April 2025 - Authenticity

Welcome to the Dare to Blossom Newsletter

SilverFest 2 event Saturday 5th April in Tavistock, Devon
Reflections: Authenticity
The next six-week Compass Rose programme
Saturday Dare to Blossom monthly circle 12th April
Launch of 'Your Compass Rose Speaks' audiobook

SilverFest 2 event Saturday 5th April in Tavistock, Devon

If you are close enough to travel to Tavistock on 5th and/or 6th April, the Silver Tent are hosting the second gathering there over two days this time. There will be talks and plenty of time to meet others as well as to explore the beautiful ancient market town.

I will only be there on Saturday 5th April, I am speaking that morning and I will have a table showing my books, cards and artwork. Here is the link to the event on Facebook if you would like to join us. Or simply contact me and I can put you in touch with the person taking bookings.

  
Here is my display from the first event, in October 2023



And here is a shot of me speaking at that event, with Francesca Cassini, the founder of the Silver Tent.

Reflections: Authenticity

For me, today, my first response is to see 'author'. I believe we are all the authors of our own lives. In the sense that I may not be able to change the things that happen to me (although sometimes I can ) but I can choose how I respond. This is often a challenge, sometimes by best response is simply 'this too will pass'.



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 is your response to the words together? How do all the colours connect? 

What else is there?
'Authentic' and 'Authenticity' can be over-used words, and that may lead to their impact being reduced. And, when I think I am being my authentic self, I am seeing that through my layers of experience and the pre-judgements (prejudices) that I hold about myself as well as others. All I can do is the best I can in this moment, and the next, knowing that we are all perfectly imperfect human beings.

Now I notice how the card is almost 'pointing' at my two words of the year, Ease and Rest, and I smile. Those are exactly what I need most right now. My body has been speaking up loud and clear - and authentically, as our bodies tend to do - telling me to slow down, even to stop for a while. As I have begun to take notice and do just that, I realise how deeply exhausted I have become, without really noticing. Spending too much time caring for others around me, and tending to my business and my writing.

So, I have taken a decision to step back, take a break, spend more time out on the cliffs and in my garden - and Mother Nature is responding by providing a forecast of sunny weather next week. Let's hope that is so!

And, what else?
The 'what else?' for me today is the colour - now I see a beautiful flower blossoming like this glorious magnolia. Nature cannot fail to be her authentic self. Maybe I can allow the beauty of my own true essence to shine through? Maybe you can too?


 

The next six-week Compass Rose programme
The timing for the programme I had planned 'Step Gently into Your Power' has turned out not to be right just now, so I am postponing. At the same time, I feel a different theme is also emerging. I do not yet have a final title clear in my mind, although variations of 'Find your inner anchor' and 'Readying your anchor within' have been in my mind.

I will update the website very soon with all the new information, at present the proposed start date is Monday 28th April - so not too long to wait. And before then there will be taster circles on Tuesdays 8th and 15th April at 2.30 pm, and Wednesdays 9th and 16th at 11.00 am

Whatever the themes we will be exploring, as always we will be using the Dare to Blossom Cards, drawing on all four decks now available, and the Magic Carpet Ride guided visualisations. Plus the support of a small group where we are safe to share together. The fee will remain the same at £175, even though we are entering into a new financial year when I will be reviewing the pricing of my offerings. As always, if you have attended previous paid programmes you are eligible for a discount.

Saturday Dare to Blossom monthly circle 12th April

Our regular Saturday Zoom gathering is a week later than usual as on 5th April I will be at the SilverFest event in Tavistock, as already mentioned, giving a talk and displaying my wares.

So next time we meet is Saturday 12th April at 11.00 am UK time. Here is the Zoom link to click at the time if you would like to join us. Please also let me know by replying to this email if you will be coming along. There is no fee to attend, simply the invitation to offer a donation if your circumstances allow, and if not, that is fine too.

The 'Your Compass Rose Speaks' audiobook

The audiobook will be available via Amazon/Audible any day now. Despite being scheduled to be 'live' at midday EST on Thursday, this is yet to happen but it may well be there by the time you read this.

