January 2024: Beauty + Angels

 

Welcome to the first Dare to Blossom Newsletter of 2024

Welcome in 2024 with a Dare to Blossom Magic Carpet Ride on 2nd January at 2.30 pm UK time
Reflections: Beauty + Angels
Taster Circles for the first 2024 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" 
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - the programme for 2024
One to One Coaching

Welcome in 2024 with a Dare to Blossom Magic Carpet Ride on 2nd January at 2.30 pm UK time



This will a chance to gently step into the new year in a small supportive group on Zoom, for about an hour together. Simply reply to this email if you would like me to send you the Zoom link. I have chosen the time to be a little easier for friends in the USA or Canada - it is 9.30 am Eastern time, and 6.30 am Pacific (which is still rather early I know.) If we are connected on Facebook, this link will take you to the event page there.

Reflections: Beauty + Angels

As we step into another new year, another turn around the sun on this precious blue planet of ours, I decided to repeat the 'wheel of cards' for each month. I have already chosen my 'word of the year' - Beauty. A reminder for me that there is beauty all around me, even in the most unlikely of places and difficult of situations.



Then I turned the first card, for January - Angels. another soft shade of blue. This always makes me smile, as I remember that saying "Angels fly because they take themselves lightly." A reminder not to take myself too seriously, weighing myself down with worries about things that probably will never happen.

 

If you would like to join me in reflection, ask yourself the questions here - for either or both these words, whatever you wish to choose, and write in your journal. Or, if you prefer, read on and come back later.

• What is your first response? To the word? To the colour?
• What else is there?
• And, what else?
• What do Angels add to Beauty? How do the colours connect together? 

What else is there?

On Boxing Day, there was a rare dry day with no wind, no blue sky but a few gleams of sunshine. I took the opportunity to walk on the cliffs at one of my favourite spots, near Trevone on the north coast of Cornwall, just a few miles drive from my home.

I was delighted to see that the fulmars are returning ahead of their nesting season. If you are regular readers you may remember that I love watching these amazing sea birds as they swoop and soar close to the cliffs. I found this little feather, it could be from a fulmar, or one of the herring gulls that also live along these cliffs. It is also very similar to the photo with the card I took some years ago on a warm summer's day, in almost the same place.

And, what else?
I am not someone who places particular significance on finding a white feather - there are far too many seabirds who shed feathers where I walk to do that  - yet, this 'coincidence', while I am writing about Angels, makes me smile.

I did my best to get some shots of the fulmars in flight - it is harder when there is no wind as they are having to use their wings more, rather than floating on the air currents. here is the best one.



What do Angels add to Beauty? How do the colours connect together? 

I had already been so very thankful for the opportunity to get out and enjoy the Beauty of the cliffs I love so much. The Angels card reminds me to notice, the little things, the tiny quirks of nature, such as these stunning red fungi, (which I think are Scarlet Waxcaps) as well as the grand views of the ocean. The colours of the two cards were present all around me in the shades of the sea that day.

 

 

Taster Circles for the first 2024 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" 

The new six-week Compass Rose programme begins at the end of January. Before then there are two more chances to experience one of the Zoom circle which happen every week. The 'tasters' are on Wednesdays 10th and 17th January, at 11.00 am UK time. Simply contact me by replying to this email if you would like to join in one or both and I will send you the Zoom link. To put your mind at rest, there is never any pressure to sign up for any of my paid offerings, simply an invitation for you to take up if you wish. If you would prefer to ask your questions one to one, again simply reply to this or contact me to ask and/or arrange a time for a Zoom chat.

If you read the December newsletter, you will have seen the details below already, you may like to read on to refresh your memory, Alternatively, the booking page on the website is now open, simply click here to reserve your place.

Reflecting on how that time has often felt in the past, I remember the numerous articles, in print and online, about New Year resolutions, getting fit, losing weight, creating a 'new you'. In fact I remember offering a workshop, many moons ago now with the title 'New Year, New You', and it makes me shudder now.  Why? Surely there is nothing wrong with resolving to do all those things, to focus on a fresh start?

