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Acorn Health Blog

What we love is great health...

...and we like to write about how we can all achieve better health, naturally. Sometimes tips on how you can DIY to better health and sometimes on the therapies that can make a difference to you, your health and wellbeing.
Thank you for reading, We hope you enjoy :)

Celebrating the Autumnal Equinox 22nd September 2025

Therapies, Workshops & Classes Posted on Thu, August 28, 2025 12:33PM

by Ellie Bird

As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, we find ourselves on the cusp of the Autumnal Equinox, a time when day and night are of equal length. This celestial event, often celebrated in September, marks a moment of balance and reflection.

Full Moon – Harvest Moon

The full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox is known as the Harvest Moon. This moon has been a guiding light for farmers, signalling the time to gather crops and prepare for the colder months ahead. In Pagan traditions, this period is called Mabon, a time for giving thanks for a plentiful harvest and sharing the bounty with others.

Power Animal – Brown Bear

September is also under the star sign of Virgo, a sign known for its meticulous and nurturing nature. Those born under Virgo are often seen as patient, level-headed, and understanding, much like the spirit animal associated with this time, the brown bear. The brown bear symbolizes patience and wisdom, offering guidance and support to those in need.

Spiritually, the bear represents the ability to stand strong in the face of adversity. It teaches individuals to harness their inner power and to face challenges head-on with courage and determination 

The brown bear, with its rich symbolism, offers profound insights into strength, introspection, and the cycles of life. Whether encountered in dreams, cultural stories, or as a personal totem, the brown bear serves as a powerful guide and protector.

Self-care practices for September

As we transition into autumn, it’s essential to take care of ourselves both physically and mentally. Here are some self-care practices to consider for September:

  1. Nourish Your Body: As the season changes, so do our dietary needs. Incorporate seasonal fruits and vegetables into your meals. Think apples, pumpkins, and root vegetables. These foods are not only nutritious but also comforting.
  2. Stay Active: Keep your body moving with regular exercise. Whether it’s yoga, running, or dancing, find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your routine. Exercise releases endorphins, which can boost your mood.
  3. Create a Cozy Space: As the weather gets cooler, create a warm and inviting space in your home. Light some candles, use soft blankets, and make your environment a place where you can relax and unwind.
  4. Connect with Loved Ones: Spend quality time with family and friends. Whether it’s a phone call, a video chat, or a socially distanced meet-up, connecting with loved ones can provide emotional support and strengthen relationships.
  5. Practice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. This simple practice can shift your mindset and help you focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Remember, self-care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Find what works best for you and make it a priority. Wishing you a peaceful and rejuvenating September! 🍂😊

Tarot Card for September

In the realm of Tarot, the card associated with this period is The Hierophant. This card represents a teacher, mentor, or guide who is in tune with their spiritual side. The Hierophant encourages us to seek knowledge, embrace our spiritual journey, and share our wisdom with others.

The Hierophant card in Tarot is rich with symbolism and meaning. It represents spiritual wisdom, religious beliefs, and the importance of tradition and institutions. Often depicted as a religious figure or teacher, the Hierophant is seen as a guide who helps others understand and embrace spiritual teachings.

When the Hierophant card appears upright in a reading, it signifies the need for structure, guidance, and adherence to established systems of belief. It encourages seeking spiritual knowledge, finding a sense of belonging within a community, and honouring the wisdom passed down through generations. This card suggests that you may benefit from working with a mentor or teacher who can provide you with the knowledge and support you need on your spiritual journey.

In its reversed position, the Hierophant card can indicate a rebellion against tradition, questioning authority, and seeking alternative beliefs. It may suggest a desire to break free from dogma and explore personal spiritual paths that differ from established norms.

Overall, the Hierophant card invites you to explore spiritual teachings, respect tradition, and seek wisdom from trusted sources. It encourages you to find a balance between the conscious and subconscious minds and to unlock the mysteries of the divine.



Realign With Your Soul: What It Really Means to Come Home to Yourself

Therapies, Workshops & Classes Posted on Wed, June 25, 2025 11:03AM

by Anne-Marie

There comes a moment on every spiritual path where we realise we’ve drifted.

Not lost — but out of alignment. Life may look “fine” on the outside, but inside, something feels… off. A quiet ache. A restlessness. A sense that you’ve been bending yourself to fit a version of life that no longer fits you.

