Episode Overview:

In this episode, we explore the role of rituals in healing and wholeness. Joining me is Jennifer Zona from La Loba Soul Support, who shares her expertise in Spiritual Direction and psycho-spiritual coaching. We discuss how rituals can provide structure and meaning, especially during chaotic times, and how they facilitate connection, integration, and personal transformation.

We explore:

The definition and significance of rituals across various cultures and spiritual practices.

The psychological benefits of engaging in rituals, including stress reduction and fostering stability.

Practical examples of rituals that listeners can incorporate into their daily lives, such as morning intention setting and gratitude practices.

The concept of ritualizing dreamwork, referencing Robert A. Johnson's Inner Work.

How rituals aid in integrating life experiences and the journey from wounds to the sacred.

The invitation of Spiritual Direction and how rituals support the process of wandering within our experiences.

Mentioned in this episode:

Inner Work by Robert A. Johnson – A valuable resource for exploring the role of dreamwork in personal transformation.

Timestamps:

54:13 - Introducing Jennifer Zona

4:44 - Defining Rituals 12:05 - The Psychological Benefits of Rituals

19:41 - Practical Examples of Rituals

26:05 - Ritualizing Dreamwork (with reference to Johnson's Inner Work)

31:40 - Rituals of Integration 35:17 - The Invitation of Spiritual Direction (including a quote from Joseph Campbell)

40:10 - Conclusion

Note: There is a brief notification sound early in the episode. Our apologies. Thank you for your understanding!

Connect with Jennifer: La Loba Soul Support

Connect with me:

Instagram: @bethany.s.ward

Email: bethany@bethanysward.com

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider sending me your thoughts and sharing it with your friends! Your support helps me continue to bring thought-provoking discussions and spiritual insights.

Episode Overview:

In this episode, we explore the concept of spiritual resilience in light of the upcoming astrological shifts, particularly Neptune’s transition into Aries and the North Node's influence on our collective journey. With the rise of the Spiritual Warrior archetype, we discuss what it means to engage in proactive, courageous spiritual growth.

Joining me is Lisa Wegener from Already Home Astrology, who offers her expertise in astrology and personal development to help us navigate these transformative energies.

We explore:

The astrological significance of Neptune in Aries and the North Node in Aries/Pisces, and what it means for our spiritual evolution.

The paradox of individuation and how our relationship with SELF is crucial to embracing collective wholeness.

The upcoming Cancer Phase (2025–2040) and its themes of nourishment, protection, and feminine strength.

The transition from organized religion to a more personal spiritual practice and how that informs spiritual resilience today.

How to cultivate spiritual resilience through trust, surrender, and aligning with our higher purpose. The shadows of the Spiritual Warrior and how to avoid falling into the traps of aggression or self-abandonment.

Whether you're curious about astrology or deeply engaged in your spiritual journey, this episode offers valuable insights into how to cultivate resilience, not just as endurance, but as an active engagement with your faith and community.

Mentioned in this episode:

Will and Spirit by Gerald May – A recommended resource for exploring the intersection of spirituality and psychology, particularly around the themes of will, surrender, and spiritual formation.

Connect with Lisa:

Instagram: @alreadyhomeastrology

Substack: https://alreadyhomeastrology.substack.com

Connect with me:

Website: bethanysward.com

Instagram: @bethany.s.ward

Email: bethany@bethanysward.com

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider sending me your thoughts and sharing it with your friends! Your support helps me continue to bring thought-provoking discussions and spiritual insights.

Show Notes for "Embracing Inner Work Amidst Uncertainty"

Episode Overview:

In this deeply reflective episode, I explore the transformative power of inner work through my personal journey of navigating a health scare, the subsequent emotional upheaval, and, ultimately, spiritual renewal. Drawing on various practices such as astrology, the Sabian Symbols, dream work, and contemplative methods, I share how these tools have guided me through a challenging time and helped me reclaim my voice and strength.

What You'll Learn:

The Role of Astrology in Personal Growth: How astrological insights can offer profound guidance during life's uncertainties.

Sabian Symbols as Tools for Divination: Understanding these symbolic messages and how they can direct personal reflection and decision-making.

Dream Work for Emotional Healing: Insights into how dreams can serve as conduits for healing and deeper self-understanding.

Navigating Emotional Landscapes: Strategies for managing and transforming deep-seated emotions like grief, fear, and survivor's guilt through inner work.

Practical Guidance for Personal Inner Work: Tips on how to start your own practice of inner work, including journaling, meditation, and exploring personal astrology.

Featured Quotes:

Cynthia Bourgeault on Pain and Growth: "In the spiritual journey, you cannot bypass the pain but must go through it, and this is how the heart is made larger, and how we grow in compassion."

Bethany on Inner Work: "Inner work is not just a method; it's a pathway to profound personal change, offering a map for navigating life with resilience."

Call to Action:

Schedule a Spiritual Direction Session: I offer pay-what-you-can Spiritual Direction sessions to help guide you through your own journey of inner work. Visit bethanysward.com or contact me directly at bethany@bethanysward.com to book a session.

Resources Mentioned:

Book: "Inner Work" by Robert Johnson - a guide to using dreams and active imagination for personal growth

Tool: Online Sabian Symbols randomizer - www.sabiansymbols.com

My Jungian Analyst: Christina Becker - www.cjbecker.com

A special thank you goes out to my dream group of This Jungian Life's Dream School - thisjungianlife.com

Intro and Outro Music: Hopes and Dreams Instrumental

In this episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth: A Journey of Becoming," I take listeners on a journey of self-discovery, blending timeless wisdom with intuitive insight to guide them on the path of their own becoming.

