The Antlered Acorn

10/16/2025

The Beaver Supermoon in Ta**us: An Invitation to Grounded Transformation on November 5th

On November 5th, the night sky will be illuminated by the Full Moon, traditionally known as the Beaver Moon. But this isn't just any Full Moon; it's a powerful Supermoon—the closest of 2025—and astrologically, it occurs in the steadfast earth sign of Ta**us. This celestial alignment offers a profound opportunity for metaphysical reflection, transformation, and a re-evaluation of what truly provides stability in our lives.

The Full Moon phase always marks a moment of culmination and intense emotional energy. With the sun and moon in direct opposition, this lunar event shines a light on what has been hidden, bringing clarity, revelation, and a powerful push for release. The metaphysical significance of the November 5th Full Moon is a potent blend of its traditional name, its astrological sign, and its 'Supermoon' status.

The Wisdom of the Beaver: Preparation and Creation

The traditional name, the Beaver Moon, comes from Native American traditions, marking the time when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges, having completed their work of building dams and storing food for the long winter ahead.
Metaphysically, the Beaver Moon symbolizes:

* Preparation and Adaptation: Just as the beaver works diligently to prepare for the cold, this Moon urges us to assess our own resources—both physical and emotional—and adapt to the coming season of rest and introspection. It's a cosmic reminder to take stock of where we are before winter's quiet embrace.

* The Architect of Your Life: The beaver is a master builder. This lunar energy encourages us to embody this spirit of the architect and creator. It's a time to look at the "dams" or structures we've built in our lives. Are they serving us, or are they blocking the flow of positive energy?

* Release and Shedding: The preparation for winter often involves releasing what is no longer needed. Use this time to identify emotional baggage, outdated habits, or thought patterns that are simply draining your energy and are ready to be shed.
Astrological Climax: Full Moon in Ta**us
The fact that this Full Moon lands in Ta**us, the sign of the bull, adds a deeply grounded and sensual layer to its meaning. Ta**us is ruled by Venus and is an earth sign focused on security, comfort, physical existence, and material worth. The Full Moon in Ta**us brings these themes to a dramatic peak.

This lunation is an invitation to:

* Re-evaluate Security and Money: Ta**us governs finances and personal resources. The Full Moon can bring a sudden revelation or culmination regarding your relationship with money, stability, and abundance. It challenges deep-seated beliefs about your own worth and can highlight where you need to make practical, grounded changes.

* Break Through Comfort Zones: Ta**us cherishes comfort and can sometimes become resistant to change. This Full Moon, often in opposition to the Sun in transformative Scorpio, can shake us from complacency. It illuminates the attachments and comfort zones—whether they are relationships, jobs, or old habits—that are actively preventing your growth.

* Grounding and Embodiment: Ruled by the Earth element, this Moon is a powerful call to return to your senses and your body. It encourages stillness, presence, and resilience amidst external turbulence. It's a time to connect with the miraculous nature of your earthly existence.

* Transformation of Values: This celestial event is a moment to feel your inner strength and power to create a life aligned with your true values. It is a time for breakthroughs and turning points, where you may feel drawn to make radical changes that revolutionize your reality.

The Supermoon Amplification

Adding to the power of the Beaver Moon in Ta**us is its Supermoon status. A Supermoon occurs when the Full Moon is near its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear slightly larger and significantly brighter than usual.

Metaphysically, this proximity amplifies the lunar energy. The emotional intensity, the clarity, and the drive for culmination are all magnified. This makes any Full Moon rituals or intentions set on November 5th especially potent. It's a powerful moment to:

* Amplify Your Spiritual Work: The intense light of the Supermoon is ideal for charging tools, water, and crystals, and for performing rituals to release negative energy or cut energetic cords.

* Heightened Emotional State: Be mindful that all emotions—good and difficult—will be heightened. The Supermoon calls on us to practice deep self-care and consciously choose inner steadiness and calm.

* A Grand Reveal: The closeness of the Moon means truths and revelations will be brought forward with extra force. Be prepared for clarity and epiphanies, particularly concerning your personal security, values, and sense of self-worth.
The Full Beaver Supermoon in Ta**us on November 5th is a potent crossroads. It merges the themes of grounded stability with a transformative, amplified energy. It is an ideal time to assess the foundations you've built, release the weight that no longer serves your journey, and make bold, practical moves toward a more secure, soulful, and truly valuable future.

