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Explore the spiritual meaning of Samhain and its place alongside Halloween, All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. In this reflective episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary, Bertena offers a gentle introduction to each observance and the ways this season can invite transition, gratitude, and remembrance. We’ll consider Samhain as a seasonal threshold, the Christian meaning of All Hallows’ Eve and the days that follow, and the personal ways we remember those who have shaped our lives. Then join Bertena for a quiet seasonal reflection with time to notice what you’re ready to release and what you want to carry forward. You’re welcome to listen from within your own spiritual path. Join my newsletter for spiritual reflections, seasonal practices, and class news: bertena.org Learn about my Samhain ceremony: yourcosmicconnections.org The ceremony includes an intuitive practice, a cacao ceremony, and a guided meditation to meet with your ancestors.

Yoga has a history, and honoring its roots matters. In this beginner-friendly episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, Bertena explores yoga’s South Asian roots, the diversity of yoga traditions, and why learning yoga with curiosity and respect is so important. This is Week Three of the 15 Weeks of Yoga series, and in this episode, we talk about how yoga is much more than modern postures or a fitness trend. Bertena offers an accessible introduction to yoga history, including the importance of South Asia in yoga’s development, the role of traditional texts, and the need to approach yoga as a rich and evolving tradition rather than a single simplified system. You’ll also hear reflection on the Yoga Sutra associated with Patanjali, the eight-limbed path, and why that framework is influential but not the whole story of yoga. This episode encourages both students and teachers to practice humility, context, and respect as they continue learning. If you are new to yoga, this episode reminds you that you do not need to know everything before beginning. You can start where you are, enjoy a gentle practice, and remain open to the deeper philosophical, contemplative, and cultural roots of yoga. If you are a teacher, this is also an invitation to study beyond the poses and to give credit and context to the traditions that inform what you teach. In this episode, we explore:Yoga’s roots in South AsiaWhy yoga is more than poses or fitnessThe importance of learning yoga history with humilityThe Rig Veda and early references to yogaThe Yoga Sutra and the eight limbs of yogaWhy no single book or teacher tells the whole storyHow modern yoga developed through tradition, adaptation, and global exchangeWays students and teachers can honor yoga’s roots in practical everyday waysA simple curiosity pause activity to support deeper learning Curiosity Pause ActivityTake a comfortable seat and ask yourself: What is one thing I would like to understand better about yoga history or philosophy? It might be a Sanskrit word, a yoga text, a practice, or a question about how yoga evolved over time. You do not need to solve it right away. Let it become a doorway to future learning. Related LinksYoga Teacher Training: https://www.bertena.org/en/yoga-teacher-training Podcast Page: https://www.bertena.org/en/podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thespiritualsanctuary11 Substack: https://bertena.substack.com Suggested Hashtags#YogaHistory #HonoringYogaRoots #YogaPhilosophy #SouthAsianRoots #SpiritualYoga #YogaForBeginners #YogaTeacherTraining #EightLimbsOfYoga #YogaEducation #SpiritualSanctuary #Bertena Keywordsyoga has a history, honoring yoga roots, yoga history, history of yoga, yoga roots, South Asian roots of yoga, yoga philosophy, beginner yoga philosophy, yoga for beginners, yoga traditions, yoga sutra, Patanjali, eight limbs of yoga, spiritual yoga, yoga education, yoga teacher training, inclusive yoga, respectful yoga practice, yoga beyond poses, Bertena, Spiritual Sanctuary, wisdom for the divine feminine 🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com

Connect with the Morrigan through a guided goddess meditation for courage, personal boundaries, and inner reflection. In this episode of Spiritual Sanctuary, Bertena offers a brief introduction to this powerful figure in Irish mythology before guiding you on an imaginative journey to meet her beside a quiet river. This Morrigan meditation invites you to explore your own voice, consider what you are ready to release, and reflect on one courageous step you can take in your everyday life. Through gentle grounding and visualization, you’ll create space to listen inward and consider what personal sovereignty means to you. Whether you are exploring goddess spirituality, deepening your Divine Feminine practice, or seeking a quiet moment during a season of change, you are welcome here. No previous meditation experience or knowledge of the Morrigan is needed. Approach the practice as a spiritual connection, symbolic journey, or time for personal reflection. Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down, settle into your natural breathing, and allow yourself to follow at your own pace. You do not need to see a particular image or receive a message for the meditation to be meaningful. After the meditation, reflect on: Where am I ready to trust my own voice?What boundary would help me honor my needs?What am I ready to set down?What is one small, courageous choice I can make this week? Explore Bertena’s spiritual classes, meditations, and offerings at bertena.org. Listen to more Spiritual Sanctuary episodes or find the YouTube videos at bertena.org/en/podcast. Keywords: Morrigan meditation, meet the Morrigan, guided goddess meditation, Morrígan, Irish goddess meditation, goddess spirituality, Divine Feminine meditation, meditation for courage, personal boundaries, personal sovereignty, inner power, spiritual reflection, guided visualization, Spiritual Sanctuary podcast, Bertena🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com

