Navigating life in this chaotic world can be tricky, but I'm finding that the wisdom of a Renaissance physican and philosopher, and self-proclaimed 'Soul Doctor' is helping.Nature, cosmos, music, art and dance are all things that can help us live in a way that cares for the soul.Marsilio Ficino and his ideas became the focus for the Pecha Kucha talk I did as part of the 2025 Hawke's Bay Arts Festival on Tuesday 14 October. I've had a number of requests for recording sof it, and so I have made a recording here for this episode of the Soul Garden.If you are interested in my coaching, workshops and products check them out at Archeus.nz and GeorginaLangdale.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

This interview is an oldie but a goodie.A couple of years back, I managed to get some time in Dr. Samantha Newman's schedule to talk to her about hormonal changes that occur as we go through menopause. It was a good discussion and a valuable resource for women wondering if HRT might be right for them, so I’ve reissued it here on my new Midlife Living podcast.Sam Newman is not only a GP, she is a women's health export and has her own private practice, FEMALEGP, where she sees women in person, or online (I have to say this whole new online way of delivering medicine has a real place in today's healthcare). She's passionate about making a difference for women and to really giving time and space to hear about and help with their health issues.Menopause is a strange time and what we may think is normal, is not normal, and also, Sam makes us question what we are prepared to accept as the new normal and offers ways to help.Sam reminds us that our hormones have many and varied roles, from periods, to brain function, to inflammation reduction, you name it, there's a hormone in the mix there somewhere.If you are looking for information about hormonal changes and some of the things we can do to manage them, then make a cuppa and have a listen.And here are some links for you.Until next time,Georgina xxSam's private practice is called FEMALE GP and can be found here:NatFem Botanics is a range of natural and organic products for menopause and beyond, including including products for vaginal dryness. You can find the range here and we ship internationallyThe book Sam mentioned is The Vagina Bible: Vulva and Vagina - Separating the Myth From the Medicine, by Jennifer Gunter.Other links:Continence New ZealandDermNetISSVD The International Society for the Study of Vulvalvaginal Disease: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

This interview is an oldie but a goodie. A couple of years back, I managed to get some time in Dr. Samantha Newman's schedule to talk to her about hormonal changes that occur as we go through menopause. It was a good discussion and a valuable resource for women wondering if HRT might be right for them, so I’ve reissued it here on my new Midlife Living podcast. Sam Newman is not only a GP, she is a women's health export and has her own private practice, FEMALEGP, where she sees women in person, or online (I have to say this whole new online way of delivering medicine has a real place in today's healthcare). She's passionate about making a difference for women and to really giving time and space to hear about and help with their health issues. Menopause is a strange time and what we may think is normal, is not normal, and also, Sam makes us question what we are prepared to accept as the new normal and offers ways to help. Sam reminds us that our hormones have many and varied roles, from periods, to brain function, to inflammation reduction, you name it, there's a hormone in the mix there somewhere. If you are looking for information about hormonal changes and some of the things we can do to manage them, then make a cuppa and have a listen. And here are some links for you. Until next time, Georgina xx Sam's private practice is called FEMALE GP and can be found here: NatFem Botanics is a range of natural and organic products for menopause and beyond, including including products for vaginal dryness. You can find the range here and we ship internationally The book Sam mentioned is The Vagina Bible: Vulva and Vagina - Separating the Myth From the Medicine, by Jennifer Gunter. Other links: Continence New Zealand DermNet ISSVD The International Society for the Study of Vulvalvaginal Disease:

When someone we love is dying, we want to do all we can for them. We want to care for them in the best way we can. But often we feel inadequate, unsure, and scared that we ‘won’t do it right’. The reality is that things are never going to be perfect, and whatever you will have done, you will have done the best you can. You will have.A few days ago, someone asked me what advice I would give to someone who was about to lose someone. Here are ten suggestions I have based on my own experiences of being with people at the end of life.My book:  50 Things to Help when Life Changes can be found on my website and on AmazonYou can find out more about my offerings at archeus.nz This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

When someone we love is dying, we want to do all we can for them. We want to care for them in the best way we can. But often we feel inadequate, unsure, and scared that we ‘won’t do it right’. The reality is that things are never going to be perfect, and whatever you will have done, you will have done the best you can. You will have. A few days ago, someone asked me what advice I would give to someone who was about to lose someone. Here are ten suggestions I have based on my own experiences of being with people at the end of life.

