in essence

06/03/2024

Friends,

Below is an email I wrote to those on my email list a few days back. I felt called to share it here in case you too might benefit from/ delight in/ feel called to explore 🌕 moonly women's circles.

"I’m not here to remind you about the state of our world.

You know what’s going on and you’re doing your best to navigate it all.

My hope is that your navigation strategy includes a solid self-loving routine that helps you to stay connected to your soul and energized for your mission.

My routine has evolved to include REGULAR daily meditations and walks in nature, kundalini yoga, acupuncture, massage, rollerdance, somatic therapy, the odd sound bath alongside...
...sister circle after sister circle after sister circle.

I’ve got Voxer sister circles, zoom sister circles, live sister circles…

Local, international.

Weekly, bi-weekly, moonly.

And of all my delicious self-loving tools, circling with women is what brings me back to myself, and what holds me in a circle of belonging.


Imagine, what it would feel like if every month you had a Full Moon sister’s circle to look forward to, and every season a delicious up-leveling Sacred Feminine Ceremony, blocked out in your calendar.

🕯️ Sacred soul time and space to exhale, go into a deep healing meditation, release your grievances and celebrate your wins.

🕯️ A trusting place where you’ll feel held in a sense of belonging with like-minded women.

🕯️ A time to connect more deeply with nature’s cyclical wisdom and plug into Goddess energy in remembrance of who you are and what you’re here to do.


The Witchhunt Collective: 13 Moons Together doors are open for 2 more weeks. It's an affordable, magical year-long women’s circling experience that you can join for as little as $37 per month or $400 for the entire year.

Reach out if you have any questions.

We have a beautiful circle of women coming together and I’d love if you were part of it ♥️.

5 spaces left. Doors close March 20.

xx

Alexandra Hughes"

07/12/2023

I remember.

34 years ago today-

“On December 6, 1989, Marc Lépine entered a mechanical engineering class at the École Polytechnique in Montreal and ordered the women and men to opposite sides of the classroom. He separated nine women, instructing the men to leave. He stated that he was “fighting feminism” and opened fire. He shot at all nine women in the room, killing six. The shooter then moved through corridors, the cafeteria, and another classroom, targeting women for just under 20 minutes. He killed a further eight before turning the gun on himself.”

Geneviève Bergeron, 21, was a second year scholarship student in civil engineering.
Hélène Colgan, 23, was in her final year of mechanical engineering and planned to take her Master’s degree.
Nathalie Croteau, 23, was in her final year of mechanical engineering.
Barbara Daigneault, 22, was in her final year of mechanical engineering and held a teaching assistantship.
Anne-Marie Edward, 21, was a first year student in chemical engineering.
Maud Haviernick, 29, was a second year student in engineering materials, a branch of metallurgy, and a graduate in environmental design.
Barbara Maria Klucznik, 31, was a second year nursing student.
Maryse Laganière, 25, worked in the budget department of the Polytechnique.
Maryse Leclair, 23, was a fourth year student in engineering materials.
Anne-Marie Lemay, 27, was a fourth year student in mechanical engineering.
Sonia Pelletier, 28, was to graduate the next day in mechanical engineering. She was awarded a degree posthumously.
Michèle Richard, 21, was a second year student in engineering materials.
Annie St-Arneault, 23, was a mechanical engineering student.
Annie Turcotte, 20, was a materials engineering student.

23/11/2023

During this dark time of the year, global environmental crises & conflicts drag us deeper into the underbellies of our hearts and souls.
 
We weep at the news and wail in the woods.
 
Beneath it all is a desperate call for unity and light...

🌍⭐️🕊️❤️

Winter Solstice is the turning point that marks the end of the longest night & welcomes the return of the Sun 🌞.
 
Witches in the North gather to honour this important shift.
 
We draw on nature’s energetics to bring light into the heart of the season’s darkness.
 
We manifest our dreams, releasing what holds us back, and setting our individual and collective paths forward.
 
And you’re invited!

LUZ is a sacred gathering rooted in ancient wisdom.
 
Designed as a portal to self-discovery — through connection with the energetics of nature’s cycles, inner wisdom & one another. 
 
It’s for those ready to embrace the Solstice as a powerful transition from darkness to light.

