Cawnawyn chats with her friend Emily, a longtime Pagan/Wiccan mama of a three-year-old and an eight-month-old who is currently a stay-at-home parent after years of coaching gymnastics. They discuss how motherhood reshapes spiritual practice, from seasonal altars and simple home-clearing rituals to adapting Sabbat timing to real-life seasons in the Pacific Northwest.

Emily discusses how her Scottish and Irish heritage shapes her pagan journey. The mamas also talk about sleep deprivation, identity changes, postpartum anxiety, and redefining “balance” as continuous maintenance, and share plans for the equinox and autumn with kids, along with personal practices for the upcoming Venus retrograde on healing and honesty.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:58 Meet Emily, Pagan Mama and Competitive Gymnastics Coach

02:59 Kids And Sleep

06:24 Heritage And Pagan Practice

11:17 How Motherhood Changes Spirituality

15:36 Identity After Kids

18:57 Creative Play

22:28 How We Are Celebrating the Equinox

24:50 Maintenance Over Balance

29:03 Nostalgia and Impossible Standards

33:29 Upcoming Venus Retrograde Healing Work

38:16 Missing Meditation and Truth Telling

41:44 The Attachment to Intensity

49:13 The Gifts of the Equinox

51:52 Closing Reflections and Farewell

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

“Mill Dust and Dreaming Bread: Exploring Scottish Folk Belief and Folk Magic” by Scott Richardson-Read

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.

Watch the Podcast Video version on youtube.com/@StarsandSprouts

Music by C. A. Worden ©️ Smashing Ivory Productions LLC 2026

Violin - Jean-Philippe de Passos (via Musiversal)

Cawnawyn welcomes back Aura to discuss her work as a birth doula in the Pacific Northwest and how her pagan spirituality privately informs her support for mothers.

Aura discusses how she became a doula and shares her extensive experience helping new and expecting mothers, including tips on creating a sacred birth space. Cawnawyn reflects on her two births with Aura as her doula, highlighting the benefits of hiring a doula for a smooth, successful birth experience.

00:00 Welcome

01:42 Meeting Aura, A Pagan Doula

02:52 Called to Birth Work

07:29 What a Doula Does

14:40 Partner Support and Advocacy

16:32 Placenta Encapsulation Magic

20:45 Pagan Birth Ritual Tips

26:18 Creating a Sacred Birth Space

34:49 Postpartum Rituals and Rest

40:59 Doula Stories in Pivotal Moments

47:29 Intuition and Spiritual Cues

55:08 Where to Find Aura

56:08 Closing

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Wintertide Birth Services

https://wintertidebirthservices.com/

Follow Aura @wintertidebirthservices

Freya: Hypnobirthing Surge Timer

The Positive Birth Company

https://thepositivebirthcompany.com/

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.

Watch the Podcast Video version on youtube.com/@StarsandSprouts

Music by C. A. Worden ©️ Smashing Ivory Productions LLC 2026

Violin - Jean-Philippe de Passos (via Musiversal)

Cawnawyn returns to the Stars and Sprouts Podcast to share how her family’s early homeschooling experiments have gone less smoothly than expected, but have brought lessons about retention, curiosity, play, and rhythm.

Cawnawyn discusses balancing educator-mom roles while navigating work-from-home demands and careful media choices.

She reflects on prioritizing children while still pursuing creative goals, grief work around unrealized past ambitions, Lughnasadh themes of harvest and mourning, and closes with eclipse-season astrology on the Leo–Aquarius nodal axis and what it suggests for parenting values.

00:00 Welcome

00:28 Summer Update and Homeschool Plans

01:56 Wondergarten Summer Curriculum

06:45 Myth Atlas for Kids

10:30 Wheel of the Year Guide

13:03 How Homeschool Is Going

16:50 Importance of Movement in Home Education

24:12 Work From Home Reality Check

27:53 Finding Your “Why” and Balance

31:05 Grief Work and First Harvest

36:34 Leo/Aquarius Axis Parenting Lessons

47:34 Closing Blessings and Invitation

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Wondergarten Early Childhood Curriculum

by Lisa and Nathaniel Santa Cruz

https://wondergarten.net/

Myth Atlas: Maps and Monsters, Heroes and Gods from Twelve Mythological Worlds

by Thiago de Moraes

https://bookshop.org/p/books/myth-atlas-maps-and-monsters-heroes-and-gods-from-twelve-mythological-worlds-thiago-de-moraes/1dec6ed3a85b5df6?ean=9781499808285&bkshp-astro=t

The Wheel of the Year: An Illustrated Guide to Nature’s Rhythms

by Fiona Cook, Illustrated by Jessica Roux

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-wheel-of-the-year-an-illustrated-guide-to-nature-s-rhythms-fiona-cook/59d2ee6bca7fc937?ean=9781524874803&bkshp-astro=t

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.