Welcome to Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine with Bertena. In Week Two of our 15 Weeks of Yoga series, we explore what yoga means beyond the physical poses we often see in pictures. Yoga can be so much more than stretching or moving on a mat. It can include breathwork, meditation, self-reflection, philosophy, and the ways we bring awareness and intention into everyday life. Whether you are new to yoga or have an established practice, there are many doorways into this ancient tradition. In this episode, Bertena shares how yoga can meet us where we are, reminding us that we do not have to look a certain way, achieve a perfect pose, or practice in a specific position to begin exploring what yoga has to offer. In This Episode, We Explore:Yoga beyond physical poses: Discover how breath, meditation, attention, and philosophy can deepen your understanding of yoga.Many doorways into practice: Explore how movement, spiritual inquiry, breathwork, and meditation can each become a starting point.Inclusive and accessible yoga: Learn why yoga can be adapted to your needs, whether you practice standing, sitting in a chair, resting on the floor, or making gentle movements in bed.Yoga in everyday life: Consider how pausing, practicing patience, and responding with intention can bring awareness beyond the yoga mat.The eight limbs of yoga: Receive an introduction to the framework described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, including ethical reflection, posture, breath practices, concentration, meditation, and more.Letting your practice evolve: Give yourself permission to discover different aspects of yoga as your needs, interests, and life circumstances change. Your Reflection PracticeTake a few quiet moments to reflect on your relationship with yoga. Ask yourself: What first made me curious about yoga? Was it movement, stress relief, meditation, spirituality, or something else?What would I like to learn about yoga next?What do I want yoga to mean in my life right now? You do not need to create a big plan or have all the answers. Simply allow yourself to be curious. If it feels helpful, write down one sentence about what you hope to discover. Coming Up Next WeekJoin Bertena for Week Three of our 15 Weeks of Yoga series as we take a respectful look at the history of yoga and why its roots matter. Explore More with BertenaVisit bertena.org to learn more about inclusive yoga classes and Rose Temple Yoga School. Connect and explore: Yoga Teacher Training: Learn morePodcast Page: Listen to more episodesYouTube: Explore additional contentSubstack: Continue the conversation Thank you for joining Bertena in Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine. Remember, yoga is a practice of learning, not a pursuit of perfection. You are welcome to begin right where you are. Until next time, take good care of yourself.🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com

When you read tarot or oracle cards, do you wonder, “Is this my intuition—or am I making it up?” Join Bertena on Spiritual Sanctuary for a welcoming exploration of intuitive tarot reading, oracle card interpretation, and the self-doubt that can arise when learning to trust your impressions. In this episode, Bertena shares tarot and oracle card demonstrations, describing the images so audio listeners can follow along. Explore how to notice symbols, colors, and personal associations before opening the guidebook—and how to turn those impressions into thoughtful questions rather than absolute answers. Whether you are learning tarot for beginners or deepening an existing spiritual practice, this episode offers a simple way to practice reading cards without needing to feel certain about every interpretation. In this episode, we explore: • Why we second-guess ourselves when reading tarot and oracle cards. • How intuition, imagination, and personal associations can contribute to a reading. • How to combine intuitive impressions with traditional tarot card meanings. • A guided card-reading exercise using observation, impression, and reflection. • How to ask open-ended questions and practice readings with another person. • Ways to use tarot and oracle cards for journaling, self-discovery, and spiritual reflection. Bring a tarot or oracle deck and a journal, or simply listen and reflect. JOIN BERTENA’S TAROT & ORACLE WORKSHOP Continue exploring in Tarot, Oracle, and the Divine Feminine, a four-hour certification workshop on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 1–5 p.m. Central. Attend in person at Cosmic Connections in Nashville, Tennessee, or join on Zoom. Explore intuitive reading, partner practice, the Divine Feminine, tarot rituals, and spells. Workshop price: $199. Register: https://yourcosmicconnections.com/pages/bertena-varney Explore Bertena’s spiritual classes, yoga, and offerings: https://www.bertena.org If this conversation resonates with you, follow Spiritual Sanctuary and share this episode with a friend who loves tarot, oracle cards, or exploring intuition.🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com

Do you think you need to be flexible, young, thin, or experienced to begin yoga? You don’t. In this 30-minute episode, Bertena shares her personal story of starting yoga in her forties while navigating health challenges, being told she was too sick to enter a yoga teacher training, and continuing her path with White Crow Yoga and Mary Irby. She explains why flexibility is not a requirement, how yoga can include chair, bed, and floor options, and what a gentle first step can look like. This welcoming introduction is for beginners, plus-size students, people over 40, and anyone who has wondered whether yoga has room for them. “I’m not flexible enough for yoga” is something many people tell themselves before they ever try a class. Bertena understands that hesitation. She began yoga in her forties with health challenges and questions about whether she would belong. When she was told she was too sick to enter a teacher training, the experience strengthened her commitment to creating a more welcoming and inclusive approach to yoga. In this episode, Bertena shares how her own journey shaped the teacher she is today. She talks about why flexibility