No, not at all, and yet, after many many years of reading about and taking part in 'personal development', and 'self-improvement', now I notice how bad many of those things made me feel. One aspect for me is the timing, January is a time when I feel like resting, if not hibernating, of snuggling up, keeping warm, withdrawing from the world until the green shoots of spring begin to arrive. By the end of January and into February, the hours of daylight here in the northern hemisphere are beginning to lengthen, green shoots of snowdrops may be emerging. For me this feels like a fresh new start to the year.
 

As I wrote last month, you may be familiar with this painting, one I created years ago at a workshop. If you have been on a Zoom call with me you will have seen it hanging on the wall behind me here in my home in Cornwall.

I chose it for this programme as it is a reminder for me that in coming home to myself, I have truly never left, my light has always been here, shining within to guide me, even when I sometimes lose the connection.

The programme will run from the week beginning Monday 24th  through to Friday 1st March, there is a sliding fee structure so you can choose to pay the amount that feels right for you (and you can choose to pay by instalments). full details here.
 

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - programme for 2024

 You are very welcome to join me, simply reply to this email, or contact me via the website to ask for the Zoom link.

The first Saturday circle is on 13th January at 11.00 am, then the first Monday gathering is on 29th January at 7.30 pm (UK times).

The dates for 2024 are on the website if you are someone who likes to plan ahead. 

One to One Coaching

For many people, the deeper connection of one to one sessions is perfect for them once in a while, either for a short block of six, or an on-going arrangement as and when required. People often make big breakthroughs in one or two sessions, and then return for a 'booster' whenever is right for them.

Either way, I would love to have a Zoom chat with you if you would like to explore the option of one to one coaching with me. There is no pressure, simply an opportunity to find out what would be useful for you, and if my approach would be good for you. 

You can read testimonials here on my website.
 

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

 

Mary

December 2023 - Choices

 Reflections: Choices

A Pause to Breathe - emails start next week
Gift ideas
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - the last this year and programme for 2024
One to One Coaching
First 2024 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" 

Reflections: Choices

Ha! This last card in my wheel, revolving around my word of the year, drawn in January, caused me to laugh as my first response today. Somehow, I expect (or maybe hope?) that the end of any year will be a tidy round up, a completion of my plans. Yes, there is some of that for me to reflect upon. And,  an array of new possibilities, of choices appearing.



If you would like to join me in reflection, ask yourself the questions here and write in your journal. Or, if you prefer, read on and come back later.

• What is your first response? To the word? To the colour?
• What else is there?
• And, what else?
• What does Choices add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words this year bring for you?

What else is there?

So, for me, after my first response, I feel drawn ahead, beginning again, seeing the reminder to Focus. This was January's card, the very first, and yet, feels so relevant to where I am just now.

And, what else?

Just now I feel I cannot make any choices, in fact I cannot see clearly at all. I remind myself that simply being present in that centre point, in Peace in the Compass Rose, may be simply an opportunity to rest. To choose to rest, choose to make that my choice rather than to act. 

What does Choices add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words bring for you?

Being present, sitting with Presence, feels like a support for those Choices I may be faced with next. I am smiling again as I was about to write : "...those Choices I may be presented with next." Presented, Presence. As for the colours, due to the way the camera can change the colours in a photo, I went back to my combined deck of 100 cards and drew out these two, Presence and Choices. And yes, they are the same shade of deep blue.  How interesting.

Sitting back to reflect on the thirteen cards, the whole wheel of the year, for me there is a feeling of flow, of both symmetry and synchronicity, in the way the cards have appeared throughout these months. I am not sure I can put into words, yet it is there.

I would love to know if you have enjoyed this approach as we have travelled through 2023 together - please do reply to this email and let me know. Shall I repeat it again in 2024? Or look somewhere new for inspiration for my reflections to share with you here?

