The Red Thread

24/12/2022

If you need a slow moment to yourself tonight, or if you're alone and need some companionship, I have recorded a midwinter message for you.
More on the power of rest and stillness, Natures seasonal self care plus dreaming in the seeds of our intentions for the coming year and some thoughts on love and unconditional positive regard from a student psychotherapist.
So pull on some fluffy socks, put another log on the fire, top up your hot chocolate (with Baileys?) and take a restful few moments over this holiday season.

Cosy in, it's just you and me for a midwinter fireside chat. Winter Solstice, rest, stillness, the seeds of intention and seasonal self-care in this solo ep...

01/12/2022

Feeling this 💙

“These darker days, invite you to rest well; to remember and reclaim the gold and the nourishment held within.

Winter teaches that nothing can be outward all the time, nothing can be forever spring; growing, young and outward.

All natural beings need rest in order to sustain themselves.

We need this time to go into our own dark richness.

Into the places we may fear inside ourselves, so we can turn them into medicine, through love and kindness of who we are.

This is a time where deep nourishment is called for, in the form of good wholesome foods and tender love of our own hearts.

Reminding ourselves that through the darkness comes the light, that this time is not only necessary but needed.

Just as the baby becomes whole in the darkness of the womb and the seed needs the black quiet earth to ignite what is held within.

This time of quiet darkness mirrors the beginning of all things.

And so this time is the invitation to begin again, to die mini deaths in your darkness so you can be rebirthed into the light of spring more alive and stronger than before.

Light the fires and the candles in your hearth, honour the gifts your heart and the heart of others can bring.

Create a nest you can rest in, a place to love yourself in and journey in.

Write and dream.

Eat well and sleep well.

Winter is showing you that this is the time where you are the embryo in the womb, the seed in the darkness.

This is the time where nature asks- what do you need to heal, to feel safe enough to become whole, to become who you deeply are.

What needs attending to so you can feel peace in your body, what needs loving so you can grow well in the light that is to come.”

-Brigit Anna McNeill

Art by Angela Ferreira - Magic Paintings

30/11/2022

I'm sinking into a period of rest after surgery a couple of weeks ago. Thinking back to last year at this time, I was also ill and was forced to rest. Reflecting on my Trials, I recorded this Winter story in January to share the wisdom I received. I'm pleased to share it with you all again and especially for those who have joined The Red Thread more recently on this page. Sign up to receive it https://mailchi.mp/8946a8c8a194/the-red-thread-new-subscribers

29/11/2022

I’m really curious to watch this documentary on Phil Stutz, psychiatrist and author of The Tools. I’m also interested to hear what my course tutors make of it! His approach is known to be unconventional, particularly from the perspective of the Person-Centred Approach….let’s see! On Netflix

Stutz: Directed by Jonah Hill. With Jonah Hill, Phil Stutz. Follow Hill and his therapist as he has candid discussions of mental health and the progressively worsening anxiety attacks related to movie promotion that have turned his dream job into a nightmare.

27/11/2022

It's a few days after the New Moon now but the expansive Jupiter energy of Sagittarius is still available to help us dream big, broaden our horizons, transcend the mundane and focus on the bigger picture. I found this lovely New Moon guided meditation does just that so I thought I'd share it with you.

♐️ 🌙 This is a New Moon Guided Meditation for November 2022. This month the moon is in Sagittarius. This is a Manifestation meditation where we will spen...

13/11/2022

Graham Hancock may be a controversial influence in archaeology but his journalistic approach makes this latest series highly watchable! I am enjoying it so far and definitely recommend to anyone curious about the links between ancient cultures, their creation myths and sacred architecture. On Netflix

Ancient Apocalypse: With Danny Hilman Natawidjaja, Ali Akbar, Graham Hancock. What if everything we know about prehistory is wrong? Journalist Graham Hancock visits archaeological sites around the world investigating if a civilization far more advanced than we ever believed possible existed thousand...

29/10/2022

Clocks go back tonight 🕰- what will you do with your extra hour? As it's so close to Hallowe'en, 🎃 I always think of it as the Witching Hour! 🧙‍♀️ So of course, you're invited to join me and my special guest Nathan Glasgow, talking Witches Crones and Hags on the latest episode of my podcast! If you're staying home for the Trick-or-Treaters, you can watch us on YouTube, or if you out and about celebrating the Sabbat, take us with you on your favourite podcast platform!

In this episode, I’m “treating” you something abit different for Samhain, Hallowe’en, the season of the Witch! Bringing together two of my passions - psycho...

23/10/2022

October is the season of the witch! 🧙🏻‍♀️
My new podcast episode is out soon and we’re talking crones, hags and the portrayal of ageing women in horror films! Not long to wait so in the meantime, check out some other witchy movies 🎥

17/10/2022

Coming soon, listen in to my magical chat with academic, scholar and lover of the Horror genre - Nathan Glasgow! Taking about his specialist subject, the portrayal of ageing women in horror and the archetype of The Witch/Crone!
Subscribe to my mailing list and I will send you this Hallowe'en treat as soon as it's out!
https://mailchi.mp/8946a8c8a194/the-red-thread-new-subscribers

12/10/2022

Nicholas is talking about plant medicine boosts for your immune system, perfect to protect against winter illnesses as we move into Autumn. The episode is now available on your favourite podcast platform or you can listen here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1847201/11464481
We're also on YouTube now, so you can watch us too!