What I've got for you in this episode of The Soul Garden: conversations for Midlife Living, is a guided meditation that I have recorded and called Vessel of Peace.I wrote and recorded this meditation for a client, but after listening to it she suggested Ishare it with others. So like a stone dropped into water, my hope is its medicine will ripple out to others too.This is a meditation for those times that we need a bit of healing. Maybe we’ve gone through a medical intervention. Maybe we have had a relationship change, a loss. Maybe we are just feeling lost ourselves and need something to help us regain our equilibrium. My hope is that this meditation is for any midlife woman who may be feeling any of these things. Increasingly these days I find myself thinking of the words of the medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen, who lived in the 12th century in Germany. She said, whatever we think and feel on the inside becomes the world we create around us. So for me, the words ‘vessel of peace’ move beyond just peace and the sense of self, but ripple out to become the world we create around us.I invite you to get comfortable and give yourself 20 minutes for this meditation and maybe if you like it you may know somebody else who may like it too and I invite you to share it with them also so whoever you are wherever you are.Take a beautiful, nourishing breath.Get ready.Get relaxed.And let the meditation begin.  You can find my offerings at archeus.nzInstagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

What I've got for you in this episode of The Soul Garden: conversations for Midlife Living, is a guided meditation that I have recorded and called Vessel of Peace. I wrote and recorded this meditation for a friend, but like a stone dropped into water, my hope is its medicine will ripple out to others too. This is a meditation for those times that we need a bit of healing. Maybe we’ve gone through a medical intervention. Maybe we have had a relationship change, a loss. Maybe we are just feeling lost ourselves and need something to help us regain our equilibrium. My hope is that this meditation is for any midlife woman who may be feeling any of these things. There is reference within it to the experience of birth, of birthing. And for those of us who may listen to it who have not had children, and I am included in that number, I invite you to think of other things that you have birthed into this world through your creativity, your compassion, your work, your calling. Increasingly these days I find myself thinking of the words of the medieval mystic Hildegard of Bingen, who lived in the 12th century in Germany. She said, whatever we think and feel on the inside becomes the world we create around us. So for me, the words ‘vessel of peace’ move beyond just peace and the sense of self, but ripple out to become the world we create around us. I invite you to get comfortable and give yourself 20 minutes for this meditation and maybe if you like it you may know somebody else who may like it too and I invite you to share it with them also so whoever you are wherever you are. Take a beautiful, nourishing breath. Get ready. Get relaxed. And let the meditation begin.     You can find my offerings at archeus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLiving Facebook @ArcheusNaturalLiving Youtube @ArcheusGeorgina    

“Forget about menopause,” my guest on this episode, Dr. Wendy Sweet, urges us to focus on ageing, and the issue of ‘inflammaging’”.I caught up with Dr. Wendy Sweet, founder of the hugely successful My Menopause Transformation, online lifestyle-change programs for Peri to Post-Menopause for symptom reduction, weight loss and fitness.We first connected about six years ago, over a pot of the hormone-free natural balm I make for vulvovaginal dryness, and it was great to reconnect again.Her programmes are helping women around the world, and in this interview she touches on some of the reasons why.After many years of researching women’s health and the impacts of the menopause transition on our physiology and wellbeing, Wendy bucks the trend of ideas of the way we should exercise and eat at this time of life.Wendy believes the answer to good health in our postmenopausal years doesn’t lie in focusing on weight training and protein, but rather on a more moderate approach to exercise, a solid understanding of the foods that help us at this time of life, and the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. This approach can help us reduce inflammation and open the door to an active and empowered ageing after menopause.Personally, I love to talk with someone who is donkey deep in the science of a topic and right on top of the latest research around it. It’s clear that Wendy has a deep understanding of the changes we go through as women in midlife.I hope you enjoy what she has to say, and perhaps go further and take a look at her website, mymenopausetransformation.comYou can find my range of natural products for midlife and beyond at archeus.nz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