A Pause to Breathe



As I mentioned in the extra email this month, this is a simple offering via email starting in December: Offering you ‘A Pause to Breathe’ – two emails each week for five weeks over Christmas and New Year, with gentle thoughts to allow you to take a moment in the midst of all the busy times. Now is the time to sign up to receive the emails starting next week, visit the Workshops and Events tab on the website. The emails will be short and simple, with suggestions to 'pause to breathe' (rather than long and full of news as these newsletters are) - and of course you can dip into you mail box and read them whenever you wish, as they arrive, or several at once later in the five weeks.

Gift ideas

I have recently hosted a sale of encaustic art on Facebook, and I realise I have not shared it here with you - my apologies for that. The usual price for each original painting is £48, and they have been offered during November at £20 each plus postage and packing to where you are in the world. For you I will extend the sale a little longer.

They do make beautiful gifts, although I think I can only promise a quick delivery to those of you in the UK at this stage in the year.

Here are a selection of those still available, just email and let me know if you are interested. Each painting is mounted ready for framing. Mount size is 6 inches by 8 inches



In addition, my books (signed copies from me, or available online wherever you like to buy) and the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery Cards (only available from me) are gifts that people tell me they enjoy all year round. 

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom - last this year and programme for 2024

The last regular monthly Circle of 2023 is on Saturday 9th December at 11.00 am UK time (and before then there are two taster circles on Wednesdays 29th November and 13th December at the same time). You are very welcome to join me, simply reply to this email, or contact me via the website to ask for the Zoom link.

The provisional dates for 2024 are on the website if you are someone who likes to plan ahead. 


First 2024 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" 

My gratitude to those who were interested in this programme when I planned it for the end of 2023. It has turned out to be best to postpone to late January for various reasons.

Reflecting on how that time has often felt in the past, I remember the numerous articles, in print and online, about New Year resolutions, getting fit, losing weight, creating a 'new you'. In fact I remember offering a workshop, many moons ago now with the title 'New Year, New You', and it makes me shudder now.  Why? Surely there is nothing wrong with resolving to do all those things, to focus on a fresh start?

No, not at all, and yet, after many many years of reading about and taking part in 'personal development', and 'self-improvement', now I notice how bad many of those things made me feel. One aspect for me is the timing, January is a time when I feel like resting, if not hibernating, of snuggling up, keeping warm, withdrawing from the world until the green shoots of spring begin to arrive. By the end of January and into February, the hours of daylight here in the northern hemisphere are beginning to lengthen, green shoots of snowdrops may be emerging. For me this feels like a fresh new start to the year.

There will be two Zoom taster circles before Christmas, Wednesdays 29th November and 13th December at 11.00 am UK time, and two in January. And, to put your mind at rest, there is never any pressure to sign up for any of my paid offerings, simply an invitation for you to take up if you wish. If you would prefer to ask your questions one to one, again simply reply to this or contact me to ask and/or arrange a time for a Zoom chat.

As I wrote last month, you may be familiar with this painting, one I created years ago at a workshop. If you have been on a Zoom call with me you will have seen it hanging on the wall behind me here in my home in Cornwall.

I chose it for this programme as it is a reminder for me that in coming home to myself, I have truly never left, my light has always been here, shining within to guide me, even when I sometimes lose the connection.

The programme will run from the week beginning Monday 24th  through to Friday 1st March, full details and the booking link will be on the website very soon.
 

One to One Coaching

For many people, the deeper connection of one to one sessions is perfect for them once in a while, either for a short block of six, or an on-going arrangement as and when required. People often make big breakthroughs in one or two sessions, and then return for a 'booster' whenever is right for them.

Either way, I would love to have a Zoom chat with you if you would like to explore the option of one to one coaching with me. There is no pressure, simply an opportunity to find out what would be useful for you, and if my approach would be good for you. 

You can read testimonials here on my website.
 

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

 

Mary

November 2023 - Blossoming

Reflections: Blossoming
Final 2023 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" 
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom
One to One Coaching
Book news: Your Compass Rose Speaks New reviews gratefully received

Reflections: Blossoming

I have no memory of the card for each month that I laid out back in January, so each time is a surprise for me - and I love this for my birthday month, Blossoming.



If you would like to join me in reflection, ask yourself the questions here and write in your journal. Or, if you prefer, read on and come back later.

