Today we journey along the banks of the Rhine River, a mythic waterway that has carried stories, merchants, crusaders… and mystery for centuries. From this sacred soil flowed Hildegard of Bingen—born in September 1098, fierce, fertile, and destined to move with purpose.
Hildegard was the tenth child of noble parents and, as such, was given to the Church as a spiritual offering. At just eight years old, she was enclosed within the walls of Disibodenberg monastery—sealed in, cloistered from the world, surrounded by silence and stone.
For nearly 30 years, she listened, watched, and waited. In that hidden life, Hildegard learned the healing powers of plants and gems, nurtured her visions, and prepared herself for a world that was not yet ready to hear her.
Remarkably, she did not begin to write her visionary texts, compose music, or speak publicly until her 40s—an age when most people of the 12th century had already passed. Emerging from decades of quiet preparation, Hildegard became a healer, composer, theologian, and spiritual leader. She founded her own abbey, preached publicly with the Pope’s blessing, and became a voice of the Divine in a world that expected women to stay silent.
Hildegard’s story is not just history—it is a metaphor for midlife awakening. It reminds us that silence does not equal absence, that hidden years can be potent incubation, and that emerging into one’s voice is a transformative act of sovereignty.
In this episode, we explore Hildegard as both a historical figure and an archetype for modern women navigating the passage from silence to sovereignty. We’ll discuss her teachings, her use of herbs and music, and the ways her wisdom continues to guide creative and healing journeys today.
Our guest is Georgina Langdale, artist, healer, and herbalist, who walks between worlds much like Hildegard herself.
Georgina’s Website: https://archeus.nz
FB + Instagram: @Archeusnaturalliving
Podcast: The Soul Garden
Art: @Georginalangdaleart

Join us as we journey into the heart of Australia’s landscape—its scent, its medicine, its memory—through the lens of flower essences. Our guest is Ian White, founder of Australian Bush Flower Essences, whose work has helped countless people connect with the healing wisdom of native plants.

If you’ve ever wondered why a walk in the bush can shift your mood, or why a single flower can feel like a key in moments of stress, grief, or transition—this conversation is for you. Ian has spent decades observing the shapes, timings, and habitats of native flowers and translating their patterns into remedies that support emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

Flower essences don’t force; they invite, gently nudging us back toward balance. In this episode, we explore:

• How Ian first felt called to work with native flowers

• The Doctrine of Signatures—a language of colour, geometry, and resilience

• Practical uses for essences that support communication, confidence, and authentic expression

• Ways these remedies empower both children and adults
• Stories from the field: moments of calm, breakthroughs, and emotional release

• For newcomers: flower essences are infusions of water in relationship with a flower’s energy, taken as drops under the tongue. Subtle, non-toxic, and surprisingly catalytic, they’re like emotional hygiene for a noisy age.

  Make yourself a tea, breathe, and let the bush whisper.

  About Ian White

  Ian is a fifth-generation Australian herbalist with over 45 years’ experience as a naturopath. Founder of Australian Bush Flower Essences, he has developed 71 Bush Essences, authored five books, and runs workshops in over 30 countries, sharing the healing wisdom of Australian plants worldwide.

  Learn more: ausflowers.com.au

Rudolph Steiner is quoted as saying - "For every human illness, somewhere in the world there exists a plant which is the cure.”

Plants have been human’s companion since the beginning of time - providing us with everything we need to survive and thrive.

Yet in today’s modern world of instant gratification, processed food devoid of a life force, screens everywhere, all the time, all at once, and a focus on wealth, youth and beauty - many of us are feeling a deep disconnect, not just from others, but often without realising it - from nature and from ourselves.

In this time of mass confusion and disillusionment, we need great teachers who can help reconnect us to our spiritual nature and reignite inside each of us the love and compassion we once had for all of our brothers and sisters of the Earth, whether they have 2 legs, 4 or 100, feathers or scales, fins or wings. This in fact, is the first Natural Law.

So it’s little wonder then that in the search for meaning, and answers to the big questions in life, that some of the most respected and revered plants have crept into the western zeitgeist as a means to reconnect us with our spirituality. There are even certain plants that are considered “power plants” - plants with super powers for healing, as well as opening spiritual portals. You’ll often hear these power plants called “master teachers” or “teacher plants”, and are considered to be spiritual healers, as well as doctors of the flesh.

But at what cost to the plants?

So, when did we start to get high? And why?

Archaeological evidence indicates that the use of medicinal plants dates back to the Paleolithic age, approximately 60,000 years ago.

Today we’re going to be talking about the 4 most popular Plant medicines in the 21st century - Ayahuasca, Peyote, San Pedro and Psilocybin.

My Guest

Kerry Henwood is my guest today. Kerry has studied extensively with numerous Shamans and Yogis around the world.

She is an internationally recognized intuitive healer, Author, inspirational speaker and teacher.

Kerry uses ancient indigenous techniques to foster healing of modern minds and spirits. In her Shamanic work, she draws particularly on the spiritual healing traditions of Peru, which resonate strongly with her soul and have proven highly effective with her clients.

www.shamanicgrace.com

www.soulsoundscape.com.au