Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine

From Dream to Calling: Building a Spiritual BusinessWhat does it really take to build a spiritual business?In this deeply personal episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, Bertena shares the real story behind her journey into spiritual entrepreneurship — a path that began as a dream, stopped and restarted multiple times, and eventually grew into a thriving spiritual practice.This episode is not a “perfect success story.” It’s a story of persistence, faith, doubt, and returning again and again to a soul calling.Bertena shares how she:• Opened a meditation and Reiki center in Bowling Green • Traveled across Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee doing psychic and metaphysical fairs • Taught yoga classes from her home before the pandemic • Lost her assistant professor position during COVID • Rebuilt her career while working at Western Kentucky University • Slowly grew her spiritual business from hobby to side hustle to future full-time workIf you have ever wondered whether you could turn your spiritual gifts into meaningful work, this episode explores the emotional and practical realities of doing exactly that.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• The real challenges of starting a spiritual business • Why imposter syndrome is common among healers and intuitives • How money wounds affect spiritual entrepreneurs • What it’s like building a business while working another career • Why many women step into their calling later in life • The power of the Crone archetype and spiritual leadership in your 50s • Why spiritual callings return again and again until we listenYou’ll also hear the moment Bertena realized she could no longer ignore the path she was meant to walk.Who This Episode Is ForThis episode is perfect for:• Reiki practitioners • Tarot readers and intuitive guides • Yoga teachers • Energy healers • Spiritual coaches • Women exploring purpose later in life • Anyone curious about spiritual entrepreneurshipEven if you don’t want to start a business, this conversation may inspire you to deepen your spiritual practice and trust your intuition.Upcoming Sacred Business WorkshopBertena is teaching Sacred Business Creation: Turning Your Soul Gifts Into PurposeIn-Person Workshop March 8 | 10 AM – 6 PMLive Zoom Workshop March 15 | 10 AM – 6 PMThis full-day immersive experience helps healers, intuitives, and spiritual teachers create aligned, authentic businesses rooted in purpose and sustainability.Register here: https://yourcosmicconnections.com/pages/classes-and-eventsListen to More EpisodesExplore more spiritual teachings, guided reflections, and conversations about intuition, healing, and the Divine Feminine at:https://www.bertena.org/en/podcast🤍 Podcast Sponsor: Cosmic Connections NashvilleThis episode is proudly sponsored by Cosmic Connections, a beloved metaphysical shop and spiritual community in Nashville.🎁 Listener perks:Discounts on online purchases use bertenapodcast10 for 10% offEntry into a gift card drawing when you comment on the episode or share it on social media and tag @bertena11Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners.👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhASubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:WebsiteCosmic Connections

What is the difference between Shakti energy, chakras, and Kundalini energy?Are they the same thing?Is Kundalini awakening dangerous?Do chakras “open”?What does Shakti actually mean?In this episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, Bertena breaks down these commonly misunderstood spiritual concepts in a clear, grounded, and beginner-friendly way.No fear-based language.No overcomplication.No spiritual drama.Just a calm, embodied explanation of how the chakra system works, what Shakti represents in yogic philosophy, and how Kundalini energy relates to both.You’ll learn:• What chakras actually are (and what they are not)• The true meaning of Shakti energy in yoga and Tantra• What Kundalini energy is and how it rises• Why Kundalini awakening should never be forced• How energy moves safely through a regulated nervous system• The difference between spiritual growth and spiritual intensity• How this applies to your daily life and emotional healingIf you've ever felt confused about energy work, chakra balancing, or Kundalini activation — this episode will bring clarity and stability to your spiritual path.This is spiritual wisdom explained simply.Key Takeaways• Chakras are energy centers along the spine• Shakti is the life force energy that flows through all living things• Kundalini is a dormant, concentrated form of Shakti at the base of the spine• You do not need to force Kundalini awakening• Grounding and nervous system regulation are essential for spiritual growth• Slow integration is safer and more sustainable than dramatic activationWho This Episode Is ForThis episode is perfect for:Spiritual beginnersYoga studentsReiki practitionersEnergy healersPriestess path studentsWomen exploring Divine Feminine spiritualityAnyone curious about Kundalini awakeningAnyone confused about chakra energyIf you’ve been researching “What is Shakti?” or “How do chakras work?” — this episode will give you grounded clarity.About the HostBertena is a Reiki Master Teacher, Somatic Yoga facilitator, Priestess, author, and former sociology professor who blends academic knowledge with embodied spiritual practice. She teaches grounded, cyclical, and nervous-system-safe approaches to energy work and Divine Feminine wisdom.Work With BertenaOnline classes + Priestess Academyhttps://www.bertena.orgPrivate sessions (Readings, Energy Healing, Coaching)https://yourcosmicconnections.com/pages/bertena-varneyBlog + deeper spiritual essayshttps://bertena.substack.comThanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:WebsiteCosmic Connections