• What is your first response? To the word? To the colour?
• What else is there?
• And, what else?
• What does Blossoming add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words so far bring for you?

What else is there?

So, after my first response, that I hope another birthday, another turn around the year, will bring more Blossoming, what else is there? 

Well, in this season of autumn, here in the northern hemisphere, I am prompted to think about bearing fruit. Yes, there are still many plants in flower in my garden in the mild climate of Cornwall. And we have already harvested apples, tomatoes, and many other crops. After my own blossoming, what is waiting to set seed, and then to be given a quiet, dark place to rest safely during the fallow time, before germinating into new life, new ideas, in due course?

In our modern world, always 'on' 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it can be easy to forget that living breathing organisms, human beings, and animals as well as plants, need time to rest. Need that fallow time when things slow, and settle. Time to absorb the goodness of what has gone before. Time also maybe to discard what is not required to go forward into the new season.

And, what else?
I come back to my first response, to celebrating my birthday in early November. Last year I thought about this a lot, all through the year as it was my 70th. This year, becoming 71 still feels significant, yet in a different way. There is a feeling of more new beginnings, plenty of potential, of blossoming, still to come.

I have bought myself just one gift, this lovely turquoise pendant. It was an impulse buy, online, and sometimes those can be a disappointment when they arrive. This, however, is even more special than I expected. I am not quite sure why yet. I have decided not to wear it until my birthday, maybe I will find out more then. It looks bigger than life-size in this photo, the turquoise stone is an inch and a quarter long.




What does Blossoming add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words so far bring for you?

My first thought looking at the spread of cards again, is how Blossoming, and laughter, are the only two cards in shades of red and pink. Almost diagonally across the circle from each other. Coming back to what Blossoming adds to Presence - for me, becoming truly present is the foundation for Blossoming in the way that is really true for me. How you do that would be very different as you are a unique and different individual, as we all are.

If you would like to share your own thoughts or reflections on this process I would love to hear from you.

Final 2023 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" 

As you may have seen, I recently sent you an invitation to two taster sessions for this, the next six-week turn around the Compass Rose. They are, or were if you read this later, on Friday 27th October at 2.30pm, and Wednesday 1st November at 11.00 am. (There is also the regular Monday Dare to Blossom Circle at 7.30 pm on Monday 30th October which will also give you a 'taste' of how this process may work for you - see more below). **If you are in a different time zone, please be aware that here in the UK the clocks go back one hour at 2.00 am on 29 October.

Simply reply to this email if you would like the Zoom link for one or more of these gatherings. And, to put your mind at rest, there is never any pressure to sign up for any of my paid offerings, simply an invitation for you to take up if you wish. If you would prefer to ask your questions one to one, again simply reply to this or contact me to ask and/or arrange a time for a Zoom chat.

Many regular readers will be familiar with this painting, one I created years ago at a workshop. If you have been on a Zoom call with me you will have seen it hanging on the wall behind me here in my home in Cornwall.

I chose it for this programme as it is a reminder for me that in coming home to myself, I have truly never left, my light has always been here, shining within to guide me, even when I sometimes lose the connection.

The programme will run from the week beginning Monday 6th November (with the private group opening on 4th November) through to Friday 15th December, I have copied the main details for you below.

The fee for the full six weeks will be £155, with a discount for those who have attended previous programmes. All the details and payment link are now on the website  - if you prefer direct bank transfer (which is good for me too) just ask.

What does ‘Coming home to yourself’ mean for you?

When I first heard those words, many years ago now, I felt tearful. I realised I had no idea where ‘myself’ might be let alone how to find my way home there. Over the years I have connected with many people who have helped me along the way, some of whom would have had no idea what that help meant for me.

This is really the essence of all of the processes I offer to you if you purchase the Dare to Blossom Rediscovery cards or my books, especially the most recent Your Compass Rose Speaks: Rediscover Your Inner Wisdom. We are simply walking home together.

The weekly Zoom meetings will be on Wednesdays at 11.00 am or Fridays at 2.30 pm, depending on the preference of those who sign up, possibly both times if there is enough interest. If you miss any you will be able to catch up on the recording.