Watch the Podcast Video version on youtube.com/@StarsandSprouts

Music by C. A. Worden ©️ Smashing Ivory Productions LLC 2026

Violin - Jean-Philippe de Passos (via Musiversal)

In this Beltane episode of Stars and Sprouts, Cawnawyn explores parenting through the Taurus–Scorpio axis of security, focusing on her children’s Taurus placements and her goal of guiding them toward Taurus qualities like slowness, peace, embodiment, and nourishment. She discusses Taurus traits around food, comfort, possessions, and sensory needs, and encourages parents to use a child’s chart, especially the North Node, Midheaven, and Moon, to support the growth of the child. Cawnawyn closes with a Beltane mother’s blessing from Circle Round.

00:00 Beltane Welcome

00:43 Celebration Plans

03:26 Nodes and Parenting

07:05 Taurus Lessons

16:54 Mothers Blessing

19:11 Closing Farewell

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions

by Starhawk, Diane Baker, Anne Hill

https://bookshop.org/p/books/circle-round-raising-children-in-goddess-traditions-starhawk/19e4999f9b2d2d7e?ean=9780553378054&next=t

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 2026

Violin - Jean-Philippe de Passos (via Musiversal)

Cawnawyn welcomes Courtney Weber and Kanani Soleil to discuss how community events support pagan parents, highlighting their upcoming conference: “Spirit Northwest”, a four-day immersive pagan conference in the Pacific Northwest, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity of practice.

Spirit Northwest: April 23-26, 2026! A make-your-own-adventure conference with varied workshops, keynotes, rituals, and evening social events.

Tickets to Spirit Northwest in Portland, OR: www.spiritnorthwest.com

Courtney shares how motherhood shifted her practice toward survival and a more private, personal magic, including boundaries around sharing online and navigating her toddler’s spiritual experiences.

Learn more about Courtney Weber: courtneyaweber.com

Follow Courtney on Instagram & TikTok: @courtneyaweber

Kanani describes how motherhood moved her from solitary practice into public community-building through volunteering, and how her older kids engage differently as teens.

Learn more about Kanani Soleil: suburbanwitchlady.com

Follow Kanani on Instagram & TikTok: @suburbanwitchlady

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

03:23 Parenting Shifts Practice

05:49 Keeping Magic Private

10:41 Finding Pagan Community

15:51 Kids and Spiritual Moments

20:43 Samhain and Ancestors

24:16 Boundaries With Spirits

25:22 Spirit Northwest Origins

27:13 Why Local Conferences Matter

27:46 Highlighting National Pagan Conferences

29:24 Immersive Workshop Format

30:17 Entry Level to Advanced

33:35 Learning Through Differences

37:06 Workaholics and Weddings

45:19 Evening Rituals and Socials

46:28 Parenting Pagan Values

48:42 Closing

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 2026

Violin - Jean-Philippe de Passos (via Musiversal)

Cawnawyn and Annette are stepping into 2026 and reflecting on the lessons learned in 2025 and how they tie into the magical rediscovery of the self through the lens of witchcraft. They discuss emotional maturity, the role of anger, and the importance of somatic practices. This episode is an intimate look at the challenges and triumphs of parenting in alignment with Earth and celestial rhythms. From re-parenting oneself to teaching children emotional intelligence by example, this episode offers heartfelt insights and practical wisdom for pagan parents.

00:29 Reflecting on 2025 and Embracing 2026

03:32 Emotional Growth and Anger Management

11:24 Somatic Practices for Emotional Release

18:42 The Importance of Community and Support

21:56 Looking Ahead: Goals and Aspirations

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans by Michaeleen Doucleff

https://bookshop.org/p/books/hunt-gather-parent-what-ancient-cultures-can-teach-us-about-the-lost-art-of-raising-happy-helpful-little-humans-michaeleen-doucleff/5848320ecc6fea42?ean=9781982149680&next=t

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 2026

Violin - Jean-Philippe de Passos (via Musiversal)

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