The Small but Revolutionary Act that Transformed My Daily Life (+ A Soulful Invite)

Published: Thu, 01/19/17

Dear ,

It's raining here in the San Francisco Bay Area again, healing waters coming down, renewing our aquifers, making the plants spring to life with green tips and even some flowers, cleaning the fallen leaves off the streets. Out of my window, as I type, I can see a little toddler walking with her mother in a pink raincoat, hood up, cuddly and warm. It's a sweet time of year here.

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to breakup with my phone-- specifically in the morning, which is a time that I like to dedicate to meditation, connection with my family, my writing, and nourishing my body with healthy food and movement. Let me tell you, it does my whole being good.

When we give ourselves permission to break from our devices it frees up space in our minds, hearts, and psyches to create the things we wouldn't normally create and truly practice presence, a lost art form in these days.

For me, it feels incredibly empowering to "sacrifice" in this way-- that is, in the root meaning of the word, "to make sacred." Putting my phone away before my evening activities begin and leaving it there until after I can devote myself to my morning practice, my family, and enjoying the beginning of the day is a small but revolutionary act of self-care and commitment in a world that tells us that we need to be plugged in, all the time, or risk falling behind, missing out, or in some other way, to lose out.

I believe that creating the container I need for my work and growth happens by giving up the things up that don't fuel my authentic self, life, and daily rituals.

Taking breaks from technology and tapping into the natural rhythms of our bodies, of the seasons, the ebb and flows of inspiration and creativity feels AMAZING and I'm hoping that I can help motivate you to create the structures that you need to do your deep work and live fully in the New Year.

Yes, even in the face of what's happening on the news-- especially with what's happening. We need to take the time to strengthen ourselves, constantly renew our hope and tap into all that is possible in the face of oppression, trauma, and despair.

For me, some of the best medicine for heart and soul these days is connection to self & spirit with my morning practice, connection to nature, and connection to community.

Which is one of the reasons that I'm so thrilled to be bringing plant magic and herbal medicine at a yearlong women's circle called the Soulstice Sisterhood, which is an intimate experience focused on empowering women** to expand their leadership and businesses forward with a sense of ease, ground, flow and connectedness in 2017.

The journey begins in early February, gathering on the Solstices, Equinoxes and the cross-quarter festivals in between (ie the Wheel of the Year), and will take place on 22 acres of healing land in beautiful Petaluma, CA. I'll be working alongside fellow creative, mission-driven women in the Bay Area, and during this time we'll slow down, ground, and cultivate the power to lead with confidence, deep connection and full self-expression.

The Soulstice Sisterhood was developed by Women's Leadership Coach Ashley Burnett to honor the seasons, the cycles of nature, the rituals of life and ceremonies of all things. There will be a focus on five of the core elements of feminine leadership: The Body, Mother Nature, Self-Care, Supportive Community and the Divine Feminine, and how when we connect to these pieces consistently, and be held in sacred community, it can help us enhance our ability to show up with strength for the communities we serve.

What's included in the adventure:

- 8 In Person Evening Retreat Gatherings

- Farm-to-Table Feasts During Retreats

- An Apothecary Bar filled with the sweet medicine of yours truly that you can take home to work with throughout the month in between sessions.

- Guest Healers during Rituals

- Recalibration Sisterhood Video Calls

- The Soulstice Sisterhood Online Forum

- Massage Sessions and Handmade Gifts

- Small Group Power Circle Sister Calls

- Access to Ashley's Past Library of Business & Leadership Building Programming

If you are interested in learning more, visit www.soulsticesisterhood.splashthat.com and apply to join. You can also reach out to Ashley at [email protected], or feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

Always in love,

Coming Events
(take note! Some details have changed)

Soulstice Sisterhood with Ashley Barnett in Petaluma, CA. Begins February 1st. The Soulstice Sisterhood was developed to honor the seasons, the cycles of nature, the rituals of life and ceremonies of all things. I'm so thrilled to be bringing plant magic and herbal medicine to this yearlong women's circle, which is an intimate experience focused on empowering women* to expand their leadership and businesses forward with a sense of ease, ground, flow and connectedness in 2017. Reach out to her here to find out more.

FREE Plant Magic + Herbal Medicine Co-Working Days start this Friday! January 20, February 10, March 17. Alameda, CA. No experience necessary.... come with your own project or help someone else. This is a great chance to put your toes in the sweet waters of learning all about plant magic and herbalism, and connect with your herbal community. RSVP here.
February 8-22: Courting the Goddess, Inanna with Urania Griffith in Berkeley CA. In this series of classes we work to develop intimate, experiential relationships with the Goddess. Using magical and artistic practices such as trance, myth working, altars, aspecting, song and poetry, we will deepen our understanding of each Goddess and how She may touch our lives, and develop creative ways in which to worship, pray, and engage with the divine. Find out more and register here.
February 11: The Elixirs of Aphrodite: Herbal Love Potions & Holy Oils in Berkeley, CA. Join me for a delicious and magical exploration into the sensual world of herbal allies and essential oils. We'll delve into streamy, sexy aphrodisiacs, heart-opening herbs, and annointing with sacred oils, all while focusing on the senses -- what tastes, smells, and feels divine. Cordials, herbal honeys, massage and annointing oils, chocolates... all that is sweet and sacred. Sign up here.

February 26--March 17: Every Morning Daily Rituals online program. Every morning. Change your life one day at a time. At dawn. Write. Meditate. Do yoga. Read Poetry. Craft your own daily ritual that will nourish body, heart and soul while cultivating peak creativity, productivity, focus, and presence.

April--November 2017: PlantWitch: An 8-Month Herbal Apprenticeship with Riyana Rose & Seraphina Capranos. Learn about herbal energetics, moon magic, herbal magic, the healing properties of plants, and the many different forms that medicine can take: essential oils, flower essences, tinctures, and more. This focused, devoted, intense deep dive is for both experienced herbal and wellness practitioners and those just beginning their journey. This program is a combo of weekend in-person intensives based out of Berkeley, CA and bi-monthly online content / video calls... we hope you'll join us from afar.

PS. I want to make it very clear, so very very clear, that all uses of the term "sisterhood" and "women" above are completely inclusive of trans-women and gender queer folk of every variety. You are most welcome to join us. We would love to have your magic, your voice, and your presence. That goes for everything that I do.

PPS. I'm going to be out in the streets on Friday and Saturday this week for the Pussy March and the Women's Marches in Oakland and San Francisco. Join me! Drop me a note to let me know when and where you'll be, and we can meet up.

PPPS. I love love love connecting with you folks on Instagram! It's my favorite micro-blogging and connection platform. I post information and inspiration on plant magic, feminism, goddessy stuff, and cute pictures of my baby girl all the time. If I haven't followed you yet, please drop me a DM! You can find me here.