Mooney's Mythic Podcast

Episode: A Journey Into Winter StillnessNew Episode: Winter Stillness Guided JourneyFeeling too busy for a podcast - until a vision came during choir practice. This week: pure medicine. A guided shamanic journey into your winter stillness, bookended by ancient songs.No story. No analysis. Just: close your eyes, drop your shoulders, and step through the portal.17 minutes. Pure offering.In This Episode:Music:* Queen Space Baroque - “Ritual Door” (opening)* Avalonian Free State Choir - “Ananita” (Basque lullaby, pre-Christian)* Avalonian Free State Choir - “Patapan” (French traditional carol)The Journey: From a bustling Christmas market, a man in Dickens clothing creates a portal with his finger and thumb. Step through into a cedar forest where trees stand like ancestors. In an ancient clearing, build a fire that sparks without needing light - it knows the way. A distant drum calls your body to drop into winter dreaming, into the holy weave that connects you to everyone you love and all who came before. The closing song brings you gently home.“ Relax. Loosen. Let go.”Find somewhere you can close your eyes for 10 minutes. Let me guide you into the stillness.Featured:The Avalonian Free State Choir Professional choir based in Avalon (Glastonbury), singing ancient and traditional songs. Recorded at the Glastonbury Frost Fair, late November. The Basque language predates most European languages - these sounds were lulling babies to sleep long before Christianity.Queen Space Baroque “Ritual Door” - opening musicSupport: Patreon | Share | Heart on Substack | CommentPerfect for: Before bed, lunch break reset, winter solstice ritual, when you’re feeling scattered. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

William Blake & The Doors of PerceptionNew Episode: Re-Enchantment Through William BlakeLying melty on my bed like a Dali painting, I explore William Blake’s 268th birthday through poetry, doors, and contradictions.In this episode:* Charlotte Mabon’s “On the Mountain Path” (from Rivers of Soul album)* Blake’s Tiger Tiger Burning Bright & Auguries of Innocence* The Doors of Perception: Blake → Aldous Huxley → Jim Morrison* Bluebeard’s forbidden room & clearing to reach infinity* Holding devastation AND wonder simultaneously* “I am as old as I thought I would never be”* Story nesting & deepening consciousness* Allen Ginsberg masturbating to “Ah, Sunflower” (yes really)* Finding what gives you sensual, tactile pleasureBlake believed imagination is divine. The creative self never dies - she’s alive in every moment.Bluebeard Workshop: Sunday 7th Dec, 2-7pm online Code: openthebloodydoor for £10 off [Eventbrite link]Listen wherever you get your podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Episode: Rumpelstiltskin - Naming What Has Power Over YouTagline: Myth as a doorway, story as soul retrieval, folklore as a friendEpisode OverviewFresh from a Women Who Run With The Wolves group session, Sarah shares the full recording of her Rumpelstiltskin story (the version she sent to musicians Ross Moore and Imogen May for their upcoming show) and then unpacks what she’s discovering in its depths.This 4,000-year-old Bronze Age tale explores: kings who own everything (including what’s found on your land), impossible tasks that require magic, the innocent feminine we throw under the bus, bargains we make with our future selves, and the power of naming things correctly to break spells.Sarah connects Rumpelstiltskin to Baba Yaga (asking your deep self to solve problems while you sleep), the Manawi story (wild parts that listen more deeply), and the bundle-of-sticks teaching about knowing all your aspects.This is deep story work - excavating meaning so richness lives in the telling.Rumpelstiltskin :* Date: Thursday 27th November* Venue: Goddess House, Glastonbury* Musicians: Ross Moore (piano) and Imogen May (synthesizer)* Doors: 7pm* Start: 7:30pmBluebeard Deep-Dive Workshop* Date: December 7th* Time: 2-7pm* Format: Online* Discount code: openthebloodydoor (for £10 off)* Theme: Exploring places we compromise, doors we’re told not to open, “we all agree not to look at something and then it becomes invisible but it doesn’t - it stains everything”* https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mooneys-mythic-hearth-presentsshamanic-story-day-blue-beard-tickets-1973605298576?