Every person we encounter carries a unique kind of medicine—a blend of experiences, wisdom, and perspectives that, when shared, can awaken us to parts of ourselves we never knew existed. The beauty of human connection is that it challenges us to grow, often in ways we don’t expect. To embrace this, however, requires trust: trust in the inherent innocence of others, trust in the transformative power of relationships, and trust in the unfolding of our own awakening.

When people talk about spirituality or personal growth, they often frame the ego as "the enemy"—something to overcome, suppress, or transcend. The ego is blamed for all sorts of suffering: greed, jealousy, insecurity, and the illusion of separateness. But what if the ego isn’t something to fight against? What if it’s a partner in our journey, a necessary part of what makes us human?

There’s a moment in every self-growth journey when you realize that what you’ve been searching for externally has always existed within you. It’s a bittersweet awakening—liberating yet humbling. For me, this moment came with the understanding that love, worth, and fulfillment are not things we find in others but truths we uncover within ourselves.

During this fall season, I've been reflecting deeply on my ancestry and the unbroken connection I feel with the spirits of my family. This connection, which has always simmered beneath the surface, has grown profoundly since we moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains in May. This place, with its ancient, undulating peaks, feels like a catalyst for ancestral growth, as if the land itself is helping me reconnect to my roots.

Poison doesn’t always come from external sources—it’s often what we allow to seep into our bodies, minds, and spirits. When we overindulge in food, expose ourselves to harmful chemicals, or depend on substances that cloud our thinking, we create imbalances that can affect every part of our lives. Similarly, when we cling to toxic emotions like fear, envy, or resentment, we poison our ability to experience joy, connection, and clarity.

Letting go is one of the most loving acts we can offer ourselves. Each time we release an old pattern or belief, we make space for our truest, purest selves to emerge, free from the weight of past fears and insecurities. But release isn’t always easy; it requires intention, courage, and patience. For those on a journey of self-discovery, rituals can serve as powerful tools for letting go, helping us to shed what feels heavy and lift up what brings lightness.

My journey began unexpectedly. After Hurricane Helene, I found a small vireo, tragically electrocuted, lying there as though it had arrived in my life with purpose. I felt compelled to keep it, yet a deeper call whispered that I needed to release it. On Samhain night, during a fire-walking ceremony, I let the bird go to the flames in a cauldron, adding a smokey quartz crystal—a grounding stone meant to hold and transform energy. Remarkably, the smokey quartz changed to clear quartz, as though mirroring my journey from holding onto the past to embracing clarity and freedom. It felt like a cleansing for both the bird’s spirit and my own.

Control. It’s something we’ve all experienced, something we’ve all craved. We try to control our environment, other people, and even ourselves to create some semblance of stability in an ever-changing world. But in reality, control is an illusion—a comforting one that allows us to avoid accountability or justify our behaviors, actions, or inactions.

Emotions—those fleeting, intangible experiences—are often seen as nuisances to be controlled or avoided. Yet, if we pause long enough to listen, they can become profound teachers, guiding us through our most intricate layers of self. Over the past ten weeks, I’ve come to appreciate just how much emotions, when welcomed rather than shunned, can reveal about who we are and where we’re meant to grow.

I recently learned about my Human Design, and let’s be honest—I hated it at first. Finding out I’m a Projector felt like I’d been doing my whole life wrong. According to this system, Projectors are meant to “wait for the invitation” before stepping in, guiding, or initiating anything. But I’ve spent most of my life doing the opposite.

For the longest time, I saw boundaries as a set of rules I needed to impose on others—a way to protect myself from harm by dictating how people should treat me. But through my personal journey, I’ve come to realize that boundaries are much more personal and nuanced. They aren’t about controlling how others behave; they’re about how I can show up for myself in any situation, regardless of how others act.

We all experience moments in life that challenge our sense of self, push us to confront uncomfortable truths, and ultimately inspire us to grow. The journey of personal transformation is not always easy, but it’s a path worth walking because true growth starts from within. Through my own experiences, I’ve come to understand that the process of evolving—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually—requires introspection, honesty, and the willingness to let go of what no longer serves us.

Welcome to Awakening Wolf-Rayet 104, a space where cosmic metaphors and earthly truths collide. This blog is a glimpse into my ongoing journey of discovery, unlearning, and embracing who I am. If you’re wondering about the name, WR 104 is a star system going through some pretty intense transformation—and, well, that felt oddly relatable.