A beginning

(gently, gently)

We’re a week into January, and yesterday marked the end of the omen days, which I observed faithfully (a miraculous thing for this monkey mind of mine). I was reminded of the joy that true focus and attention can bring. We were fully immersed in nature for 3 days out of the 12 in an off-grid cabin in rural Westmeath. It was a much-needed rest for both of us (slightly marred by back pain that’s yet to fully go away). I made the most of it despite the pain, using the gorgeous lakeside sauna and hobbling around the lake and forest on many walks by both moon- and daylight. Being there for the first full moon of the year was so special. We saw a heron, a buzzard, three bullfinches, countless wrens and blackbirds, a robin, and most magically, a goldcrest. Most all of these from the comfort of our bed (the perfect hide). It deepened my desire to pack it all in and move to the sticks.

I spent a lot of time at Samsú pondering the session I’d had with Dearbhla at Aurum Kinesiology the Tuesday before we left. Our main focus was on Venus in Gate 21.5 in my Heart Centre. This gate is the embodiment of the Serenity Prayer. I took some time to write my own version and have written it into my 2026 diary.

May I have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living in the present, enjoying each moment.
Trusting the Universe, surrendering to its process.
Choosing contentment and curiosity over suffering.
Shining my light no matter what, knowing that even on
the days I feel insignificant, I can still make a difference
if I truly trust in my soul's purpose.

We were working with my 24-year-old self, the age at which this centre became blocked. I’d moved to County Durham, and the blocks we found were suppressed expression, fear of ease, and over-responsibility, which made complete sense. Dearbhla used light and sound therapy (including the chant Om Namo Buddhaya - a mantra to invoke inner peace and clarity, specific to my Vedic sign). She also gave me Olive flower essence - for exhaustion, “I can’t go any further”. Then we used breathwork (nadi shodhana, alternate nostril breathing), cross-crawl and eye rotations to integrate the new intentions into my body:

I can express myself fully.
I can shine my light no matter what.
It is safe for me to act with integrity.
I trust myself.
I believe in myself.

It was one of the most intense sessions we’ve had so far, and I feel that the back pain might be a sort of healing crisis provoked by the depth of our work. So I have really been paying attention to my body, allowing my 24-year-old self to lay down these blocks and be held by these new, life-affirming intentions. Knowing that I have so much support as I move forward into each new moment. I am grateful for all the healing practices that have buoyed me through the past year, and I know there is more to learn - there’s always more! We will never stop learning about ourselves and uncovering the mysteries we contain! May it be so!

The stars! Even with the brightest full moon they were so bright!

If you’d like to discover more about the mysteries and wonders you contain, why not sign up for my 7-week course Release and Rest? In our first couple of weeks we will be sinking into the depths of rest through metta bhavana meditation and yoga nidra (yogic sleep), which I had the privilege of learning about last October with Emma Rose Lowe and Simone MacKay on their Aisling na hÉireann: Dreams of Ireland yoga nidra training. I am so eager to share more of this deeply healing practice throughout the course. As we move further through the weeks, our holosomatic practice will expand, and there will be lots of opportunities to explore and expand your window of tolerance (those edges of comfort/discomfort that we sometimes would rather avoid). You can read more about window of tolerance in this post I wrote last year. If you have any questions I would love to chat - comment below or message me through my website.

Be well, go gently x