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Sarah sits down with Maya Love - musician, bagpiper, and singing retreat facilitator - to explore the healing power of pure notes, the magic inherent in every word, and how sound can call cells back into alignment.Opening with Maya’s stunning bagpipe performance, they discuss Florence Farr’s Victorian experiments with voice and psaltery, the difference between piano tuning and bagpipe tuning, authentic voice vs. trained singing, and Maya’s extraordinary story of calling in her partner through a sung prayer on the Mendips.This episode weaves together: bagpipes as healing instruments, the Pied Piper effect, Breton dancing as transcendental practice, Rumpelstiltskin and naming things their rightful name, and Maya’s two versions of the same song (drum vs. guitar) to explore how melody changes meaning.Also featured: Sarah’s upcoming Rumpelstiltskin show and Bluebeard deep-dive workshop.Maya’s upcoming gigsUpcoming Gigs (35:27-37:18):* Saturday: Totnes Civic Hall - Dragons Fly Dance Band* Arrive 7pm for dance class, get heads up on dances* December 13th: Glastonbury Assembly Rooms (where first Glastonbury Festival held)* December 20th: Priddy Village Hall, 1-6pm* Dragons Fly full band (Eastern European songs, Maya’s songs)* Fundraiser for Palestine* Maya on at 4pm* www.mayalove.co.uk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Sarah returns after last week’s depleted episode to explain “spoon theory” (Christine Miserandino’s metaphor for chronic illness and limited energy), share why her spoons have run out (swollen thyroid, her son moving in with his dad), and offer the Scottish tale “Prince Brekhan and the Hag of Corryvreckan” - a story with no happy ending, perfect for entering winter.Ted Waters performs “A Billion Atoms,” a song about her friend Sarah Pugh’s death. Sarah also shares her discovery of Florence Farr (Victorian actress/Golden Dawn member who believed in the magic of voice and intention) and previews next week’s conversation with Maya about bagpipes, drones, and the inherent melody in every word.This is an intimate, whispered episode about being in the whirlpool - both literally (the story) and metaphorically (grief, transition, motherhood).Ted Waters:* Farmer, singer, seasonal celebrant* Featured in Season 1* “A Billion Atoms” - original song about Sarah Pugh’s death* Find her music: Ted Waters Music (Spotify, Instagra* The Story Source“Prince Brekhan and the Hag of Corryvreckan”* From: Serpent, Siren, Maelstrom and Myth by Jerry Smith (British Library book)* Illustration mentioned: “Into the Maelstrom” by Harry Clarke (1923, from Tales of Mystery and Imagination)* Support the Podcast* Patreon: Mooney’s Mythic Podcast* Or: Tell a friend, leave a heart, leave a noteNext WeekConversation with Maya (singer and bagpiper) about:* Bagpipes as ancient drone instruments* The inherent melody in every word* Voice, intention, and magic* More on Florence Farr’s work This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Host: Sarah Mooney, StorytellerIntro music by Queen Space BaroqueEpisode OverviewA tender, vulnerable episode where Sarah acknowledges she doesn’t have the “spoons” to fully arrive this week. Instead of pushing through alone, she contradicts the belief that “only she can do it” by inviting beloved artists into the space - Elizabeth Jane Lovely shares a haunting story about ancestor statues, and Samana offers their transcendent song “Lakeside Song.” A beautiful meditation on asking for help and the power of community care.Featured ArtistsElizabeth Jane Lovely - “The Ancestor Statues”Elizabeth Jane Lovely is an artist whose experimentation encompasses the written form, oral storytelling, ceremonial chant, and spell speaking through ritual interaction. She is a Creative Arts Doctoral Researcher at Loughborough University and an English Cunning Woman of sorts. Her specialisms centre around how we can cause kindly disruption through enchantment, the story as activist, the essentiality of our bodily state as gateway to sacred creativity, and everyday imagination as change maker. She currently lives in a tiny county that does not always exist, regularly having to negotiate with the brambles and briars to access the rest of the human world.Her story for this episode explores themes of colonization, the resilience of ancestral wisdom, and the journey from remembering to forgetting to remembering again. The ancestors - whether as statues, dust, or