Resources mentioned:
More Than Two - Eve Rickert and Franklin Veaux
Opening Up - Tristan Taormino
“How do we know when or if to commit to monogamy or openness? Can you share some resources on non-conventional relationships? ”
“First off, I just want to say that these decisions trigger people, first of all, anyone who’s monogamous or in an open relationship, everyone has big opinions on what’s the right way, what’re the right rules, how do we do this right? That can really only be decided between you and your romantic partner or partners. If you are deeply trusting your person and feel like they’re doing their thing, doing what they need to do, that’s great. I also think it’s about surrounding yourself with other people in community who also share some of that language, even if they have a different style partnership than you do. ”
“I’m wondering how to make new close friends, not acquaintances, but true friends who you truly admire. I think I have a really high bar, maybe I’m too judgmental, maybe it’s being out of structure of college, camps, programs. I live abroad now and want to make new close girlfriends, strong women friends with whom I can have a strong emotional connection.”
“I think there is definitely something to be said about what you’re calling in, even thinking with your thoughts, like “I want to be around people who really share my values in business and in creativity and in how we share with the world, how much space we do or do not take up.” And in terms of where do we find those people, I think about spaces that are exciting to you. There’s so much happening on Zoom right now all over the world because of the pandemic - queer dance parties, classes. ”
“It is my birthday tomorrow and I’ve always been a person who believes that extra love for yourself that day fuels your battery for the year. What are some rituals or spells that you cast on your birthday to acknowledge and praise the journey that you, your body and mind have all gone on in the past year?”
“Writing intentions down - what do you want this year to feel like? What kind of magic do you want to bring into your own life? To really celebrate your accomplishments. Where on the inner work did I grow? Because it’s so easy to celebrate ourselves by all of the outside stuff. Celebrating those little shifts inside us is really important. You could go really deep and do an inner child meditation, I did one of those for other day on the InsightTimer app, I ran a bath and just listened and walked down a dark tunnel and found my inner child in a park on the other side. So doing some visualization, like loving the little you on your birthday, the little you that is so worthy of love and has never had a work accomplishment, I think that’s important. ”
“I just started my own business offering spiritual services and reiki and am working on my writing portfolio to go back to school for their MFA. I’m afraid to fail, and embarrassed to claim that I want to be a full-time witch to my friends and family. I’m finding myself holding back to not share the excitement and ideas with loved ones. Do you have any advice for owning your career path, especially if it’s unconventional, and how did you develop your business to where it is now?”
“It’s ok to start small, start slow, and honor the longstanding tradition that you’re walking into - being really mindful that you’re not appropriating other cultures, and that you’re learning about your own ancestral lineage and your own pathway that got you there. And at the same time, there’s no training school to be a witch, for our spiritual modalities. It’s a mix of honoring teachers and those who came before you, and being really comfortable carving your own path and calling what you are what you are! I’m really excited for you. Simple things - have a website, have a newsletter, I’m not going to suggest you have social media because yes I am someone who has it and has a large following there but it really destroys my brain. I’m in a space of thinking what would it look like to run businesses without it? Tell your friends and family, remember the olden days ways of connecting with our neighbors around our business and art practice. What does this look like off the screen, who is my direct, non-digital community? Sometimes you have to believe in yourself before you’re ready. ”