When you join LUZ you can expect to:

1 — Connect more deeply with nature’s cyclical wisdom (your body, included) 
 
2 — Learn about the Wheel of the Year and the astrological energy of this time 
 
3 — Leave the circle having released what no longer serves you
 
4 — An embodied experience of the version of the woman you’re stepping into

5 — Indulge in the feeling of belonging & oneness that the circle has created

6 — Connect in sisterhood over beverages & light snacks after the Ceremony has closed

The investment for this magical Earth-centered IN-PERSON* circle is $67CAD**.
 
When? Thursday December 21st, at 6:30pm EST 

Where? Community OutWitch in Parkdale, Toronto or via live stream 

*Limited In-Person spaces available. If you can’t make it live, we’ll set up live-streaming for you.

**Sliding scale available —DM me

02/11/2023

I’m having my mum and grandmother for dinner. (It’s an annual thing.)

Pre-dinner conversation:

Me: What would you like to listen to while you’re here and I’m preparing the food?

Mum: CBC. Like before.

Me: Ok. But I’m warning you, it’s a s**t show.

27/09/2023

Imagine if the “shoulditis”, perfectionism and “not enoughitis” no longer dominated your decision-making.

Women have been conditioned to put everybody else’s needs before our own, and in so doing, wait for the “right time” to center ourselves in our lives.

This works for the patriarchal system. But it doesn’t work for anything or anyone else.

Not a good thing to role model for our children. Not a good dynamic to engage in with our families.

Not fair. Not sustainable.

And not joyful!

And yet, how do we develop the clarity, confidence and courage to make decisions that are fully soul-aligned?

RISE is a small group (like, less than 10) ceremonial workshop designed to help women remember who the ACTUALLY are, and connect with your unlimited source of power and confidence.

It’s a half-day deep dive that combines sacred feminine ritual and personalized coaching.

We’ll focus on getting you unstuck in whatever areas you feel stuck, or on repeat. And getting you through what you’ve been holding back on.

‘Cause it’s time!

We gather at 10am Friday.

There are still spaces left and I’d love to have you join us.

Link in bio and I’m here for any questions ❤️

xx

Alex

27/09/2023

Imagine if the “shoulditis”, perfectionism and “not enoughitis” no longer dominated your decision-making.

Women have been conditioned to put everybody else’s needs before our own, and in so doing, wait for the “right time” to center ourselves in our lives.

This works for the patriarchal system. But it doesn’t work for anything or anyone else.

Not a good thing to role model for our children. Not a good dynamic to engage in with our families.

Not fair. Not sustainable.

And not joyful!

And yet, how do we develop the clarity, confidence and courage to make decisions that are fully soul-aligned?

RISE is a small group (like, less than 10) ceremonial workshop designed to help women remember who the ACTUALLY are, and connect with your unlimited source of power and confidence.

It’s a half-day deep dive that combines sacred feminine ritual and personalized coaching.

We’ll focus on getting you unstuck in whatever areas you feel stuck, or on repeat. And getting you through what you’ve been holding back on.

‘Cause it’s time!

We gather at 10am Friday.

There are still spaces left and I’d love to have you join us.

xx

Alex

25/09/2023

Is there an area of your life where you’re unconsciously (or consciously) on repeat, but trying to break through?

An area where you’re feeling called to speak and honor your truth — whether it be to yourself or another — but feel too stuck to do it?

Our work as women trailblazing a new way of being and doing life — as role models for our children, families and communities, and as culture-changing professionals — is to NOT ONLY disentangle these narratives from what we believe to be “true” in our minds, BUT ALSO in our bodies, hearts and souls.

This is the work I help women step into in Friday’s ceremonial workshop, RISE. (Click here to learn more).

Whether it be through ceremony with me, or leaning into another form of healing yourself from internalized patriarchal narratives that are keeping you (us!) stuck, pleeeeeeeze, honor yourself by doing the internal liberation work necessary to stop the on-repeat pattern and resulting stuckness.

Life is short and you’ve only got this one (that you’ll remember, anyway 😉).

And besides, you’ve got a legacy to leave behind...let's make it one you’re proud of.

RISE is an intimate ceremonial workshop where you’ll get personalized attention and support. I’m here if you have any questions.