breath within us - remain patient witnesses to everything.Connect with Elizabeth Jane Lovely:* Website: www.elizabethjanelovely.com* Substack: thefaerytaleapothecary.substack.com* Featured in Season 1 of Moony’s Mythic PodcastSamana - “Lakeside Song”Samana was born in the heart of a vast, mountainous forest during a year-long odyssey that Rebecca Rose Harris and Franklin Mockett embarked upon through the untamed wilderness and distant cities of Eastern Europe. As multi-disciplinary artists, Samana weaves together poetry, music, striking photography, and fine art into a single transformative and immersive experience. Every element of their work is crafted with ritualistic devotion, recorded in their analogue studio, The Road Records, and developed in the darkroom tucked away in the remote hills of Wales.Their music confronts the most profound aspects of the human condition, embracing both its weight and its transcendence. Oscillating between melancholic ballads and spiritual awakenings, Samana’s sound guides listeners through cinematic landscapes, invoking ancient beliefs, revolution, healing, the unseen, and the profound depths of love, loss, and death.“Lakeside Song” was composed by a lake that holds deep personal and spiritual significance for the band. This song emerges from a place of stillness and reverence, where the lake represents a threshold between the seen and the unseen, yearning and reflecting, serenity and infinity.Connect with Samana:* Website: www.samanaroad.com* Spotify: Samana on SpotifyKey Themes* Asking for help - Contradicting the isolating belief that “only I can do this”* The blankets pulled away - Facing what we’ve been avoiding* Community as medicine - Being held by others’ art when we can’t hold ourselves* Sensory deprivation and earth connection - The power of returning to darkness and stillness* The art of letting go - As explored in Samana’s lyrics This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Opening Music: Queen Space BaroqueEpisode Description:Sarah explores the art of conscious performance—from telling her first deliberate joke on stage (poems tucked in her bra!) to navigating audience reactions at Wellington Park’s outdoor festival. Sarah rediscovers the beautiful chaos of outdoor family storytelling.She shares her original tale of the squirrel who finds a golden acorn and hides it away, only to discover decades later that it grew into a magnificent tree—a story about sharing, connection, and the gifts that grow when we let them go.Sarah Curtis returns with her angelic voice, singing an elegy for someone who “died on Tuesday” and her original song “The Giving and Forgiving Trees.” They chat about baking (pistachio katafi brownies!), upcoming performances, and the cucumber song sung in choir when someone passes. Sarah reads Dylan Thomas’s “Clown in the Moon”—the poem she had tucked in her bra at 777.Sponsored by: The Snug - A curated creative space at the Red Brick Building, Glastonbury. Every Thursday, midday-4pm. Free coffee, soup, creative materials, and listening posts. A warm winter haven for creativity and connection.Music Featured:* Queen Space Baroque (intro)* Sarah Curtis - “I Know That You Died on Tuesday”* Andy Skellum -“Lisa’s riding”* Sarah Curtis - “The Giving and Forgiving Trees”Events Mentioned:* The Snug: Thursdays, 12-4pm, Red Brick Building, Glastonbury* The Songbird Sessions: Friday, November 8th, 7pm doors/7:30 start, Avalon Community Centre, King Street, Glastonbury. Featuring Sarah Curtis and Andy Skellum. Tickets available, homemade cakes!* GWS Radio: Thursday, October 30th, 5pm - Sarah Curtis live performance* Women Who Run With The Wolves Wednesdays: 2 spaces remainingSupport the Podcast: Patreon: Mooney’s Mythic PodcastThemes: Performance craft, conscious vs. intuitive storytelling, outdoor storytelling, death and remembrance, Samhain traditions, trees as gift-givers, sharing vs. hoarding, the spell of story This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Episode Description:The day after a show on the dark moon—what Sarah calls the “soot moon”—she tells the story that came through her the night before at 777 in Glastonbury. It’s a story that wasn’t quite ready, that felt like cottage cheese in her fingers the day before, but she told it anyway because that’s what the dark moon demanded.Old Nanny finds an abandoned baby at the market cross after her night shift. The baby drinks