Nettle has an immense presence in folk tales from all around the world, many of which contain themes of the feminine domestic magic, such as weaving, tending the home, cooking. Nettle is a symbol across these cultures for inner strength, healing and protection.
When we hear the word aphrodisiac, most of us immediately think of sex. Desire. Libido. Valentine’s Day clichés wrapped in red and pink. But herbal aphrodisiacs offer something far more expansive than that. They invite us into deeper relationship with our bodies, our hearts, and the living world around us.
In this episode of The Dancing Willow, I sat down with my longtime friend and skilled bodyworker Cara Sheahan of Gold Pine Wellness for a deeply nourishing conversation about abdominal massage, womb-centered care, and the quiet power of gentle, intentional touch. Cara is one of those people whose presence alone feels grounding, and her approach to bodywork reflects that same reverence for the body’s innate intelligence.
As the calendar turns and a new year approaches, many of us feel the pull to reflect, release, and begin again. Yet modern New Year’s traditions often move quickly, focused on goals, resolutions, and self-improvement, without giving us space to truly mark the threshold we’re crossing.
