Snake Still Biting

Episode 10: Sailing Under a New Flag

In the aftermath of an eventful week - which includes starting methotrexate, the dreaded drug I've been freaking out about! - I now sit in the doldrums of a quiet moment and reflect on the the wisdom _the right dosage_, and the awareness that context (and not the thing itself) is the difference between poison and medicine. Paracelsus, Jane Eyre, populism, the golden age of piracy, and the current political moment all find their way into this week's episode.

Episode 9: I’m Giving My Hands to Struggle

This week I turn 42 and have much to share about summery celebrations and wintery vast planes of the soul. The paradox or Yin and Yang come forward in this conversation, as does the wisdom of “surrendering to motion”, “giving one’s body over to the doing”, “relaxing into discipline”, and “moving toward that which you love even/especially when it’s suffering.” Joanna Macy, Rainer Maria Rilke, Dr Rick Hanson, and Bernice Johnson Reagon all feature in today’s episode, along with some discussion of the Emperor reversed and the Seven of Wands.

Episode 8: Medusa at my Door

This week I anticipate my upcoming birthday and am surprised to find villainy at the threshold. A Greek sea monster, the poet Rumi, the somatic therapist Luis Mojica, four evil great grandfathers, and the revelation of a curse, all shape today’s discussion.

Episode 7: Given Limits

I tell you about my misadventures camping this week (urgent care features twice!). And I ponder the relationship between a set of imposed constraints and the capacity to create, be, and thrive.

Episode 6: I am the gold, not the broken pieces

This week I get an MRI, enjoy my new headstand stool, and somehow end up talking about the dark feminine, outlaw energies, the Ramayana epic, James Hollis and his acorn/oak tree notion of potential wholeness, and my childhood penchant for “playing Miss Hannigan” - the evil orphanage lady from the musical Annie.