamed for chaos she merely revealed and accused of shattering the already fractured. But here’s the harsh truth—the chosen one is often sacrificed before being revered. She walks in solitude before honour finds her, misunderstood before remembrance. Even those she liberates may never express gratitude. Yet she stands firm, knowing what others don’t—yielding perpetuates the curse. Silence allows the wound to persist. So she becomes the fire, not to destroy her family but to cauterise what has bled for generations. When the smoke clears, the bloodline transforms forever. For once a soul awakens, the spell is irrevocably broken.

Disclaimer: the words above and the resonance described below are not to say I have a terrible family in the here and now. Quite the opposite in fact. I am sharing this part of my story as we all carry ancestral wounds, it is no one’s fault, it just is. I am only now beginning to understand my journey in terms of being the cycle breaker and pattern interrupt for my family and this includes my soul family.

These words resonate deeply! For this Wild Heart, it has been more than just breaking my ancestral cycle of wounds, but also my wider journey and the people I’ve met along the way. I only see it now in hindsight—all those nights crying in a foetal position on floors, body wracked with pain as my heart cried out, “What did I do?” or “Why me?” It has been worth the pain in the end as I have been cracked open to live authentically, and the reward is seeing how the spell has broken for so many around me. This is not me, but the universe working through me. I think back to my lowest moment on a concrete floor of my little Maun home, the energy surrounding me filled with all my broken dreams. A chink of light in the dark spoke gently and softly—be my sunshine. I still wake up each morning with that intent. I certainly do not get it right all the time, but still, I try.

I have been writing and rewriting this post since the 1st of January. Stolen moments to myself in between a horrendous list of have-to’s for work. I feel like I am on the edge of a deep and profound shift personally—a renewed soul calling for me and my Anam Ċara. But drowning in the overwhelm of an unsustainable workload in the here and now. The opposite of work-life balance, living to work has become my norm of late. Actually, perhaps it ever was. The opposite of freedom and emancipation. Perhaps that is why it is so overwhelming at my day job, to teach me just this—let go of the old hustles I felt I needed to earn my place in the world. Surrender to the flow of soul calling, allowing the healthy boundaries to show themselves and settle. Perhaps I needed these last two months to start embodying my word for the year, my year of emancipation taking shape so I could articulate the concept more thoughtfully. Here’s to Freedom.

2025 – a year of Magic

2024 was my year of Rewilding—a journey illuminated by the wisdom of trees. Each tree became a mentor, offering unique insights that guided my path. The enigmatic Pomegranate led me into the depths of my unconscious, encouraging me to interpret dreams and unearth hidden truths. The Horse Chestnut taught me the importance of weighing my decisions, balancing wisdom with caution. The Olive tree whispered of peace and harmony, while the Sugi tree called me to honor the sacredness of nature. The Scots Pine nudged me to step beyond my comfort zones, paving the way for a healthier, more fulfilling life. The mighty Oak instilled strength and self-belief, while the Ginkgo tree kept me anchored in the eternal present. The Ash tree guided me in mastering my relationships, and the Hazel tree imparted the crucial art of setting boundaries. Finally, the Yew tree, a symbol of regeneration, encouraged me to nurture new growth and practice self-care in moments of stillness.

And now, as we step into 2025, Magic becomes my guiding star. It’s a wondrous concept, weaving an enchanting tapestry of mystery and mysticism that invites me to connect with the magical beings that inhabit our world. I’m drawn toward mystical landscapes, yearning for the ancient wisdom of fairies, witches, and druids.

Learning to embrace new labels – a WayFinder and a Lightworker, I celebrate the power of authenticity. This journey into Magic encourages us to stay present, cherishing our unique paths and revelling in our wildness. The playful spirits of fairies remind us of the joy and creativity that flourish in nature-connected experiences.

Magic transcends mere transformation; it’s a sacred art of healing. Witches reveal the secrets of herbal remedies and natural spells, teaching us to tap into the Earth’s energies to restore balance and wellness. This healing magic mirrors the untamed beauty of the wilderness, inviting us to reconnect with our wild spirits. As we delve deeper into this magical realm, we are guided by the druids, who remind us of our intricate bond with nature and the human experience. They teach that we are part of a larger tapestry, woven with vibrant threads of life, energy, and enchantment.