is not an entrance test, why a chair or a supported position can be part of a meaningful yoga practice, and how students can ask for the options and support they need. She also guides listeners through a short awareness practice that can be done seated, in bed, or in another comfortable position. You can begin yoga with the body and life you have today. You are welcome to move, rest, listen, or simply get curious. In this episode, we explore: Beginning yoga in your forties and learning to trust your own pathThe experience of being told you are “too sick” for yoga teacher trainingWhy flexibility, body size, and age are not measures of belongingHow chair, bed, and floor options can make yoga more accessibleQuestions to ask when looking for a beginner-friendly yoga classA gentle awareness practice for noticing support and making choicesWhat inclusive yoga teaching means to Bertena Reflection questions from the episode: What have you believed you needed to change before you could begin yoga? What would help you feel welcome and supported in a class? What is one small beginning you could make this week? About Bertena Bertena Varney is an inclusive yoga facilitator, meditation teacher, and founder of Rose Temple Yoga School. Her teaching welcomes students to explore yoga with options for different bodies and abilities, including chair, bed, and floor practices. Explore Rose Temple Yoga School Bertena’s 200-hour inclusive yoga teacher training begins in person on January 17, 2027, which is also the cutoff date for joining this cohort. Learn more about the program and request information at bertena.org/en/yoga-teacher-training. Listen, watch, and keep learning: Visit Bertena’s SubstackListen to the Spiritual Sanctuary podcastWatch the Spiritual Sanctuary on YouTube

Happy International Podcast Day! In this special episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, I’m sharing the unexpected story of how podcasting became one of my favorite parts of my spiritual business. I never thought I would love podcasting. I have always loved teaching, talking, sharing information, and helping people understand new ideas, but I absolutely hated hearing my own recorded voice. The thought of sitting behind a microphone, recording myself, editing episodes, and putting my voice out into the world felt uncomfortable and honestly a little intimidating. That changed when I began working with Kim from Podcasting for Your Spiritual Business. Kim helped me understand that podcasting did not have to be complicated or overwhelming. Through classes, office hours, master classes, guidance, and ongoing support, she helped walk me through the process step by step. As someone who has spent most of my life as a teacher, I appreciate when someone can take something that feels confusing and make it understandable. That is exactly what happened for me with podcasting. Somewhere along the way, I stopped thinking about podcasting as recording my voice and started thinking about it as another way to teach. That changed everything. Now podcasting feels like another classroom. It gives me the opportunity to talk about spirituality, intuition, tarot, oracle cards, yoga, Divine Feminine teachings, spiritual development, healing, personal growth, and what it is really like to build a spiritual business. In this episode, I also share more about the leap of faith I took when I left my career in education and began putting more of my energy into my own spiritual work and business. Leaving education did not mean I stopped being a teacher. It simply meant my classroom changed. Today, I teach through yoga, workshops, private sessions, spiritual development, the Priestess Academy, newsletters, videos, and this podcast. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that starting a spiritual business requires more than having a spiritual gift or a service you love. You may be an incredible Reiki practitioner, tarot reader, yoga teacher, intuitive, coach, medium, or healer and still feel completely lost when it comes to marketing, pricing, websites, email lists, social media, and podcasting. That does not mean you are not meant to have a business. It simply means that business is another skill to learn. That is also why I offer a free self-paced spiritual business class for people who are starting or growing their own spiritual businesses. I also offer private 1:1 spiritual business training for those who want more personalized support. If you are wondering whether podcasting could help your spiritual business, whether you should start your own podcast, or whether your voice really matters, this episode is for you. Google Questions Answered in This Episode How do I start a spiritual podcast? Can podcasting help grow a spiritual business? Do I need to like my voice to start a podcast? What equipment do I need to start podcasting? Is podcasting good for spiritual entrepreneurs? How can a podcast help me build trust with my audience? How do I start a spiritual business? What should I know before starting a spiritual business? How can I market a spiritual business authentically? Can I start a spiritual business later in life? How do I find my voice as a spiritual teacher or entrepreneur? What does a podcast coach help with? Do I need a podcast coach to start a podcast? How can podcasting help me teach online? How do I turn my knowledge into podcast content? Can podcasting help me attract clients? How do I overcome the fear of hearing my own voice? What are the benefits of podcasting for small businesses? How can women over 40 or 50 start a new business? How do I take a leap of faith and start over in my career? This episode is especially helpful for spiritual entrepreneurs, yoga teachers, Reiki practitioners, tarot readers, oracle readers, spiritual coaches, intuitives, healers, teachers, women starting businesses later in life, and anyone thinking about starting a podcast as part of their business. If you are building a spiritual business and want help getting started, visit Bertena.org to learn more about my free self-paced spiritual business class and my private 1:1 spiritual business training. While you are there, sign up for my