moonlight and grows luminous. As Luna becomes a glowing teenager full of questions and restlessness, Old Nanny must learn to trust her, to let go, to stop trying to hide her brightness from the world.This is a raw, vulnerable episode—Sarah even interrupts herself mid-story to question whether she’s telling the right tale. It’s about mothering and being mothered, about loneliness meeting neediness, about trusting the ones we love to find their own path even when they kiss frogs and take wrong doors.Featuring music from Ushti Baba’s new album, Flora, Fauna, Fight Feast. (Rootless and Fight) and gratitude for everyone who held the space at the dark moon gathering.In This Episode:* The “soot moon” - when chimney debris falls and puts out your fire* Performing on the edge: telling a story that isn’t quite ready* “Old Nanny and Luna” - an original tale about found family and moonlight* Meta-storytelling moment: questioning the story mid-telling* Letting go of teenage children and trusting their brightness* The macramé hammock that becomes a spider’s web of connection* Music by Ushti Baba: “Rootless” and “Fight”Themes: Dark moon, mothering, trust, letting go, luminescence, found family, teenage years, loneliness and belonging, the cycles of holding on and releasingInspiration: The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill The Waterboys - “The Whole of the Moon”Support the Podcast: Patreon: Mooney’s Mythic PodcastGratitude: To everyone who came to 777 on the dark moon To the Patreon supporters To Queen Space Baroque and Ushti Baba for the music This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Opening music: Ritual Door 1 by Queen Space BaroqueAs the autumn moon wanes and we approach Samhain, Sarah sits down with musician Rob Bray from, among others, Maythorne and Queen’s Space Baroque to explore the threshold between life and death, light and shadow.Rob shares his original death poem set to music—a meditation on mortality that emerged from months of practical preparation and deep contemplation. Sarah dreams aloud about moon letters, veils (both ancient and bridal), and the thinning that happens this time of year—not just between worlds, but within ourselves.Together they discuss an upcoming Samhain eve performance at 777 in Glastonbury, where they’ll gather on the waning moon to inhale what we need before the deep dark of winter. Sarah reads “The Fairy Piper,” a story about St. Patrick and the moment when the old gods were shut out of the new heaven—and with them, the fairy music that once guided travelers across dangerous moors.This is a conversation between air and earth, between moonlight longing and practical preparation for death. It’s about calling back the time when stones were ancient companions and invisible grandmothers patted us on the back for our storytelling.In This Episode:* Rob Bray performs “Invite Them In” (Samhain song) and “Death Poem”* The waning moon as metaphor for what deflates in us* Practical preparations for mortality and the songs that emerge* Etymology of “thin” and the history of “the veil is thin”* “The Fairy Piper” by Sharon Jacksties—a story of separation* Rob’s song for St. Catherine of Alexandria* Moon letters and Saxon gnome poems* The upcoming Samhain eve gathering on October 20thThemes: Samhain, waning moon, mortality, ancestors, fairy folk, separation, prayer through music, threshold times, the practical and the poeticPerformance Details: Samhain Threshold Evening with Sarah Mooney, Rob Bray, Jenny Bliss, and John Crow, Monday October 20th, 7:30pm (starting ~8pm) 777 Silver Street, Glastonbury Intimate space (20 people) - first come, first servedSupport the Podcast: Patreon: Mooney’s Mythic PodcastWinter Course: Women who run with the Wolves online course. Every other Wednesday morning from November 12th Limited spaces available - contact for details This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Wild Women & The Hunter Turned to Stone with Katy CawkwellGuest: Katy Cawkwell - Professional storyteller, host of Artemis Storytelling eventsEpisode SummarySarah opens with a vulnerable prayer about abundance and visibility, inspired by the fruiting trees of autumn - sharing bruised gifts without hesitation. Through a series of funny mishaps (including being caught naked on her landing by Avalon Cloaks’ founder Susie), she weaves toward deeper questions about women, power, and age.The episode centers