This year’s Celtic Compass reading – from a delightful angels and ancestors oracle deck – has illuminated my path and deepened my connection to ancestral wisdom. Each direction shines a light on my personal growth and spiritual alignment. The Eagle, reigning from the center, encourages me to rise above limitations and embrace new possibilities with love and healing energy. In the North, the Winter Wolf fosters resilience and inner strength, grounding me amid winter’s energy of introspection. The East, represented by the Snake, invites renewal, urging me to shed old skins and reveal my true potential. The South, with the Mirror Guardian, calls for self-reflection, reminding me of my inherent beauty and strengths. In the West, the Traveller signifies new journeys—both external and internal—encouraging emotional growth and ancestral support. The Northeast, guided by the Witch, emphasises choosing light and positivity amid challenges. In the Southeast, the Seer invites me to envision a brighter future, harnessing my intentions to shape my destiny. The Southwest, with the Water Guardian, encourages me to dive deep into my emotions, recognizing them as soulful messages. Finally, the Northwest brings the Peacekeeper, a reminder of harmony and the power of choosing peace over conflict. This reading is a magical journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformative power.

Words can barely capture the mind-blowing signs and synchronicities that unfold as I align with this wild path. My Celtic Compass reading this morning left me with goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. Just last year, I embarked on the journey of having my birth chart done for the first time. This deep dive into my soul’s story, alongside incredible energy healing sessions, has been restorative. I’m healing childhood wounds, breaking ancestral patterns, and learning to be fully present in the magic of each moment. I’m manifesting my dream life while leaving space for wonderment, spontaneity, and, of course, a whole lot of Magic.

If you look a little closer at my journey of the past few years since coming across this whole concept of a Word for the Year, you can’t help but notice a connection, a tapestry as my story evolves weaving all these spectacular threads together…. and more especially still as I learn surrender and letting go of all the no longer serves…… Magic, I tell you

P.S. #odysseyofmywildheart – I have been teasing this on my social media in the latter part of last year…. an explanation coming soon!

2024 – My Year of Wild

‘Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it is about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you.’

Paul Coehlo

It started a couple of years ago and a deal made with the benevolent Universe that I would learn to Trust my intuition. It would be a journey to recognising and reconnecting with that calm, clear voice of authentic Me as separate from ego. But what a journey it has been! My Year of Trust in 2022 brought me dreams come true and an indelible lesson in how to balance what I can make happen and what I invite to let happen.

2023 has been My Year of Light and Love, the next steps on my growth journey. To find balance in how I love, but also to embrace the ‘who I am inside’ and finally allow her to be loved just as she is – Sunshine Reflected. Another incredible year of synergy and alignment and abundance, living my Dream Life. Choosing the way of love over fear always.

In this Love Lightly space, I found a muse with grace and wisdom beyond his years. He has a mind and heart wide open, paying close attention to each one of my details knowing how to take me to my very limits. He has actual depth and insight, resilient, and with a bite that keeps the world in check. So I have finally started writing the book I somehow knew was always in me. I am being pushed creatively and that is showing up in my art too.

At this time of reflection and setting intention for the coming year, some words are showing up in my journalling repeatedly….

If you have read any of my other writing, you will know that I have a firm belief in the energy that connects All that is. I have found that tapping into this energy at a cosmic level is what drives intuition and instinct. Overwhelmingly this energy is good and benevolent, in my experience. So part of my reflection time involves looking for guidance and wisdom from Nature and Universe:

The tree wisdom card I pulled from my oracle deck as I thought about my word for 2024 was the energy of Regeneration from Yew.

I used the wonderful energy of the recent full moon in Cancer on 26 December as a focus for this end of year reflection. The last full moon of 2023 brought an invitation to come back to our hearts as we prioritise nurturing ourselves to become the safe space we long for.

Venus is in Sagittarius at the moment until 23 January, with a clear energetic shift that inspires a celebratory approach to life, love and relationships, moving closer to authentic self. Sagittarius inspires us to recover our connection to our authentic, undomesticated self, to Natural Laws, and to our intuition, being drawn to freedom, authenticity and honesty. During the upcoming days, chances to recognise how freedom and connection aren’t mutually exclusive, discovering how to nurture both the need for intimacy and the desire for independent exploration of life.

A few months ago, I wrote about Reclaiming Wild, all about taking back the concepts of  Wild, Wildness and Wilderness as part of my Soul’s vocabulary – a way of expressing true nature-connectedness, a pattern of my Soul, my Soul Maker and the season I now find myself in living my Dream Life.

What a lovely concoction of Cosmic and Nature energy to feed mind and heart and set intention!

So, on the foundation of two previous words for the year, a journey back to authentic Me has begun. A reclaiming of Wild and Untamed Me, a fully reconnected back to Nature version of Me. Embracing my Wild Heart. Empowering a balanced sacred-feminine, divine-masculine essence of Me. So I am better able to live wholeheartedly and fulfill my Great Purpose.

