Autumn Gathering Remedy: Nourishment for the Hermit Healer

This month, I sat around a fire with one of my dearest friends — someone I’ve known for decades. We planned the visit weeks in advance, and I was excited to share the final flush of my garden, the quiet beauty of our acreage, and the sacred simplicity of a fall evening. Since the weather has been so mild in my neck of the woods we lit a cooking fire, shared stories from the year, celebrated one another’s growth, burnt our hotdogs and laughed until our cheeks hurt. After the flames died down, we played dominos and nibbled on snackies, shocked to find ourselves still awake at 2:00am.

The rushed energy I had been feeling shifted — lifted — and my root and heart chakra were full. Full of gratitude, full of connection, full of the realization that we are all in the same storm, and we are here to support one another through shared stories and not taking ourselves so seriously.

That night reminded me why I wanted to write this blog. Because I know how easy it is — especially for the lone lightworker, empath, witch, reiki practitioner — to slip into hermit mode. Living rural the last decade has made this easier and easier for me. And for a time there, even after 

“The Great Pause of 2020" where it started to become a problem in my home.

When we hermit, we feel like we are getting away with calling it “self-care,” “introversion,” or “energetic recovery” and while those are valid, sometimes they mask a deeper truth: we’re isolating ourselves. And maybe we’ve gotten a touch lonely in the process.

The Hermit’s Trap: How to Know You’ve Gone Too Deep

Here are three gentle signs that your sacred solitude might be tipping into isolating territory:

1. You feel drained after social interactions — even with people you love. This isn’t just introversion. It might be a sign that your nervous system is out of practice with connection, or that you’ve been holding too much alone.
2. You’ve stopped reaching out, even when you miss someone. You tell yourself they’re busy, or that you’ll wait until you “feel better.” But the truth is, connection is the medicine.
3. You feel like no one can meet you where you are. As you’ve grown spiritually, your circle may have shrunk. That’s natural. But it doesn’t mean you’re meant to walk alone.

Why Autumn Is the Season to Gather

Autumn is the season of taking inventory. In the garden, we harvest. In business, we reflect. In our personal development, we pause and ask: What worked? What didn’t? What do I want to carry into winter?

Gathering with trusted friends — those who meet you at your energetic level — is a remedy of nourishment. It’s a chance to break bread, share truths, and witness one another’s peaks and valleys. When we speak our stories aloud, we realize we’re not alone. We’re not the only ones who struggled, or succeeded, or changed. And that realization is grounding.

The Power of Breaking Bread

Sharing food is one of the oldest spiritual practices. It’s not just about calories — it’s about care. When you prepare a meal for someone, you’re saying: I see you. I value you. I want you to feel good. And when you receive a meal, you’re reminded: I am worthy of love and nourishment.

In small, intentional gatherings — especially one-on-one or in tight-knit circles — food becomes a bridge. A way to inspire, to comfort, to celebrate. Whether it’s soup from your garden, a cherished family recipe, or a simple charcuterie board, the act of sharing is sacred.

Friendship Over Family (Sometimes)

As I enter the second half of life, I’ve come to understand that friendship — chosen, intentional, soul-aligned friendship — can be more healing than family in certain parts of the path. There’s less expectation. More compassion. More understanding. When you find family in friends, you find freedom.

Your Invitation: Reach Out, Gather, Share

If you’ve been missing someone, send the text. Make the call. Plan the visit. Do it in a way that suits your current energetic level — no need for pubs, clubs, or crowded spaces. A walk in the woods, a fire in the backyard, a cozy meal at home. Break bread. Share the shadow and light of the year. Listen deeply. Laugh loudly. Let the energy shift.

Because when you gather with intention, you don’t just connect — you transform.

If you feel stuck in this area, maybe it's time for a Full Body Calibration to allow some movement! If you are guided to work a little deeper and gain some personal insight on your energetic health, book in with yourself at The Soul and Energy Studio and let's clear things up!