My 40th year - whoa.
Entering my 40th year and experiencing my 5th Venus Return has been one of the most transformational periods of my life. It’s been a year of deep healing, growth, and awakening.
This year, I’ve:
been broken wide open in women’s circles (and cried more than I thought literally possible)
met SO many soul sisters + healed sisterhood wounds
literally howled at the moon
created a sacred space in our home that I spent countless hours at (almost) daily
been the bravest I’ve ever been
invested in myself like I never have before
remembered…remembered the path of the sacred feminine mysteries
have had the kind of abundance I’ve dreamed about for so long
became certified in: tarot, oracle, spiritual coaching, chakra therapeutics, meditation, breathwork AND astrology
opened up a spiritual business that shines light on The Venus Cycle
up-leveled my virtual assistant business
traveled a lot — especially on sacred pilgrimages
shed weight off my body that I no longer need
witnessed a solar eclipse
stood in awe of Aurora Borealis over North Carolina (twice!)
felt so proud of Derek for opening up his pool business
watched our baby boy, Carter, graduate high school
felt the vulnerability of our children growing up as Ayrabella traveled Greece + Italy
celebrated my nephew marrying the love of his life and watched Adeline be the cutest flower girl
felt SO supported by my little family in every way!
bowed in the deepest gratitude for my magical + fucking beautiful life
I have greatly evolved, more than I can ever put into words.
Honestly, I am me now…
Now more than ever, I’m living the beauty of being authentically me.
I wrote earlier this year about my overall healing, but I have definitely found even more layers that needed to be healed, which I wrote briefly on here:
I’m having to work through being so worried of what people will think of me (they’ll think it’s waayayyy too woo-woo, they’ll think it’s a cult {omg, stop, it’s not}, that I worship unicorns, that I don’t love Jesus {I do!}, I’m not a “REAL” Christian, blah, blah, blah).
What I was speaking on and working through was The Witch Wound.
The Witch Wound is the deep emotional and spiritual trauma passed down through generations (epigenetics), a legacy of centuries of persecution—especially toward women—for daring to own their power, intuition, and spiritual gifts.
Rooted in the witch hunts, this wound speaks to the ways women who practiced healing, divination, or simply didn’t conform to societal expectations were silenced, judged, and killed. In our lives today, the Witch Wound shows up as fear of rejection, shame, and self-doubt. It whispers to us that we’re not safe to stand fully in our power, to speak our truth, or to share our gifts with the world. It holds us back from embracing the fullness of who we are.
Healing the Witch Wound is an act of reclamation: reclaiming our voice, trusting our intuition, and stepping into the fullness of our power. It's about being seen in all of our wild, wise, and free expression—and often, it’s done in the embrace of a supportive community that honors and celebrates us just as we are (which is why I’m so grateful for this year of sisterhood).
You can read more about the Witch Wound here.
I understand now that by not fully showing up as myself in every space, I was only providing surface-level comfort—both for myself and those around me. In trying to protect myself, I was unknowingly blocking the possibility of deeper, more genuine connections. By hiding parts of who I am, I was creating missed opportunities for true, authentic bonds to root.
Also, by molding into spaces where I can’t truly be me serves no one…especially the Greater Good. I recently had a reading (thank you, Ariana, for my birthday gift!) where I was told how important it is for me to be in spaces where I can be me because that’s how I can truly share my gifts, and beam my light that Mother/Father/God/ess have given me.
So, a huge piece of my 40th year, my 5th Venus Return, was calling back my Authentic Self even deeper.
Beloved reader, how are you being called to step more fully into YOUR authentic self? What would it look like to put down a mask you may have on? And then another? I’d love to hear.
In my next article, I’m going to touch point on what YOUR Venus Return could show you. I can’t wait to share more on that.
Love, love, love,
Danielle
P.S. I have no idea what qualifies someone as a legit witch. But, if I were to be labeled one, I’d like to be like Glinda, The Good Witch of the South ⤵️ Thank you very much. 💅💃👑✨