newsletter to receive updates about new podcast episodes, Divine Feminine classes, yoga, workshops, Priestess Academy offerings, spiritual development opportunities, and upcoming events. Happy International Podcast Day, and thank you for listening to Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine. Search Keywords International Podcast Day 2026, spiritual podcast, spiritual business podcast, starting a spiritual podcast, how to start a spiritual podcast, spiritual entrepreneur, spiritual entrepreneurship, spiritual business coach, podcasting for spiritual entrepreneurs, starting a spiritual business, how to grow a spiritual business, podcast for beginners, podcast coaching, finding your voice, women entrepreneurs over 40, women entrepreneurs over 50, career change after 50, starting over after 50, Divine Feminine podcast, spirituality podcast, spiritual growth, spiritual teacher, yoga teacher business, Reiki business, tarot business, intuitive business, online spiritual business, heart centered business, authentic marketing, spiritual business training, spiritual business class, Bertena Varney, Spiritual Sanctuary podcast, bertena.org 🎧 Listen & Subscribe Find Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉https://www.bertena.org/en/podcast Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here

What is the difference between tarot cards and oracle cards? Which deck is easier for beginners? Can you use tarot and oracle cards together—and how do you choose the right deck for your spiritual practice? In this fun and beginner-friendly episode, Bertena explains the differences between tarot and oracle cards without making either practice feel complicated or intimidating. Tarot and oracle cards can both support intuition, spiritual growth, self-reflection, journaling, and personal guidance, but they do not follow the same system. A traditional tarot deck contains 78 cards divided into the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. Tarot follows a recognizable structure that includes four suits, numbered cards, and court cards. Because the cards belong to a shared system, tarot can offer a detailed look at relationships, decisions, challenges, repeating patterns, and possible next steps. Oracle decks have much more freedom. There is no required number of cards or universal oracle-card structure. Each creator chooses the deck’s theme, artwork, messages, and method of interpretation. Oracle cards may focus on goddesses, angels, ancestors, animals, affirmations, moon cycles, chakras, healing, shadow work, or another spiritual subject. If tarot is a language with its own grammar, every oracle deck is an individual conversation. In this episode, Bertena explains why oracle cards may feel easier when you are beginning, how tarot becomes easier once you recognize its patterns, and why you do not have to choose only one. In This Episode You Will LearnThe main differences between tarot and oracle cardsWhy traditional tarot decks contain 78 cardsHow the Major Arcana and Minor Arcana workWhy oracle decks do not follow one universal structureWhether tarot or oracle cards are easier for beginnersHow to choose your first tarot or oracle deckHow to ask better questions during a card readingHow to combine tarot and oracle cards in the same readingHow to begin reading cards without memorizing every meaningWhether you need to use reversed tarot cardsWhy you do not have to receive your first deck as a giftSimple ways to connect with your intuitionHow to use cards without surrendering your judgment or personal power Bertena also guides you through a simple card-reading practice you can try during the episode. If you are using an oracle deck, you will pull one card and explore its message, imagery, and connection to your life. If you are using tarot, you will pull three cards representing: What you already knowWhat you may not be seeing clearlyOne helpful next step You do not have to produce a perfect interpretation. Begin by noticing the colors, people, symbols, emotions, and movement within the card. Your honest first response can be just as valuable as the meaning in the guidebook. Can Tarot and Oracle Cards Be Used Together?Yes. Tarot and oracle cards can work beautifully together. You might begin with one oracle card to reveal the main spiritual theme of your reading. You can then pull tarot cards to explore the situation, challenge, and next step in greater detail. Finish with another oracle card for encouragement, reflection, or a closing message. Think of the oracle card as the title of the chapter and the tarot cards as the pages that explain the story. Learn Tarot and Oracle with BertenaIf you are ready to explore tarot and oracle cards in a welcoming and practical environment, join Bertena for her upcoming in-person class on October 11. Bertena also offers live Zoom classes for students who want to learn from home and online courses for those who prefer to study at their own pace. These classes are designed for beginners, returning students, intuitive readers, and anyone who wants to build confidence while developing a deeper relationship with the cards. Visit Bertena.org to explore current classes and registration information. While you are there, sign up for Bertena’s newsletter to receive announcements about upcoming tarot and oracle classes, Zoom gatherings, online courses, podcast episodes, spiritual teachings, and special events. Subscribe to the podcast and share this episode with someone who owns a deck—or someone standing in front of an entire wall of decks wondering which one to choose. Episode Keywordstarot vs oracle cards, difference between tarot and oracle cards, tarot cards for beginners, oracle cards for beginners, how to read tarot cards, how to read oracle cards, tarot and oracle reading, tarot deck meanings, oracle deck meanings, beginner tarot reading, choosing your first tarot deck, choosing an oracle deck, Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, tarot card suits, intuitive card reading, spiritual card reading, tarot classes, oracle card classes, online tarot course, Zoom tarot class, tarot and oracle workshop, develop your intuition, divination for beginners, Bertena

