On the second anniversary of The Natural Wisdom Podcast, Dr. Kristian Strang and I talked about the many paths to uncovering our innate natural wisdom. One subject we came back to several times is the danger of getting stuck in 'finding our tribe' by seeing differences instead of common values. We also talked quite a bit about the power of fiction and stories to convey wisdom. Kristian is a mystic, metaphysical psychologist and an Amazon bestselling author. She’s written 12 books in the...

In this episode, recorded just a few days after the Cancer Solstice, I talk about cycles of light and dark, and especially the experience of dark times. One of the gifts of astrology is greater perspective on the timing of and cooperation with the heavier times of our lives. I shared some of my thoughts and experience with depression and the 'dark night of the Soul'. The book I mentioned is "Learning to Walk in the Dark" by Barbara Brown Taylor. The other author I mentioned who has written...

The Goddess Astrologer Jude Hotep joined me for a wide-ranging conversation about the return of Divine Feminine energy; healing the split between Soul and body, and more. Jude and I met as presenters at the Aquarian High Council online summit, and found a common interest in undoing some of the dominator distortions of astrology. One of my favorite quotes from Jude: "Saturn restricts to catalyze", just as contractions are part of the birth process. Jude Hotep is The Goddess Astrologer, a...

In the final week of the first eclipse season of 2023, we are in the midst of a strong dose of feminine, or yin, energy. This episode is devoted to reclaiming the balance of yin and yang in a culture that over-values doing, thinking and productivity and dismisses the value of stillness, quiet, and rest. As Mercury finishes its retrograde journey in slow, sensual Taurus and we approach Friday's New Moon in that earthy sign, give yourself permission to do nothing, nap, and daydream. The book...

Astrologer Emily Trinkaus joined me again today to talk about topics from the current eclipse season, to relationship astrology (and her upcoming course!) and finding our power within. As always, we had a lively discussion about how to work with the astro-energies in our lives. The first eclipse of 2023 was at the very last degree of Aries, sign of the courage to be yourself; the next eclipse, on May 5th is a completion of the eclipse pattern begun in January of 2022. The eclipses come at a...

The body is an expression of the Soul, and how you treat your body is a direct reflection of how you treat the Earth. But our dominator culture teaches us to control our bodies, rather than learn to deeply listen. The Libra Full Moon on April 5th/6th invites us into co-creation in all of our relationships, in particular our bodies. This Full Moon also opens the portal into eclipse season of 2023. With Pluto squaring the eclipse axis throughout most of the year, one of the major karmic lessons...

The Aries Equinox and New Moon of 2023 come in the midst of a huge shift of energies in our world. Many Aquarian themes have come to the foreground over the past few years: information and technology; social patterns and agreements; science; astrology; and even what we think of as 'truth' are increasingly subjects of deep conflict. This New Moon and Equinox are turning point in the story, and present the opportunity for each of us to commit to new beginnings. Join Kristine on March 21st for...

In this time of transition and entering the age of Aquarius, one of the watchwords is authenticity. But what is it, how do we do it, and is it worth it? Guru-maker James Deneka Lavers joins the podcast to ask and answer these questions. We talk about discerning truth from fiction within yourself, the 'age of facade', the risks of being authentic, and why it might not really be a choice any more. James Deneka Lavers has been a leader in coaching the gurus of the personal, professional and...

What is co-creation, and how is it different than manifesting? When we try to impose our will on life, we are crossing over into control - the shadow expression of true, authentic power. As Saturn moves into the sign of Pisces on March 7th, this is the perfect time to explore how to co-create with, rather than seek control over our lives. Join Kristine on the Equinox for a first look at Pluto in Aquarius Recent workshops mentioned in this episode: Time of Transition 2023 Dreams into...

This episode was recorded at the Leo Full Moon, 2023, which this year coincides with the cross-quarter holyday of Imbolc/Candlemas. After a short peek at the Full Moon and the Leo/Aquarius polarity, I spent a good portion of this episode defining what embodiment is - and is not - and how you can more fully occupy your body by aligning with the Sun's cycle, using the eight phases of the Solar year. The graphic I shared on the video is a Celtic wheel of the year. If you are feeling called to...

We are in a fascinating time of transition between the ages - Pisces and Aquarius, among others. Learning to become your own authority, and fully embody your Soul, your unique 'frequency' will be the key to thriving in the midst of change. This episode covers why increased sensitivity is what we want, along with being more deeply rooted in our physical existence; Kristine shared a few of her favorite embodiment practices, too. Catch Kristine's recorded workshop on this Time of Transition...

My friend and colleague, Belinda Noakes, and I switched it up in this episode: she interviewed me about my Saturn reclamation story. The planet Saturn in astrology represents manifestation, achievement, authority, and karma. When we are out of alignment with ourselves, or living according to external rules, Saturn lets us know. I imagine many others will recognize themselves in the disappointment, burnout and discomfort of living life according to 'should', 'could', and external measures of...

