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)

In this episode of Stars and Sprouts, hosts Cawnawyn and Annette delve into the profound themes of Samhain, ancestral connections, and the cyclical nature of life and motherhood. They discuss how modern commercialism impacts the meaning of Samhain, share personal experiences of ancestor work, and explore the importance of spiritual and ancestral awareness in parenting. The conversation also touches upon the role of nature, memory, and cultural traditions in shaping our understanding of life and legacy.

00:00 Introduction

00:26 Samhain Season Reflections

02:55 Memory and Witchcraft

05:51 Parenting in the Digital Age

09:26 Ancestor Work and Personal Stories

19:26 Exploring Grief and Spiritual Connections

21:14 The Tradition of Dumb Suppers

28:53 Integrating Spirituality and Motherhood

32:58 Seasonal Reflections and Sustainable Living

37:27 Astrology and Generational Healing

40:08 Conclusion

In this episode of Stars and Sprouts, Cawnawyn and Annette dive into the intricate dance between motherhood and magical living as the seasons change. They share their personal stories, touching upon the importance of the mundane and magical moments in parenting. The discussion covers everything from overcoming seasonal illnesses, navigating family dynamics, and the spirituality surrounding the fall equinox, to Libra Season's impact on our day-to-day lives. They explore rituals, the power of herbalism, and how to integrate ancestor wisdom into our daily practices, offering a heartfelt blend of practical advice and spiritual insight. This episode also includes a deep dive into the significance of the Equinox.

Cawnawyn Mor interviews Aura, an experienced birth doula and devout Pagan mother from Tacoma, Washington. Aura shares her personal journey with Paganism, how she integrates her beliefs into raising her children, and the importance of rituals and deities in her family's life. They discuss practical ways for Pagan parents to navigate spirituality with their children and how to handle societal perceptions. Aura also offers advice for new moms on balancing spirituality with the demands of motherhood. Stay tuned for part two (Oct. 2025), where Aura delves into her work as a doula and supporting mothers through childbirth with Pagan spirituality.

Follow Wildroot Coven & Wildroot Press: https://www.wildrootcoven.com/

@wildrootcoven on Instagram

Pooka Pages: https://paganpages.org/emagazine/tag/pooka-pages/

00:00 Welcome to Stars and Sprouts

00:30 Meet Aura: A Pagan Birth Doula

01:04 Aura's Journey into Paganism

04:05 Parenting with Pagan Beliefs

07:11 Creating a Pagan Family Culture

17:53 Navigating Paganism in a Non-Pagan World

21:43 Advice for New Pagan Parents

25:20 Resources for Pagan Parenting

33:28 Conclusion and Upcoming Episode

Stay tuned for educational episodes every three weeks, alternating between celebrations of Sabbats and enriching interviews with industry professionals.

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)

Cawnawyn and co-host Annette share personal stories about their own spiritual journeys and parenting experiences while discussing the significance of the Lughnasadh season. We dive into Annette' s spirituality, earth-based practices, and how to teach children gratitude and the importance of staying present. This episode also highlights the astrology of August 2025 and how the transits might impact parenting.

00:00 Welcome to Stars and Sprouts

00:32 Meet Co-Host: Annette

01:35 Annette's Spiritual Journey

06:04 Parenthood and Spirituality

09:04 Earth-Based Practices and Herbalism

17:59 Celebrating Lughnasadh with Kids

23:40 Toddler Wisdom: Lessons from the Little Ones

24:59 Embracing Jupiter in Cancer: Nurturing and Transformation

26:06 Managing Emotions: Parenting with Patience

28:35 Mars in Libra: Balancing Justice and Detachment

30:13 Lughnasadh Reflections: Personal and Seasonal Insights

40:50 Teaching Gratitude: Simple Acts and Profound Lessons

43:27 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

Welcome to the debut episode of Stars and Sprouts: A Pagan Parenting Podcast where magic meets motherhood.

Host Cawnawyn Mor introduces the show’s foundation in aligning parenting with the rhythms of the earth and stars. She reflects on the journey of this podcast’s inception, the transition from Witchspace Presents Podcast, and the sacred responsibility of raising children with spiritual awareness.

This episode features book recommendations for Pagan parenting, insightful activities to celebrate the summer solstice, and personal anecdotes from Cawnawyn's life as a high priestess, astrologer, and mother.

"Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions" can be purchased here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/circle-round-raising-children-in-goddess-traditions-starhawk/11423785?ean=9780553378054&next=t

"Celebrating the Great Mother: A Handbook of Earth Honoring Activities for Parents and Children" can be purchased here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/celebrating-the-great-mother-a-handbook-of-earth-honoring-activities-for-parents-and-children-cait-johnson/9086461?ean=9780892815500&next=t

Stay tuned for educational episodes every three weeks, alternating between celebrations of Sabbats and enriching interviews with industry professionals.

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)