on a backstage conversation with touring storyteller Katy Cawkwell, who shares the haunting Dartmoor legend of Bowerman and the Wild Hunt - a tale of hubris, mysterious women, and a man turned to stone for disrespecting the sacred. It’s a perfect threshold story for the thinning of the veil as we approach Samhain.Key ThemesSeasonal Abundance & Vulnerability Sarah reflects on the trees’ generous giving - sharing all their fruit, bruised or perfect - and her own prayer to do the same with her work and gifts.Lilith & Untamed Feminine Power Brief mention of Katy’s solo show about Lilith - Adam’s first wife who refused to submit - connecting to the episode’s theme of powerful women who won’t be tamed.Finding Your Storytelling Voice Katy shares how she moved from nervously following traditional versions to confidently adapting stories, trusting that “the story is stronger than all of us.”The Sacred Feminine & Wild Women The Bowerman tale features mysterious women performing rituals in the woods - a powerful image of feminine power that punishes masculine arrogance and disrespect.Threshold Time & Stones That Move Sarah adds her own reflection after the story: at this threshold time approaching Samhain, “the very rocks under our feet can come alive and very places within us can turn to stone.” Everything has magical resonance when the veil is thin.The Story: Bowerman and the Wild HuntKaty beautifully tells this Dartmoor legend about a boastful hunter who disturbs a coven of women performing rituals around a fire while chasing a hare. The hare-woman leads him on an exhausting night-long chase across the moors until dawn, when the mysterious women turn both Bowerman and his dogs to stone. The rocks still stand on Hayne Down and Hound Tor - and some say they move on autumn nights.Locations mentioned: Hayne Down, Hound Tor, Dartmoor (Devon)Katy Cawkwell’s WorkCurrent Tour: “Wild Visions, Untamed Myth” with Lucy Lill* Greek mythology double bill* Katy’s half centers on Artemis* Lucy’s half features Cassandra* Derby (next week from recording)* Rural Northumberland (mid-October)Solo Show: “The Story of Lilith”* Exploring the first wife of Adam who refused to submitBackground:* Host of Artemis Storytelling events in Exeter for 5 years* Featured on Radio 3 and Radio 4* Performed at festivals across Iceland and Europe* Developed lockdown work through outdoor storytelling in Devon parksResources Mentioned* Folkloric Map of Dartmoor by Ethan Pennel- search it out!* Women Who Gave No Fucks - Lucy Lill’s show that brought Katie and Lucy togetherSponsorAvalon Cloaks - Handmade ritual cloaks from Glastonbury* Featured in Netflix’s “Wednesday”* Worn by Glastonbury’s Bard and May Queen* “When you need a cloak worthy of your magic”Sarah’s Upcoming EventsFREE Online Taster Session - This Thursday Morning Try out Sarah’s teaching style before committing to the winter series - storytelling, journaling, and experiencing how she works with Women Who Run With The Wolves.Women Who Run With The Wolves - Winter Series Online course starting in November for those who love the Thursday sessionNext Week: Rob Bray from Maythorne joins to discuss the Waning Moon celebration (October 20th at 777, Glastonbury) - a night of music, poetry, and storytelling as we approach SamhainMusical NoteThe episode opens and closes with Queen Space Baroque’s “Ritual Door 1” - Sarah describes it as “like a big musical podcast hug around my world.”“If I can just soften enough, if I can breathe and relax enough, then like the trees, I can let go of my dry leaves and open and share myself like the apple trees are doing, like the chestnut trees are doing... they are just so abundant this year and they’re sharing and sharing and sharing their gifts, their bruised gifts.