If you’ve ever wondered how to strengthen your intuition, how to trust your inner voice, or whether your intuition is even real — this episode is for you.In this two-hour deep dive, priestess, professor, and spiritual teacher Bertena explores 7 practical spiritual practices that actually work to help you develop intuition in grounded, embodied ways.You’ll learn:What intuition really is (and what it is not)The difference between intuition and anxietyHow the nervous system affects intuitive clarityHow to strengthen intuition daily through simple habitsSomatic practices that build intuitive trustWhy self-trust is the foundation of spiritual growthThis is not about becoming psychic overnight.This is about learning how to trust yourself again.If you’re navigating spiritual awakening, feminine leadership, priestess work, or simply wanting to feel more confident in your inner guidance — this episode will give you grounded tools you can use immediately.In This Episode We Cover:✔ What intuition actually is✔ Signs your intuition is growing✔ How trauma and nervous system dysregulation block intuitive clarity✔ Somatic grounding for intuitive development✔ Daily micro-decisions that build self-trust✔ Journaling prompts to access your inner wisdom✔ How to discern fear vs intuition✔ How to stop outsourcing your knowingReflection Questions:What does “yes” feel like in my body?Where do I override my inner knowing?What small intuitive nudge can I act on this week?If I fully trusted myself, what would change?Resources & InvitationsIf you’re ready to deepen this work, explore:✨ The Ancient Arts of the Priestess Academy✨ Somatic Yoga & Embodiment Classes✨ Private Intuitive SessionsVisit: bertena.orgShare This Episode If:You’re learning to trust your inner voiceYou’re healing from self-doubtYou’re walking the priestess pathYou want grounded spiritual practices that actually workThanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:Cosmic ConnectionsWebsite

Is spiritual growth supposed to feel structured… or fluid?In this deeply personal episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, Bertena shares how all of her offerings — Somatic Yoga, Reiki, Chakra Balancing, Tarot & Oracle, Goddess Studies, Priestess Training, Ribbon Dancing, Meditation, Journaling, private mentorship, and Divine Feminine Zoom circles — are not separate practices.They are one living weave.If you’ve ever wondered:Where do I start on the Priestess path?Do I need to complete one thing before beginning another?Is yoga separate from spiritual work?How does energy healing connect to Goddess studies?Can I join at any time?This episode will help you see the full ecosystem.You’ll learn how:🌿 Somatic Yoga builds nervous system safety so intuition can open✨ Reiki and chakra balancing clear energetic blocks so meditation deepens📖 Journaling integrates emotional growth into embodied wisdom🔮 Tarot and oracle strengthen intuitive language🌙 Goddess archetypes expand identity and self-permission🎀 Ribbon dancing reclaims feminine joy and expression💻 Divine Feminine Zoom circles create sacred community and leadership practice🔥 Priestess Training refines structure, ethics, and sacred responsibility🌹 Private sessions personalize your spiritual evolutionThis episode is not about steps or levels.It is about integration.The Priestess path is not linear.It is cyclical.Responsive.Alive.You can enter anywhere.And the rest of the weave will meet you there.—Explore classes, circles, and mentorship at bertena.orgSessions available in Nashville at Cosmic ConnectionsJoin our free monthly Divine Feminine Zoom gathering#PriestessPath #DivineFeminine #SpiritualGrowthForWomen #SomaticYoga #ReikiHealing #GoddessStudies #WomenInLeadership #SacredFeminine #EnergyHealing #EmbodiedSpiritualityVisit our sponsor Cosmic Connections - Nashville. Thanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here