Many people say they hate history—and honestly, that breaks my heart. As an historian, former high school and college history teacher, and lifelong lover of ancient history, I understand why people feel this way. Too often, history is taught as a lifeless collection of names, wars, rulers, and dates to memorize. But real history is filled with sacred stories, powerful women, ancient goddesses, spiritual traditions, political struggles, acts of resistance, and people searching for meaning. History is not separate from the priestess path. It is one of its foundations. In this episode of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, I explore why understanding history, mythology, and cultural context is essential for anyone studying goddess spirituality or answering the call to become a modern priestess. We look at the stories and traditions surrounding Inanna and Enheduanna, Isis, Demeter and Persephone, Hecate, Brigid, and Oshun. These sacred figures teach us about initiation, grief, transformation, healing, protection, creativity, leadership, cultural respect, and the responsible use of spiritual power. We also discuss why goddesses cannot be reduced to simple keywords or inspirational sayings. Aphrodite is more than romance. Sekhmet is more than anger. Hecate is more than a dark-moon aesthetic. Isis is more than motherhood. The goddesses are powerful, complicated, and sometimes contradictory—and that complexity has something important to teach us. Knowing history helps a priestess understand where spiritual practices originated, how myths changed over time, whose voices were preserved, and whose stories were ignored or erased. It also teaches us how to distinguish between an ancient source, a later tradition, a modern spiritual interpretation, and something received through personal intuition. All of these can be meaningful, but they are not the same. In this episode, we also explore cultural appropriation, colonization, living spiritual traditions, historical evidence, primary sources, mythology, ritual, divination, spiritual discernment, and ethical priestess leadership. History does not take the magic out of spiritual practice. History gives the magic roots. In This Episode, You Will DiscoverWhy history is an essential part of priestess trainingWhy many people believe they hate historyHow mythology carries cultural and spiritual memoryWhat Inanna’s descent can teach us about initiation and responsibilityWhy Enheduanna remains important to women’s sacred writing and spiritual leadershipHow Isis demonstrates healing, perseverance, protection, and sacred intelligenceWhat Demeter and Persephone teach us about grief, power, consent, and transformationWhy Hecate’s crossroads can help us understand ethical spiritual guidanceHow Brigid connects creativity, healing, devotion, and living traditionsWhy Oshun must be approached with respect for Yoruba religion and its practitionersThe difference between historical fact, mythology, modern interpretation, and personal intuitionHow historical knowledge strengthens ritual, divination, and intuitive developmentWhy honoring the Divine Feminine also requires examining power, culture, colonization, and inequalitySimple ways to study ancient history without becoming overwhelmedWhat history can teach modern priestesses about accountability, consent, boundaries, and leadership A Question to Carry With YouWhat would it mean for you to become a better spiritual ancestor? The communities we create, the language we normalize, the people we welcome, the boundaries we uphold, and the teachings we pass forward will become part of someone else’s spiritual inheritance. You do not have to memorize thousands of years of history to walk the priestess path. You simply need to remain curious, ask thoughtful questions, honor your sources, and be willing to keep learning. Continue Your Priestess JourneyIf this conversation awakens something within you, I invite you to explore the Priestess Academy and Level 3: Awakening the Priestess Within. This training brings together historically grounded goddess studies, Divine Feminine wisdom, mythology, intuition, ritual, healing, embodiment, ethical spiritual leadership, and modern priestess practice. The goal is not to imitate an imagined ancient past. The goal is to become a wise, grounded, embodied, and responsible priestess in the world we are living in today. Learn more about my Priestess Academy, spiritual classes, courses, podcast, and other offerings at: https://www.bertena.org Connect With Spiritual SanctuaryListen to more episodes of Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine: https://www.bertena.org/en/podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves goddesses but still feels nervous whenever she hears the word “timeline.” SEO KeywordsPriestess training, modern priestess path, goddess spirituality, Divine Feminine spirituality, goddess mythology, ancient goddesses, sacred history, women’s spirituality, Inanna, Enheduanna, Isis, Demeter and Persephone, Hecate, Brigid, Oshun, spiritual leadership, intuitive development, divination, sacred ritual, mythology and history, cultural appropriation, ethical spirituality, goddess studies, priestess initiation, Divine Feminine wisdom, ancient religion, spiritual discernment, women in ancient history