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Guest: Daygan Robinson - Multi-instrumentalist (mandolin, bouzouki) and founding member of Dragon’s Fly and MaythorneEpisode SummarySarah welcomes legendary Glastonbury musician Daygan Robinson for an intimate fireside chat about perfectionism, community music-making, and the transformative power of French Breton dance. Fresh from leading a creation myth retreat in Wales, Sarah explores with Daygan the vulnerability of performance, the magic of Glastonbury’s interconnected music scene, and why getting everyone dancing together might be the most powerful community ritual of all.Key TopicsMusical Perfectionism & Self-Compassion Daygan opens up about his OCD tendencies and how hitting a wrong note can overshadow an entire brilliant performance in his mind - and how he’s learning to treat himself with the same kindness he extends to new musicians at Glastonbury Folk Club.Glastonbury’s Musical Lineage A fascinating exploration of how bands like Silver on the Tree, Heathen’s All, and Space Goats have branched into today’s thriving scene - with musicians constantly collaborating across projects spanning 30+ years.French Breton Dance as Community Ritual Daygan passionately describes the joy and connection of traditional French and Breton partner dances, where whole communities come together regardless of age or background - and announces his upcoming dance event.The Courage to Sing Both Sarah and Daygan share their vulnerability around singing versus instrumental performance, and how witnessing others’ bravery at Folk Club has inspired new songwriting.Beltane Traditions A delightful conversation about Glastonbury’s evolving Beltane celebrations, including the story of women joining the maypole procession and gently disrupting tradition.Upcoming Events* December 13th - French Breton Dance at Glastonbury Assembly Rooms with live music* Samhain (Oct 30/31) - Maythorne performing (Assembly Rooms or White Spring TBC)Music Mentioned* Maythorne (Daygan’s new band) - Currently recording, described as “one of the tightest bands” he’s been in* Dragon’s Fly - 28 years strong* Silver on the Tree - “Morning Glory” (Daygan’s recommendation for a soul-shifting listen)Glastonbury Connections* Folk Club at The Becketts Inn (fortnightly) - Welcoming space for all levels* Irish Session at Rifleman’s Arms (first Thursday monthly)* Assembly Rooms - Historic venue where the first Glastonbury Festival was held. Daygan recently joined the committee to bring more performance arts to the space.Find Daygan’s MusicSearch “Dragonsfly” (one word, with an ‘s’) or “Maythorne” (with an ‘e’) on YouTube and SpotifySarah’s OfferingsWomen Who Run With The Wolves Online Course Starting November 12th, every other Wednesday morning* Work through every story in Clarissa Pinkola Estés’ book* Use podcast code “PODDLE” for £20 offUpcoming: Waning Moon Celebration with Rob Bray (Maythorne) - 20th October GlastonburyNext Episode: Rob Bray joins to discuss the Waning Moon celebration“It’s like having an ancient grandmother in your pocket that you can ask advice to all the time.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Episode SummarySarah Mooney returns for Season 2 with a deeply personal exploration of creation myths, seasonal transitions, and the power of storytelling as soul retrieval. Fresh from a storytelling retreat in Wales, she weaves together ancient wisdom from the Iroquois Sky Woman story, reflections on anxiety and creative process, and insights about using myth as a framework for life's initiations.This episode captures the raw authenticity Sarah is known for - complete with tea cupboard cleaning procrastination, technical difficulties, and the vulnerable honesty that makes her work so compelling. She explores how creation stories can serve as "ritual landscapes" for our own personal transitions, particularly during the autumn season.Key Themes & HighlightsSacred Storytelling & Cultural Respect Sarah thoughtfully addresses the importance of honoring indigenous stories while sharing them respectfully. She calls upon the unbroken line of Iroquois ancestors and reflects on how these ancient creation myths contain profound wisdom for modern listeners.Seasonal Transitions & Personal Ritual Drawing inspiration from Timothy Leary's concept of "set and setting," Sarah explores how we can intentionally create our inner and outer environments during seasonal shifts. She shares her own struggles with autumn transitions and the healing power of ritual.The Sky Woman Creation Story The centerpiece is Sarah's telling of the Iroquois creation myth featuring Sky Woman, who falls through a hole in the celestial realm and, with the help of sea creatures, creates the earth from a handful of soil on the turtle's back. This story becomes a metaphor for how we can create new worlds from small beginnings.Body Wisdom & Shadow Work Sarah vulnerably shares her journey of reconnecting with her physical body after years of disconnection, using the Sky Woman story as inspiration for embracing both light and shadow