Are you feeling emotional, exhausted, reflective, or like something in your life is quietly ending?You may be experiencing the final karmic shedding of the Year of the Snake.In this deeply reflective episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore the spiritual meaning of the Snake year, karmic closure, and the powerful arrival of the Fire Horse on February 17.The Year of the Snake represents transformation, shadow work, psychological growth, and karmic endings. As this cycle closes, many are feeling old patterns resurfacing, emotional release, and identity shifts.But everything changes when the Fire Horse arrives.The Fire Horse year in Chinese astrology symbolizes movement, courage, passion, life-force energy, embodiment, and rapid forward momentum. If the Snake was about introspection and shedding, the Fire Horse is about activation and bold new beginnings.In this episode, you’ll discover:✨ The spiritual and karmic meaning of the Year of the Snake✨ Why the final weeks before February 17 feel intense✨ What the Fire Horse year represents in Chinese astrology✨ What the Fire Horse brings to your career, creativity, and spiritual path✨ How to prepare for fast-moving energy✨ A powerful karmic closure ritual✨ A guided Fire Horse visualization meditationThis episode is for anyone navigating spiritual awakening, life transitions, karmic endings, shadow work, or preparing for a powerful new chapter.If you feel like you are standing between shedding and becoming — this episode will help you understand why.🔥 The Snake prepares you.🔥 The Fire Horse activates you.Listen now and step into your next cycle with clarity and courage.🌹 Explore more Divine Feminine teachings at bertena.org🌙 Join our sacred circles and Priestess Academy✨ Sessions and events at Cosmic Connections in Nashville#FireHorse #YearOfTheSnake #ChineseAstrology #SpiritualAwakening #KarmicCycle #ShadowWork #DivineFeminine #SpiritualPodcast #PriestessPath #EnergyShift #FireHorseYearThanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:Cosmic ConnectionsWebsite

Why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky? And what does it have to do with the Knights Templar, Mary Magdalene, the number 13, and women’s lunar cycles?In this powerful deep dive, we explore:The Friday, October 13, 1307 arrest of the Knights TemplarThe spiritual symbolism of the number 13The sacred 13 moon cycles of the yearMary Magdalene as a Divine Feminine leaderHow feminine wisdom was suppressed and labeled “dangerous”Why Friday — once sacred to goddess traditions — became associated with fearThe connection between spirituality, lunar timekeeping, and women’s cyclesThis episode blends history, sociology, mysticism, and Divine Feminine theology to reveal a powerful truth:Friday the 13th may not be unlucky.It may be sacred.Includes a guided meditation to reclaim the 13 moons within.Thanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:WebsiteCosmic Connections

What happens when we stop trying to “do it right” — and begin to listen?In this deeply reflective episode, Bertena, priestess of the Divine Feminine, yoga teacher, author, and college professor, invites you into the heart of Embodying Sound — a somatic movement, voice, and ritual experience designed to support nervous system regulation, emotional release, and spiritual reconnection through the body.This episode is a story, a remembering, and an invitation.Rather than focusing on performance or technique, Embodying Sound weaves together somatic yoga, intuitive movement, vocal toning, chanting, breath, and ritual space to help you reconnect with your body as a place of safety, wisdom, and joy.Bertena shares why this offering feels vulnerable and deeply aligned — as it brings together all of her training in movement, embodiment, priestess work, and spiritual teaching for the first time. You’ll hear how sound and movement have been used across ancient traditions as healing tools, how they gently support the nervous system, and why this work is especially powerful for those feeling emotionally fatigued, disconnected, or overwhelmed.This episode is for you if:You feel disconnected from your body or voiceTraditional meditation feels difficult or inaccessibleYou carry stress, tension, or emotional fatigue in your bodyYou’re longing for a gentler, more embodied spiritual practiceYou’re curious about somatic movement, sound healing, or priestess-led ritualYou’ll explore:What somatic movement really is (and what it isn’t)How sound, humming, and chanting support nervous system regulationWhy this work is spiritual, embodied, and deeply feminineHow ritual space creates safety without pressureWhat it means to listen to the body rather than control itHow joy, rest, and expression can become spiritual practicesThis is not a guided class.This is not a performance.This is a sacred remembering.You are invited to listen softly — perhaps while resting, walking, or sitting with a candle — and allow your body to respond in its own way.✨ No movement required. No sound required. Showing up is enough.Join Bertena for Zoom and In person classes at yourcosmicconnections.comThanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:Cosmic ConnectionsWebsite