10/02/2025

Religious Intolerance in the Rise of Christian Nationalism: A Threat to the Pagan Community

The landscape of religious freedom in America is facing a serious challenge. The rise of Christian nationalism, a political ideology and cultural framework that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, is creating a climate of religious intolerance that poses a direct threat to minority faith groups, including the Pagan community.

What is Christian Nationalism?

Christian nationalism is not merely patriotism or a personal expression of Christian faith. It's a belief system that asserts the United States was founded as a "Christian nation" and should be governed by laws that privilege a certain form of conservative, fundamentalist Christianity.
Political Fusion: It advocates for fusing Christian faith with government and civic life, often eroding the foundational principle of the separation of church and state.

Exclusivity and Supremacy:

This ideology promotes a sense of Christian supremacy, implying that to be a "true" American, one must be Christian—and often, a specific kind of Christian. This naturally casts all religious minorities as outsiders or threats to the nation's identity.

The Impact on Religious Minorities

When a dominant religious identity seeks to merge with national identity, religious freedom for all is endangered. Historically, and in current political rhetoric, this push for an exclusive "Christian nation" has been linked to discrimination and hostility toward those who practice other faiths, including
Anti-Semitism and Anti-Muslim Bigotry.
These groups have long been targets of intolerance fueled by nationalist rhetoric.

The Pagan Community:

Modern Paganism—including Wicca, Heathenry, Druidry, and other Earth-centered or polytheistic traditions—is often explicitly targeted.

Christian nationalist narratives sometimes frame their political opposition in terms of a struggle between "Christianity or Paganism," viewing non-Abrahamic faiths as inherently "godless" or a threat to moral order.

How Christian Nationalism Affects Pagans

The ideological opposition inherent in Christian nationalism translates into real-world challenges for the Pagan community:

Increased Discrimination:

Pagans already face discrimination in various areas, including job security, housing, and military service recognition. The rise of an ideology that labels their faith as fundamentally un-American or even evil provides a justification for increased prejudice and mistreatment.

Public Hostility and Othering:

Christian nationalist rhetoric frequently "others" minority religions. This can manifest as public book burnings, calls to ban or remove books on "witchcraft" or "sorcery" from libraries and schools, and general community retaliation.

Threats to Religious Pluralism:

By seeking to dismantle the wall between church and state, Christian nationalism threatens the very legal framework that protects diverse religious practices. If the state is officially Christian, it's empowered to roll back protections for non-Christian faiths and promote a single religious worldview in the public square.

The Call to Action

The fight against Christian nationalism is a fight for religious freedom for all. It requires a recommitment to the fundamental American principle of pluralism, where people of all faiths—or no faith—can coexist and participate fully in civic life without fear of discrimination or coercion.

📢 We must stand in solidarity!

Speak Out:
Challenge rhetoric that uses faith to justify political exclusion or to demonize any minority religious group.

Support Pluralism:
Champion the separation of church and state as the critical guarantor of religious freedom.

Be Visible:
For members of the Pagan community, visibility and open advocacy remain powerful tools against attempts to marginalize and erase non-dominant faiths.

Religious freedom isn't a privilege granted by a majority; it is an inalienable right for every person. We must remain vigilant to protect it.

03/04/2025

03/20/2024

Upcoming events & offerings

3/30 Palmistry Certification Class
The Gathering Lighthouse Lombard 4:30-7:30 pm
Did you know you have energy centers in the palms of your hands? Learn your energy and begin self-mastery with palmistry! No two palms are the same, each telling a story meant to be shared. We interpret information as we read the palms and, in doing so, reveal long lost truths past, present, or future. We may not have otherwise shared. These are the most important truths as they propel us forward along our healing path with motivation and vibrancy!

https://www.thegatheringlighthouse.org/event-calendar/2023/11/5/unity-circle-l3bw5-z74c3

4/7 Unity Circle
The Gathering Lighthouse Lombard 4:30-6:30 pm
This is for everyone seeking counsel in community, we all have a place in the circle of equanimity. Through teaching and sharing space, energy, and our stories we can connect deeply connect and release to create space. We hold one another energetically honoring every phase. Bringing a great balance mentally, physically, and spiritually.
https://www.thegatheringlighthouse.org/event-calendar/2023/11/5/unity-circle-l3bw5-z74c3