We decided to go ahead with the Facebook launch event that day, and if you are happy visiting Facebook you can view some of the beautiful posts that my publisher Alice prepared, including Q&A videos with me answering questions submitted by readers of the print and ebook versions, here on the event page (make sure that you are viewing the 'Discussion' tab).

There is a special offer at the top of the event page to order the audiobook direct from the Golden Dragonfly Press, and a  package with the ebook too, which are only available until the audiobook is live on Amazon, so please do act quickly if you would like to buy that way and support a small independant publisher.



Once I know the audiobook is available on Amazon, I am planning a Zoom celebration event on a Monday evening during April.

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 

March 2025 - Beauty

 Launch of 'Your Compass Rose Speaks' audiobook

Saturday Dare to Blossom monthly circle 1st March
Reflections: Beauty
March half-price coaching offer
Substack space: 'Dare to Blossom with Mary Lunnen'
New Wisdom of Wild Cornwall deck emerging
'Step gently into your power' six-week Compass Rose programme

Launch of 'Your Compass Rose Speaks' audiobook

The audiobook will be available on Audible from 28th February, the date has been chosen as it is the second anniversary of the publication of the print version. If a link is available before I send this newsletter out to you, I will include it here. Huge gratitude to everyone who has encouraged and supported me during this process, and to my wonderful publisher Alice from The Golden Dragonfly Press.



We are planning a 'launch party' on Facebook on that day, 28th February, look out for that if we are connected there.

Saturday Dare to Blossom monthly circle

Our regular Saturday Zoom gathering is coming up on 1st March at 11.00 am UK time. Here is the Zoom link to click at the time if you would like to join us. Please also let me know by replying to this email if you will be coming along. There is no fee to attend, simply the invitation to offer a donation if your circumstances allow, and if not, that is fine too.


Reflections: Beauty

My first response is to take a deep breath, in.... and out.... Oh Beauty, seeming to link to Ease and Rest in the centre, and to continue the soft shades of purple and blue of all the cards so far.



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 is your response to the words together? How do all the colours connect? 

What else is there?
I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful part of the world, with countryside all around me, and just a short drive away from the cliffs and beaches of north Cornwall.

And, what else?
The 'what else?' for me today is a reminder that even when I am not able to get out, there is beauty all around me. Partly in the lovely things I choose to collect and decorate my home with. And also in the most ordinary of items. For example, I look at the pen on my desk here with my notebook, there is a beauty in the simple functionality of the design.

I also remember the times when I have been in a city surrounded by buildings, concrete, tarmac, traffic - even there, there is beauty to be found in the manufactured things, and nature is always present too. I may look up to the sky above - whether it is blue, or covered in clouds it is part of the dynamic atmosphere. If I look down at my feet I may see a tiny plant somehow growing through a gap in the flagstones of the pavement or in the gutter. There may be birds flying past or pecking around by a bench where someone recently ate a lunchtime sandwich.

I do not travel so much at the moment, but in the days when I used to visit London regularly, I would notice how so many people never look up or around, to see these things. Instead, they are rushing to get somewhere, probably looking down at their phone in their hand as they go.  When I was there it was unusual for me, and I was more inclined to look around, so I remind myself to do that in the familiar places here where I may also forget to enjoy and appreciate what is present as I go about everyday errands.
 

March half-price coaching offer

Have you ever worked with a life coach? My business is called that, 'life coaching', yet the people who have come to me over the years have come with such diverse needs - business, career, creative projects, family issues - and most of them have the underlying common theme of balance. Of 'time for me'. Of self-care.

Ahead of a long overdue price increase for my services I am offering a special price up to the end of March. Pop over to the Dare to Blossom website and click on Rediscovery Coaching to see the offer.

The first step is to book a free Zoom chat to find out if what I am offering is right for you just now. I have capacity for just six people one to one so if this is calling to you, why not find out more - I promise no pressure.

In the words of a past client:

"Talk to Mary, you will be glad you did!"

Step in, step through, this could be the doorway to the change you are longing for.....