09/10/2022

Coming soon, the next episode in our 🍁Seasonal Herbs for Health Series with medical herbalist Nicholas Edwards - we're talking roots 🧄and fruits! 🫐You can access is NOW by joining The Red Thread mailing list and get a BONUS special link to the video version on YOUTUBE!
https://mailchi.mp/8946a8c8a194/the-red-thread-new-subscribers

29/09/2022

Hey lovely podcast listeners, have you ever wondered what we look like when my guests and I are chatting together? Well, now you can join us for our cosy fire-side conversations because we're on YouTube!! Here's Katinka and I with our Autumn Equinox discussion
https://youtu.be/3Fn8Z-E0DN0
In the coming weeks I'll be adding all the previous episodes so you can enjoy them again with video (look out for Jade and I in our flower crowns for summer solstice!)
And of course, I'd love it if you like the video and subscribe to the channel as this helps reach more of our tribe!

In this episode, my special guest is Katinka Soetens Priestess of Avalon and of Rhiannon, Goddess of Love; Co-creator of the Goddess Conference, Founding mem...

25/09/2022

To compliment my episode on the Autumn Equinox, there will be another instalment of our Herbal Medicine series with the fabulous Nicholas Edwards from Apothecary Box!
Out soon, sign up to hear our conversation and I'll send it to your Inbox!
https://mailchi.mp/8946a8c8a194/the-red-thread-new-subscribers

20/09/2022

How are you feeling about Autumn? 🍁The gateway to the dark half of the year, a threshold for reflection and gratitude, a liminal space. I love this season ❤and I am feeling deeply grateful for receiving the wisdom of Katinka Soetens Path of Love Mystery School 🌹in the latest episode of the podcast, out now on all the usual platforms. You can listen directly here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1847201/11343377

19/09/2022

I felt moved to share a few words in honour of Her Majesty The Queen on this day of her State funeral in the UK. A divine feminine presence, a woman of faith and an example of a life lived in service for all those on a path of leadership.

09/09/2022

The I Am Witch - I Am Woman (The Medicine Spoon Memorial Tour) at Pendle Heritage Centre was deeply moving and profoundly beautiful.
I felt waves of grief, fear and shame as I read the thousands of names of women killed as witches in the UK alone. Then serene connection and unspoken love as I contributed to and received the healing of the collective consciousness.
It’s hoped the Memorial will tour around the UK and the full exhibition will be shown again soon. I highly recommend it so check out their website for updates

08/09/2022

Coming soon! In our next episode - a fabulous guest, delicious conversation and deep wisdom for the season of Mabon as we celebrate a full year of The Red Thread podcast!
Sign up her to receive it in your Inbox by 21st September
https://mailchi.mp/8946a8c8a194/the-red-thread-new-subscribers

01/09/2022

September! 🍁 I always get that back to school vibe and this year I am excited to actually be going back to school!
🤔 Am I deluding myself that a Masters programme will allow me more time to read interesting books 📚 chat to inspiring folks and write about my thoughts??
My psychology book habit will be fed for sure! These are the current titles in my book bag. What are you all reading at the moment? 🧡

27/08/2022

Wow, what an incredible project! The Red Dress by Kirstie Macleod is a collaboration over 13 years with 346 contributors of needlework from women across the globe! It’s currently showing at the Royal College of Needlework on London until 5th September, where it all started in 2009.
I was deeply moved, spending time poring over the tiny details and absorbed the energy of the memory and messages woven into this beautiful artwork.
https://reddressembroidery.com/

25/08/2022

Hi 👋 everyone, Vanessa here, your Red Thread host. I hope you have been enjoying some well earned time off over the summer. ☀️

I have taken a break too, to rest and recover from a back injury AND to recharge my Red Thread mojo. 🧶

September is my birth month and at this time of year as a Virgo, ♍️ I like to have a good old sort out and put things in order, ready to start afresh. Also it corresponds to the new academic year when I will start a Masters in Psychotherapy. 👩‍🎓 I am excited to share all the insights from my ongoing learning and bring you inspiring guests to connect with on your journey! 🦋

In the meantime, I wish you all the blessings of this harvest season 💚

Headdress by fellow Priestess and magical creatrix Carolyn at Tatty La La’s Fabulous Headwear

25/08/2022

The Feminine Power exhibition at The British Museum is truly inspiring! 💥
It was a privilege to see so many Goddess icons and artefacts from around the world 🦋
Catch it before 25th September, or get the catalogue (for great photos and commentary)
https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/feminine-power-divine-demonic

23/08/2022

This is a great organisation for anyone in Coventry and Warwickshire, supporting creativity and wellbeing, improving mental health. Check out their autumn programme

13/08/2022

This is an incredible project ❤️ currently exhibiting at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London

A 13 year long, award winning global collaborative embroidery project 2009 - 2022.

20/07/2022

It's the last quarter moon today so along with gratitude for and sharing of all the wisdom from this cycle, maybe your thoughts are turning to the New Moon next week. This ceremony hosted by Earth Spirals Summer, Priestess of Aphrodite for The Goddess Temple of Rome will be a beautiful space to set your intentions.

Join us this New Moon to set your intentions, and watch it grow before your eyes.