Here is the outline programme, more details to follow.

Week 1 Peace Monday 6^th November

Week 2 Purpose Monday 13^th November

Week 3 Passion  Monday 20^th  November

Week 4 Power Monday 27^th November

Week 5 Progress Monday 4^th December

Week 6 Return to Peace  Monday 11^th December

There is also a daily flow of prompts throughout each week. If you prefer not to be in a Facebook group, even a private one, you can receive these via email and join the weekly live Zoom circles.

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom 
The drop-in circles have not been so regular of late for various reasons, but I hope that you may be interested in joining me on Monday 30th October at 7.30 pm, Saturday 11th November at 11.00 am, or Monday 27th November at 7.30 pm (UK times - do check in your timezone while the autumn time changes are taking place). 





You will be find the events on Facebook,  or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom link. It is always a pleasure to welcome those of you who prefer not to connect via social media, all you need to join us is the Zoom link that I send to you in advance of the time.

Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero to £60. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your presence. 

The full schedule of dates for 2023 is on the website.

One to One Coaching

For many people, the deeper connection of one to one sessions is perfect for them once in a while, either for a short block of six, or an on-going arrangement as and when required.

Either way, I would love to have a Zoom chat with you if you would like to explore the option of one to one coaching with me. There is no pressure, simply an opportunity to find out what would be useful for you, and if my approach would be good for you. 



If you click on the 'Book Now' Passionflower, it will take you straight to my calendar to book a twenty minute complimentary call. If you prefer, to read more about the Rediscovery Coaching process click here,  Current pricing is £45 for thirty minutes and £90 for a one hour session.

“I have found my sessions with Mary to be a good balance of ideas for the practical things I can do, and the bigger picture reminder of what I want to achieve. This has helped clarify the direction  I want to take and also sparked ideas of how to get there. Mary helps as a reminder to stay true to my experiences and has allowed me to be comfortable with who I am and having balance in life and my work.” 

You can read more testimonials here on my website.


Book news: Your Compass Rose Speaks new reviews gratefully received

Two new reviews recently posted on Amazon:

Unbelievably helpful

When I saw this book as a group read along on Instagram, I jumped at the chance. I’m so very happy I did. Your Compass Rose Speaks takes you on a journey through visualization and prompts of each part of the Compass Rose beginning in Peace (the Center) then each of the four directions, returning to Peace.

It’s such a gentle guide to help with healing and finding your inner wisdom. I am blown away how this book has helped me on my healing journey. I will be keeping Your Compass Rose Speaks close by to return to it again and again. Ann M, USA  7 October 2023

If you enjoy guided meditations, you will love this book!

Mary has been a life coach for twenty years, throughout which time her imaginative, creative approach to self discovery has been tested, refined, and practiced by Mary herself and many of her clients. This book is an amazing distillation of a very clear and truly original process for connecting with our inner wisdom and guidance, to rediscover the self we always intended to be but may have hidden away as children to protect ourselves from hurt and worse.

Using the symbol of the compass rose, with its peaceful center and four directional points corresponding to purpose, passion, power, and progress, Mary helps readers find themselves by offering questions and prompts to consider and explore in reviewing each of these interwoven facets of personality. The process of contemplating and answering her questions brings us closer to recognizing - sometimes with surprise - the true nature of our thoughts, feelings, and values as opposed to what we think they are or what they should be. Mary provides further opportunities to better understand ourselves through guided meditations she styles 'magic carpet rides.' These loosely structured flights of fancy stimulate and unleash the imagination as a means of recognizing our potential to 'blossom,' to become our truest selves. The latter part of the book offers compelling and entertaining reports from Mary and some of her clients of their own, deeply personal magic carpet ride experiences.

I find Mary's approach to be an insightful, helpful framework for navigating my relationship with my inner life. It's so easy to lose touch with that quiet, inner voice amidst the 'noise' and hyper stimulation of our modern world. Reading this book brought me relief, hope, and greater confidence that I have the answers I need within me.