  “Forget about menopause,” my guest on this episode, Dr. Wendy Sweet, urges us to focus on ageing, and the issue of ‘inflammaging’”. I caught up with Dr. Wendy Sweet, founder of the hugely successful My Menopause Transformation, online lifestyle-change programs for Peri to Post-Menopause for symptom reduction, weight loss and fitness. We first connected about six years ago, over a pot of the hormone-free natural balm I make for vulvovaginal dryness, and it was great to reconnect again. Her programmes are helping women around the world, and in this interview she touches on some of the reasons why. After many years of researching women’s health and the impacts of the menopause transition on our physiology and wellbeing, Wendy bucks the trend of ideas of the way we should exercise and eat at this time of life. Wendy believes the answer to good health in our postmenopausal years doesn’t lie in focusing on weight training and protein, but rather on a more moderate approach to exercise, a solid understanding of the foods that help us at this time of life, and the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. This approach can help us reduce inflammation and open the door to an active and empowered ageing after menopause. Personally, I love to talk with someone who is donkey deep in the science of a topic and right on top of the latest research around it. It’s clear that Wendy has a deep understanding of the changes we go through as women in midlife. I hope you enjoy what she has to say, and perhaps go further and take a look at her website, mymenopausetransformation.com You can find my range of natural products for midlife and beyond at archeus.nz. You can find my offerings at archeus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLiving Facebook @ArcheusNaturalLiving Youtube @ArcheusGeorgina  

In this episode of The Soul Garden we explore natural perfumery and working with ancient cosmological concepts in the approach to creating aromatic portraits of ancient mystics and modern day perfume lovers.Georgina Langdale discusses her approach to working with aromatics. She talks about using raw ingredients, astrology, amulets, and Renaissance mysticism. She studied aromatherapy and natural perfumery and founded an apothecary called Archeus. She sees plants physically, through the doctrine of signatures, and energetically. She makes medicated oils by infusing herbs. She discusses how Marsilio Ficino used aromatics as medicine for the soul and spirit in the 1400s. The speaker explains how she composes natural perfumes based on astrology, symbolism, and the energies needed. She created aromatic portraits of Marsilio Ficino, Paracelsus, and Hildegard of Bingen. She describes the process of formulating each perfume based on their life, writings, astrological charts, and the energies they embodied. Georgina talks about making bespoke perfumes for people by looking at their astrological chart and having them draw in the elements and energies they need. She discusses remembering those who have passed by creating an aromatic portrait of them.Courses | Coaching georginalangdale.comInstagram @georginalangdalesoulFacebook @georginalsoul NatFem Botanics | Perfume |Plant Essences:Archeus Apothecaryarcheus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this episode of The Soul Garden we explore natural perfumery and working with ancient cosmological concepts in the approach to creating aromatic portraits of ancient mystics and modern day perfume lovers. Georgina Langdale discusses her approach to working with aromatics. She talks about using raw ingredients, astrology, amulets, and Renaissance mysticism. She studied aromatherapy and natural perfumery and founded an apothecary called Archeus. She sees plants physically, through the doctrine of signatures, and energetically. She makes medicated oils by infusing herbs. She discusses how Marsilio Ficino used aromatics as medicine for the soul and spirit in the 1400s. The speaker explains how she composes natural perfumes based on astrology, symbolism, and the energies needed. She created aromatic portraits of Marsilio Ficino, Paracelsus, and Hildegard of Bingen. She describes the process of formulating each perfume based on their life, writings, astrological charts, and the energies they embodied. Georgina talks about making bespoke perfumes for people by looking at their astrological chart and having them draw in the elements and energies they need. She discusses remembering those who have passed by creating an aromatic portrait of them. You can find my offerings at archeus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLiving Facebook @ArcheusNaturalLiving Youtube @ArcheusGeorgina

In this episode of The Soul Garden, Georgina Langdale reflects on a book by Thomas Moore, The Eloquence of Silence - surprising wisdom in tales of emptiness.Thomas Moore offers a compelling case for an easier, lighter way of moving through life by experiencing the peace. calm and openness of emptiness. Georgina touches on how emptiness can be a powerful tool for navigating transitions such as menopause and the end of life.The Eloquence of Silence is available at Thomas's website and in all the usual places.https://www.thomasmooresoul.com/For mentoring with Georgina visit:https://www.georginalangdale.com/individual-guidanceCourses | Coaching georginalangdale.comInstagram @georginalangdalesoulFacebook @georginalsoul NatFem Botanics | Perfume |Plant Essences:Archeus Apothecaryarcheus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

In this episode of The Soul Garden, Georgina Langdale reflects on a book by Thomas Moore, The Eloquence of Silence - surprising wisdom in tales of emptiness. Thomas Moore offers a compelling case for an easier, lighter way of moving through life by experiencing the peace. calm and openness of emptiness. Georgina touches on how emptiness can be a powerful tool for navigating transitions such as menopause and the end of life. The Eloquence of Silence is available at Thomas's website and in all the usual places. https://www.thomasmooresoul.com/ You can find my offerings at archeus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLiving Facebook @ArcheusNaturalLiving Youtube @ArcheusGeorgina

