Stirring the Cauldron- My Journey to Integrated Health

Welcome to The Nurse's Cauldron! Join your host, RN and witch, Leah, as she blends modern healthcare insights with ancient spiritual wisdom. In this introductory episode, Leah shares her unique journey from Methodist roots to embracing witchcraft, and why she's passionate about integrating science and spirit for holistic healing. Plus, discover your first practical "brew": the power of intentional breath. Tune in to stir your soul!

Transcript

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Welcome, beautiful souls, to the Nurse's Cauldron. I'm your host, Leah, and I'm absolutely thrilled you've chosen to join me here at the vibrant crossroads of science and spirit, of healing wisdom and practical magic. Have you ever felt that profound nudge, that deep insistent knowing in your gut, that there's more to healing than just what we see on the surface? More to true care than just a diagnosis or a prescription? As a registered nurse, I've witnessed the incredible life-saving power of modern medicine, but through my personal journey, I've also come to understand and deeply believe in the undeniable impact of the unseen, the intuitive, and the spiritual on our overall well-being. And that beautiful, potent intersection is precisely what we're going to explore together in this cauldron. So, who am I, and why exactly am I stirring this particular unique brew? My name is Leah and by profession, I am a registered nurse. My journey has been wonderfully varied, a true tapestry woven through many different aspects of human experience and vulnerability. Before I was a nurse, I worked in, did receptionist work, medical billing, worked with mental health, MAP patients. And then just from interacting with other patients and other healthcare professionals, it really gave me the drive to go back to school and become a nurse. And here we are today. So I've spent time with the incredible resilience of oncology patients, witnessing their raw courage and their profound spiritual questions in the face of life's Probably life's most challenging diagnosis. I've navigated the complexities of mental health clinics, holding space for individuals grappling with their inner demons, and finding pathways to stability and hope. And my experience with substance abuse patients has shown me the deep wounds of addiction and the incredible strength it takes to seek recovery. Recently, so currently I work as an oral surgery nurse. So it's very precision focused where the physical body's immediate needs are paramount. And then I've also provided foundational holistic care in primary care settings, seeing the cumulative effects of everyday life on health. Each of these roles has taught me invaluable lessons about the human body, the intricate workings of the mind and the indomitable spirit that dwells within us all. Through all these experiences, a consistent truth emerged for me. My heart, it always, always returns to mental health. It's the core of everything else. It's why I'm currently back in school, passionately working towards becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner or a PMHNP. I truly believe that deep, sustainable healing starts from within, that our mental and emotional well-being isn't just part of health, it's the bedrock, the very foundation upon which all other health rests. Now, running parallel to that professional path is my spiritual journey. I grew up in a Methodist-centered family, and while there was certainly goodness there, a sense of community and ethical teachings, it never quite resonated with my soul. There was always a quiet yearning, a part of me seeking something more, something ancient, something that felt deeply connected to the earth, to intuition, to the cycles of nature, and to a direct personal experience of the divine. That seeking, that deep spiritual curiosity eventually led me to my path as a pagan witch. And when I say witch, I mean someone who works with energy, who connects to the cycles of nature, and who believes in the inherent power within themselves and the world around them, and who also uses intention to create positive change. My practice is wonderfully, beautifully eclectic. This means I don't adhere to a single dogma or tradition. I'm drawn to various paths, from folk magic to ceremonial practices, from ancestral veneration to modern paganism. Always learning, always integrating new knowledge, always finding what truly resonates with my spirit and my soul. My cauldron is always open to new ingredients, new perspectives, and new insights. I found a profound and empowering connection with what some might call the darker feminine deities. Figures like Hecate, the wise goddess of the crossroads, intuition, and liminal spaces. Kali, the fierce liberator who destroys illusions to bring about radical transformation. And Lilith, the sovereign, unapologetic embodiment of independence and self-worth. They have appeared in my life at different times, often during moments of challenge or necessary change, guiding me, confronting me, and empowering me in ways I never anticipated. They've taught me about the power I found in facing our own shadows and embracing our whole authentic selves beyond societal expectations. And of course, my heart remains open to any other deities, spirits, or archetypes who wish to work with me as I continue to learn and grow. So, what truly happens when you combine the clinical