More info on RISE 👉 https://www.alexandrahughes.com/rise

Link also in IG bio

20/09/2023

I'm sharing this story with you to showcase the ridiculousness & the staying-power of one of the deepest & most paralyzing internalized patriarchal narratives that I've worked through.

I’ll explain.

Deep down in my subconscious lived a story-line that went like this:

“You’re so lucky to have a man who loves you, is loyal & provides so beautifully for your family. Your mother dreamed to be a diplomatic wife & now you are one. To want anything else doesn’t make sense. It’s selfish & unjustified. You should be happy now. It doesn’t get better than this.”

And just one layer deeper, a nasty whisper: “What IS justified is that you be cast out alone, hungry & unprotected — with your 3 children — should you bite the hand that feeds you & ask for more…for yourself.”

This narrative was likely born of epigenetic trauma, was alive & well inside my cells.

It's what had them trembling as I prepared for & held this pivotal conversation with a man who loved me deeply & saw me as his equal.

It wasn’t about him. At all.

It was about a narrative defining what it is to be a good woman, wife & mother. A story line that’s kept women safe in the patriarchy.

There are many such patriarchal narratives — some that tell us what we should wear to enchant or please those around us, others that remind us how we should spend our time or invest our money.

They all feel like shoulds & they all come from outside of us — from a system dependent on keeping women small & secondary.

But here’s the thing: we’re at a point in time when the world needs us to step out of “small & secondary”.

The world needs you in your truth & power to lead us out of this patriarchal mess & into a more balanced, regenerative socially just society.

You in?

Let’s talk about it this Friday at my free brainstorming session! DM me for deets.

12/09/2023

Whenever I’m in the thick of shadow work (or just having a crap day) I try to bring myself back to these 6 sacred truths to lift myself up.

1. Life is a Mystery School.

2. We’re all just sacred beings in bodysuits, here on this Earthwork with a mission to fulfill.

3. All is divine timing.

4. Each moon, cosmic and seasonal cycle offers the opportunity for personal evolution and spiritual growth — another cycle onwards in the upward spiral of expansion & success.

5. Life is happening for me, not to me.

6. Our bodies, our circumstances & individuals who come into our lives are all Divine messengers.

And with this soul-based perspective back in my heart-pocket where it belongs, everything softens for me.

Helping women remember these truths through soul work and ceremony also happens to be what I teach (‘cause we’re all here to teach what we most need to learn, right 💫).

Over to you…what piece of witchy wisdom most resonates with you?

What has helped you get your soul-based perspective back?

Let me know in the comments 👇.

11/09/2023

The patriarchy is built on selfless women — women who give, who say yes, who feel guilty asking that their needs & dreams be met.

Women who learn to silence the messages from their bodies & souls to live out loud, to seek pleasure, to put themselves first.

The person who called me selfish was raised in that soup. And so was I.

That’s why, when I stood up for myself and spoke my truth around what was no longer working form me — i.e., stepped out of that selfless cage — the selfish descriptor was thrown at me.

And that’s also why the word triggered the hell out of me.

In the patriarchy, to be a selfish woman is the absolute worst.

It not only makes me a bitch & useless in a context where my role (& value!) is to care for & put others first.

But also, because nobody cares for or loves a selfish woman (she’s useless after all), it also legitimizes my annihilation from the protection of society.

And that is terrifying.

I had to take a dose of my own medicine & unravel that particular explosive episode & deconstruct my relationship with “selfishness”.

And needless to say, I’ve decided to embrace it…

I am Alex. And I am selfish.

Over to you…are you selfish? Or selfless?

Are you one in some arenas of life & the other in another?

What would you do if someone you loved called you selfish?

Let me know in the comments.

And if any of this resonates, consider joining my upcoming ceremonial workshop: RISE.

RISE is a sacred experience designed & facilitated to support sustainable change in the lives of women who are seeking to break free from patriarchal conditioning. When you join RISE you'll:

1 / Learn how the patriarchy distracted you from accessing your inner wisdom & soul calling

2/ Identify your internalized patriarchal narratives & how they sneak their way into your daily life

3/ Step into & embody a version of yourself who’s ready to step into the truth & power of the woman you were born to be.