This was another amazing conversation with Emily Trinkaus, full of cosmic wisdom for this season of new beginnings and the big shifts coming in the new year. We talked about the power of Saturn at this Solstice and Capricorn New Moon; and the huge shift of energies with Saturn's move from Aquarius to Pisces in March of 2023. Other topics included Saturn as Santa Claus (really!), and the question of whether Saturn means hard work, or making work hard, or something different altogether. Emily...

This was a lovely conversation with teacher, healer, and author Dr. Gulara Vincent on realizing we are more than enough when we uncover our true selves. Gulara uses a wide array of cutting edge healing modalities to help people resolve old traumas to improve every aspect of their lives, including money, relationships, health and more. We talked about money as a doorway into healing; the impacts of inter-generational trauma, and how caring for our wounded child parts can help us not only wake...

It was such a pleasure to talk with my dear friend Belinda Noakes, a therapist and coach who works with super-sensitive people - like me! Our journeys have been shockingly parallel, from quitting our corporate careers in 2010, to visiting the same ashram in India (at the same time), and finally meeting in 2014 at Sera Beak's SoulFire retreat. We talked about the true gift of being sensitive; the realization that spiritual seeking is an inside job; and why big breakthroughs might not be as...

Everything is energy, according to ancient wisdom and modern physics. But what does that mean, and why might it matter? Kristine talks about sensing your own unique energy signature and why it is especially important for empaths and other sensitive people. She also relates it to finding your purpose, or dharma. And, of course, Kristine talks about Saturn, its energy signature, and why it's important to get beyond the stories. Kristine's class on Saturn in astrology is here:...

Samhain is the traditional cross-quarter holyday celebrating the end of the harvest. This year, 2022, this time of growing darkness and thinning veils coincides with Mars turning retrograde and an intense Eclipse season. In this episode, Kristine talks about re-evaluating the stories and thoughts that keep us in fear, and offers a few practices for celebrating the season. Learn more about Kristine and her offerings here: https://kristinebackes.com --- Send in a voice message:...

As we dive into the heart of the final eclipses of 2022, Kristine and guest Emily Trinkaus share their combined wisdom on working with the cosmic forces of this time. The eclipses happen against a backdrop of other planetary alignments that signal the need to slow down, integrate the changes we have already begun, and prepare for the turning points ahead. This is a time for deep healing of old trauma, and renewal of authentic power. Emily will be a guest (from 9 am to 10 am Pacific) on the...

Saturn, despite its reputation as the 'greater malefic' (i.e. bad guy), holds the keys to embodied human life. Saturn is known as the Lord of Karma, as well as the pointer to our dharma, our life purpose. Contraction, limits, boundaries, crystallization and manifestation are Saturn's assignments. Our personal Saturn archetype shows us where we have limited ourselves and our lives. Reclaiming Saturn allows us to reclaim the gifts of our embodied human lives. Kristine has a whole lotta Saturn...

My guest in this episode is Charlotte Kanyi, who helps women choose their birth experience, and all people heal trauma around their own birth. 'Birth and the first hours immediately after are a potent time for imprinting.' As newborn infants, we are imprinted by our first experience in this world. Whether those imprints help us to live with joy and ease, or 'break the evolutionary expectations' of someone arriving here on Earth depends on how the birth is handled. Charlotte shared some of the...

In another epic conversation with astrologer and teacher Emily Trinkaus, we discussed the wisdom of astrology, what we are really doing as astrologers, and how we wield it consciously as we enter the Aquarian age. With Mars in Gemini until March of 2023, including its rare retrograde period, this is an important time to be aware of the power of our words, and 'our word as our wand'. Emily's recent class on the upcoming Mars retrograde in Gemini is available by recording:...

In this episode of The Natural Wisdom Podcast, Kristine and Kendra had a wide-ranging conversation about remembering ourselves as nature embodied in human form. We talked about both why and how to heal the perceived split between human and nature; what 're-wilding' means and how to get started in your life, not matter where you live; and the process of awakening to ourselves as part of nature. We recorded the session just as the Sun moved into the sign of Virgo, and the energy of the season...

You are not IN a body, you ARE a body. Your body is the expression of your Soul. To reclaim this paradigm is to reclaim our health, and the health of the planet. In this episode, Kristine offers practical suggestions for occupying our bodies, including paying attention to where our attention is directed. One of the lessons of the 7-month journey of Mars in Gemini, which began today, is the power of our attention - and the need to align our attention with our deepest desires. You can find the...

In this episode, the 23rd this year, Kristine continues in her examination of healing the karma of believing ourselves separate from Nature. We are at the convergence of several 'gates': the ancient cross-quarter holy day of Lammas/Lughnasadh/First Harvest (August 7); Lion's Gate (August 8); the Sun at the Eclipse mid-point (August 10) and the Aquarius Full Moon (August 11). How might we put this time of turnarounds and breakthroughs to use to 'break out' of our story of separation? Kristine...

Nature is a mirror, showing us how we relate to life, death, and wildness. In this episode, I told some bear stories, talked about reclaiming wildness, and gave a preview of the Mars/Uranus/North Node conjunction in Taurus on July 30. Learn more about me here: https://kristinebackes.com Become a patron here: https://www.patreon.com/kristinebackes --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/natural-wisdom/support