Darkness and Light with Wendy Rule

Hello friends, and welcome to Episode 3 of Darkness and Light. In this episode, we turn to the solar cycle of the Wheel of the Year, exploring the festivals of Beltaine and Samhain.These two festivals sit opposite each other on the wheel, yet are deeply connected. Through them, we explore the relationship between life and death, creation and release, and how these energies are always present together in the living world. I share some of the structure of the Wheel of the Year, reflect on my personal experiences of these seasons across different lands, and explore the myth of Persephone as a guide to this cycle of transformation.I hope you enjoy the show.Blessings,WendyIN THIS EPISODE WE EXPLORE:• the Wheel of the Year and the solar cycle• Beltaine and Samhain as opposite, connected festivals• life and death as one continuous cycle• the Taurus–Scorpio polarity• the myth of Persephone and the Underworld• aligning with the seasons in your local landscape• personal experiences across Northern and Southern hemispheres• Beltaine traditions: fire, fertility, creativity• Samhain traditions: ancestors and the Beloved Dead• a short meditation• a tarot reflection on the Two of WandsPATREONAs always, this podcast is supported by my wonderful Patreon community, which allows me to keep the show free from ads. For about the cost of a cup of coffee each month, you can access weekly Magic Monday videos (tarot, music, Magic) and monthly Full Moon Meditations. Check out my Patreon page here:👉PATREON  www.patreon.com/wendyruleMUSIC IN THIS EPISODEThe music in this episode (including intro and outro) is a selection from my ambient album Darkness and Light. This is a double album, with the first half having trance meditations over ambient soundscapes, and the second half having those same soundscapes, without any words. (This  instrumental version is the one you hear in the podcast)  You can find it here: LISTEN AND PURCHASE ON BANDCAMPOTHER SONGS FOR THIS SEASONHere are a few songs of mine that resonate with the themes of Beltaine, Samhain, and the life–death–life cycle:• Continental Isolation• Beltane• Dissolve • All Life Flows Into The Great Mother• Pomegranate• Full Moon in ScorpioEXPLORE MORE:WENDY'S WEBSITEJOIN WENDY'S PATREON COMMUNITYWENDY'S MUSIC ON BANDCAMPAUDIO PRODUCTION by Timothy Van Diest at Meadowlark Studios

DARKNESS AND LIGHT – EPISODE 2OUR LADY MOON: CONSTANCY AND CHANGEHello friends, and welcome to Episode 2 of Darkness and Light. In this episode, we tune in to the cycles of the Moon. We explore the way she moves through her phases, the different energies of the Moon and the Sun, and why learning to work consciously with the Moon can bring so much balance, clarity, and depth into our lives.The Moon’s cycles have long been a powerful anchor in my spiritual practice. I’ve learnt that by tuning in to her rhythms, we can bring balance, clarity, and flow into our lives. I share a little of the science behind her phases, how she influences life on Earth, and the many ways humans across history have honoured and mythologised her. I also reflect on my personal relationship with the Moon as 'Lady Moon', and how her constant cycle reminds me that change can be trusted. I hope you enjoy the show. Blessings,WendyIn this episode we explore:• the third quarter Moon and waning energy• observation as ritual and noticing Magic in nature• the Sun and Moon as equal luminaries with different light• why they appear the same size and how eclipses happen• the Moon’s pull on tides and life on Earth• the Moon as witness to human history and myth• my relationship with the Moon as Goddess• the Moon as a shared rhythm connecting us globally• a short meditation• a tarot reflection on the Three of Swords• a waning Moon fire spell for releasing what no longer servesPATREONAs always, this podcast is supported by my wonderful Patreon community, which allows me to keep the show free from ads. For about the cost of a cup of coffee each month, you can access weekly Magic Monday videos (tarot, music, Magic) and monthly Full Moon Magic concerts. Check out my Patreon page here: HELPFUL LINKSLUNAR PHASES VIDEOAs mentioned in this episode, here is a video I made years ago explaining the mechanisms of the Moon’s phases: Watch on YouTubeMUSIC IN THIS EPISODEThe music in this episode (including intro and outro) is a selection from my ambient album Darkness and Light. You can find it here: LISTEN ON BANDCAMP.OTHER ‘MOON SONGS’ I’VE WRITTENI’ve written and recorded many songs about our Lady Moon. Here are links to a few:• Hail to the Moon• Deity• My Sister the Moon• Pale MoonEXPLORE MORE:WENDY'S WEBSITEJOIN WENDY'S PATREON COMMUNITYWENDY'S MUSIC ON BANDCAMPAUDIO PRODUCTION by Timothy Van Diest at Meadowlark Studios

Welcome to the very first episode of Darkness and Light.In this opening episode I introduce the core idea behind the podcast: that darkness and light are not opposites in conflict, but partners in the great cycles of Nature. Together we explore how the rhythms of the Moon, the Sun, and the seasons can help guide our lives, and how mythic stories can deepen our relationship with the living world.In this episode we explore:• nature’s cycles of darkness and light• our own cycles of darkness and light• the dance of the Moon, Sun, and seasons• living between hemispheres and feeling the Earth’s rhythms• nature as an interconnected web• reclaiming the gifts of darkness and light• myth as a map for descent, renewal, and belonging• working with Greek myth for reflection and growth• a short meditation to arrive in the present moment• Tarot as guidance rather than prediction• this episode’s card: The Page of PentaclesDarkness and Light is an ad-free podcast supported by listeners.If you’d like to help sustain the show, you can join my Patreon community for about the cost of a cup of coffee each month. You’ll find the link below.Join my Patreon CommunityMusic featured in this episode:Selections from my album Darkness and LightEXPLORE MORE:WENDY'S WEBSITEJOIN WENDY'S PATREON COMMUNITYWENDY'S MUSIC ON BANDCAMPAUDIO PRODUCTION by Timothy Van Diest at Meadowlark Studios

Hello friends, and welcome to Darkness and Light, a podcast about myth, Magic, and nature, with me, your host, Wendy Rule.We’ll be following the cycles of the Moon and the turning of the seasons — in both hemispheres. We’ll explore how mythology and ancient stories can help us make sense of our own cycles of change. We’ll experience together what it is to be human on this Earth, in relationship with the rhythms of nature and the ever-changing dance of darkness and light.I’ll be releasing a new episode every two weeks, starting Thursday, March 26th.Subscribe now to be notified when the first episode goes live — and I’ll see you back here then.Blessed Be, Wendy www.wendrule.comEXPLORE MORE:WENDY'S WEBSITEJOIN WENDY'S PATREON COMMUNITYWENDY'S MUSIC ON BANDCAMPAUDIO PRODUCTION by Timothy Van Diest at Meadowlark Studios