How do you know if what you’re hearing is your intuition, guidance from spirit guides, or just your own thoughts?This is one of the most common questions on the spiritual path—and in this episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore it gently, honestly, and without fear or pressure.Many people worry they’re “doing it wrong” when it comes to intuition or spiritual guidance. In this episode, we soften that belief and explore how inner guidance actually works—through the body, the nervous system, intuition, and subtle awareness.Rather than trying to label every inner message perfectly, this episode invites you into trust, discernment, and embodied listening.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What intuition really feels like (and what it usually doesn’t)How spirit guides communicate through intuition rather than separate from itWhy mental chatter sounds different than intuitive knowingHow urgency, fear, and pressure signal the nervous system—not guidanceSimple ways to check in with your body to discern inner messagesWhy trust matters more than labeling intuition vs guidesHow to stop second-guessing yourself on the spiritual pathThis episode is especially supportive if you:Feel unsure whether you’re receiving intuition or guidanceSecond-guess your inner voiceWant to deepen trust in your spiritual awarenessAre sensitive, intuitive, or empathicDesire grounded, compassionate spiritual discernmentYou don’t need louder signs.You don’t need dramatic messages.You need safety, stillness, and self-trust.And those can be cultivated gently—one listening moment at a time.✨ Listen to the episode and step back into trust with yourself.Thanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:Cosmic ConnectionsWebsite

What do you do when your spiritual connection suddenly feels quiet?In this episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore what it truly means when devotion feels distant, rituals feel forced, or your connection to goddesses and spirituality enters a “dry spell.”Through storytelling and seasonal wisdom, this episode weaves together the Snow Moon, Imbolc, the final shedding of the Year of the Snake, and the fast-approaching Fire Horse energy arriving around February 17.Rather than viewing spiritual quiet as failure, this episode reframes it as sacred preparation.✨ In this episode, we explore:Why spiritual dry spells are a natural part of devotionThe wisdom of winter, Imbolc, and the Snow MoonHow Snake energy teaches us to shed without forcing changeWhat Fire Horse energy brings — momentum, speed, and activationWhy slowing down now prepares you to move wisely laterHow to stop forcing spirituality and return to embodied presenceThis is an episode for anyone feeling disconnected, tired, or unsure of their spiritual path — and a reminder that silence is not absence, but integration.As the Fire Horse approaches, this episode offers grounding guidance on how to prepare your body, energy, and spirit so you can move forward aligned rather than burned out.🌕 Best enjoyed during winter evenings, full moon reflection, or moments of spiritual pause.Thanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:Cosmic ConnectionsWebsite

Imbolc is the sacred turning point where the light begins to return—but quietly.In this 2-hour devotional episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore the spiritual meaning of Imbolc, why it has been honored for centuries, and how it continues through Brigid, St. Brigid’s Day, and Candlemas.Imbolc is not about rushing into spring or forcing transformation.It is about tending the first spark, protecting what is still becoming, and honoring the wisdom of patience, rest, and gentle renewal.In this episode, you’ll learn:✨ What Imbolc is and its place on the Wheel of the Year✨ The deeper meaning of Imbolc as a threshold season✨ How Imbolc honors the return of the light without urgency✨ The role of Brigid as guardian of hearth, healing, fire, and sacred wells✨ How Saint Brigid Day preserves ancient Imbolc traditions✨ The spiritual symbolism of Candlemas and blessing candles for protection and guidance✨ Fire and water as sacred forces of balance at Imbolc✨ Simple, meaningful ways to observe Imbolc today (without elaborate ritual)✨ Why gentleness, rest, and protection are essential spiritual practices✨ A guided Imbolc reflection to help you carry the light forwardThis episode is especially supportive if you are:🌿 Feeling tired, burned out, or in an in-between season🌿 Drawn to seasonal spirituality, Goddess wisdom, or the Divine Feminine🌿 Curious about Imbolc, Brigid, Candlemas, or earth-based spiritual traditions🌿 Looking for spiritual practices rooted in care rather than pressure🕯️ Imbolc reminds us:You don’t need to become something new yet.You need to protect what is already alive.🌙 Closing Blessing from the EpisodeMay the light you have welcomed grow steady, not hurried. May Brigid walk with you as fire that warms, water that heals, and a sacred voice that reminds you when to rest and when to rise.🎧 Listen, reflect, and carry the light gently.If this episode resonated with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, or share it with someone walking a quiet threshold of their own.Thanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:WebsiteCosmic Connections

