Welcome to On Liminality
What is it all about?
It’s about exploring the landscape between 'what was' and what is 'yet to be' through psyche, astrology, and story weaving to help us navigate these creatively chaotic times of change and transformation—both individually and collectively.
Plus, it’s about making sense of what’s unfurling at the intersection of personal and collective lives while bringing a different perspective for good measure. Liminal times burst our bubbles of normalcy, jettisoning us into a chaotic swirl that is both highly creative and anxiety-provoking. To quote Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz: “Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.” But we’re also not yet ‘over the rainbow’, which she said after a pause.
We’re still in the pause, in the in-between swirl of the hurricane. Ever further away from our ‘normal world’, having to shake off all that we cannot take with us to what awaits us over the rainbow.
As a landscape between ‘what was’ and ‘what is yet to be’, Liminality invites us to look at things from a different perspective, one that is more symbolic and imaginative. It bridges both sides of our brains: right and left. Where we can break it down and see the parts (left), while also transcending it with our imagination to see the whole (right).
Most importantly, we must take a position of engagement, because what happens to us on a personal level works like a fractal for the whole. What happens to us ripples further afield than we can imagine. So, how each one of us traverses these liminal times affects and informs how we all traverse it.
I also think liminal times are a call to purposeful action—to bring forth what is ours to bring into the world. Whatever you have to bring to the world, be it a gift, medicine, creativity, or joy, now is the time. It’s all hands on deck; don’t think you’ve got nothing to offer because you surely do.
Liminal times start with death, because life doesn’t begin with life, it starts with death. While there’s a tremendous focus around us on what is dying, we mustn’t forget to nurture and nourish what is being created.
Lastly, during liminal times, life beckons you to be more fully yourself.
It’s time to bring forth the unexpressed aspects of yourself, the inner gifts, what gives you joy, and is your expression of love. At the same time, transforming your accumulated experiences, talents, skills, and vulnerabilities into creative medicine for yourself and the world.
Folks like yourself who are willing to do the inner healing work of reimagining and transforming perceived limitations into medicine and birthing their gifts in the world through their lives, work, or creative endeavors.
In these LIMINAL TIMES, between ‘what was’ and ‘what is becoming,’ we’re ALL on the threshold of significant changes—the bell tolls for each of us.
Because now more than ever, the world needs CREATION MAKERS - those willing to bring forth what is uniquely theirs to gift to the world.
Who am I?
My pocket-sized professional bio is that I’m a life purpose coach, astrologer, and teacher. My educational background includes a B.A. in Social Communication, an M.A. in Education, and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis on Depth Psychology, along with my coaching training and certifications.
While my educational and professional background informs what I bring to my coaching, teaching, and writings, I feel that the internal inspiration to pursue this path stems from having grown up bilingual and bicultural. At a young age, when my parents and I first came to America, I learned that standing on a cultural threshold had both its challenges and many opportunities to see things from a broader perspective.
At a young age, I had to learn to be a THRESHOLD DWELLER, living between two languages, cultures, and ways of being -bilingual in more ways than one. I had to learn to traverse between varying landscapes, be intuitively sharp to read ‘the room’, and pick up on what wasn’t being expressed.
In time, I became ever more curious about the geography of the in-between, seeing its richness instead of just a means to get to the destination. I hope to share this experience and perspective with you via my writings, classes, and podcast to help you navigate this liminal landscape in a broader and more nourishing manner. It may not reduce the anxieties around all the changes we’re living through, but it may make it more curiously enjoyable.
Why subscribe?
My commitment to those of you who decide to subscribe to On Liminality is that you will receive something that will inspire your curiosity about how you’re navigating these transformative times and hopefully spark your imagination to approach it with more creativity and - shall we dare say? - JOY.
At my core, I feel I’m very much a teacher, and I love to share with others what I know and, more importantly, what has ignited my imagination and curiosity. I come from the perspective that we’re each midwives to each other’s dreams, potential, creativity, and the expression of our joyful purpose. Thus, my intention here is that my work serves to help you give birth to what is ready to be expressed in your life.
Ways you can join my corner of the cosmic woods:
As a Free Subscriber to ‘On Liminality,’ you’ll receive my weekly newsletter with news and reflections. I’m not much of a social media person, so this is the place to follow what I’m sharing. You’ll also receive other emails when I’m promoting upcoming classes, offers, etc.
When you subscribe, you’ll also receive my 4-video series on THE COURAGEOUS DECADE, where I explore the transformative astrological transits of this rock’n’roll decade. Plus my presentation on SEEING RED - Mars Archetype & You.
Right now, I haven’t enabled paid subscriptions, but I plan to do that to sustainably support my work. If my work resonates with you and you want to support it, you can pledge your subscription as a paid subscriber now. You’ll not be charged now; you will only be charged when I enable paid subscriptions.
Paid Subscribers* will also receive my weekly newsletter, along with extra writings, access to the Substack Chat where we can discuss the topics from the posts, begin your own thread on the chat, and ‘ask me anything’ opportunities. You will also receive/participate in either a live or pre-recorded monthly class so we can dive deeper into the liminal.
If we’re traveling together through this liminal landscape, having good company to share the journey is better!
Founding Members will also receive a 15% discount, which can be used once on a paid class or in one of my coaching packages.
*Please note that you get a discount if you make one annual payment instead of the monthly subscription, making it cheaper than going month-by-month. Plus, if you join as a paid subscriber with a friend, you get a 15% discount for the two of you. So bring your bestie to journey with us.
Sharing is a love language
Other ways you can support my work.
When I like/love something, I will recommend it to folks. Not in a pushy way, but I’ve the knack of finding just the right person to recommend it—it’s my Gemini superpower - bridging ideas, things, and folks.
I believe ‘word of mouth’ is still the most powerful way to share good things.
Plus, word of mouth is the original ‘algorithm’!
So if you like what I’m cooking here, share it with those you think will find value in it.
Your help in spreading the word on my work is greatly appreciated! My Muses and I thank you in advance for your help!
Another way to support my work is to share in the comments, hit reply, and drop me a line, or, if you’re using the Substack app, share it in Notes.
Your participation and sharing really help fuel my inspiration and creativity. Plus, it’s heartwarming not to feel that what I’m bringing forth is going into the void, but it’s being received and shared instead.
Don’t underestimate how powerful sharing, which may seem like a little thing, actually is. Again, thank you for being here with me as we venture into these liminal times!
Stay up-to-date
You’ll receive my new posts directly in your inbox when you subscribe. If you prefer, you can also download the Substack app for a spam-free, ad-free reading experience with audio and community features.
Copyright notice
Please be aware that all my writing and material (e.g., audio, podcast, video, etc.) at On Liminality are my copyright, and they may not be used or reproduced in any form without my written consent and permission. For permission, please email me at info@vanessacouto.com.
Want more?
Come visit my website for more on my services and offers, and follow me on Instagram.
