Episode #9
Episode 9: For the Pleasure of it & Summer 2026 Touchstone
You have to take the first slice of cake for yourself." Welcome, wild women, to our summer touchstone. I'm taking a break from the podcast for July and August, and I'll be back with you on September 1st. But before I go, I wanted to leave you with something to carry through these warm, sun-drenched months. This summer, we're talking about passion projects, creativity, and doing something just for the pleasure of it. In this episode: The inspiration from Lori Zoss and The 4% Fix by Karma Brown, taking the first slice of cake for yourself The pleasure exercise from a shamanic healing journey, writing down things that bring you joy (even the ones you've never tried) July & August 2026 astrology, key transits, new and full moons, and the arc of summer The health benefits of sun exposure, the MISS Cohort Study and why women who avoid the sun may have shorter life expectancy The pleasure of farmers markets, vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh produce, and nourishing your body with delicious, natural food A summer ritual, creating a pleasure list and doing something from it at least once a week A collective tarot & ancestor reading to carry with you through the summer If you've been waiting for permission to take a slice for yourself, this episode is your invitation. The Arc of Summer Cancer New Moon (July 14) – Get grounded. Tend to your emotional foundations. ☀️ Leo Season (July 20) – Play, create, follow your heart. Pisces Lunar Eclipse (August 28) – Release what's holding you back from joy. Summer Ritual: The Pleasure List Instead of a formal ritual, I'm inviting you to do something simpler. Sit down. Daydream. Make a list. Ask yourself: What makes me feel truly alive? What have I always wanted to try but never made time for? What brought me joy as a child that I've forgotten about? What do I think might give me pleasure but I've never done? Don't edit yourself. Write everything down – even the "silly" things. Then, once a week this summer, pick something from that list and do it. Not because you "should." But because you deserve pleasure. Because joy is not a reward, it’s a right. Health Tip: Sun Exposure & Farmers Markets The Benefits of Sun Exposure The Melanoma in Southern Sweden (MISS) Cohort Study, led by Dr. Pelle Lindqvist and published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, tracked nearly 30,000 women over 20 years. It found that women who avoided sun exposure had a life expectancy 0.6 to 2.1 years shorter than those with the highest sun exposure. Sunlight helps us produce vitamin D, regulates our circadian rhythm, and supports our mood. It's not something to fear, it’s something to respect. Natural ways to prevent burning: Seek shade during peak hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Cover up with lightweight clothing and a hat Build up exposure gradually Use natural sunscreens free from harmful chemicals Traditional sunblock is still better than burning. Use what works for you, just don't hide from the sun entirely. The Pleasure of Farmers Markets There is nothing quite like biting into a vine-ripened tomato or a sun-warmed peach picked that morning. Local, fresh produce is not only delicious, it's nutrient-rich, less processed, and absolutely bursting with flavour. Make it a pleasure to nourish yourself. Visit your local farmers market. Talk to the farmers. Choose what looks beautiful to you. And savour every bite. Collective Tarot & Ancestor Reading Current Situation The Empress: An earthly phase of life. The birth of a creative child or artistic offspring. This requires patience and nurturing. A card of abundance...