Mary is an inspiring coach. She writes with the authority and confidence of a master practitioner, which I greatly respect and admire. Her gentle guidance is clearly and intentionally centered on offering options, not prescribed solutions we should follow based on her values and interpretations. She begins from the perspective that each of us knows what is best for ourselves, and she proceeds to help us access that knowledge in a very practical way.

I highly recommend this book.

Christopher Benoit, Worcester MA , USA, 22 October 2023

Thank you so much to Ann, and to Christopher.

Whether you buy Your Compass Rose Speaks: Rediscover Your Inner Wisdom, direct from me or online, print or electronic versions, I would be very grateful if you would like to write a review. I know from my own experience that I often intend to do this, and then never get around to it - yet I do my best and I know that is all I can ask of you, and thank you in advance if you do find the time. It will be very much appreciated.

If you do write a review, please will you send me a link when it is online, as Ann and Christopher did? You can do that simply by replying to this email, or through the contact form here. Alternatively, rather than posting on Amazon, or on Facebook, you can email it to me with your permission to share it - and how you would like to be acknowledged.

If you would like to buy a signed and dedicated print copy, I have just five copies in stock just now. This month I thought I would share again this beautiful photo of the book at a reader's home in New Zealand.


 

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

 

Mary

October - Create

 

Reflections: Create

Final 2023 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" Advance Notice
Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom
One to One Coaching
Book news: Your Compass Rose Speaks audiobook progressing

Reflections: Create

So many aspects to creating for me. Writing, painting, sewing, cooking a meal. And then, creating my experience, often unconsciously.



If you would like to join me in reflection, ask yourself the questions here and write in your journal. Or, if you prefer, read on and come back later.

• What is your first response? To the word? To the colour?
• What else is there?
• And, what else?
• What does Create add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words so far bring for you?

What else is there?

So, after my first response, what else is there? People have been asking me what I am writing next. Just now the answer is this newsletter, plus materials for the online programmes, and my daily posts. There are some new ideas bubbling up, jottings and doodles in various notebooks, often when I am out on the cliffs - although it may not be warm enough to sit and write for much longer now that the seasons are changing towards winter here.

As well as writing I create in other ways, cooking meals, often using home-grown produce; painting; colouring in my recently acquired first-ever adult colouring book. (Color for Clarity by Kristal Norton). I often do this while in a regular Zoom group where most people are knitters so while they busy themselves with that while listening as each of us shares, I have been doing this. Here is one with an appropriate message;



I am now inspired to create some ink drawings myself to colour in - maybe I will experiment with that soon.

And, what else?

In my first response above, I wrote about creating my experience, often unconsciously. After all my years of life, I do my best to respond, to insert a 'gap' between my first reaction to something, and the words I say. When I don't do this my reactions can be angry, negative, even hurtful. Often these words are only spoken to myself, being overly self-critical, or jumping ahead in my mind to a possible scenario where things go wrong. Sometimes I do speak words aloud to someone else and if that comes from a snap reaction those words can sound harsh and counter-productive.

And yet, where does the line come between adapting my reactions to become reasoned responses, and showing my true feelings in the moment? If I am always 'moderating' myself, how will others know when I am upset or worried? How can I find a middle way so I can be sensitive to the feelings of others, yet also true to myself?

I don't have any easy answers, sometimes it feels like walking a tightrope trying to balance - yet I believe there are lessons, and rewards, in the continued practice of finding that moderate way. What is your experience? I would love to hear from you if you would like to reply to this email.

What does Create add to Presence? How do the colours add to each other? What do all the words so far bring for you?

My first thought here is that being fully present (as much as I am able) brings conscious intent into the things and experiences I create. The colours are both deep and flowing, seagreen and dark blue. As for all these words together, they simply bring wonder at the power of these little cards.

Final 2023 Compass Rose Programme: "Coming Home to Yourself" Advance Notice

While considering the theme for the final turn around the Compass Rose of 2023, I sat on the cliffs the other day with my little travelling notebook. It was just about warm enough to sit and write for a short while. After  watching the sea, and the birds, and the sky, and then flow-writing, I decided on 'Coming Home to Yourself'.

