The Soul Garden

Navigating life in this chaotic world can be tricky, but I'm finding that the wisdom of a Renaissance physican and philosopher, and self-proclaimed 'Soul Doctor' is helping.Nature, cosmos, music, art and dance are all things that can help us live in a way that cares for the soul.Marsilio Ficino and his ideas became the focus for the Pecha Kucha talk I did as part of the 2025 Hawke's Bay Arts Festival on Tuesday 14 October. I've had a number of requests for recording sof it, and so I have made a recording here for this episode of the Soul Garden.If you are interested in my coaching, workshops and products check them out at Archeus.nz and GeorginaLangdale.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

This interview is an oldie but a goodie.A couple of years back, I managed to get some time in Dr. Samantha Newman's schedule to talk to her about hormonal changes that occur as we go through menopause. It was a good discussion and a valuable resource for women wondering if HRT might be right for them, so I’ve reissued it here on my new Midlife Living podcast.Sam Newman is not only a GP, she is a women's health export and has her own private practice, FEMALEGP, where she sees women in person, or online (I have to say this whole new online way of delivering medicine has a real place in today's healthcare). She's passionate about making a difference for women and to really giving time and space to hear about and help with their health issues.Menopause is a strange time and what we may think is normal, is not normal, and also, Sam makes us question what we are prepared to accept as the new normal and offers ways to help.Sam reminds us that our hormones have many and varied roles, from periods, to brain function, to inflammation reduction, you name it, there's a hormone in the mix there somewhere.If you are looking for information about hormonal changes and some of the things we can do to manage them, then make a cuppa and have a listen.And here are some links for you.Until next time,Georgina xxSam's private practice is called FEMALE GP and can be found here:NatFem Botanics is a range of natural and organic products for menopause and beyond, including including products for vaginal dryness. You can find the range here and we ship internationallyThe book Sam mentioned is The Vagina Bible: Vulva and Vagina - Separating the Myth From the Medicine, by Jennifer Gunter.Other links:Continence New ZealandDermNetISSVD The International Society for the Study of Vulvalvaginal Disease: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

What I've got for you in this episode of The Soul Garden: conversations for Midlife Living, is a guided meditation that I have recorded and called Vessel of Peace.I wrote and recorded this meditation for a client, but after listening to it she suggested Ishare it with others. So like a stone dropped into water, my hope is its medicine will ripple out to others too.This is a meditation for those times that we need a bit of healing. Maybe we’ve gone through a medical intervention. Maybe we have had a relationship change, a loss. Maybe we are just feeling lost ourselves and need something to help us regain our equilibrium. My hope is that this meditation is for any midlife woman who may be feeling any of these things. Increasingly these days I find myself thinking of the words of the medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen, who lived in the 12th century in Germany. She said, whatever we think and feel on the inside becomes the world we create around us. So for me, the words ‘vessel of peace’ move beyond just peace and the sense of self, but ripple out to become the world we create around us.I invite you to get comfortable and give yourself 20 minutes for this meditation and maybe if you like it you may know somebody else who may like it too and I invite you to share it with them also so whoever you are wherever you are.Take a beautiful, nourishing breath.Get ready.Get relaxed.And let the meditation begin.  You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

