Happy september

I swear it was only April and the poppies were just peeking through the soil bringing me such glee and today those beds are mostly bare with the now remnants of the sunflowers that followed the poppies. to say I am not ready for summer to end is a gross exaggeration as while I have spent at least part of every day outside this summer, I do not feel like it was even close to being enough.

with all that being said, my gratitude for this season of my life is never ending and I hope you can share in that sentiment while reflecting on your own experiences. I’ve spent more time with friends river side, in waterfalls, the forest, sitting next to standing people, hearing the stories of the stone people than any year passed and I am overjoyed with how my plant, feathered, furred and insect allies have been generous in their lessons.

I was privileged to take part in a beautiful rose dieta in June with a beautiful goddess that introduced me to other beautiful goddesses that truly strengthened my connection to the rose goddess, which empowered me to create an altar in my yard built with my favorite symbols of love: roses, cacao, rose quartz and water held in a concrete structure with the spiral in the center as a reminder that life is a continuous journey of magic with opportunity to be our best selves in the place we are currently standing in.

my farewell to summer

despite my attempt at rejecting the closing of summer, I found myself the recipient of a beautiful week of continual farewell rituals aided by grandmother cacao, the sea witch, my drum, dolphins, ghost crabs, seagulls, grandmother moon and grandfather sun. just when I didn’t think the magical farewell could get any better my reiki guide - a very formidable dragon, came to say farewell with me during my final sunrise of the week.

through out all of these days, grandmother cacao walked beside me. guiding me to the experiences that would feed my soul, bring me knowledge and open me up to create the experiences that I hope will feed the souls of those around me. and open me up she did. wow!

this autumn is chock full of cacao inspired experiences that I hope will speak to you as loudly as they do me.

the first one is a weekend beach retreat in our own private cottages in Highlands, nj - “Autumn by the sea”; join us in remembering who we are when we give ourselves permission to just be. we will be gathering on Friday, October 2nd for 2 nights and 2 days of cacao sunrises, beach waves, footbaths and facials, a fire ritual and space to breath and rest. rumor has it there may be an opportunity to book a massage during your free time too, I’ll keep you posted.

this is followed by a “sacred broom making” experience with Sandy eckhart on Saturday, October 10. we are joining grandmother cacao for an afternoon of intentional cacao, creativity and intention setting as we craft our own besoms in preparation for Samhain and the turning of the new year.

a side by side journey, the Rose & Cacao spiral begins October 26 — an eight-week spiral into winter through permission, presence, release, rest, boundaries, pleasure, remembering and becoming. With rose, Grandmother Cacao and five gifts to accompany us, we’ll walk together toward Yule, each in our own time and from our own favorite space. I’m not standing at the center waiting for you. I’ll be walking too.

on October 30, I am honored to be joining denise panner in an evening of cacao and ancestors experience where we will reach out to our ancestors for guidance through a deep meditation after allowing grandmother cacao to open our heart space to any messages they may have for us. more information coming soon.

then, on November 1st, a 4 year dream of mine is finally coming to fruition as I have rented the historic Roxy Theatre in Northampton pa where we will be experiencing an afternoon of chocolate, community and a touch of everyday magic for Chocolat and chocolates - a matinee and maker’s market.‍ ‍inspired by the beloved film chocolat, this one-of-a-kind afternoon invites you to slow down, savor handcrafted chocolate, meet extraordinary artisans, and spend a few hours immersed in beauty, connection, and delight. this is an intimate experience with only 50 advanced reservations available.