Join hosts Cawnawyn and Annette in this episode of Stars and Sprouts, where they explore the essence of the Winter Solstice, share personal reflections on rites of passage, and discuss the balance of parenting, self-growth, and spirituality. From managing seasonal expectations and traditions to connecting with ancestral wisdom and plant spirit medicine, this episode is rich with insights for pagan parents navigating the sacred and soulful path of raising children.

Timestamps:

00:00: Introduction and Welcome

02:53: Holly and Its Seasonal Significance

09:02: Winter Solstice Reflections

11:45: Finding Elders and Grandparent Communities

16:42: “Turning Left” and Folklore Wisdom

27:52: Plans for the Solstice

39:25: What actually happened for the Solstice

48:32: Embracing Present Moment and Self-Compassion

52:00: The Impact of Ancestral Connections During the Holidays

55:47: The Importance of Self-Reflection

59:42: Closing Thoughts and New Year Wishes

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Matthew Wood and Chris McPadden Course on Animal Medicines:

https://www.matthewwoodinstituteofherbalism.com/course/animal-medicine

Amanda Nicole Lectures on Holly

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0UVwIlwOU6bHChQJSgBfuv?si=ObNC9AH4Q6yCUdrHl1Evsg&nd=1&dlsi=f621292cacd54f5c

Books by David Graeber,

The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity

and

Debt: The First 5000 Years

Book by Eliot Cowan: Plant Spirit Medicine

Help bookstores and local communities by purchasing resources from:

thriftbooks.com

bookshop.org

Sacred Fire Community

sacredfire.org

Questions, comments, and suggestions can be addressed to starsandsproutspodcast@gmail.com.

Follow Cawnawyn on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @cawnawynmor for more music, astrology, and witchcraft.

Astrology classes, new podcast episodes, the Dark Moon Chronicle Blog, and music releases on cawnawynmor.com.

Music by C. A. Worden ©️ Smashing Ivory Productions LLC 2025

Violin - Jean-Philippe de Passos (via Musiversal)