When snow falls, the world slows—and so can we.In this episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore the spiritual meaning of snow, winter stillness, and what it truly means to be “snowed in” from a soul-centered perspective.Snow is not a delay—it’s a sacred pause. A time for nervous system healing, reflection, and deep rest. In this episode, you’ll be guided into a softer rhythm aligned with winter wisdom and ancestral cycles of rest.✨ In this episode, you’ll experience:The spiritual symbolism of snow and winter stillnessWhy rest is not laziness—but sacred preservationHow snow energy supports emotional and nervous system resetA gentle Snow Meditation for Sleep to help you release the day and rest deeplyThis episode is perfect for listening while snow falls outside—or anytime you need to recreate that quiet, insulating calm within.❄️ Snow Meditation for SleepThe guided meditation at the end of this episode is designed to:Calm racing thoughtsRelax the body and nervous systemSupport deep, restorative sleepHelp you let go of pressure, worry, and mental noiseYou’re invited to listen lying down and allow yourself to drift off if sleep comes naturally.💫 Episode Sponsor: Cosmic ConnectionsThis episode is lovingly sponsored by Cosmic Connections, your source for sacred tools, ritual supplies, decks, crystals, and spiritual gifts.🛍 Enjoy 25% OFF online shoppingVisit yourcosmicconnections.com🎁 GiveawayListen to this episode, then comment or share it on social media and tag me for a chance to win a $10 Cosmic Connections gift certificate (valid online only).🌙 Thank you for listening and for honoring the sacred pause of winter.Rest deeply. The thaw will come when it’s ready.Mentioned in this episode:WebsiteCosmic Connections

Late January can feel heavy, quiet, and uncertain—and that’s not a failure.In this episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore the sacred pause at the end of January through a Priestess lens, honoring winter wisdom, rest, and gentle becoming.This reflective episode is designed as a spiritual sanctuary—a place to slow down, breathe, and release the pressure to “be on track” as we approach the threshold of Imbolc and the returning light.Rather than goal-setting or productivity, this episode invites you into listening, embodiment, and trust in divine timing.✨ In this episode, you’ll experience:Why January often feels emotionally heavy (and why that’s natural)Priestess wisdom for winter thresholds and liminal seasonsReleasing New Year pressure and productivity cultureUnderstanding rest as sacred, not something to earnA guided Priestess reflection to help you listen inwardGentle practices for tending your inner flame before ImbolcThis episode is perfect to listen to with a candle lit, during a quiet evening, or anytime you feel called to slow down and reconnect with yourself.🌑 Seasonal Themes & Spiritual KeywordsLate January • Winter Wisdom • Priestess Path • Divine FeminineImbolc Energy • Spiritual Reflection • Sacred Rest • Inner ListeningEmbodiment • Feminine Spirituality • Seasonal Cycles • Liminal Space🤍 Podcast Sponsor: Cosmic Connections NashvilleThis episode is proudly sponsored by Cosmic Connections, a beloved metaphysical shop and spiritual community in Nashville.🎁 Listener perks:Discounts on online purchases use bertenapodcast10 for 10% offEntry into a gift card drawing when you comment on the episode or share it on social media and tag @bertena11Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners.👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA🌿 Closing ReflectionYou are not behind.You are not broken.You are becoming—at the speed of your soul.Thank you for being here in the Sanctuary.Mentioned in this episode:WebsiteCosmic Connections