aspects of self.Anxiety as Sacred Information Through her experience of cleaning the tea cupboard instead of recording (classic creative avoidance!), Sarah explores anxiety as a messenger and the importance of trusting the creative process.Stories Featured* The Sky Woman Creation Story (Iroquois tradition) - A complete telling of how the earth was created* Two Golden Eggs - An Indian creation myth about sky and earth becoming lovers* Maori Creation Chant - Beautiful poetic account of creation from nothing to abundanceMusic"Ritual Door" by Queen Space Baroque (from their forthcoming album Ritual Door)* Band members: Jenny Bliss, William Kramer, Rob Bray* Custom recorded for the podcastResources & Mentions* Books:* Beginnings by Penelope Farmer (creation myths compilation)* Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer* The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell* Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés* The Psychedelic Experience by Timothy Leary* People:* Hugh Lupton (storyteller) - Show: "When the Morning Stars Sang and the Angels Shouted for Joy"* Merlin Sheldrake (mycologist and author)* Locations:* Cai Mabon, Wales (storytelling retreat location in Snowdonia foothills)UpcomingNext Episode: Sarah's friend Dagan Robinson will join for music and conversationRetreat Opportunity: Creation stories as ritual landscapes retreat (September 26th -28th ) 2 spaces remaining at time of recording)Closing Blessing"May you feel the stars around you wherever you are. May you feel the living, breathing earth under your feet wherever you are."Support the ShowThis podcast is supported by Patreon subscribers who make Season 2 possible. Sarah expresses deep gratitude for this community support that allows her to continue sharing these mythic explorations. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Seasonal Transitions & The Girl in the ForestHost: Sarah Mooney, StorytellerEpisode OverviewAn intimate, unedited recording exploring the emotional transition from summer to autumn. Sarah shares a story she wrote six years ago about a girl in the forest learning to navigate seasonal change, alongside reflections on aging, creativity, and preparing for winter's introspective season.Key Themes* Seasonal Transitions: The challenge of letting go of summer's energy and embracing autumn's slower pace* Intergenerational Wisdom: Learning from elders and becoming guides for younger generations* Creative Anchoring: Finding stability as an artist without traditional structures* Natural Cycles: Aligning personal rhythms with nature's patternsFeatured Story: "The Girl in the Forest"A tale about a young woman seeking guidance from her grandmother about whether to hibernate like forest creatures or migrate like birds. Their journey leads to an encounter with an antlered goddess who teaches about life phases and the connection between earth and stars.Poetry Corner"The Wild and Free" by Layla Bearchild - a poem about embracing uncertainty and staying connected to life's burning vitality.Upcoming Events* End of the Road Festival: Sarah will be storytelling* "Can Mabon" with Sally Pom Clayton, Hugh Lupton, Eric Madden, and Sharon Jackstees* Soul initiation Through Myth Retreat Limited to 13 participants, focusing on personal mythology and winter preparation* Working with word prayer and ritual* Creating personal creation stories* Mending and making, art and crafting26th to 28th September WalesReflections* On being told "I want to be like you when I'm old" - the responsibility of modeling vibrant aging* The metaphor of wrapping summer experiences around oneself like a cocoon* Creating personal creation stories for inner growth during winter months* Drawing inspiration from Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Braiding Sweetgrass" Contact: Reach out to Sarah if interested in the Wales retreat (limited spaces available) hello@sarahmooney.co.uk 0784259410Flyer by Jay RaineBackground Photograph Briony Plant This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Welcome to me.Welcome.Welcome all of you.Welcome whether you're listening at home and you've used your imagination to createa chalk circle around you so that nothing can disturb you. Proto Celtic Musings in the Penultimate Pod of the Season.Episode Length: ~30 minutesSeason 1, Penultimate EpisodeEpisode SummaryA beautifully vulnerable and wandering conversation by the fire as Sarah