Earth Speak with Natalie Ross and Friends

Natalie Ross shares about Celtic folklore and traditions around the winter solstice and holidays. You'll hear about: Folklore of the ancient goddess, the Cailleach The Celtic practice of saining with herbal smoke Seasonal traditions and rituals that were co-opted by the church Indigenous people of the lands we call Britain, Ireland, and Scotland Newgrange, an ancient and sacred burial mound The meaning of yule and purpose of yule logs Evergreens in Celtic rituals, and how the Christmas tree came to be How the church painted the old gods as malevolent and satanic Samhain as the Celtic new year Why destructive forces of winter are necessary for an abundant growing season Links: Connect with us and get on our newsetter at https://www.earthspeak.love Connect with Natalie at https://www.natalie.net  

Christi Johnson on moving from NYC to upstate New York as an artist who grew up in Florida. When textile artist Christi Johnson and I spoke in 2018, she shared her story of moving from the city to the country, and it really inspired me. I love how honest she was about how it wasn't all glamorous and easy. But it was worth it. Fast forward to now, Dec 2025, and I would never have guessed that I'd be going through a similar story! I recently listened to this episode again for my own personal inspiration, and it holds a timeless message about finding your way to places that nourish your deeper needs. In this conversation we also get into: How naturally dyed textiles and embroidery support healing Christi's ancestral connection to textiles Overcoming fear of sharing her thoughts and work publicly Adornment as self-expression and talismanic protection When this episode was first published, Christi created a special guide for our listeners about magic sewing and embroidery. Since then that guide grew into a full-blown published book called Mystical Stitches! And now she has a second book called The Art of Embroidery Design. Christi has so many free and low-cost resources on her website, mixedcolor.net, so if you're interested in sewing, stitching, or magical embroidery, definitely take a look. She has a pocket altar zine in her workshop section about crafting a sacred space of tiny talisman that you can carry with you. Christi also has a podcast called Stitch Wish Radio, which you'll definitely enjoy if you liked this episode. And we brought her back for a second interview on the podcast a few years ago about stitching magic making through talismanic embroidery. All of this is linked in the show notes. Thanks and enjoy this episode! Links Earth Speak newsletter  https://www.earthspeak.love Christi Johnson's gorgeous website, where you can sign up for her newsletter, take workshops, and enjoy so many free resources, like her embroidery portal which teaches you how to stitch, for free https://www.mixedcolor.net/ Pocket Altar Zine https://www.mixedcolor.net/altar-in-your-pocket Stitch Wish Radio podcast https://www.mixedcolor.net/podcast Instagram @christijay https://www.instagram.com/christijay/ Christi's other interview on the Earth Speak podcast on weaving symbolism into magic making with talismanic embroidery https://open.spotify.com/episode/2IzQC2Z4vBtIbrBq7nYTCk?si=494f790e0e5f4420

Herbalist Joe Hollis shares his story about getting out of the system of capitalism and into a more direct relationship with the Earth over his last 50 years, where he made paradise, not money. What follows is an interview with herbalist Joe Hollis of Mountain Gardens in the land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, outside of Asheville, North Carolina. I was so fortunate to interview him in person in October 2021, just two years before his passing at age 81.  The year after this interview, a devastating fire burned down his extensive library of both books and herbs. Then, in 2024, Hurricane Helene brought landslides that completely changed the land he tended.  However, there are still people keeping his legacy alive, tending to the gardens, rebuilding the library, and recovering from the landslides. If you want to support them, go to mountaingardensherbs.com, and that link is in the show notes as well.  Links Watch the video of this interview https://youtu.be/ApO-64L6zmI?si=n7j9PuSXfbNmVeHS Mountain Gardens https://www.mountaingardensherbs.com Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians https://www.ebci.gov Connect with Natalie Ross https://www.natalie.net Sign up for the Earth Speak email list at https://www.earthspeak.love        

Temperance is challenging to talk about because it goes against society's decree that growth and accumulation of riches are necessary for survival in the modern world. Temperance protects against deficiency and excess.  Temperance mediates extremes, bringing opposing sides towards a more balanced and dynamic center.  Temperance says more is not always better, yet we need not be without.  Temperance helps us attune to the safety and abundance of enough. Temperance is one of my favorite Tarot cards, and it aligns with my favorite somatic tool called titration, so when Cecily Sailer asked me to be on her podcast to discuss the Temperance Tarot card, I said YES! This episode was originally published on Cecily's podcast, called Your Creative & Magical Life, and it is republished here with her permission. We talk about: How witches were given a negative image during the enclosure of the commons The weirdness of having to learn how to feel safe enough to feel safe on one's trauma healing journey Not blaming ourselves for so-called shortcomings that are actually caused by systemic oppression How Temperance plays into healing trauma at a nervous system level Tending to one's aliveness despite living in an age of chaos and collapse Again and again I touch on how we're operating within a system that wants us to believe that it's our fault that we can't win at an impossible game, and how temperance can help alleviate some of the suffering that comes from these internalized beliefs. Links: Cecily's podcast: Your Creative & Magical Life - https://yourcreativeandmagicallife.buzzsprout.com Cecily's website, email list, and offerings: www.typewritertarot.com Natalie's website, email list, and offerings: www.natalie.net Earth Speak website and email list: www.earthspeak.love

After years of being on hiatus, co-founders Natalie Ross and Shawna Cason have decided to start publishing episodes again. Listen to find out more! Sign up for the Earth Speak email list at www.earthspeak.love.