The Leo Full Moon is here and what better time to do a Love Meditation. Get comfy and let's get started.Courses | Coaching georginalangdale.comInstagram @georginalangdalesoulFacebook @georginalsoul NatFem Botanics | Perfume |Plant Essences:Archeus Apothecaryarcheus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

The Leo Full Moon is here and what better time to do a Love Meditation. Get comfy and let's get started. You can find my offerings at archeus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLiving Facebook @ArcheusNaturalLiving Youtube @ArcheusGeorgina

When life changes and someone we love, or maybe its us, is given bad news, we need to dig deep to find ways through it all. In this episode I share with you how recent bad news within my own family prompted me to write a book to offers ways to help those I love navigate the times we find ourselves in. There are three things that I think are at the heart of finding resilience, compassion and courage when we face change and challenges and they are breath, nature and ceremony and I share some ideas in this episode.50 Things to Help when Life Changes - contemplative & nature-based teachings for navigating life transitions.Author: Georgina LangdaleAvailable on my websiteCourses | Coaching georginalangdale.comInstagram @georginalangdalesoulFacebook @georginalsoul NatFem Botanics | Perfume |Plant Essences:Archeus Apothecaryarcheus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

When life changes and someone we love, or maybe its us, is given bad news, we need to dig deep to find ways through it all. In this episode I share with you how recent bad news within my own family prompted me to write a book to offers ways to help those I love navigate the times we find ourselves in.  There are three things that I think are at the heart of finding resilience, compassion and courage when we face change and challenges and they are breath, nature and ceremony and I share some ideas in this episode. 50 Things to Help when Life Changes - contemplative & nature-based teachings for navigating life transitions. Author: Georgina Langdale Available on my website You can find my offerings at archeus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLiving Facebook @ArcheusNaturalLiving Youtube @ArcheusGeorgina

This week is all about the goddesses within and looking at goddess archetypes through the lens of a midlife woman. Getting to know these archetypes and working with them to help navigate life can be wonderfully empowering.In this episode we explore the archetypes of Hestia, Hera, Artemis, Demeter, Persephone and Aphrodite.If you are interested in the Soul Medicine for the Midlife Woman online programme join my mailing list and I'll let you know when the doors open.The full NatFem Botanics Collection of products I have created to support women through perimenopause and menopause can be purchased at archeus.nzThe Book I mentioned:Jean Shinola Boden, M.DGoddesses in Everywoman - a new psychology of womenHarper PerennialPublished 1984Courses | Coaching georginalangdale.comInstagram @georginalangdalesoulFacebook @georginalsoul NatFem Botanics | Perfume |Plant Essences:Archeus Apothecaryarcheus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com

This week is all about the goddesses within and looking at goddess archetypes through the lens of a midlife woman. Getting to know these archetypes and working with them to help navigate life can be wonderfully empowering. In this episode we explore the archetypes of Hestia, Hera, Artemis, Demeter, Persephone and Aphrodite. The full NatFem Botanics Collection of products I have created to support women through perimenopause and menopause can be purchased at archeus.nz The Book I mentioned: Jean Shinola Boden, M.D Goddesses in Everywoman - a new psychology of women Harper Perennial Published 1984 You can find my offerings at archeus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLiving Facebook @ArcheusNaturalLiving Youtube @ArcheusGeorgina

It's that time of the year when we ask ourselves the big questions about who we really are, what are we doing, are we truly answering our calling. We set goals for the year ahead, dream about that career change, wonder what claiming one's true self after menopause could look like, we think about the art we could create, and the service to others we could offer.And we can get stuck.If you are looking for a way through the puzzling and self-doubt then a Renaissance soul session with me could be just the thing to help you unlock your potential and fling open the doors to your true self-expression.I draw on the way the Italian Renaissance 'soul doctor' Marsilio Ficino worked with his clients, helping them find their guiding star and deepen their connections to nature, spirit and cosmos so that they could confidentially move forward with their dreams and wishes.And I talk about this offering in this week's episode of The Soul Garden“Georgina led me on a beautiful journey that left me feeling inspired, on purpose, and powerful.” - BrennaCourses | Coaching georginalangdale.comInstagram @georginalangdalesoulFacebook @georginalsoul NatFem Botanics | Perfume |Plant Essences:Archeus Apothecaryarcheus.nz Instagram: @ArcheusNaturalLivingFacebook @ArcheusNaturalLivingYoutube @ArcheusGeorgina This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit georginalangdale.substack.com