Drawing from personal experiences and insights gained from voices like Carl Jung and Robert Johnson, I share how encounters with Tarot, my academic studies, and spiritual mentorship have shaped my understanding of spirituality and inner work.

Key Points:

Introduction to Tarot: Discover how a chance encounter with Tarot as a teenager sparked a lifelong fascination with mystical exploration and provided a mirror for my inner world.

Academic Shifts: Learn how a pivotal class on Textual Criticism challenged fundamentalist beliefs and opened the door to approaching spirituality with scholarly eyes, leading to deeper exploration and understanding.

Mentorship and Jungian Philosophy: Explore a transformative mentorship in Jungian psychology, particularly through the lens of alchemy, and how it has enriched my spiritual journey.

Commitment to Spiritual Growth: Understand how my experiences in college, congregational work, and Spiritual Direction training have reinforced my commitment to spiritual growth and inner work, even during a particularly challenging astrological transit.

Robert Johnson's Concept of Inner Work: Step into Robert Johnson's concept of inner work and its importance in making the unconscious conscious, allowing individuals to regain control over their lives and embrace transformation.

Integration of Timeless Wisdom and Intuitive Insight: Discover how I integrate depth psychology with mystical tools in my Spiritual Direction sessions, fostering a sense of wonder alongside intentional growth.

Conclusion: As I conclude the episode, listeners are invited to embark on their own journey of becoming, guided by the wisdom of the ages and the intuition of their souls. By embracing inner work as a pathway to spiritual growth, individuals can nurture the seeds of transformation within and embark on a journey of self-discovery and becoming.

Duration: 16:04

References:

Book: Inner Work: Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth by Robert A Johnson

Professor: H. Dixon Slingerland, Hiram College, OH, https://hiram.academia.edu/DixonSlingerland

Congregational work: The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland, https://uucleveland.org/

Mentorship: the Reverend Daniel Budd, https://my.uua.org/directory/people/21178

Group Practice: The Anima Mundi Project, http://www.halliedurchslag.com/anima-mundi-project

Jungian Society: Jung Cleveland, https://jungcleveland.org/

My Jungian Analyst: Christina Becker, https://www.cjbecker.com/

Music: Hopes and Dreams Instrumental

Episode Title: Receiving Spiritual Direction w/guest Katie Wedding

Episode Number: 3

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Duration: 29 minutes 41 seconds

Episode Summary:
In this episode, I sit down with Medium and Spiritual Companion, Katie Wedding, to explore the experience of receiving Spiritual Direction. It is the tradition of Spiritual Direction to maintain the confidentiality within the Director/Directee relationship. However, as a professional Spiritual Companion herself, Katie has a unique perspective on her experience receiving Spiritual Direction. She and I invite a peer-to-peer discussion on the life-changing practice of Spiritual Direction.

Mentioned in this Episode:
- Barbara Brown Taylor “Learning to Walk in the Dark”

- Abraham Joshua Herschel, “To be spiritual is to be amazed.”

Connect:
- Website: Bethanysward.com
- Email: bethany@bethanysward.com
- Social Media: @bethany.s.ward

Katie’s work can be found at katiewedding.com

Credits:
- Host: Bethany Ward with Guest Katie Wedding
- Music: Hopes and Dreams Instrumental

Subscribe and Follow:
- Be sure to subscribe and follow this podcast for more insightful episodes on spiritual direction and personal growth.

Episode Title: Embracing the Unseen: The Role of Intuitive Guidance in Spiritual Direction

Episode Number: 2

Release Date: December 12, 2023

Duration: 13 minutes 36 seconds

Episode Summary:
In this episode, we explore the mystical practice of intuitive guidance within Spiritual Direction. Bethany explores the nuances of this unique approach, detailing how it aids in personal growth and spiritual exploration. Listeners will gain insight into how spiritual sessions are prepared, the importance of listening to “the ear behind the ear”, and the role of psychic awareness in accessing inner wisdom.

Mentioned in this Episode:
- Mavis Pitilla, Evidential Medium

Connect:
- Website: Bethanysward.com
- Email: bethany@bethanysward.com
- Social Media: @bethany.s.ward

Credits:
- Host: Bethany Ward
- Music: Hopes and Dreams Instrumental

Subscribe and Follow:
- Be sure to subscribe and follow this podcast for more insightful episodes on spiritual direction and personal growth.

Host: Bethany Ward

Episode Summary: Bethany Ward, a trained Spiritual Director and Intuitive Guide, explores the concept of Spiritual Direction, its origins, and its roles in personal and spiritual growth.

The episode distinguishes Spiritual Direction from traditional therapy, emphasizing its focus on personal growth, self-discovery, and inner wisdom. Bethany shares her unique approach that combines traditional Spiritual Direction with intuitive guidance, Archetypal Astrology, Tarot, and Evidential Mediumship

Key topics include:

Understanding Spiritual Direction

The role of a Spiritual Director And the transformative impact of this practice on personal and spiritual journeys.

Bethany discusses how her methods, including storytelling, Jungian thought, Dreamwork, and divination aid in the healing journey.

The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to explore Spiritual Direction further.

Resources Mentioned: Haden Institute for Spiritual Direction and Dreamwork

Bethany’s website for Discovery Calls: bethanysward.com