Go Deeper
Blog posts, music, books and more… Go deeper into your understanding of death, ancestral healing, and ritual connection with the resources in these page.
Heartward Blog
Ghosts and Gu: the Other Side of Ancestor Season
Yesterday while tidying up the ancestral shrine, an outdoor area consecrated to the departed, we noticed a diminutive, all-but-desiccated plant growing right under the shrine's entry arch. Perilla decided to take up residence precisely here. Coincidence? Perhaps not,...
Living with Contradiction: Fall Equinox, Capitalism and Healing the Dead
(Fall Equinox '21 newsletter) Last week, I read adrienne marie brown's "We will not cancel us." I highly recommend the book as well as her (and her IG page) in general. In one of the opening sections that preface the essay first published online in 2020, brown offers...
Lessons from the Trail: The Practice of Pilgrimage
In April '22, Heartward Sanctuary co-founders Julia Hartsell and Jonathan Edwards went on pilgrimage to the valley of Rieti, the "umbilicus" of Italy, seeking nourishment, healing and inspiration. Jonathan's personal account of the trip, which unfolded on foot over...
Musical Journeys
Joy, grief, connection, transition – music helps us through all of life’s experiences. Enjoy this collection of sets from Heartward Sanctuary’s Julia Hartsell, available on Spotify.
Seeds from the World Tree
Writings by Heartward Sanctuary Co-founder Jonathan Edwards
Podcasts
Julia lends her voice to two episodes of “Walk Through Grief with Grace” podcast with Jenn Cormier. Hear her talk about grieving the loss of a business and sacred space as well as talk about inviting movement for healing, focus and connection.
Death Resources
Julia and Jonathan have collected a wealth of resources on death and grief. You can see their list of recommended books here.
Video Conversations
Exploring soul, incarnation, dying, ancestors, reproductive and death rights, grief, dance and healing
ANCESTORS, INCARNATION & REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: A conversation with Dr. Daniel Foor of Ancestral Medicine.
Dr. Daniel Foor is the author of Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing, founder of Ancestral Medicine and an internationally respected teacher of ancestor reverence and ritual. In addition to ancestral healing, his offerings center the personhood of the other-than-humans.