What happens when love doesn’t stay—but the lesson does?In this deeply reflective and soul-centered episode of Bertena’s Spiritual Sanctuary, we explore the spiritual reality behind twin flame connections, sacred wound healing, and the reclamation of personal power through surrender rather than self-sacrifice.Joining us is spiritual author V. C. Pitt, whose booksMy Twin Flame Journey of Separation, Surrender, and Release andHealing Sacred Wounds While Reclaiming My Powerserve as anchors for this compassionate conversation.Together, we discuss:What the twin flame journey really is—beyond social media myths and spiritual bypassingHow separation can be an initiation, not a failureHealing emotional triggers, heartbreak, and attachment wounds without self-abandonmentReclaiming power as a lightworker, empath, or spiritually sensitive womanUnderstanding unconditional love without losing yourselfWhy surrender is an act of spiritual maturity and sovereignty, not passivityIntegrating higher consciousness through embodiment, boundaries, and self-trustThis episode is especially for women navigating:Spiritual heartbreak or soul-level relationshipsEmotional triggers tied to abandonment, worth, or identityThe desire to heal deeply while remaining grounded and empoweredCommunity InvitationThis conversation is inspired by our Spiritual Book Club for Women, where we gather in a safe, supportive space to explore spiritual texts through reflection, embodiment, and shared wisdom.🗓 Thursday, January 22 at 7 PM CT📍 Zoom🌀 Registration available through Cosmic Connections➡️ yourcosmicconnections.comSponsor MessageToday’s episode is sponsored by Cosmic Connections in Nashville at yourcosmicconnections.comIf you’re looking for spiritual tools, books, decks, ritual items, or sacred gifts, visit Cosmic Connections online and enjoy 10% off your order with the listener code:BERTENAPODCAST10Supporting our sponsors helps keep these conversations accessible and community-centered.Join the ConversationIf this episode stirred reflections or questions, you’re invited to continue the dialogue.Share this episode with someone who may need itLeave a comment or reviewSubmit questions or reflections directly to Carol at: 👉 https://www.healingsacredwounds.com/Healing is not meant to happen alone.⚠️ Important DisclaimerThis podcast episode is intended for educational, spiritual, and reflective purposes only.We do not promote or endorse the use of plant medicine, substances, or alternative therapies discussed or referenced in spiritual contexts.This episode is not a substitute for professional mental health care.If you are experiencing emotional distress, trauma responses, or mental health challenges, we strongly encourage you to seek support from a licensed therapist, counselor, or mental health professional in your area.If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a trusted mental health hotline immediately.Your well-being matters. Closing ReflectionSpiritual healing is not about chasing connection—it’s about remembering yourself.Thank you for listening to Bertena’s Spiritual Sanctuary. Remember to subscribe to my email by going to my website and scrolling down to the bottom and click join my websiteMay this conversation support your healing, sovereignty, and return to wholeness.Mentioned in this episode:WebsiteCosmic Connections

Thanks to our sponsor Cosmic Connections in Nashville you can receive 10% off any online order using the code BertenaPodcast10 and if you listen and comment below then you can be placed in a drawing for a $10 gift card to their online store.There comes a moment on the spiritual path when the old language stops working.Words like self-improvement, manifestation, or even awakening begin to feel too small for what is actually unfolding. Something deeper is stirring — something ancient, embodied, and rooted in remembrance rather than optimization.In this episode, Bertena explores the Divine Feminine, goddess wisdom, and the priestess path as three expressions of the same living lineage — a way of knowing, naming, and embodying the sacred within ordinary life.This is not a discussion of trends or spiritual identities. It is an invitation into embodied wisdom, cyclical living, archetypal understanding, and ethical spiritual maturity.You’ll learn:What the Divine Feminine truly represents as a way of knowingWhy goddesses appear across cultures as archetypal mirrorsHow the priestess path is lived through responsibility, integrity, and embodimentWhat it means to walk a sacred path in the modern world without hierarchy or performanceThis episode is for those who feel called beyond surface spirituality — into remembrance, alignment, and lived devotion.Remember to comment below on Spotify and you will be entered into a drawing for a $10 gift card.And just for listening to this podcast use code Bertenapodcast10 to get 10% off of your online order at yourcosmicconnections.comSubscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary hereMentioned in this episode:Cosmic ConnectionsWebsite

