Giving thanks

Make it a Fall Equinox to remember with Mabon's tradition of gratitude.

Mabon, the pagan holiday that falls on the Fall Equinox, is basically the “witch” version of Thanksgiving. Falling precisely between the Summer and Winter Solstices, Mabon gives us an opportunity to reflect on the hard work of the summer while shifting our energies for the quieter, colder and slower months ahead.

The main theme of Mabon is gratitude: sending a friend a thoughtful thank you card, hosting a dinner party or event, or simply letting your loved ones know how much you value them. The cornucopia is the symbol of this holiday, conveying a desire to share the overflowing abundance the goddess Demeter helped us stockpile during the warm, sunny seasons of Spring and Summer.

At TOTEM, we’re harnessing this energy by hosting a Fall Equinox party at our work/ live space on Sunday, September 24th from 11 AM-5 PM CST. You can get more details and register on Eventbrite HERE.

Please note: I need everyone to reach out via email (rachel@totemreadings.com) to RSVP no later than September 10th to ensure that we have adequate amounts of snacks, drinks and gift bags. We’re also checking that folks are either a current client, friend of a client, or collaborator given that this event is being hosted in our home.

I’m so thrilled to host an event in the theme of Mabon, focusing on shifting gears into the fall and enjoying all that we’ve done:

The joy of gathering

I think it’s safe to say that we’re all running a bit of a deficit for meaningful, in-person experiences with other human beings. I think it’s also a given that we’re all a bit overworked, stretched thin, and craving a little less crazy from the world at large.

Right now, it can be genuinely hard to set time aside, if only for an afternoon, to slow down, meet some strangers, and have some unexpected (and hopefully serendipitous) conversations. But it’s also crucial food for our souls and often the best way to stumble upon unforeseen synchronicities.

Trust me: life is way more interesting off of Zoom and social media. There just isn’t anything like the real thing when it comes to human connection.

So, while our Fall Equinox party will be a laidback, six hour, backyard shindig, we’re going to try to make it a special and memorable experience for everyone attending— and for ourselves!

We’ll be providing gift bags to all attendees that include limited edition TOTEM Flower Essence treats— including an herbal tea harvested on Midsommar!

We’ll be offering some of our TOTEM Flower Essences and our TOTEM Tarot Deck for sale at very special, discounted prices, all with the intention of clearing out our larder and providing powerful plant medicine and spiritual tools to those that can most benefit from them. You’ll also be meeting other like-minded spiritual seekers, practitioners, herbalists and healers, creating the perfect environment to make connections and share insights before the cooler weather— and slower rhythms— of Fall and Winter come to power.

We’ll be serving chef-prepared small bites and beverages that use our TOTEM Flower Essence “mothers”— as well as alcohol-free libations. And, if you’re so inclined, we’ll be joined by two incredible practitioners offering a small segment of private sessions to those that reach out and register:

Astrology with Britt Sandkulla-Sinclair

Britt Sandkulla-Sinclair of Golden Thread Alchemy is an astrologer, witch, coach and all-around mystical badass. She’s making the trek to ATX all the way from California, and will be offering a few, limited in-person mini astrology sessions at the rate of $60 during our event.

Having a proper astrologer like Britt take a look at your birth chart can be a total game-changer. I’ve worked with Britt in the last year, and found the experience illuminating and empowering and frankly upending— in a good way! If you’re interested in learning more about these mini sessions or want to sign up to secure your spot for a chart reading, reach out to Britt anytime via email: Britt@goldenthreadalchemy.com

If you want to learn more about Britt and her approach to the world of woo, please check out The Skeptical Shaman podcast episode we did together: Out of the Broom Closet. Britt is a dynamic, fascinating woman that’s bringing back some old school wisdom.

Ayurveda + Marma Therapy with Colleen Soisson

Colleen Soisson, Ayurveda expert and wellness coach, is also making the long trip to ATX for our event, but this time from the other coast, all the way from North Carolina! Colleen is an Ayurvedic badass that is going to offer our Fall Equinox attendees access to a few limited Marma Therapy sessions.

During this one-on-one session, you’ll experience the subtle art of Marma Point Therapy and its rejuvenative effects on the nervous system. There are 108 vital energy points on the body, and when they are held, panic energy flow is enhanced to the organs while hormones for deep relaxation are released, balancing the emotional body and nervous system. A state of pure bliss is achieved.

These sessions are 1 hour, and the price is $120 per person. If you want to sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime experience with Colleen, please email Colleen directly here: colleensoisson@gmail.com

And, like Britt, I also recorded an episode of The Skeptical Shaman podcast with Colleen: What Feeds Your Soul?, in which we discussed the world of Ayurvedic medicine, nutrition, and how our modern world is addicted to convenience. Check it out if you want to get to know Colleen and her offering a little bit better before you join us for this celebration!

With gratitude

Thank you all so much for subscribing to this Substack, for listening to The Skeptical Shaman podcast, exploring our handmade flower essences, and for working with us at TOTEM. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all of you, and how wonderful it’s been to share and collaborate and converse across this past Spring and Summer.

Being able to break bread with you and your friends at our upcoming Fall Equinox event is an honor, and this is the spirit of Mabon. The world is getting very weird very fast, and we’re going to need our fellow humans— and their knowledge of ancient wisdoms like herbalism, Ayurveda and astrology— as we move forward.

Sometimes, the old ways are the best ways. And I have a feeling this coming Fall and Winter are going to demand an embrace of all things human and analogue. Come and have a drink with us. Get a gift bag. Meet some people in Austin.

And, if you live somewhere else in the world, try to celebrate Mabon in your local area. Have some friends over for dinner. Celebrate the changing of the seasons with your witchy friends. Meet your neighbors. Donate your time. Or simply pen a few snail mail notes to let friends know how much they mean to you.

You can even just put out a bit of wine and bread for your ancestors and spirit guides as a simple gesture of gratitude.

In almost every spiritual tradition, rituals are powerful magic. Expressing gratitude with intention and action will surely call it back to you in kind.

I’m excited to see you on September 24th-

Happy Mabon!

-Rachel