Incoming Hermit

Hermit Year and More

Author

Cara Schuster
January 17, 2025

There’s no denying it: 2025 is going to be an intense year, marked by a great deal of uncertainty, anxiety, and change. How do we respond wisely to these times? How can we be of service to our community and beloveds in the midst of them? How can we tend to ourselves as compassionately and presently as possible, given the circumstances?

2025 is an 9/Hermit* year. The Hermit is devotional, committed to the journey of personal work, inner transformation, and deep seeking in times both clear and uncertain. The Hermit roots itself firmly into the present moment, and wants to be here with everything that is arising. Hermit years are initiations, callings, crucial and transformative seasons when we must shine the lantern of loving witness into the depths of ourselves to process, honor, and clear what’s ready to be faced (and more importantly, what’s ready to be released). The importance of this work cannot be overstated, as it will be helping to pave and form the path for the next several years of our lives.

This year is a turning point in many ways, some heartbreaking, some healing, and some tremendously galvanizing. We are changing, and 2025 is helping us to do this. How can we come home to our hearts, to pivot where needed, and to root into ourselves so we can be anchored — no matter how choppy the tides may be?

- Lindsay Mack

Hello and welcome to 2025. 

I don’t know how it happened, but I have become a wildless creature, barely able to string together a sentence. My writing has not been up to snuff, and these days I find myself wanting to write about completely different things that do not lend towards what this newsletter was intended for. Mindless scrolling on social media, consuming endless podcasts, not getting out into the world to walk, and relying on devices for communication rather than in person hang-outs has culminated into a fairly unembodied feeling. I remember the days of exploration in several newfound cities I inhabited getting completely lost while walking, driving, or using public transit. Cell phones were not a thing yet, so my mind had the space to tune into what was around me, and allow the day to unfold on its own accord. I talked to strangers. I found new parks to explore, new food to eat. I miss the days which were met with mystery. I think being attached to my phone has driven the mystery of life away. 

On that note, I will be abroad for 10 days starting this coming Monday, January 20th, and will not be fielding calls or texts during that time in the hopes to tap into some of that delicious mystery again. Please feel free to email me if you have any requests or concerns, and I will respond as soon as possible.

Be sure to get on the schedule, as the books are filling up. There will likely be schedule changes happening this coming spring, as I navigate cool upcoming changes at Mud & Lotus, so let me know if there are specific days/times you would like to see available so I can take that into consideration. I will likely add one day at my home studio, as this is my preference. Please refer to my linktree to find all websites and booking platforms, www.caraschuster.com. I am currently on hiatus from providing updates via Instagram until the honey starts to flow in the spring and we head back to markets, so please refer to the newsletters for updates. 

Reminder on the new massage rates for 2025 at my home studio -
All rates are inclusive of hot towel therapy, aromatherapy, handmade topicals, and additional gratuities are now not accepted, but I always appreciate your business. I do this to eliminate the pressure to spend more, while also giving myself the opportunity to receive what I feel is a fair rate for my work. I can offer a community care discount for those in need. No questions asked!

NEW SERVICE! 
30 Minute Rapid Recovery -$50
Achieve recovery in specific areas of the body that need attention with this tailored 30 minute session. Includes handcrafted muscle recovery topicals, gua sha and/or cupping, and hot towel treatment.

Therapeutic Herbal Massage 
60 Minute - $80
75 Minute - $95
90 Minute - $115

Fire Cupping Massage
60 Minute - $95
75 Minute - $110
90 Minute - $125

Dreaming with Bees remains at $120
Milk & Honey Masque remains at $40 

Optional Add-Ons -
Mugwort Castor Abdominal Massage - $5 
Facial Cupping - Free 

Other Considerations: 
As always, I am happy to provide recommendations to other bodyworkers in town if you need additional resources. For instance, I do not offer deep tissue or sports/injury massage, but I have a wonderful source for that to share with you! My specialties are fire cupping and meditative massage combined with handmade herbal infused oils. Please note that if you would like to book fire cupping at Mud & Lotus, you will need to book a 90 minute session, you will find a specific option to book that. My personal practice lends room for tailoring your session, whereas the service at Mud & Lotus is dependent upon their business structure. 

Not only are we moving into a Hermit Year as a collective, but my personal year is also a Hermit Year. I couldn’t be more thrilled. How about you? What do you want to make a plan for as we face the next several years? This is the time to plant those seeds. What do you want for yourself, how do you want to engage in your communities? These are questions we must be asking ourselves. Floods, fires, new administrations and their policies throughout the world, and fresh opportunities to see through a new lens are all on the periphery. Let's make a good plan, and make good choices to get there. 


-Cara

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