That moment is sacred. Because it’s a call home. A whisper from your soul saying,“You’ve wandered far enough. It’s time to realign.”

What Does It Mean to Realign?

To realign with your soul is to return to your truth — the version of you that’s not moulded by expectation, trauma, fear, or people-pleasing. It’s about shedding what no longer serves and remembering who you were before the world told you who to be.

This doesn’t always happen in one big, dramatic moment. Often, it’s a quiet unfolding. A gentle shift back into resonance with your inner knowing. With your energy. With your intuition. With the Universe.

When we’re in alignment, life doesn’t become perfect — but it does become more peaceful, more purposeful. Synchronicities start flowing. Decisions feel clearer. There’s an ease that returns, because we’re no longer swimming upstream.

Signs You’re Out of Alignment

So how do you know when you’re ready for a realignment?

You might notice:

• You feel stuck, like you’re spinning your wheels but not getting anywhere

• You’re constantly drained, despite resting or “doing all the right things”

• You’ve lost touch with your spiritual practices or intuition

• Old wounds or patterns keep resurfacing

• You sense a deep desire to change something, but don’t know where to begin

These are not failures — they’re invitations. Invitations to pause, breathe, and shift back into your truth.

The ALIGN Method: A Journey Back to You

In my own life, I’ve returned to this process again and again. And each time, it brings me back into connection — not just with my soul, but with my joy, power, and purpose.

That’s why I created the ALIGN Method — a simple but sacred framework to help others realign with their truth.

It flows like this:

• A – Awareness: Remembering that you are a spiritual being having a human experience

• L – Letting Go: Releasing what no longer serves you energetically, emotionally, and spiritually

• I – Intuition: Strengthening your connection with your higher self and your guides

• G – Growth: Nourishing your whole self — mind, body, and soul — to expand into your next level

• N – Navigation: Manifesting with clarity, purpose, and soul-alignment

It’s not about doing more. It’s about becoming more you — and letting your outer life reflect your inner transformation.

Join Me in Sacred Circle

If this speaks to you, I’d love to invite you into a beautiful, supportive space to realign with your soul.

On Sunday 21st September, I’m holding a 3-hour workshop at Acorn Natural Health Centre in Heanor called:

Realign With Your Soul: A Journey Through the ALIGN Method

🕑 2–5 PM | 💫 £45 | 🌿 Gentle, guided, and deeply healing

Expect intuitive exercises, soulful journaling, energy alignment, and connection with your higher self. You’ll leave feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected to your true path.

You can book your space via Facebook or by contacting me directly. I’d be honoured to walk this sacred path with you.

Because you don’t have to stay stuck. Your soul knows the way home.

And it’s time to realign.



Manifestation 101: How to Start Creating the Life You Desire

General Health & Wellbeing, Workshops & Classes Posted on Thu, February 27, 2025 10:58AM

by Anne-Marie Allen

Have you ever felt like you were meant for something more, but struggled to make it happen? The key to creating the life you truly desire lies in alignment—aligning your energy, emotions, beliefs, and actions. In this first post of my manifestation series, I’m excited to introduce you to a powerful framework I call SHINE, which will help guide you through the manifestation process.

Introducing SHINE: Your Manifestation Formula

SHINE stands for:

• Set intention

• Harness energy

• Integrate emotion

• Nurture belief

• Engage in action

Each of these elements plays a crucial role in turning your dreams into reality. Let’s dive into how you can use SHINE to begin manifesting your desires.

S – Set Intention: Clarity is Key

The first step in manifestation is setting a clear intention. What exactly do you want to create in your life? The more specific you are, the better. Vague goals often lead to unclear outcomes, so take time to clarify your goals. Whether it’s attracting love, abundance, or a new career, you need to get crystal clear on what you want.

Try this: Take a few minutes to write down your top goals for the next six months. The act of writing solidifies your intention and gives you a concrete target to work toward.

H – Harness Energy: Align with Your Desires

Everything in the universe is energy, and the energy you put out directly influences what you attract. To manifest effectively, your energy needs to match the vibration of your desires. If you’re constantly focusing on lack or scarcity, that’s what you’ll attract. Instead, focus on gratitude and abundance to raise your vibration and align with what you want to manifest.

Try this: Spend a few minutes each morning visualizing your ideal life. Imagine yourself already living it and feel the emotions that come with it. This will help you tune your energy to match your desires.