Are you tired of forcing goals, resolutions, and productivity every January?In this episode, we explore a gentler, more intuitive way to prepare for 2026 by aligning your planning with the Wheel of the Year, journaling, and tarot.Instead of rigid timelines and constant pressure, this approach honors natural cycles of rest, growth, expansion, harvest, and release—the same rhythms humans lived by long before modern planners existed.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why traditional New Year planning often leads to burnoutHow the Wheel of the Year creates sustainable, intuitive structureHow to journal as a form of sacred reflection rather than self-fixingHow to map your year using:Oracle cards for monthly themesMajor Arcana for weekly spiritual lessonsMinor Arcana for daily energy awarenessHow to live in rhythm with nature instead of constant expectationThis is not predictive tarot.It’s conscious, cyclical living—learning when to act, when to rest, and when to listen.🌿 Read the companion blog post on Substack:https://open.substack.com/pub/bertena/p/mapping-2026-with-the-wheel-of-the?r=3lbcwy&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true🎧 Explore more episodes of the podcast:https://www.bertena.org/podcast✨ Join me in person on January 11 for Mapping 2026 with the Wheel of the Year — a hands-on workshop where I teach you how to do this step by step.✨ Private in-person & remote sessions available January 10–11:https://yourcosmicconnections.com/pages/bertena-varneyYou don’t need to push harder to create a meaningful year.You need a rhythm that honors who you are—and when you are.Mentioned in this episode:WebsiteCosmic Connections

In this soul-centered episode of Bertena’s Spiritual Sanctuary, we explore why Priestesses don’t make New Year’s resolutions—and what we do instead at the turning of the year.Modern culture teaches women to enter January through pressure, productivity, and self-correction. But the Priestess path offers a different way: one rooted in ritual, release, embodiment, intuition, and sacred relationship with time.Through story, reflection, and ancient feminine wisdom, this episode reframes the New Year as a threshold rather than a deadline. We explore why release must come before intention, how choosing a guiding energy is more powerful than setting goals, and why spiritual planning supports sustainable growth without burnout.This episode is for spiritual women, seekers, healers, and those walking a Priestess or Divine Feminine path who feel called to:Let go of New Year’s resolution cultureEnter the New Year with intention, not pressureWork with cycles instead of forcing changeHonor endings as sacred initiationsBuild devotion through embodied, sustainable ritualsTrust intuition and mystery as spiritual guidanceIf you’ve ever felt resistant to resolutions, overwhelmed by January expectations, or drawn to a slower, more meaningful way of beginning again, this episode will feel like a remembering.✨ Topics include:Why New Year’s resolutions often fail spiritual womenThe New Year as a liminal space and sacred thresholdPriestess wisdom for release, renewal, and embodimentSpiritual planning vs. hustle cultureUsing intuition, tarot, and seasonal cycles for guidanceCreating sacred rhythms instead of burnoutListen in as we reclaim the ancient feminine art of crossing into the New Year with presence, devotion, and trust.🌙 You are not behind. You are listening. And that is where the Priestess path begins.Mentioned in this episode:Website

If the holiday season feels different this year—quieter, heavier, more reflective—you’re not imagining it.In this episode of Bertena’s Spiritual Sanctuary, we explore what it means to celebrate Christmas after a spiritual awakening, when your inner world has shifted and old traditions no longer fit in the same way.Many people on a spiritual path find that Christmas becomes a threshold rather than a performance—a time of stillness, awareness, and returning inward. Yet this shift can also bring challenges, especially when navigating family expectations, religious differences, and emotional boundaries.In this gentle, reflective episode, we talk about how to honor the season without abandoning yourself.✨ Why Christmas can feel emotionally and energetically different after spiritual growth✨ How to celebrate the holidays in a way that honors your evolving spirituality✨ Navigating family gatherings when your beliefs or practices have changed✨ How to talk about spirituality (or choose not to) with family members✨ Setting loving boundaries without guilt or conflict✨ Reclaiming Christmas as a sacred season of stillness, reflection, and inner light✨ Choosing presence over performance during the holidaysThis episode is for you if:You feel more sensitive or introspective during the holidaysYou’re spiritually awakening and unsure how to fit into old traditionsYou want peace, grounding, and authenticity during ChristmasYou’re learning to love your family without shrinking yourself🌿 What You’ll Explore in This EpisodeWhy Christmas can feel emotionally and energetically different after spiritual growth✨ How to celebrate the holidays in a way that honors your evolving spirituality✨ Navigating family gatherings when your beliefs or practices have changed✨ How to talk about spirituality (or choose not to) with family members✨ Setting loving boundaries without guilt or conflict✨ Reclaiming Christmas as a sacred season of stillness, reflection, and inner light✨ Choosing presence over performance during the holidaysThis episode is for you if:You feel more sensitive or introspective during the holidaysYou’re spiritually awakening and unsure how to fit into old traditionsYou want peace, grounding, and authenticity during ChristmasYou’re learning to love your family without shrinking yourselfMentioned in this episode:Website

