Our latest contributor and expert on New Moon Cycles, Kate Vandermeer talks the power of the seasons and circling with wonderful women. 
Founder of the Good Vibes Gang, Byron Bay, Kate Vandermeer spreads modern magic to help live our best lives. She is deeply connected to the moon, its many cycles and in turn, their impact on our own. Commencing September 2024, Kate will share her insights and ideas around the New Moon Cycles, guiding us towards a deeper connection with our 'self' and the four seasons - nature's free guide to a better, more nurturing life. 
All images featured taken by @capetobyron. 

K: Ceremonies and workshops that embrace Modern Magic; empowering and honouring our feminine energy. 

K: I was caught up in the standard hustle-culture living in a busy city and my health said "Hey girl, we've sent you whispers, we've spoken louder but you don't get it, we'll stop you in your tracks!" And so, I hit burnout and had a nasty sacrum injury (from falling off a lounge chair during a holiday!). 

Whilst it was a super challenging and painful (literally and emotionally) time for me, I look back at this time as medicine. It was my soul crying out to be heard and steering me on the right path. 

Burnout taught me there are other ways to live; it's not just about surviving, it's about thriving. 

Learning about the sacred seasons has been the most inexpensive and profound mental health course I've taken. Just by observing the seasons in a more mindful way, we can learn about how they each gently guide us towards what to eat, how to move, how much rest we need and the importance of yin and yang. You have probably heard the expression "nature has all the answers"... well it does. We seek answers in expensive supplements, we look externally for dopamine hits and all along, the answers come complimentary with nature, if only we slow down enough to observe and listen. 
 

K: 

• Taking a mindful walk each day (or every couple of days) at the same time in nature. Maybe a local park, a bush walk or the beach (depending on where you live). This daily ritual is about disconnecting from sensory stimulation (that means no podcasts, music, phone calls or checking socials). This a slow, mindful walk where you really observe the seasons. What's happening with the trees (are they shedding leaves, growing new shoots?). What fruits or flowers are in bloom? What's the tide doing on the beach? Extra bonus points for doing this at sunrise or sunset. You'll notice the changing light during each season - the shorter days in Autumn and Winter and the longer days in Spring and Summer. 
• Charting your period cycle with the moon. It's so easy and so profound to understand if you are bleeding during the new moon, full moon, or somewhere between. As you start to observe the moon's phases each night / week, you'll notice how your cycle may change to be in sync with a Full Moon or New Moon. This is extra powerful as you can embrace the moon's energy as support in your day-to-day life. For example, if you bleed during the Full Moon you're literally releasing blood but also energetically releasing anything you no longer need. Toxic habits, unhealthy friendships and so on. 
• Eating for the season. For example, Autumn is time to break out the slow cooker. Warm, nourishing, and moisturising foods that are easily digestible help keep our digestive fire burning. Only drinking warm or room temperature water ensures we aren't consuming cold into our system that is preparing for the hibernation of winter. So, say goodbye to cold smoothies, sushi and cooling salads (cooked and warm salads are all good though). 

K: 

• Quiet, slow, solitude times: As a mother of 2 girls, but also a recovering city-hustler in the fast lane, I crave quiet and my own company. I do a big ocean / bush walk once a week to reconnect with me (Kate, not a mother, wife, business owner or healer. Just Kate). I go slow, I disconnect from screens, and I just be. It's my weekly Wednesday morning ritual and I absolutely notice when I don't do it. My family will attest to that. 
• Surrounding myself with wise women: as I am smack bang in the middle of perimenopause (am 45 turning 46 end of this year), I am craving the wisdom and experience of older women who have been through the same. There is such medicine in surrounding yourself with older women who are gracious in sharing their experiences, are vulnerable and authentic. 
• Learning: reading books, listening to podcasts, and doing online courses about topics that interest me. Things I've always been curious about. Learning for fun! 

K: These Ceremonies are truly magical, and I just know they are a part of my life purpose. To be with other women in an ancient ritual where we honour our feminine energy and the gifts that make us inherently unique is an incredible experience. If you've ever done it, I encourage you to give it a try. It can be profound as a one off, but the real results are in the repetition of attending. 

The way these ceremonies come together is also super magical; I am channelled a theme or topic to discuss, and the pieces fall into place in a variety of ways; a sentence from a book, something I see on Instagram or a conversation in my head. I then meditate and get confirmation of the topic, the essential oil, crystal and the type of guided meditation to tie it all together. Then the women who are MEANT to be there, turn up. 

The ceremony are best suited to any woman who is curious to learn more about themselves. I have had mothers and daughters partake (Kelly and her eldest daughter have come together). I have friends come along and I have women who come solo. Some women are mothers and need time to nurture themselves, some women come as they enjoy a great night's sleep following a ceremony! Some women are young professionals who are seeking more out of life. Some women arrive because they are anxious and feel calmer and safe during and after the ceremonies. It's a diverse bunch of women but the one thing in common is a desire to connect with themselves and feel a bit of magic again. To feel hope and be in wonder and awe of what life can be like. 

K: The most common purpose was during a woman's bleeding / menstruation phase. They would gather with fellow women in their tribe or community to bleed and share stories and rest together. They honoured this phase of their cycle and slowed right down. There was no working, no cooking or looking after the kids or partners. This time was considered magical by their tribes and communities. It was when they received sacred messages. 

K: I am super excited to be a regular guest and share the Moon Magic with the wonderful MAURIE AND EVE community. There is so much to be gained by learning about the moon; a calmer energy, a deeper connection to yourself, your purpose, and getting to know your intuition better so you can make decisions with clarity... to name a few! Just by getting to know the moon and its cycles, you begin to understand more about the world and how connected we all are. How can we support each other as women, rather than feel competitive or comparative. Once you learn about the moon, it's something you'll always know and revisit when you need guidance.