 “Forget about menopause,” my guest on this episode, Dr. Wendy Sweet, urges us to focus on ageing, and the issue of ‘inflammaging’”.I caught up with Dr. Wendy Sweet, founder of the hugely successful My Menopause Transformation, online lifestyle-change programs for Peri to Post-Menopause for symptom reduction, weight loss and fitness.We first connected about six years ago, over a pot of the hormone-free natural balm I make for vulvovaginal dryness, and it was great to reconnect again.Her programmes are helping women around the world, and in this interview she touches on some of the reasons why.After many years of researching women’s health and the impacts of the menopause transition on our physiology and wellbeing, Wendy bucks the trend of ideas of the way we should exercise and eat at this time of life.Wendy believes the answer to good health in our postmenopausal years doesn’t lie in focusing on weight training and protein, but rather on a more moderate approach to exercise, a solid understanding of the foods that help us at this time of life, and the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. This approach can help us reduce inflammation and open the door to an active and empowered ageing after menopause.Personally, I love to talk with someone who is donkey deep in the science of a topic and right on top of the latest research around it. It’s clear that Wendy has a deep understanding of the changes we go through as women in midlife.I hope you enjoy what she has to say, and perhaps go further and take a look at her website, mymenopausetransformation.comYou can find my range of natural products for midlife and beyond at archeus.nz.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this episode of The Soul Garden we explore natural perfumery and working with ancient cosmological concepts in the approach to creating aromatic portraits of ancient mystics and modern day perfume lovers.Georgina Langdale discusses her approach to working with aromatics. She talks about using raw ingredients, astrology, amulets, and Renaissance mysticism. She studied aromatherapy and natural perfumery and founded an apothecary called Archeus. She sees plants physically, through the doctrine of signatures, and energetically. She makes medicated oils by infusing herbs. She discusses how Marsilio Ficino used aromatics as medicine for the soul and spirit in the 1400s. The speaker explains how she composes natural perfumes based on astrology, symbolism, and the energies needed. She created aromatic portraits of Marsilio Ficino, Paracelsus, and Hildegard of Bingen. She describes the process of formulating each perfume based on their life, writings, astrological charts, and the energies they embodied. Georgina talks about making bespoke perfumes for people by looking at their astrological chart and having them draw in the elements and energies they need. She discusses remembering those who have passed by creating an aromatic portrait of them.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this episode of The Soul Garden, Georgina Langdale reflects on a book by Thomas Moore, The Eloquence of Silence - surprising wisdom in tales of emptiness.Thomas Moore offers a compelling case for an easier, lighter way of moving through life by experiencing the peace. calm and openness of emptiness. Georgina touches on how emptiness can be a powerful tool for navigating transitions such as menopause and the end of life.The Eloquence of Silence is available at Thomas's website and in all the usual places.https://www.thomasmooresoul.com/You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

The Leo Full Moon is here and what better time to do a Love Meditation. Get comfy and let's get started.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

When life changes and someone we love, or maybe its us, is given bad news, we need to dig deep to find ways through it all. In this episode I share with you how recent bad news within my own family prompted me to write a book to offers ways to help those I love navigate the times we find ourselves in. There are three things that I think are at the heart of finding resilience, compassion and courage when we face change and challenges and they are breath, nature and ceremony and I share some ideas in this episode.50 Things to Help when Life Changes - contemplative & nature-based teachings for navigating life transitions.Author: Georgina LangdaleAvailable on my websiteYou can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

This week is all about the goddesses within and looking at goddess archetypes through the lens of a midlife woman. Getting to know these archetypes and working with them to help navigate life can be wonderfully empowering.In this episode we explore the archetypes of Hestia, Hera, Artemis, Demeter, Persephone and Aphrodite.The full NatFem Botanics Collection of products I have created to support women through perimenopause and menopause can be purchased at archeus.nzThe Book I mentioned:Jean Shinola Boden, M.DGoddesses in Everywoman - a new psychology of womenHarper PerennialPublished 1984You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

This is the last episode of The Soul Garden for 2023! And in this episode Georgina Langdale reflects on the power of landscape as part of one's own sense of being. She shares the wood in which she laid her father's ashes to rest, and conjures the green path she walks on inspired by nature and mystics such as Hildegard of Bingen, ending with a Celtic call for peace.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this week's episode we look at plant essences, also known as flower remedies. These are a form of vibrational medicine that is said to tap into the 'life force' of a plant. Georgina Langdale, presenter of The Soul Garden and founder of the Archeus Apothecary, has been working with this form of plant medicine throughout her life.This episode looks at what plant essences are, some examples of plants and their uses in this form, and ways of working with them. She also provides information on the offerings she has that work with plant essences.YYou can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