Me empowered, rewilded, reclaiming my Wildness means pure space is open for empowering Other, empowering Wilderness. I hope by reclaiming my internal Wild, I will be more in tune with Nature. This spiritual rewilding enabling me to better serve the Conservation Collective I am part of. This Collective is all about the job of physical rewilding as a Nature-based Solution for the environmental and social ills of our time.

Rewilding. It is messy and real and imperfect. A bit like Nature really – wild, messy and full of imperfection but Nature knows how to embrace her magic. Understanding more deeply what it means to be human, to be beautifully imperfect, to be wonderfully lost at times. I am excited about embracing my magic and my happy wanderer ways in 2024 – My Year of Wild 🖤

Light

My Word for the Year is Light

Me

Last year my Word for Year was Trust. As I reflect back on the year just gone, I am grateful to my dear friend, Erin, for introducing me to this concept of a Word for the Year. It was like carrying a talisman in my pocket all year long reminding me of the intentions I had set at the start of the year and to remain courageous on the journey. And what a year it turned out to be…

Now it is time for a new word, to set fresh intentions and continue to dream big.

This is not the first time Light has resonated with me as a significant word. Quite a while back now while grieving the loss of broken dreams and at a very low point in my life, in a moment of stillness in my grief, I had a vision of sorts that part of my life’s purpose was to Be Light, to Be Sunshine. Sounds odd, I know, which is why I dismissed it as a crazy thought in the midst of my brokenness. Now, I am beginning to see this vision of sorts playing out in my life anyway.

Last year the incredible Shan came into my life. The concept of Light came back to me in a big way then as I wrote her story. Especially in the context of the Viktor E. Frankl quote:

What is to give light must first endure burning.

Viktor E. Frankl

The healing journey of my heart has been a long one and there was much to relearn. I say relearn because I believe our hearts and souls understand a lot of the world as children but somehow growing to adulthood means we lose that intuitive knowledge. I had to relearn to Trust my connection to the Universe. I had to relearn how to Dream big again. I had to relearn that Hope floats.

I had to understand that for every Big Dream there is also the bitter and the shadow. That is the trick of life’s journey. To live Wholeheartedly you have to embrace the sadness, the loss, the pain as well as the joy, the abundance and the freedom. Life brings both. To learn to sit with shadow without it swallowing you whole is the key. To learn the infinite Joy that comes from Gratitude….. this is the Light that shines the way when you are in shadow, guiding you as you navigate life’s journey.

So now I need to be Light. I need to be Sunshine. I need to be Light for all mine, for all who cross my path…. this is my purpose….. a guiding Light, working with the Universe, shining light into dark corners even if just to bring a moment of comfort.

To continue to find those Pure Spaces and hold them open for my heart to find rest and all those who are with me, those I carry close in my heart.

So my Word for the Year is Light.

Me

Light is sunshine, starlight, moonlight…. all that connects me to the Cosmos.

Light is connected to fire, connected with cleansing, honing and purifying that happens with burning…. somehow I find comfort in this idea.

Light is about colour. The rainbow of colours through the prism. This year is about living life in full colour just like the colours of my art…. the creative process that sparks pure joy for me.

Light is also the absence of heavy. This year is about embracing all that is light and bright, spontaneous moments of joy…. truly living wild-hearted.

Light is connected to Love. I will love wholeheartedly but lightly…. a free-spirited love that is about holding unconditional love space loosely. Ready to hold it tightly when needed. Ready to let it go if or when its season has ended.

Light is connected to Being, to spirit and soul. This year is about being in the moment, about being fully present to shine all the more brightly.

Light is about the positive energy of a bright aura…. the energy of hope, love and gratitude…..

Wishing you all Love and Light

Happy Holidays?

Normally by now I am full of Christmas spirit, immersed in our family holiday traditions as another year draws to a close.

But not this year. I am struggling. I feel the weight of the uncertainty 2020 has brought for me and everyone I know.

With all I have learned about Emotional Agility this year I know it is okay to feel this way. In fact, I think we should all acknowledge that Christmas will feel different this year.

In my search to find growth in my present discomfort, I have found the following helpful…

I found this article from The Conversation an interesting read – Christmas will be different this year.

I found this post from Action for Happiness a comfort.

https://www.facebook.com/actionforhappiness/photos/a.641966085836300/3836474789718731/

I found Susan David PhD’s Instagram posts like this one insightful.

I found reading up about Kwanzaa inspiring and uplifting.

We are all grieving some sort of loss this year. My wish for us all is to find some Peace as this year ends and some Hope as the next one dawns.

So I will wish you happy holidays wherever you are and whatever your circumstance. Have Courage and Be Kind. 💙