What does it mean to be a Priestess today?Do you need psychic abilities, elaborate rituals or devotion to a particular goddess to become a Priestess? Or could the Priestess already be present in the way you teach, heal, create, study, lead and support others? In this episode of the Spiritual Sanctuary Podcast, Bertena explores the meaning of the modern Priestess, the history of feminine spiritual leadership, the Sacred Feminine, goddess spirituality, intuition, discernment and sacred ritual. Perhaps you do not need to become a Priestess. Perhaps you are being invited to remember the Priestess already within you. What is a modern Priestess?A modern Priestess is someone who consciously creates a relationship with the sacred through spiritual practice, intuition, study, healing, ritual, creativity, community or service. She does not have to work in a temple or publicly call herself a Priestess. She may be a teacher, healer, yoga practitioner, intuitive reader, artist, caregiver, business owner, spiritual coach or community leader. What are the different Priestess archetypes?In this episode, you will meet eight modern Priestess archetypes: Temple Priestess: Creates ritual, ceremony and sacred spaceOracle Priestess: Works with intuition, tarot, dreams and symbolsHealing Priestess: Supports healing through Reiki, yoga, meditation or compassionate presenceEarth Priestess: Connects with nature, seasons, plants, animals and the moonScholar Priestess: Studies mythology, religion, history and spiritual traditionsCreative Priestess: Expresses the sacred through art, writing, movement or musicCommunity Priestess: Gathers people and creates spiritual belongingThreshold Priestess: Supports others through grief, menopause, illness, awakening and life transitions You may recognize yourself in more than one archetype. What is the Sacred Feminine?The Sacred Feminine is not limited to softness, nurturing, beauty and moonlight. She also represents boundaries, courage, righteous anger, grief, transformation, death and renewal. She is the Maiden, Mother, Lover, Warrior, Queen, Witch, Mystic, Elder and Crone. The Sacred Feminine reminds us that our bodies, voices, emotions, boundaries and lived experiences can all be part of our spiritual paths. How can you tell the difference between intuition and fear?Intuition is often simple and clear. Fear may feel repetitive, urgent, catastrophic or overwhelming. However, there is no perfect formula. Spiritual discernment asks: Does this message create clarity or panic?Does it empower me or make me dependent?Does it respect consent and personal choice?Does it align with my values?What facts support or challenge it?Could this feeling come from fear, hope, grief or projection?Do I need more information before acting? Spirituality should support your judgment—not replace medical care, mental-health treatment, legal advice, financial guidance or practical action. How do you begin a Priestess practice?You do not need hours of daily ritual. A realistic Priestess practice might include lighting a candle, pulling one card, journaling, meditating for five minutes, practicing gentle yoga, walking outside, studying a goddess or creating a small sacred space. One sincere practice can become a doorway. In this episode, you will learn:What a Priestess isWhat the Priestess Path means todayHow ancient and modern Priestess roles differEight modern Priestess archetypesWhat the Divine Feminine and Sacred Feminine representHow goddess spirituality can support personal growthHow to develop intuition with discernmentHow to create sacred rituals for everyday lifeHow to begin a realistic spiritual practiceHow to recognize the Priestess already within you Join Remembering the PriestessJoin Bertena for: Remembering the Priestess: A 3-Hour Introduction to the Sacred Feminine Path Sunday, 1:00–4:00 PM Central Attend in person at Cosmic Connections in Nashville or live on Zoom No previous experience or particular religious belief is required. Bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore. Register for the in-person or Zoom class: https://www.bertena.org/en/event/remembering-the-priestess-in-person-and-on-zoom/5427/ Connect With BertenaListen to the Spiritual Sanctuary Podcast: https://www.bertena.org/en/podcast Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thespiritualsanctuary11 Read more spiritual articles: https://www.bertena.org/en/blog Explore classes, Priestess teachings, spiritual coaching, books and inclusive yoga: https://www.bertena.org/en About BertenaBertena is a Priestess, spiritual coach, yoga teacher, Reiki Master Teacher, intuitive reader, author and lifelong student of the sacred. She combines decades of teaching experience with Divine Feminine spirituality, goddess studies, Reiki, meditation, yoga and divination. Her work helps women and spiritual seekers strengthen their intuition, reconnect with their bodies and create grounded, accessible and authentic spiritual practices. Questions Answered in This EpisodeWhat is a Priestess? What does a modern Priestess do? How do you become a Priestess? What is the Priestess Path? What are the different Priestess archetypes? What is the Sacred Feminine? What is the Divine Feminine? How do you awaken feminine energy? How can you develop your intuition? How do you distinguish intuition from fear? How do you create a spiritual practice? How do you create sacred rituals at home? SEO KeywordsPriestess Path, modern Priestess, what is a Priestess, how to become a Priestess, remembering the Priestess, Priestess archetypes, Sacred Feminine, Divine Feminine, goddess spirituality, feminine spiritual leadership, spiritual awakening, develop intuition, intuition versus fear, spiritual discernment, sacred ritual, spiritual practice, women’s spirituality, Priestess training, Priestess Academy, Reiki, meditation, tarot, oracle cards, Nashville spiritual classes, online Priestess class, Zoom spiritual class

Discover Ishtar, the ancient Mesopotamian goddess of love, war, desire, sovereignty, courage, and transformation. In this episode of the Spiritual Sanctuary Podcast, Bertena explores the mythology, symbols, spiritual meaning, and enduring wisdom of Ishtar, who is closely connected with the earlier Sumerian goddess Inanna. Ishtar is associated with the planet Venus, the morning and evening star, the lion, the rosette, and the eight-pointed star. She embodies qualities that may appear contradictory: love and warfare, tenderness and power, beauty and danger, heaven and the underworld. You will learn about: The history and mythology of Ishtar and InannaIshtar’s connection with love, power, desire, and warfareThe spiritual meaning of the lion and eight-pointed starIshtar’s descent into the underworldThe seven gates as a modern tool for spiritual reflectionReleasing outdated roles, expectations, and identitiesReclaiming your voice, confidence, desires, and personal powerHonoring both your softness and your strengthUsing goddess mythology to support personal and spiritual