As Archeus celebrates 10 Years since it launched, founder and Soul Garden presenter, Georgina Langdale discusses how Archeus evolved from an artisanal apothecary into a centre for compassionate care. Reflecting on her parents' deaths, the power of Nature as a teacher, and how compassion can help deepen connection at every stage of the life journey this is a tender episode, recorded, as it happens on Georgina's mother's birthday. RIP.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this week’s episode of The Soul Garden podcast, I reflect on my own connection with nature and ways I have worked with it over the past ten years of Archeus.For me, stepping away from my previous career, to step fully into this realm of working with nature, with plants to create offerings to support health and wellbeing at a physical, emotional and spiritual level has been so rewarding, so life-enriching. So in this episode I share some of my thoughts on my approach to formulation, the rules I gave myself when starting Archeus, and the different ways I have explored the healing power of nature over the past decade.I hope you find this informative and maybe even just a little inspiring!!!You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

What are the things we tell ourselves about ourselves? And how do those messages get in the way of our true potential?In this episode of The Soul Garden, Georgina Langdale takes a look at Self Talk and how we can work with it as a force for good. She draws her inspiration from the 12th Century mystic, healer and abbess Hildegard of Bingen who wrote about a form of psychotherapy and prayer she described as ‘vices and virtues.’ Hildegard’s way of working with the idea of healing vices by focusing on virtues is powerful self-medicine and is as relevant for navigating the times we are in, as it was for her time over 800 years ago.This talk is part of the Soul Medicine for the Midlife Woman group coaching programme which will be available again in 2025You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

This episode is slightly different to my normal approach to this podcast. It is part creative mash-up, part lament, part call to action. Earlier this year the area I live in was hit by tropical cyclone Gabrielle, and even in the few months since then it seems as if the whole world is burning or flooding. I started getting this riff going around in my head and so I made this song to try and capture my fear and my reimagined future, in this moment now.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

Who's afraid of flying? Me! I used to love it, but now I am just seriously afraid. I have gone from intrepid explorer, to trembling coward. And I don't think I'm alone in this fear.So in this episode of the Soul Garden, I look that fear in the face and talk about how I have used the power of ceremony to overcome it, or at least bring down to something manageable! Given how many of us are afraid of flying, I thought it might be helpful to others to share the techniques I have used to deal with this phobia.Also mentioned is my upcoming course, Soul Medicine for the Midlife Woman.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this episode of the Soul Garden, host Georgina  Langdale reflects on Earth Day. She also is prompted by its proximity to ANZAC Day to name some of the fallen, species that have gone extinct since WWI due to human impacts, in a from of prayer and meditation called Lectio divina.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

How do we find balance and resilience in a changing world? How do life changes and transitions, both internal and external act as catalysts for a deeper way of being?It's been a few weeks now since the cyclone Gabrielle devastated the region I live in. This has been a life-changing experience and this episode of The Soul Garden explores how to navigate through events such as this and how we may help create love, resilience and compassion in a changing world.You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this week's episode I'm sharing a healing meditation and visualisation I recorded today for a friend who is going through cancer treatment. I wanted to create something that she might find gives her comfort during her treatment, that may help her activate the healing her body wishes for at this time.After I sent it to her I thought of how it might give comfort to others too. It could be a place of quiet refuge that helps healing happen. That supports the soul and spirit at this time.If you need a bit of healing right now, a bit of love then I hope this helps. And if you know someone who may find comfort in it, then please do feel free to share this link and spread the love. The meditation itself starts at 5.10".Go well, GeorginaYou can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this powerful episode of The Soul Garden, Georgina Langdale explores the idea of perimenopause as a liminal space that invites us to draw in the potential of our post-menopausal  wisdom years. She offers up another view of perimenopause that reframes symptoms as markers of transformation. She sees perimenopause as a gestation and birthing of a new way of being, and mentions how she has worked with ceremony to deepen these ideas."Perimenopause is a time of great change. It is a casting off, and a gathering inwards. It is transformational. An initiation. It is a farewell, and it is a welcoming in of a new power. "You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com