precision, evidence-based knowledge, and compassionate care of a registered nurse with the intuitive wisdom, energetic awareness, and ancient practices of an eclectic pagan witch? You get the nurse's cauldron. This podcast is born from my unwavering belief that our well-being isn't just about what a lab result says or what a textbook prescribes or even what a particular diagnosis dictates. It's about nurturing our whole selves, our physical body, our mental state, our emotional landscape, and our spiritual connection. Now, let me be very clear. We are not throwing out modern medicine here. Absolutely not. My nursing background is foundational. It provides us with a framework of evidence, a commitment to safety, and a deep understanding of the human body's intricate systems. But what happens when we add to that strong foundation the potent ingredients of intuition, ancient wisdom, energetic understanding, and intentional, mindful living? That's where the magic truly happens. That's where holistic, sustainable, and profound healing blossoms. It's about empowering you to take charge of your well-being in a way that respects both your physical vessel and your spiritual essence. For our very first practical stir in the nurse's cauldron, I want to share a simple yet incredibly powerful practice that perfectly bridges both my nursing and witchy worlds. Intentional breath. This isn't just about breathing, it's about conscious breath infused with purpose. As a nurse, I've seen firsthand how vital signs like respiration rate react immediately to stress, anxiety, and pain. Deep, slow, diaphragmatic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, our crucial rest and digest mode, literally calming the body from a physiological level. It optimizes oxygenation, helps reduce the stress hormone cortisol, can even gently lower heart rate and blood pressure. It's a foundational evidence-based tool for managing acute stress, promoting relaxation, and aiding recovery in any clinical or personal setting. From a spiritual perspective, breath is life force itself. It's prana. It's spirit. It's the very essence of being. It's the most accessible form of energy work. Intentional breath is how we draw vital energy in, cleanse stagnant energy out, and consciously set intentions. It connects us instantly to the universal flow. In many magical traditions, breath is used to raise energy for spell work, to focus intent before ritual, or to ground ourselves deeply. It literally breathes life into our desires and our spiritual practices. So your first practical brew from this cauldron is this. Find a quiet moment. Even just two minutes can make a difference. Settle in. You can be sitting comfortably or lying down. Gently close your eyes if that feels safe for you. Now place one hand on your belly. Feel it rise and fall. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for a count of four. Feel your belly expand fully like a balloon. Now hold that breath gently for a count of four. Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth for a count of six. While doing this, feel your belly soften and release all the air. And repeat this cycle three to five times. As you breathe, set a simple intention. Maybe it's just, I am calm, or I am present, or I am open to healing. Feel the tension releasing with each exhale. Notice how the simple, conscious act of intentional breath can instantly shift your state, calm your nervous system, and simultaneously ground you firmly in your body while opening you to something deeper within your spirit. That's the accessible, profound power of the cauldron in action. I'm so incredibly excited to share this unique journey with you, my fellow seekers of wholeness. In the nurse's cauldron, we're going to dive into topics that inform, empower, and deeply inspire. We'll explore everything from safe and intentional essential oil blending from a nurse's perspective, to integrating ritual into daily self-care, to understanding the shadow for profound personal growth, and so much more. My hope is that this podcast becomes a welcoming space where you feel understood, where your curiosity about holistic health and spiritual practices is celebrated, and where you find practical, actionable tools to nurture your whole authentic self. This is a community for those who know that true healing involves more than just the physical, for those who seek wisdom in both science and spirit, and for anyone ready to stir up a more vibrant, balanced, and empowered life. I truly believe that by combining these powerful perspectives, we can unlock new levels of well-being and live more intentionally. I do also have an Etsy shop, the Owl Witch Shop. I sell ritual oil blends, mixed teas... bath salts for rituals. So if you want to check that out, it's the Owl Witch Shop on Etsy. Go ahead and take a look if you're interested. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this first episode and what you're hoping to explore in future episodes of The Nurse's Cauldron. You can connect with me on social media. On Instagram, it's just The Nurse's Cauldron. Pretty new on there, so just give me a Give me a follow if you're wanting to connect with me or anything like that. And then next time, we'll be stirring up insights on energetic boundaries, protecting your peace as a giver, a topic that is absolutely crucial for nurses, empaths, and anyone who pours their energy into others. You don't want to miss it. Thank you for watching.