 

My Substack space: 'Dare to Blossom with Mary Lunnen'

As I mentioned last month I decided against moving this newsletter to Substack straight away, but I did take the opportunity to 'just do it' rather than dithering over how to approach developing a Substack presence So I have begun using it as a place to share a 'messy first draft' of a potential Companion Guide to the Wisdom of Wild Cornwall Cards.

It felt, and still feels, a little scary to put these pieces out there just in their 'raw' state, but they have attracted a few subscribers - some who are old friends, others completely new to my work.

Currently it is all free, I may add extras for paid subscribers at some point, and I have included the option of a one-off donation for anyone who would like to support what I do, or to buy their own set of the cards. I would love it if you feel like taking a moment to visit there - and if you choose to subscribe (for free) that would be wonderful. Here is the link.

Oh, and I am finding an element of memoir is creeping in, with a sub-title emerging: Connections and Memories. Also, just a couple of days ago, the idea to write a piece for each card in the 'voice' of that aspect of Wild Cornwall. I had thought I would leave that until I was ready to start a second draft (probably still 'messy'!), but when I mentioned it yesterday someone took the time to comment to ask me to write about that card, Rain. So that is a challenge for me to begin.

New Wisdom of Wild Cornwall deck emerging

While I have been enjoying writing on Substack, the idea popped up of creating the Wisdom of Wild Cornwall No 2 deck sooner rather than later - so then I can write a companion guide covering all 100 cards. I have nearly finalised the words, and soon I will choose the colours and order a proof set.

In the meantime of course, if you would like to purchase any of the currently available four decks, either reply to this email, or pop over to the website here. And don't forget that if you want more than one set to contact me before ordering as then I can work out a combined postage price for you.




'Step gently into your power' six-week Compass Rose programme 

Thank you to those who have already asked about the next programme. While the current flow around the Compass Rose has just reached the halfway point, I am already looking ahead to 'what next?'

The theme has already appeared for me through reflections and conversations. As you know, 'Power' has been the starting point for much of my work over recent years. The longing for a way to bring the power of community and collaboration to the fore in the world, the gentle, more feminine aspect of power that supports others. So many of us reject the harsh destructive power we see out in the world, it is not surprising we do not wish our own inner power to be associated with that, yet how can we step into our own power in an authentic way?



These are the themes we will be exploring, using the tried and tested techniques of the Dare to Blossom Cards, the Magic Carpet Ride guided visualisations and the support of a small group where we are safe to share together.

You are the first to hear about this as I have yet to add this programme to the website, although it will soon be there. I am planning Zoom taster sessions at 11.00 am UK on Wednesdays 19th March and 2nd April, with the six week programme beginning on Monday 7th April (Zoom gatherings at 11.00 am on Wednesdays). The full fee is £175 for the six weeks, with discounts for people who have participated previously.  As always, simply contact me if you would like to know more.

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love in 2025 and beyond.

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

 

Mary

February 2025 - Presence

Reflections: Presence

'Be You and Shine' -  the first Compass Rose Programme of 2025
Other ways to connect: two monthly Circles, and one to one
My Substack space: 'Dare to Blossom with Mary Lunnen'

Reflections: Presence

Last month I mentioned that I noticed that the card for January, Harmony, was facing 'backwards', as if looking back into the past... I decided not to change it then. And now, seeing the spread for 2025 with the next card turned over, that makes sense.

January takes its name from Janus, the Roman god who looked both ways. The god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, choices, duality, doorways, passages, and endings (Wikipedia). And now Presence reminds me to be, simply be here,now, in this moment. In Ease and Rest, with Harmony. The deep blue feels calm and peaceful today.



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 each word? To the colours?
• What else is there?
• And, what else?
• What is your response to the three words together: Ease, Rest, Harmony? How do all the colours connect together? 
• Maybe you would like to join me in January reflections on looking back and looking forward?

What else is there?
I am sometimes tempted to wish I was elsewhere when events in my life don't turn out just how I would like. Nothing dramatic most of the time, simply feeling resentful at spending time doing housework perhaps. And yet can I choose to be present in myself, with myself, in whatever I am doing?

And, what else?
The 'what else?' for me today is to return to Ease and Rest, to be present with those core needs of my own, at the same time as devoting myself to those of others.
 