This is the title of a chapter in Your Compass Rose Speaks, the last one in the Return to Peace section, before readers go on to visit the Travellers' Tales Circle. It feels appropriate at the end of what has been for me a year of ups and downs, highs and lows, losing myself, and coming home to myself again. Maybe this is true for you?

Many regular readers will be familiar with this painting, one I created years ago at a workshop. If you have been on a Zoom call with me you will have seen it hanging on the wall behind me here in my home in Cornwall.

I chose it for this programme as it is a reminder for me that in coming home to myself, I have truly never left, my light has always been here, shining within to guide me, even when I sometimes lose the connection.

More details of the programme will be shared on the website very soon. For now, here are the dates for your diary:

Taster 1 Friday 27 October at 2.30 pm UK time

Taster 2 Wednesday 1 November at 11.00 am UK time

(if you are in a different time zone, please be aware that here in the UK the clocks go back one hour at 2.00 am on 29 October so when the programme begins the calls may be a different time for you.)

The programme will run from the week beginning Monday 6 November (with the private group opening on 4 November) through to Friday 15 December.

The fee for the full six weeks will be £155, with a discount for those who have attended previous programmes. Payment link will be on the website very soon along with more details.

Dare to Blossom Monthly Circles on Zoom 

The drop-in circles have not been so regular of late for various reasons, but I hope that you may be interested in joining me on Saturday 14 October at 11.00 am, and/or Monday 30 October at 7.30 pm, UK times.





You will be find the events on Facebook,  or simply reply to this email and ask me for the Zoom link. It is always a pleasure to welcome those of you who prefer not to connect via social media, all you need to join us is the Zoom link that I send to you in advance of the time.

Payment is by donation, depending on your circumstances. People offer from zero to £60. I host the circles with no expectation, simply deep gratitude for your presence. 

The full schedule of dates for 2023 is on the website.

One to One Coaching

For many people, the deeper connection of one to one sessions is perfect for them once in a while, either for a short block of six, or an on-going arrangement as and when required.

Either way, I would love to have a Zoom chat with you if you would like to explore the option of one to one coaching with me. There is no pressure, simply an opportunity to find out what would be useful for you, and if my approach would be good for you. 



If you click on the 'Book Now' Passionflower, it will take you straight to my calendar to book a twenty minute complimentary call. If you prefer, to read more about the Rediscovery Coaching process click here,  Current pricing is £45 for thirty minutes and £90 for a one hour session.

“I have found my sessions with Mary to be a good balance of ideas for the practical things I can do, and the bigger picture reminder of what I want to achieve. This has helped clarify the direction  I want to take and also sparked ideas of how to get there. Mary helps as a reminder to stay true to my experiences and has allowed me to be comfortable with who I am and having balance in life and my work.” 

You can read more testimonials here on my website.

Book news: Your Compass Rose Speaks audiobook progressing

As you may have read in earlier newsletters, after the print and Kindle books, work is underway on an Audible version for those who enjoy listening. As I reported last month, I have completed recording, and the files are now with my publisher . I will let you know when I have a launch date - I know that Alice from the Golden Dragonfly Press has a steady queue of titles waiting to be transformed into wonderful publications so it may be a while. If you would like to browse her books, pop over to her website here. I have quite a collection of her titles already.

Whether you buy Your Compass Rose Speaks: Rediscover Your Inner Wisdom, direct from me or online, print or electronic versions, I would be very grateful if you would like to write a review. I know from my own experience that I often intend to do this, and then never get around to it - yet I do my best and I know that is all I can ask of you, and thank you in advance if you do find the time. It will be very much appreciated.

If you do write a review, please will you send me a link when it is online? You can do that simply by replying to this email, or through the contact form here. Alternatively, rather than posting on Amazon, or on Facebook, you can email it to me with your permission to share it - and how you would like to be acknowledged.

If you would like to buy a signed and dedicated print copy, I still have plenty of stock, although not quite such a large pile as in this photo.



 

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love.

Thank you for joining me here this month, any thoughts, feedback, or questions are always welcome.

 

Mary