What is Yule, and why has the Winter Solstice been honored across ancient Pagan and Northern European traditions for thousands of years?In this deeply reflective episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, priestess, spiritual teacher, and intuitive guide Bertena explores the spiritual meaning of Yule, the significance of the Winter Solstice, and how this sacred turning point of the year invites rest, reflection, and renewal.Yule marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, a powerful seasonal threshold where darkness reaches its peak and the return of the light quietly begins. Rather than rushing past winter’s stillness, ancient cultures honored the dark as sacred, fertile, and necessary—a time of womb-like gestation, inner work, and ancestral remembrance.In this episode, you’ll learn:What Yule is and how it connects to ancient Pagan, Norse, and seasonal traditionsThe spiritual and symbolic meaning of the Winter SolsticeWhy rest, stillness, and slowing down are essential during winterHow Yule aligns with intuition, the Divine Feminine, and inner transformationSimple daily Yule rituals you can practice to honor the season without overwhelmHow to work with winter energy for reflection, nervous system regulation, and spiritual renewalThis episode is perfect for anyone seeking seasonal spiritual practices, Pagan or earth-based wisdom, winter rituals, or a deeper connection to the cycles of nature. Whether you’re new to Yule or returning to it as a sacred tradition, this lesson offers grounding guidance for honoring winter with intention, compassion, and reverence.✨ Light a candle, slow your breath, and join us as we honor the ancient wisdom of Yule and the quiet return of the light.Mentioned in this episode:Website

In this powerful and heart-opening episode of Bertena’s Spiritual Sanctuary, we explore why Goddess Studies are essential for modern spiritual seekers—and why the Divine Feminine is returning so strongly today. Drawing on her decades of experience as a priestess, historian, sociologist, and teacher, Bertena shares the deeper purpose behind goddess mythology, feminine archetypes, and sacred feminine practices.You’ll also experience a sample lesson from the 52-Week Goddess Study, step into the weekly rhythm of ritual and reflection, and learn why you can begin this year-long journey anytime throughout the year.Whether you're seeking feminine empowerment, spiritual growth, historical insight, or a supportive sisterhood, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for women awakening to their divine path.Listen to discover:• Why Goddess Studies matter now more than ever• How ancient goddess myths support modern healing• What a weekly goddess lesson feels like• How ritual, meditation, and embodiment deepen your spiritual practice• Why this year-long program is a dream decades in the making• How you can join the 52-Week Goddess Study at any timeVisit bertena.org to register for the next free info session and begin your own journey into the Divine Feminine.Mentioned in this episode:Website

In this powerful winter episode, Bertena guides you through reconnecting with your Spirit Guides as you prepare for a new year of clarity, purpose, and spiritual alignment. Explore the different types of guides who walk with you—angels, ancestors, goddesses, animal spirits, and your higher self—and learn how they communicate through signs, dreams, synchronicities, and intuitive whispers.You’ll receive practical rituals for year-end guidance, a detailed tarot/oracle spread for 2026, and a deep guided meditation to meet your spirit guides. This episode is perfect for anyone seeking direction, healing, intuitive development, or Divine Feminine support as you close out 2025 and step into your highest timeline for 2026.Hosted by Bertena — Priestess, Reiki Master Teacher, Divine Feminine mentor, and spiritual educator with over 30 years of teaching experience — this episode blends ancient priestess wisdom, intuitive development, and energy healing with her signature grounded, compassionate guidance. Through her work at the Ancient Arts of the Priestess Academy and her private spiritual practice, she continues to support women worldwide in reclaiming their intuition, healing their lineage stories, and building a spiritually aligned life.Mentioned in this episode:Website