I – Integrate Emotion: Feel It Like It’s Already Yours

Emotion is the fuel that propels manifestation. Simply thinking about your desires isn’t enough—you need to feel them. The universe responds to the energy behind your emotions, so make sure to align your feelings with what you want to create.

Try this: Every time you think about your goals, pause and check in with your emotions. Are you feeling positive, hopeful, and excited? If not, shift your focus to what feels good and amplify those emotions. The more emotionally invested you are, the faster your manifestations will come.

N – Nurture Belief: Trust the Process

Belief is the foundation of successful manifestation. If you don’t truly believe that you can have what you desire, you’ll sabotage your efforts. That’s why it’s so important to nurture a strong belief in your ability to create the life you want. Remove any limiting beliefs or doubts that arise, and replace them with empowering thoughts.

If you’re struggling with limiting beliefs, I’ve created a free ebooklet called Limitless to help you let go of those blocks. You can download it on my website here: Limitless Ebooklet.

Try this: Identify one limiting belief you hold about yourself (e.g., “I’m not good enough” or “Manifestation doesn’t work for me”). Challenge that belief and replace it with a positive affirmation like “I am worthy of everything I desire.”

E – Engage in Action: Take Inspired Steps

Manifestation isn’t passive—it requires action. The universe will open doors for you, but you need to walk through them. Inspired action is key: it’s not just about doing anything, but doing what feels aligned with your goals.

Try this: Write down one action step you can take today toward your goal. Even a small step will get the ball rolling and keep you in the flow of manifestation.

Bringing It All Together

When you combine all five elements of SHINE, you create the perfect environment for manifestation. By setting clear intentions, aligning your energy and emotions, nurturing your belief, and taking inspired action, you’re opening the door to endless possibilities.

I invite you to try SHINE for yourself. Start today by setting an intention and aligning your energy, then let me know how it goes! Over the next few months, I’ll dive deeper into each element and share tips, exercises, and real-life stories to help you manifest your dreams with ease.

Remember, you are the creator of your own reality. When you SHINE, the world can’t help but notice—and the universe will respond.

Stay tuned for next month’s blog, where we’ll explore how to overcome limiting beliefs and align with your true potential.

Until then, keep shining brightly!

Anne-Marie



Exploring the Ancient Wisdom of Chakras: A Journey Through History🌿🌌

Workshops & Classes Posted on Sat, October 05, 2024 12:17PM


In the vast tapestry of holistic health practices, few concepts evoke as much intrigue and mystique as the chakras. These energy centres, believed to be integral to our spiritual and physical well-being, have deep roots in ancient Eastern traditions and continue to captivate minds worldwide today.

Origins in Ancient Wisdom 📜🕉️
The concept of chakras originated in ancient India, specifically within the framework of Hindu and later, Buddhist, spiritual practices. The word “chakra” itself comes from Sanskrit, meaning “wheel” or “circle.” According to ancient texts like the Vedas and Upanishads, chakras are swirling vortexes of energy located along the spine, from the base to the crown of the head.

Philosophy and Purpose ☯️🌈
In traditional Hindu philosophy, it’s believed that each chakra is associated with specific qualities, elements, and aspects of human experience. They are seen as gateways through which vital life force energy, known as prana or chi, flows. The balance and alignment of these energies are crucial for physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual evolution.

Evolution Across Cultures 🌍🌐
Over time, the concept of chakras has transcended cultural boundaries. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a similar concept exists with the meridian system, which influences acupuncture and qi gong practices. In the West, interest in chakras surged during the New Age movement of the 1960s and 1970s, leading to their incorporation into various holistic healing modalities.

Modern Exploration and Application 🧘‍♂️✨
Today, chakras are explored through practices like yoga, meditation, energy healing, and alternative medicine. Each chakra is associated with specific colours, symbols, sounds (mantras), and even gemstones, offering a holistic approach to balancing and enhancing energy flow throughout the body.

Embark on Your Chakra Journey🌟🔮
If you find the fascinating world of chakras intriguing, we invite you to delve deeper with us at Acorn Natural Health Centre. Join Anne-Marie’s upcoming “Chakras for Beginners” workshop to explore these ancient energy centres, understand their significance, and learn practical techniques to balance and harmonize your chakras for enhanced well-being.



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