*Also, when you join RISE, your investment will be allocated towards any future investments you make with me in the coming year.

→ https://www.alexandrahughes.com/rise

🔗

08/09/2023

When working through your shadows, always remember:

🐚 you are not alone

🐚 feelings are temporary

🐚 you've just gone into your shadow

🐚 you've done this before

🐚 you will be reborn stronger

And organically, at your own rhythm, over time, you can begin to plant the seed to the question:

🐍 what is the layer that you are being called to shed?

These are all words that do not live in our brains but rather in our souls.

And for this reason, ceremonial work is the most efficient way to step out and through into that whole and unapologetic version of yourself — the woman you are born to be before the world told you who you should be.

RISE is a ceremonial workshop designed specifically to awaken the bold, unapologetic version of your wisest self.  You will step into her. It will feel AMAZING. 
 
And on the way to this embodiment of your truth and power, you’ll learn how the patriarchy distracted you from accessing your inner wisdom & soul calling, while also identifying your unique internalized patriarchal narratives & how they sneak their way into your daily life. 
 
It is only when you start to see your patterns that you can change them.
 
And only when you start to embody your power and truth, can you recognize her and begin to nurture her so she grows and grows and grows...until she is all of you.
 
Ceremony does this for you in a condensed period of time.

💫 RISE is a half-day Ceremonial Workshop curated for women who are ready to detox from the patriarchal narratives that have made their way into our neural pathways, and step into the truth & power of the woman they were born to be. We gather on October 29. Investment: $111 (can be applied to future work with me over the coming year!).

If this resonates, you can learn more at https://www.alexandrahughes.com/rise or visit the bio link

04/09/2023

Women have been conditioned in a certain way. And because the conditioning has become unconscious to us, we often don’t even notice it.

This is what I’m referring to when I say we “swim in the patriarchal soup”…it’s like a fish in a bowl believing the bowl is it’s sea because it knows no other way…

But our blood, bones and cells remember another way and the more I speak to women, the more I see that other ancient way questioning today’s oppressive system.


An ancient wisdom is rising and smashing the (patriarchal) bowl open, so that we can then experience the sea 🌊 .


You feeling it?

In addition to being unaware of how the patriarchy lives inside of us, we’re also confused because for a long time adhering to these rules of the conditioned self resulted in being accepted, celebrated, loved…

Like, for instance, when we don’t make a fuss even if we feel unsatisfied with life. Because we have everything we’re supposed to be content with.

Or when we smile and laugh at other peoples’ jokes even when we don’t feel like it. Because we know that making them feel good is what we’re supposed to do...it's what people will like us for.


Or when we make sure that everyone around us is having a good time, even when it means we’re exhausted and unfulfilled. Because that’s what good mothers and wives do.

Or when we go for coffee with that friend who drains our energy and leaves us feeling like crap. Because good friends and all that...


These choices & actions are born of what I call “shoulditis”…

And NOT of the internal knowing and wisdom that is our WHOLENESS & TRUTH.

How aware are you of the day-to-day choices you make and where they come from?

Do you suffer from “shoulditis”?

On Friday October 29, I’ll be hosting RISE: a Ceremonial Workshop curated for women who are ready to detox from the patriarchal narratives that have made their way into our pathways, and step into the truth & power of the woman they were born to be.

Investment: $111 (can be applied to future work with me over the coming year!).

If this resonates, you can learn more at https://www.alexandrahughes.com/rise or visit the bio link

03/09/2023

This moon cycle I made a vow to the Goddess not to play chameleon “diplomat wife” anymore.

No more fitting in, in order to be liked.

No more showing up as a fraction of who I am because I’m scared that the whole of me will be too much (or too witchy 🧙‍♀️).

No more putting up with crap behavior just because I’ve gotten used to it, and because “hey, they don’t know any better.”

NO MORE SETTLING.

NO MORE HOLDING BACK.

This is an extra layer on top of my on-going commitment to stop:

🛑 Saying yes when I mean no
🛑 Putting others’ needs before my own
🛑 Holding off on my dream

I know, I know…I can write it ’til the cows come home.

But the truth is that sticking to these vows & commitments IRL is uncomfortable and often scary as f*ck.

