Weekly Half Mermaid Journal Edition 11
Welcome to the 11th Edition of the Half Mermaid Journal, with a little bit of a Winter Solstice feel.
If you are new to the journal, a warm welcome! Thank you for joining us and we hope our offerings serve you well!
With the commencement of the Half Mermaid Podcast, we will be changing our cadence. One week will see the release of the podcast, with the journal following the week after. So each with have a fortnightly cadence, alternating between the two.
Quotes we loved:
“I am always reborn in her eyes. I think that’s what love is: tasting your rebirth over and over and over every single day like the sun when it explodes with fire from the sea.”
McTesterson
"The Winter Solstice is the time of ending and beginning, a powerful time - a time to contemplate your immortality. A time to forgive, to be forgiven, and to make a fresh start. A time to awaken."
Frederick Lenz
Winter Water and Sky, Seaford
Journaling questions we are pondering:
Picking up on the Winter Solstice theme.
What is one thing you would like to let go of and release into the retreating darkness. What is one thing you wish to renew, give life to, create with the coming of the light of longer days?
This week’s blog post: Winter Solstice and its Connection with Water
Our beliefs and rituals, collectively across cultures, have survived the test of time. Even in their modern variation they speak to the profound historical and cultural significance water has and how it continues to be a source of fascination, echoing the universal human desire for renewal, rejuvenation and a deep connection with nature.
One new thing we learnt this week:
Sound can carry between oceans. In 1991 scientists placed loudspeakers several kilometres below the surface of Heard Island, a remote spec of land between Africa and Australia in the Southern Ocean. The low frequency sound produced was detectable 17,000 kilometres away in waters off Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada (1). That is incredible!
(1) Deep Water, James Bradley, page 112.
Winter Dawn Swim
What we are listening to:
Ludovico Einaudi, who as a composer and pianist has moved the hearts and souls of many, shares wonderful insights and stories with Mo Gawdat in the Podcast Show: Slow Mo, Episode titled Ludovico Einaudi: The Art of Expressing your Whole Life and the Bliss of Being Underwater. Underwater is Ludovico’s latest album, written in the depths of the pandemic in Italy. The conversation is a deep philosophical one and touches on music’s ability to make us feel deeply and how nature is the most beautiful museum accessible to all.
A must listen, both the podcast and his music. You will find the podcast in the link below and all platforms along with Ludovico’s music.
What is new at Half Mermaid:
A small batch of our very first Half Mermaid hoodies have arrived. We will let you know first when they are available for purchase on the website. We are super proud of their function and design. With all the Half Mermaids in mind we selected a premium high quality hoodie, that is not only warm, comfy and perfect for layering post swim or dip, each hoodie also saves approx. 7.2 500ml plastic bottles from landfill! And it looks great! Not long now!
Below is one the fave product shots we have been playing with…..
Half Mermaid Journaling Cards
Our first journaling set of cards will also be available, following the release of the hoodie.
And ….for those of you that didn’t hear all the commotion, our very first podcast is out! Half Mermaid Lisa Schmidt shared with us her preparation and anticipation of the Shitbox Rally, along with insights and tools that are helping her through PTSD, which include open water therapy!
If you you like to listen, you will find the episode here and on the Spotify link below.
Thank you for coming on the journey with us!
Till next week….
Lone Winter Paddler
Swim. Coffee. Journal. Live. Love. Repeat.
Important note:
HalfMermaid is not a licensed mental health service and not a substitute for professional mental health assessment, treatment or advice. The journaling prompts and guides offered, are general in nature. If you are struggling, please see a healthcare professional or call the mental health support line in your locality.
Half Mermaid, PO Box 4012, Doncaster Heights 3109, Melbourne Australia