4/13 & 14 Reiki Master Certification
Bent Dog Yoga St. Charles 1-3 pm each day
Reiki energy at the master level invokes a powerful shift in our mindset and lifestyle, which opens us up to our intuitive abilities. The Reiki Master Certification Class is for all students who have Reiki Levels 1 and 2 completed and are looking to further their practice.
https://www.bentdogyoga.com/events

4/20 Sacred Cacao & Sound Bath Ceremony
The Gathering Lighthouse Lombard 7-9 pm
Gather and receive the blessings of Cacao. This is an ancient Ritual to honor our Ancestral lineage and balance our spiritual, physical, and mental energy. Enjoy Cacao which has been sourced with pure intentions and honors Pachamama.
https://www.thegatheringlighthouse.org/event-calendar/2024/2/9/sacred-sound-amp-cacao-ceremony

4/27 Reiki & Restore with Amy Fenske
Good Juju Yoga Westmont 12-2 pm
We warmly invite you to join us for this sacred ceremony, An evening of deep relaxation, rejuvenation, inner exploration, personal healing, insight, and spiritual growth. A supportive and nurturing environment and sacred space for connecting with like-minded souls and fostering community.
https://www.goodjujuyoga.com/event-details/reiki-
Fresh Gaia

03/20/2024

The Unexpected Intersection: How Cancel Culture Can Catalyze Ego Death and Personal Growth

In the tumultuous landscape of modern social discourse, cancel culture has emerged as a powerful force, challenging individuals and institutions to confront their actions and beliefs. While often criticized for its perceived harshness and lack of nuance, cancel culture has the potential to catalyze profound personal transformation, leading individuals towards a state of ego death—a dissolution of the self that can pave the way for authentic growth and introspection.

At its core, cancel culture is a form of social accountability, wherein individuals or entities face public scrutiny and condemnation for behavior deemed offensive or harmful. While the efficacy and ethics of cancel culture are hotly debated, there is no denying its ability to force individuals to confront their egos—the constructs of identity, reputation, and self-worth that often shield us from introspection and accountability.

When faced with the consequences of cancellation, individuals are forced to reckon with the dissonance between their self-image and their actions. This confrontation can trigger a profound existential crisis—a moment of reckoning wherein the ego is stripped bare, leaving behind a raw vulnerability and a sense of disorientation.

In this state of vulnerability, individuals are presented with a choice: cling to the remnants of their ego, or embark on a journey towards ego death—a process of surrendering the attachments and identities that no longer serve them. For many, this journey is fraught with discomfort and uncertainty, as they grapple with feelings of shame, guilt, and remorse. Yet, it is precisely in this discomfort that the seeds of transformation are sown.

As individuals confront the reality of their actions and the impact they have had on others, they are compelled to shed the layers of ego that have kept them insulated from the consequences of their behavior. This process of shedding—of letting go of the need for validation, approval, and self-righteousness—can be deeply humbling, yet profoundly liberating.

In relinquishing the ego-driven desires and attachments that once defined them, individuals open themselves up to a new way of being—a way of being rooted in empathy, compassion, and authenticity. This newfound sense of self is not defined by external validation or societal expectations, but by an innate recognition of our interconnectedness with others and the world around us.

Moreover, the process of ego death can foster a deep sense of empathy towards those who have been harmed or marginalized—a recognition of our shared humanity and the ways in which we are all interconnected. Rather than viewing cancellation as a form of punishment or retribution, individuals can approach it as an opportunity for reflection, growth, and ultimately, redemption.

Of course, the journey towards ego death is not easy, nor is it without its pitfalls. It requires a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, to sit with the discomfort of uncertainty, and to embrace the vulnerability of being truly seen. Yet, for those who are willing to embark on this journey, the rewards are immeasurable—a newfound sense of clarity, purpose, and authenticity that transcends the limitations of the ego.

In conclusion, while cancel culture may be fraught with controversy and debate, it also has the potential to catalyze profound personal transformation. By forcing individuals to confront their egos and the consequences of their actions, cancel culture can pave the way for ego death—a process of surrender and liberation that opens the door to authentic growth, empathy, and connection. Ultimately, it is through this process of introspection and transformation that we can move towards a more just, compassionate, and interconnected society.