I’d love to hear where you’re at on your journey practicing radical self-love, radical self-worth and radical self-respect.

All RADICAL because it means tearing out the roots of patriarchal conditioning and reseeding something totally new.

Let me know in the comments.

And if you agree with me that it’s time to deal with your own conditioning, join me at my upcoming ceremonial workshop, RISE.

RISE is a half-day Ceremonial Workshop curated for women who are ready to detox from the patriarchal narratives that have made their way into our neural pathways, and step into the truth & power of the woman they were born to be. We gather on October 29. Investment: $111 (can be applied to future work with me over the coming year!).

If this resonates, you can learn more at https://www.alexandrahughes.com/rise or visit the bio link

03/09/2023

This moon cycle I made a vow to the Goddess not to play chameleon diplomat wife anymore.

No more fitting in, in order to be liked.
No more showing up as a fraction of who I am because I’m scared that the whole of me will be too much (or too witchy 🧙‍♀️).

No more putting up with crap behavior just because I’ve gotten used to it, and because “hey, they don’t know any better.”

NO MORE SETTLING.

NO MORE HOLDING BACK.

This is an extra layer on top of my on-going commitment to stop:

🛑 Saying yes when I mean no
🛑 Putting others’ needs before my own
🛑 Holding off on my dream

I know, I know…I can write it ’til the cows come home.

But the truth is that sticking to these vows & commitments IRL is uncomfortable and often scary as f*ck.

I’d love to hear where you’re at on your journey practicing radical self-love, radical self-worth and radical self-respect.

All radical, because it means tearing out the roots of patriarchal conditioning and reseeding something totally new.

Let me know in the comments.

And if you agree with me that it’s time to deal with your own conditioning, join me at my upcoming ceremonial workshop, RISE.

RISE is a half-day Ceremonial Workshop curated for women who are ready to detox from the patriarchal narratives that have made their way into our neural pathways, and step into the truth & power of the woman they were born to be. We gather on October 29. Investment: $111 (can be applied to future work with me over the coming year!).

If this resonates, you can learn more at https://www.alexandrahughes.com/rise or visit the bio link

01/09/2023

Hey there! It’s been a while & we have some beautiful new souls here, so I thought I’d introduce myself and share what I’m up to.

If you’re game, I’d love to hear a bit about you too.

I'm Alex.

I'm a soul activator, intuitive word witch and training Priestess.

Over the last 20 years, I've worked with best selling women authors, accomplished thought leaders, trailblazing feminist business founders, internationally renown development organizations — all navigating their soul mission to change our beloved home 🌍 for the better through their services.

My mission is to awaken your soul & help you show up whole so you can honor your mission & change worlds — all while creating a life that feels sacred & turns you on.

I spent decades doubting myself and twisting myself into a pretzel so that my needs, business and dreams were convenient for everyone I cared for.

And then my soul came on-line. And today, as my daughter puts it, I'm living my best life.

I said no more to moving around the world as a trailing spouse and we settled in the city I was called to. We bought my dream home in a dreamy neighborhood. I started the Witchhunt podcast and began to create and offer life-changing services for women ready to detox their own patriarchal conditioning and activate their soul's age-old wisdom.

It's a thrill to share my gifts and witness woman after woman take full ownership of her well-being & life, as she steps into her truth & power through sacred.

You can learn more about me & my work 👉 https://www.alexandrahughes.com

Your turn…tell me a bit about you.

01/09/2023

Because…

It’s time for women to stop living from a place of unconscious conditioning.

No more putting others' needs before our own, over-functioning to keep the peace.

No more showing up as a fraction of who we are.

Screw that.

It's time to rise.

'Cause here's the thing...

You were born and designed exactly as you are — at exactly the right moment & in exactly the right place to carry out your unique soul mission.

Pacha Mama and all her children are counting on you to unearth this mission by healing yourself of the conditioning that's held you back.

She's calling on you to connect with your soul, follow her lead and step into the unapologetic I-don't-give-a-f*ck version of yourself — ready & equipped to change cultures & worlds.

RISE is a sacred experience designed & facilitated to support sustainable change in the lives of women who are seeking to break free from patriarchal conditioning.