'Be You and Shine' -  the first Compass Rose Programme of 2025

If you had a moment to read the 'extra bulletin' in January,  you will have already seen that I had a rethink and decided on a new theme to start 2025.


 

The inspiration for this new theme arose, in a roundabout way from a walk I took around Christmas on a very rare dry day. Walking back along the track leading from the cliffs, I noticed something I must have passed by in the other direction earlier.

Two small white feathers stuck in the mud in an unusual arrangement, almost looking like wings. I took some photos and shared them on my Facebook feed with the comment "I met an angel on my walk today....'' and received a heartwarming response. Then I used this thought as the starting point for our jointly created story one week in Resa Ferreira's Story Circle - and that led me to those words: Be You and Shine. (Resa is a talented and experienced story-teller and has a podcast: Being Storied, click the link to listen.)

When I shared the new title with a few of the regular participants in the Compass Rose programmes, their response was very positive, along the lines of 'ooh, yes please!'

And so here we are, and we will begin with the opening of the private Facebook group on 1st or 2nd February, with the first weekly prompts shared on Sunday 2nd, and the daily flow beginning on Monday 3rd.

The fee is £175 for the six weeks,  with a discount for previous attendees.  As well as the weekly Zoom gatherings (with a recording in case you miss one or would like to listen again to the conversations and insights), you will be invited to a private Facebook group where I share weekly and daily prompts. (If you prefer not to take part on FB, I can send these by email to you). All the details are here, along with a PayPal payment link. If you are in the UK and able to pay by bank transfer, that helps me, so just ask for the details.

When any six week programme ends you continue to have access to all the materials in the group to review whenever you wish. You will also be eligible to join the Stay Connected Group where we share a monthly Zoom catch-up call and you will be offered a discount on all future programmes.

You can pay in two instalments if you wish. Contact me to arrange this or to arrange a one to one Zoom chat so you can consider if this may be for you. I occasionally offer a concessionary rate place so if you are drawn to this programme, but money is an issue please do ask for a conversation about this.
 

Other ways to connect: monthly Circles, and one to one

The next monthly circle is on Saturday 1st February at 11.00 am. Contact me to receive the Zoom link if you would like to join us for a peaceful hour together. The March event will be on 1st at the same time and I will share the rest of the dates for 2025 soon on the website page, and decide whether to restart the Monday evening gatherings when the light returns.

And, you are always very welcome to contact me to arrange a one to one chat on Zoom to discuss working with me as your coach or to find out more about any of my events or programmes.

My Substack space: 'Dare to Blossom with Mary Lunnen'

After deliberating last month I decided against moving this newsletter to Substack straight away, but I did take the opportunity to 'just do it' rather than dithering over how to approach developing a Substack presence So I have begun using it as a place to share a 'messy first draft' of a potential Companion Guide to the Wisdom of Wild Cornwall Cards.
It felt, and still feels, a little scary to put these pieces out there just in their 'raw' state, but they have attracted a few subscribers - some who are old friends, others completely new to my work.

Currently it is all free, I may add extras for paid subscribers at some point, and I have included the option of a one-off donation for anyone who would like to support what I do. I would love it if you feel like taking a moment to visit there - and if you choose to subscribe (for free) that would be wonderful. Here is the link.

Oh, and I am finding an element of memoir is creeping in, with a sub-title emerging: Connections and Memories.

I send wishes for health and happiness for you and all you love in 2025 and beyond

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

 

Mary

Changes for 2025

Hello dear friends,

Normally I share my regular newsletter here that also goes out to subscribers via MailChimp - but this year I simply forgot to do that, and in the time since then so much has changed that most of it is already out of date!

All good things too: in a whirl of creativity, I published my first post on Substack (see here if you are interested, and please do subscribe). For now, I will continue with the newsletter, but I may decide to transfer it all to Substack in the future. 

 

I also changed around my plans for the first two months of the year. The Wisdom of Wild Cornwall exploration will now be offered as two standalone workshops in January. (see here for details), and the first Compass Rose programme is "Be You and Shine", beginning in the first full week of February, with taster events before then. Again, full details are on the Workshops and Events page here.

Thank you for reading here over the years, I am so grateful for yuor presence.