Welcome to The Cauldron Chronicles, a written-based podcast where we evoke Cerridwen’s magickal cauldron of inspiration and transformation. Here, we blend wisdom, stories, and sacred practices to guide you on your journey of self-discovery and growth. Together, let’s stir the cauldron and see what truths rise to the surface.
For the last couple of years I've been getting my nails done every 2-3 weeks by a very sweet young woman at a very quiet nail salon. It's the perfect salon for an introvert like me. There are almost never any other people there when I am, my nail tech never speaks to me - except for, "Hello, how are you today?" and "Thank you, have a good day." or, "What color?" . Other than that, it is complete silence...even when she's actually trying to communicate something to me. For example, she will frequently seem to need my hand repositioned while she's working on my nails but, rather than telling me what she needs, she taps my hand. I. Have. No. I. Dea. What. This. Means. This has been a continued behavior this entire time and we are getting nowhere. What I've begun to notice after two or three years now, is that this ineffective communication combined with the dead silence and activity of the salon has been giving me a shit ton of anxiety that just seems to be increasing with every appointment and leaves me feeling completely drained and worn out. Something needs to change. I should enjoy getting my nails done!
Then the nudge came. "You need to work on connecting with others." Spirit was right. I chose my current nail salon and stuck with it because it catered to my introversion and ALLOWED me to remain in my shell. A shell I was being encouraged to grow out of. "Make an appointment at Pinkies N Toes." What!? That place NEVER has availability. Their books are always full for months and sometimes a whole year. I'll especially never get in for both my nails and my pedicure. I may have to just skip the pedicure this time. "Make an appointment at Pinkies N Toes." Fine. So I went online and used their text feature - I am still an introvert! - and I asked for an appointment for both my manicure and pedicure. I didn't concern myself with who, I just let the Universe take the reigns. When the owner replied, she offered one date and time and it wasn't a time that would have worked for me. I checked my calendar and saw a perfect day and time that would work for me. "Ask for it." So I asked for it. To my surprise, it was available AND I was able to get both my pedicure and manicure. What!?
Over the next couple of weeks, I focused my mindset on how excited I was for this opportunity rather than the usual dread I'd been experiencing over the last few years. Because everyone at this salon speaks fluent English, this place is never without the buzz of conversation and laughter. It was the perfect place to begin strengthening my connection skills and answering the guidance I had been given. Hopefully it hadn't changed.
As I arrived for my appointment, they were just as bright and lively as I had remembered them all to be. I had friendly and fun conversation with the person that did my pedicure, and just as friendly and lighthearted chit chat with the person that did my manicure. In fact, while she was doing my nails I decided to ask her if my getting the appointment I got was out of the ordinary as I remember them to have rather full books. She simply said, "Yes. It's very rare anyone can get in so quickly and especially for two services. I don't know how you got it." Thank you angels! I knew I was in the right place and that this opportunity had been arranged for me.
If you're reading this right now and you are an introvert, you might be wondering why this even matters! Why can't we just be introverts and avoid connections with others as some of us do? I'll tell you why. You simply cannot fulfill your purpose in this lifetime without connecting with others in some way shape or form. We are all part of the collective, the whole of life. We are here to contribute our unique gifts into the world as only we can. For me, connecting with others right now looks like changing nail salons and initiating conversation with the nail techs, or offering eye contact and a bright, genuine smile to strangers in passing rather than looking down or away, or being fully present in interactions such as with the cashier during checkout at the grocery store. For you it might be about publishing a book you wrote, finally deciding to sell your artwork, taking a role at work where you interact more with customers or clients, or simply beginning to say hi to your neighbors.
My purpose - as is so through this written podcast - is to impact others in a way that encourages and inspires them to seek their own growth, expansion, authenticity, and wholeness. I can't do that without connecting with you and, as an introvert, that is why this written podcast is so perfect for me and hopefully for you too. I get to sit behind my computer and write - one of my favorite things to do - but not without being completely vulnerable. In this way, I hope to connect with you. If you'd like to connect back, be sure to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts about this episode.
Before we wrap up this episode, I'd like to leave you with a few questions to contemplate as a tool for checking in on how you connect with others.
In what ways do I avoid or welcome connection with others?
Which mediums of connecting with others are worst or best for me?
What is my purpose and how does connecting with others factor into my ability to fulfill that purpose?
Last, and most importantly, what is one way I can immediately begin practicing connecting more with others?
That about wraps us up for this episode of The Cauldron Chronicles. Remember, every step into self-awareness is a step toward wholeness into your highest, most magickal self. Leave a comment and share your questions or thoughts!
Until next week! Blessed be!
What is mediums ? Good story 💜