It's for you if you feel stuck as a fraction of yourself in a life that doesn’t feel entirely yours, and are ready to shed light on what's holding you back from centering your give-no-f*cks unapologetic self in your life.

When you join RISE you'll:

1 / Learn how the patriarchy distracted you from accessing your inner wisdom & soul calling

2/ Identify your internalized patriarchal narratives & how they sneak their way into your daily life

3/ Step into & embody a version of yourself who’s ready to step into the truth & power of the woman you were born to be


The investment for this life-changing half-day ceremonial workshop & sacred experience is $111.

Learn more via link in comments 👇

04/08/2023

Sisterhood.

Cabin life.

Raspberry picking.

Canoeing.

Mushroom picking.

Beavers.

Loon calls.

Skinny dipping.

All under the energy of a
full moon.

THIS is what heals me.

How magical it is to feel whole and fully alive.

And how simple and abundant the medicine is.

01/05/2023

I’m thinking about offering a witchy research/ writing circle for women interested in the study and documentation of their blood and soul lineages.

A sisterly container to help women situate their whole and holy selves in their Earthly & red thread sacred feminine ancestry.

Give me a sign (in the form of an emoji, of course 😆) if this resonates? I'm at the market research stage of it all.

04/04/2023

I'm excited to share a recent article I published last week. It's inspired by my lived experience as an on-line entrepreneur, and has led to a free training I'm running tomorrow for sensitive, witchy soul-led mumpreneurs.

Check it out.

https://medium.com//why-on-line-business-teachings-are-failing-sensitive-mompreneurs-and-what-to-do-about-it-d66ee688858f

And if you want to join the free training, message me and I'll send you the details

I want to talk about how women, and more specifically, sensitive mother types, have been taught on-line business. And why, for many of us…

10/03/2023

Facebook Sisters:

If you know me at all, you know I'm all about celebrations.

So, on the back of International Women's Day and to honor Women's History Month I'm inviting my beloved community — you included — into a Sacred Ceremonial Women's Circle on Monday March 13 at 10am Eastern.

In my experience, there is nothing more powerful than women gathering in ceremonial circle to hold one another in celebration and in struggle.

We we do this naturally as women.

But when we do it held in sacred container, the possibilities for healing and transformation are limitless.

This circle is for you, if you desire:

— freeing yourself from the limiting beliefs and mindset that hold you back from expressing yourself fully, and stepping into your potential as the woman you were born to be

— knowing your life calling and having the courage to honor it

— experiencing life with love and awe — all sourced from within

— to be sovereign and live life in full integrity.


When we gather on Monday, you'll be led through an extended Alchemy ritual that combines the elemental energies of the Sacred Pause rituals. You'll then have the opportunity to receive personalized coaching from me around what is coming up for you right now (internal, externally, in life, business or anything at all).


This is my gift to you, Sister.

And hey! If you feel called to share this experience, invite a friend to join — either in your home or virtually — bring them along or share this message with them to them so they follow up with me to get the zoom link and reminders, too.

DM me the word CIRCLE, and I'll send you the google invite along with everything else you need to know.


It's going to be incredible!

xx

Alexandra Hughes

09/03/2023

I came across this quote and thought of you. ⁣
⁣
Read it carefully, read it to your heart and from your heart. Let it sink in deeply.⁣
⁣
Then ask yourself 3 questions:⁣
⁣
>> What is the difference between the version of you who claims time for yourself, and the version of you who doesn’t?⁣
⁣
>> What version of yourself does the World and its future really need from you right now?⁣
⁣
>> And what can you do to make sure that you are that version of yourself?⁣
⁣
I designed the Sacred Pause Experience ritual bundle to help you stay rooted in a version of yourself that:⁣
⁣
👉 knows yourself, your worth and your value⁣
👉 trusts your inner wisdom⁣
👉 has the bold audacity and courage to get clear on, and live out your life purpose.⁣
⁣
It's doable, affordable, relaxing and pleasurable.⁣
⁣
Curious to learn more?

Go to alexandrahughes.com/sacredpauseexperience or visit the link in the IG BIO. ⁣
⁣
Doors close tonight at 11:59pm (eastern)

I'm here if you have any questions ❤⁣
⁣
⁣.












⁣