EDITION 01:

Welcome - to this first newsletter

As winter continues to hold us in its quieter embrace, I’ve been reminded of the deep need to slow down. After the busyness of the holidays, I chose to ease myself gently back into work. Life then added its own encouragement - a full week of the lurgy that brought everything to a halt.

And yet, in that enforced stillness, something softened. Ideas began to land - quietly, intuitively - including the nudge to create this newsletter. A way of building my own community space, one that isn’t dependent on the noise of social media. A place where I can gather the threads of my month and share them with you directly.

I hope you enjoy this first glimpse into what I’ve been creating and where things are heading.

Notes from the Month

The Knight of Cups - A Thread for the Year

My card for 2024 is the Knight of Cups, and its energy has been quietly guiding me already. The Knight of Cups is heart‑led, creative, intuitive - a messenger who follows the inner pull rather than external pressure. It’s about trusting the ideas that arrive softly, honouring the creative impulse, and moving forward with sensitivity and courage.

If you’re curious to read more about my card of the year, you’ll find a new blog post waiting for you here.

Study & Continuing Development

I completed CPD training in Hypnotherapy for Menopause Support, and I’m now shaping this into a 6-week programme. The journey will explore:

• Relaxation & Stress Reduction

• Sleep

• Confidence & Identity

• Diet & Nutrition

• Activity & Energy

• Gratitude & Integration

A small beta group will be running toward the end of February - a gentle, supportive space to test the flow of the programme and gather feedback before it’s offered more widely. If you feel drawn to being part of this early group, you’re welcome to Join the Beta Group

Retreat Collaborations

My very first Silent Retreat is coming up in April. I’ve been speaking with the wonderful woman whose home we’ll be using - and who will be nourishing us with her cooking - about the possibility of extending the retreat. The idea is to offer creatives the option to stay on for a few extra days, giving space for companionship, focus, and shared support in their work.

She’s a creative herself and currently writing a book, which is where this idea first sparked. I’d suggested she attend a writers’ retreat, and as we talked, she realised that the spaciousness and quiet of the silent retreat naturally support the expansion, openness, and receptivity needed for creative work.

From there, a new possibility emerged: after the silent retreat, creatives could stay on for a few extra days, using the beauty of her space - and the gentle momentum of the weekend - to support each other with their writing or creative projects.

This extension is still in its early stages, so stay tuned for more details as it unfolds.

What’s Next

Spirit Fayres

This month I will be at two local fayres:

• THAME Psychic & Wellbeing Fayre, The Spread Eagle Hotel, OX9 2BW - Sunday 1st February, 11am - 5pm

• CHALTON Mind, Body & Spirit Fayre, Chalton Village Hall, LU4 9UL - Saturday 7th February, 10am - 4pm

I’ll be sharing my therapeutic and intuitive services, along with a small selection of dragon‑themed items including my handmade crystal beaded dragonfire bracelets and charms.

The Dragon Mother’s Embrace: Ember Circle

The Dragon Mother’s Embrace is a gentle, supportive 9‑week journey designed to help you reconnect with your inner guidance, awaken your energy, and feel held within a small, intimate community.

Here, you’re invited to explore your path at a pace that feels safe and nourishing, while experiencing the quiet magic of shared remembrance and collective support. Each week offers practices and reflections to help you feel calmer, more centred, and more aligned with yourself.

Beginning on the 3rd, this circle will run even if there is only one sign‑up - which means a rare opportunity for what is essentially 1:1 work at a fraction of the usual cost. The group is capped at five participants, so whether it’s one or five, there will be spaciousness, attention, and depth.

Find out more

A Small Reflection

Reading all of this back, I’m struck by how much has unfolded - especially considering how slowly I’ve taken this month. It seems that even in rest, things were quietly rearranging themselves, gathering momentum, and preparing to emerge. Very Knight‑of‑Cups, really.

Thank you for being here for this first edition of Dragonfly Notes & Next. It feels good to begin this way - slowly, honestly, and with a sense of community that grows from the inside out.

Until next month,
Vanessa