transformation This episode also explores what Ishtar can teach modern spiritual seekers about boundaries, sacred desire, shadow work, confidence, spiritual awakening, and becoming more fully ourselves. If you feel drawn to Ishtar, Inanna, goddess spirituality, or the Divine Feminine, visit https://www.bertena.org to explore the Ishtar guided meditation, Divine Feminine Meditation, Priestess Academy, and Level 2: Goddess Studies. Subscribe to the Spiritual Sanctuary Podcast for more episodes about goddess teachings, intuition, Reiki, meditation, divination, spiritual development, sacred leadership, and creating an authentic spiritual practice. Keywords: Ishtar goddess, Inanna goddess, Divine Feminine, Ishtar mythology, Ishtar descent, goddess meditation, goddess spirituality, Mesopotamian goddess, spiritual awakening, shadow work, sacred feminine, priestess path, goddess studies, personal transformation, spiritual development🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com

Connect with the powerful energy of Ishtar, the ancient Mesopotamian goddess associated with love, courage, desire, sovereignty, transformation, and the morning and evening star. In this guided Divine Feminine meditation, you will be invited to slow down, connect with your inner wisdom, and reflect on the parts of yourself you are ready to reclaim. Ishtar reminds us that we can be loving and powerful, gentle and courageous, spiritual and fully human. During this meditation, you will be guided to: Connect with the light of the morning and evening starRelease identities, expectations, and beliefs that no longer serve youReclaim your voice, desires, confidence, and personal powerHonor both your softness and your strengthListen for guidance from your intuitionReflect on the next stage of your spiritual journey No previous meditation experience is necessary. You may participate while sitting in a chair, resting in bed, or lying comfortably on the floor. Choose the position that best supports your body. Please do not listen while driving or doing anything that requires your full attention. To continue exploring Ishtar, goddess traditions, and the Divine Feminine, visit https://www.bertena.org. You can also learn more about: Divine Feminine MeditationLevel 2: Goddess StudiesThe Priestess AcademySpiritual coaching and intuitive developmentReiki, meditation, and online spiritual courses Subscribe to the Spiritual Sanctuary YouTube Channel for guided meditations, goddess teachings, intuition development, Reiki, divination, spiritual reflection, and practical support for creating a sacred practice that is truly your own. #Ishtar #IshtarMeditation #GoddessIshtar #Inanna #DivineFeminine #GoddessMeditation #GuidedMeditation #PriestessPath #GoddessStudies #SpiritualAwakening #Intuition #SpiritualSanctuary🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com

Have you ever reached a point where your body simply said, “Enough”? That is where I found myself this week. I have been in pain since Sunday, sleeping more than usual, waking at strange hours, and feeling like I have quite literally been hit by a bus. I don’t completely know what is happening physically yet—and I believe we should always listen to our bodies and seek answers when something doesn’t feel right. But while I was lying there, exhausted and hurting, another thought kept coming to me: It is the last week of August. And this time of year has always felt like a spiritual threshold to me. We are moving out of the fullness of summer and toward harvest season. Nature begins changing, and perhaps we are being invited to change with it. In this deeply personal episode, I talk about the spiritual meaning of the end of August, seasonal transitions, releasing what did not come to fruition, and choosing what we truly want to carry with us into the next season. I keep imagining ourselves as trees. Throughout the year, we grow leaves—dreams, plans, relationships, expectations, projects, identities, and hopes. Some flourish. Some change. Some never become what we thought they would. And eventually, the tree has to release its leaves. Not because the leaves were failures. But because their season is complete. In this episode, we explore: The spiritual meaning of late August and harvest seasonWhy seasonal transitions can feel emotionally and physically intenseListening to your body when you are exhaustedThe difference between resting and giving upReleasing dreams, plans, relationships, and expectations that no longer belong to youWhy something not working out does not necessarily mean you failedHow to recognize what still feels alive in your lifeChoosing one thing to intentionally carry into your personal “harvest”Letting go without anger, shame, or regretThe connection between nature, spiritual practice, intuition, and our own cyclesHow rest can become part of our spiritual practice I also share some of what I have personally been carrying—building, teaching, planning, creating, dreaming, and constantly thinking about what comes next—and what happens when the body finally becomes louder than the plans. This is not an episode about pretending that every illness, ache, or difficult experience has a spiritual explanation. Sometimes our bodies simply need care. But perhaps we can also become curious about the seasons of our lives. What are you carrying simply because you have carried it for a long time? What are you still trying to force into fruition? What dream has changed? What expectation are you ready to release? And most importantly: What still feels alive? As we move toward harvest season, perhaps we do not need to carry everything forward. Perhaps our work is simply to: Hold what’s alive. Let the rest fall. Grab your journal, find a quiet place, and spend this hour reflecting with me on release, rest, intuition, seasonal spirituality, and preparing yourself for the next chapter. SEO Keywords: spiritual meaning of August, end of August spiritual meaning, harvest season spirituality, spiritual awakening, letting go spiritually, seasonal spirituality, autumn spiritual meaning, spiritual exhaustion, spiritual rest, intuitive living, releasing what no longer serves you, personal growth, end of summer reflection, spiritual self-care, harvest reflection, Divine Feminine spirituality, spiritual podcast for women, women over 40 spirituality🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com