07/14/2023

Big week coming up.. out of the loop and into the sacred hoop!

05/15/2023

The Inipi ceremony, also known as a sweat lodge ceremony, is a traditional Native American ritual that has been practiced for centuries. The ceremony involves entering a small, enclosed space, usually made of willow branches and covered with blankets or animal hides, where heated rocks are placed in the center. Water is then poured over the rocks, creating steam and intense heat, which is believed to purify the body and mind.

Many people who participate in the Inipi ceremony report experiencing a profound transformation. The intense heat and steam can be physically challenging, but it is believed to help release toxins from the body and promote healing. At the same time, the ritual is also a deeply spiritual experience that can help people connect with themselves, their community, and the natural world.

One of the most notable effects of the Inipi ceremony is the sense of purification and renewal that participants often report. The heat and steam can help to clear the mind and release emotional and spiritual blockages, allowing people to feel more focused and centered. This sense of purification can be especially powerful for people who are struggling with addiction, trauma, or other emotional challenges.

The Inipi ceremony can also be a powerful way for people to connect with their cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. For Native Americans, the sweat lodge ceremony is a deeply meaningful ritual that has been passed down through generations. Participating in the ceremony can be a way for people to honor their ancestors, connect with their cultural roots, and deepen their sense of identity and belonging.

Finally, the Inipi ceremony can be a powerful way to connect with others. The ritual is often conducted in a group setting, with participants sitting in a circle around the heated rocks. This creates a sense of community and shared experience, which can be incredibly healing for people who are struggling with feelings of isolation or disconnection.

In conclusion, the Inipi ceremony is a powerful and transformative ritual that has been practiced for centuries. Whether you are seeking physical or emotional healing, a deeper spiritual connection, or a sense of community and belonging, the Inipi ceremony can be a powerful way to achieve these goals.

05/05/2023

The Red Dress Movement and MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) Day are two important movements aimed at raising awareness about the crisis of violence against Indigenous women in Canada and the United States.

The Red Dress Movement was started by artist Jaime Black in 2010 as a way to draw attention to the high rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada. The movement involves hanging red dresses in public spaces to symbolize the missing and murdered Indigenous women who have been taken from their families and communities. The red dress has become a powerful symbol of the ongoing crisis of violence against Indigenous women, and has helped to raise awareness of the issue across Canada and beyond.

MMIW Day, which stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Day, is a day of remembrance and action for the many Indigenous women and girls who have been victims of violence in Canada and the United States. The day is observed on May 5th and is an opportunity to honor the lives of those who have been lost, as well as to call for action to address the root causes of violence against Indigenous women.

The crisis of violence against Indigenous women is a complex issue that is rooted in colonialism, racism, and sexism. Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence, and face higher rates of assault, homicide, and sexual violence than non-Indigenous women. The crisis is compounded by the fact that Indigenous women often face systemic barriers when trying to access justice and support services, including racism, discrimination, and a lack of resources.

The Red Dress Movement and MMIW Day are important initiatives that help to raise awareness of the crisis of violence against Indigenous women, and to call for action to address the root causes of the issue. By honoring the lives of those who have been lost, and by working to create a safer and more just society for Indigenous women and girls, we can help to build a better future for all.


I was honored enough to have the creator of the Red Dress Movement sit at our fire at the Midwest soaring harvest pow wow in 2019, and to have the chance to dance with my Sister Laura GrizzlyPaws (the only woman in North America to dance in Grizzly skin) with a red dress to honor our missing and murdered sisters ♥️🎀

05/05/2023

At The Antlered Acorn Healing, our mission is to empower individuals to achieve optimal wellness through shamanic life coaching, reiki treatment, and a supportive brotherhood of men. We believe that true healing occurs when the mind, body, and spirit are in harmony, and we strive to create a safe and nurturing space for our clients to explore their inner selves and connect with their own innate wisdom. With a focus on men's wellness and brotherhood, we seek to foster a sense of community and belonging, where individuals can share their experiences, learn from one another, and grow together. Our goal is to provide transformative experiences that inspire our clients to live their best lives, with authenticity, purpose, and joy.