August 2025 ~ Full Moon

 
 

There's havoc in the world.
Havoc close to home, and far away.
Fires, storms, war, war, outrage and heartbreak.

*Aftermath from Storm Floris, Monday 4 August

There's also beauty in the world, and gratitude in my heart, especially for the people I encounter who help me to clarify what I think, feel, how I behave, and where I want to place my energy and focus.
Who are the people you turn to when you feel muddled and/or conflicted?

I write these newsletters to stay in relationship with you, people who've danced with me, or are yet to but hope to, and promote my offerings. As a senior teacher in my field, I also recognise the position of power and influence I have, which is not taken lightly. Each month, I communicate articles and messages that promote the values I aspire to, and I imagine those values are what draw you to work with me and stay on my mailing list. 

I was recently in London, listening to Rabbi Howard Cooper give his sermon (in addition to being a Rabbi, he's also a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and has been a hugely influential presence in my life). He spoke about not being free of the moral burden of responsibility.  If you'd like to read his blog from 26 July, titled 'A Place In The Sun', click here.
That sermon, alongside other courageous voices, has contributed to what I've shared here today. 

I specifically would like to appreciate and draw your attention to Susannah and Ya'Acov Darling Khan (creators of Movement Medicine), long-time colleagues and dear people, for their courage and clarity in a recent post sharing a statement by Combatants for Peace:

"As a binational movement of Palestinians and Israelis committed to nonviolence and equality, Combatants for Peace issues this urgent statement in light of the deepening humanitarian and political crisis across Gaza and the West Bank:
In response to the continued policy of starvation in Gaza and the accelerating ethnic cleansing of Palestinian communities in the West Bank, we are compelled to speak clearly: this is genocide - and it must be stopped."
The full post can be read here.

My being said, "YES, thank you for putting into words what I have struggled to". 

Whilst the political machinations continue, donating is one way to support people actively helping to administer and effect change in the human tragedy of what's taking place in the Middle East.

I invite you to join me by supporting the work of Combatants for Peace and UNICEF Appeal for Children in Gaza by donating here:
https://www.cfpeace.org/donate
https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/children-in-gaza-crisis-appeal
Thank you.

And…..

Also on the subject of gratitude, last weekend we held our second festival here in the Findhorn Ecovillage Community, celebrating the Celtic Harvest festival of Lughnasadh/Lammas.

Since last year, the Universal Hall (many of you reading this newsletter have danced in the Hall, or I hope you have the opportunity to) came into Community ownership under Ecovillage Findhorn Community Benefit Society (EF CBS), which is very exciting. Previously, it was owned and subsidised by the Findhorn Foundation. We now understand that for various reasons, the Hall is making a significant loss each month. Whilst measures are being taken to address this, in the short (and long term) I am committed to fundraising for this spectacular building where I have taught for more than 30 years. 

There are links below to 2 very different soundscapes from offerings I gave last Saturday. If you enjoy listening to them, please consider making a donation to EF CBS here: 
https://www.ecovillagefindhorn.uk/donate

Mixcloud Soundscapes

 

The August newsletter also includes an abundance of offerings:

 

You can view the rest of my August full moon newsletter here.

 
 
NEWSLETTERBeth McDougallVital Moves