Dolly Parton was more than music to me. She was part of growing up Appalachian. I was raised in Eastern Kentucky, grew up listening to Dolly’s music, and remember visiting Dollywood as a child. Now, many years later, I live just north of Nashville. As I reflect on Dolly and what she meant to so many of us, I keep coming back to something deeper than her incredible career: Dolly made it okay to be seen. For those of us from Appalachia, that mattered. She came from the mountains of East Tennessee and never seemed to believe she needed to erase her accent, her roots, her femininity, her humor, or her larger-than-life personality to be taken seriously. She showed women that we could be smart and feminine, ambitious and kind, powerful and funny. We could take up space without asking anyone else to become smaller. In this personal tribute, I share memories of growing up in Eastern Kentucky, childhood trips to Dollywood, my connection to Appalachian culture, and how differently I understand Dolly’s influence now that I am an adult living near Nashville. Most of all, I reflect on what I believe may be one of her most beautiful legacies: be yourself, allow yourself to be seen, and love other people enough to let them be themselves too. This is not simply a conversation about a country music legend. It is about Appalachia, belonging, self-acceptance, kindness, women taking up space, remembering where we came from, and what it means to leave love behind. Be seen. Be yourself. Remember where you came from. And love others enough to let them be themselves too. Topics: Dolly Parton tribute, remembering Dolly Parton, Dolly Parton legacy, Appalachia, Appalachian women, Eastern Kentucky, East Tennessee, Dollywood memories, country music, women empowerment, authenticity, self-acceptance, kindness, love, Appalachian culture, Spiritual Sanctuary Podcast🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com

Are you interested in inclusive yoga teacher training but worried that you are too old, plus-size, inflexible, inexperienced, disabled or living with too many health challenges to become a yoga teacher? Bertena understands that fear because she was once told that she was too sick to complete yoga teacher training. In this heartfelt episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, Bertena shares her personal yoga journey, the pain of being excluded from her first yoga teacher training opportunity and how she found another teacher and another path. She explains how that experience eventually inspired her to create Rose Temple Yoga School and its 200-Hour Inclusive Yoga Teacher Training. This episode explores why yoga and yoga teacher training must become more welcoming to older adults, people in larger bodies, beginners, people with disabilities or limited mobility, and those living with chronic illness. Bertena discusses the difference between adapting yoga to support the individual and forcing the individual to fit a narrow image of yoga. She shares why accessible yoga is not “lesser” yoga and why using a chair, wall, bolster, blanket or bed can be a respected part of the practice. You will also learn about: Bertena’s experience of being told she was too sick for yoga teacher trainingHow she completed her 200-hour training while teaching collegeWhy representation matters in yogaInclusive, accessible and trauma-aware yoga teachingGentle yoga, chair yoga, restorative yoga and Yin yogaSomatic movement, meditation and Yoga NidraYoga teacher training for older adults and changing bodiesYoga for people with chronic illness or limited mobilityRose Temple Yoga School’s professional teaching pathwayThe personal and spiritual enrichment pathwayIn-person and hybrid Zoom training optionsHow to request information about the 2027 program Rose Temple Yoga School believes that you do not have to be young, thin, athletic or exceptionally flexible to practice yoga or become a meaningful yoga teacher. The inaugural Rose Temple 200-Hour Inclusive Yoga Teacher Training begins in January 2027. Students may participate in person at Cosmic Connections in Nashville or through the hybrid Zoom option when they cannot attend every session in person. Some live Zoom lectures and gatherings are required for all students. Early-enrollment tuition is $2,500 through November 30, 2026. Tuition increases to $3,000 beginning December 1. A $250 nonrefundable deposit reserves your place and is applied toward tuition. Payment plans are available. Books, supplies, yoga props, travel and lodging are not included. Learn more and request information about the Rose Temple 200-Hour Inclusive Yoga Teacher Training: https://www.bertena.org/en/yoga-teacher-training Explore more episodes of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine: https://www.bertena.org/en/podcast Learn more about Bertena’s classes, books, spiritual teachings and services: https://www.bertena.org/en If this episode speaks to you, follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with someone who has ever believed that yoga was not meant for their body. Your body belongs in yoga. Your wisdom belongs in the room. Your path can begin here. Keywords: inclusive yoga teacher training, 200-hour yoga teacher training, accessible yoga, chair yoga teacher training, gentle yoga, restorative yoga, Yin yoga, somatic yoga, yoga for older adults, yoga for plus-size bodies, yoga for chronic illness, adaptive yoga, trauma-aware yoga, spiritual yoga teacher training, hybrid yoga teacher training, Nashville yoga teacher training and Rose Temple Yoga School.🎧 Listen & SubscribeFind Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/1pNkD0FKF4TpgzcRFQQrhA Subscribe to my newsletter here Help Support the Sanctuary here🤍 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 @bertena11 Supporting Cosmic Connections helps sustain a heart-centered spiritual space for seekers, healers, and practitioners. 👉 Visit Cosmic Connections: https://yourcosmicconnections.com