prepares to close Season 1. This intimate episode explores connecting with the earth through ancient languages, the weight of legacy in storytelling, and the deep listening space that comes before major creative work. Sarah shares her discoveries about Proto-Celtic, reflects on the power of live storytelling, and offers glimpses into the upcoming Tatterhood retreat - all while admitting she feels a bit unpolished and "defragged."Key Topics & Highlights🌍 Speaking the Language of the Land (3:00 - 8:00)* Felix Padel learning Welsh because "that was the language that the earth spoke there"* Exploring Proto-Celtic as a hypothetical language from 600 BC* Working with Carolyn Hillier's Proto-Celtic dictionary* The power of sound: Awen - the three syllables of inspiration in druidic tradition📚 Proto-Celtic Word Exploration (8:00 - 12:00)* Strenganyl - Umbilical cord* Munna - Urine (used to tan hides for leather)* Bundo - The earth beneath the feet* Noko - Hill* Kuo - Hollow* Creating an oral working group for songs, poems, and stories🎭 The Craft of Storytelling (15:00 - 20:00)* Seeing Sally Pom Clayton perform - mastery and magic in action* The difference between weekly podcast storytelling and polished performance pieces* Working with instruments: horse thigh bone ocarina and upcoming wind wand👑 Preparing for Tatterhood (20:00 - 25:00)* The retreat is full, initiation energy already beginning* Tatterhood: born riding a goat with a wooden spoon* Deep listening space with the women choosing initiation🎙️ Live Podcasting Discovery (18:00 - 20:00)* Long Sutton Women's Institute - 100 years of meetings* The Lost Lady Society's live podcast format* Plans for Season 2 live recordings and touring📖 Angela Carter's Legacy (25:00 - 30:00)* The Virago Book of Fairy Tales and Carter's deathbed notes* "Every real story contains something useful" - Walter Benjamin* "No one dies so poor that he does not leave something behind" - Pascal* Fairy tales: "cunning and high spirits"Musical Moments* Bean pod percussion from a dying friend in Wales* Horse thigh bone ocarina - announcing presence to the elements* Upcoming wind wand for Tatterhood's dramatic entranceNotable Quotes"He learnt Welsh because that was the language that the earth spoke.""No one dies so poor that he does not leave something behind.""I felt ashamed in front of them for the person I was... the unmet places, the unlooked after places, the suppressed places.""There's magic here. Beyond the words, woven in this podcast, there's been a presence of deep magic."Seasonal Transition* End of Season 1 approaching* Spring energy: some emerging from underworld "with dirt in their mouth"* Moving toward awareness of legacy and footprint* Deep preparation and listening before major creative workUpcoming EventsTatterhood Retreat - This weekend (full)* Working with the story as initiatory experience* Creating awareness of living legacy* Next year's retreat availableSupport the PodcastPatreon: Mooney's Mythic Podcast - support Sarah's important work as a storyteller in these timesResources Mentioned* Book: "No Season But The Summer" by Matilda Leyser (Persephone journey)* Book: "Sacrificing People" by Felix Padel* Book: Proto-Celtic dictionary by Carolyn Hillier* Book: "The Second Virago Book of Fairy Tales" edited by Angela Carter* Artist: Willow Freeman Toddington (instrument maker, Dartmoor)* Storyteller: Sally Pomme Clayton* Collective: The Lost Lady Society, SomersetThis episode beautifully captures the liminal space between seasons - both literal spring and podcast seasons. Sarah's vulnerability about feeling "defragged" creates an intimate atmosphere while her exploration of ancient languages and legacy shows the depth of her commitment to the storytelling craft. A perfect bridge episode that honors what's been while preparing for what's to come.Welcome to Mooney's Mythic Podcast. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com

Welcome to Mooney's Mythic Podcast.Welcome to you all.Welcome to my fireside.Here by myself, by my fire.I'm here without any other human beings.But I do feel like I'm in good company with my altar, with the fire, with the candle.With you guys.Thanks for listening.Thanks for being here.Wanting to breathe with you.Wanting to feel your beating hearts.Feeling like calling in the elements.The North, South, the East and the West. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahmooney.substack.com