Episode 18

18. Understanding Loneliness: Why We Feel It, How It Affects Us, and Spiritual Ways to Find Connection

In this episode of The Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine, we explore the experience of loneliness—why it arises, how it impacts us emotionally and spiritually, and what supportive practices can help us reconnect with ourselves and others. Loneliness is a deeply human feeling, one that can surface even when we are surrounded by people, and understanding its roots is often the first step toward healing.

Together, we look at the emotional, energetic, and spiritual layers of loneliness, and how practices such as grounding, journaling, meditation, and mindful connection can help soothe the inner sense of isolation. We also explore how loneliness can be a signal from the soul, inviting us to listen more deeply, tend to unmet needs, and rebuild connection from a place of compassion and presence.

Throughout the episode, we consider questions such as why loneliness shows up even in busy or full lives, how it affects the nervous system and emotional well-being, how spiritual practices can create inner connection, and what steps help us move from isolation into meaningful community and self-support.

Important Disclaimer: I am not a mental health specialist. If you are struggling, please seek professional help or call 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate assistance.

For more supportive classes, meditations, and spiritual resources, visit bertena.org.

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About the Podcast

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Spiritual Sanctuary: Wisdom for the Divine Feminine
Where you stop searching... and start becoming

About your host

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Bertena Varney

Bertena is a spiritual teacher, priestess, and intuitive guide who blends ancient wisdom with grounded, modern insight. She is the creator and host of The Spiritual Sanctuary, a podcast devoted to the Wheel of the Year, Divine Feminine wisdom, goddess traditions, ritual, meditation, and soul-aligned living.

With decades of experience as a college educator and a deep background in spiritual studies, Bertena brings a rare combination of academic depth and embodied spiritual practice to her work. Her teachings weave together seasonal spirituality, priestess paths, somatic awareness, tarot and oracle wisdom, and contemplative ritual—always with an emphasis on empowerment, discernment, and personal sovereignty.

Bertena is the founder of the Ancient Arts of the Priestess Academy, where she offers self-paced courses, seasonal lessons, and immersive spiritual education rooted in the cycles of nature rather than hustle culture. Her work is especially supportive for women seeking a slower, more meaningful spiritual path—one grounded in trust, rest, and inner authority.

Through her podcast, courses, and writings, Bertena invites listeners into a sanctuary space where wisdom is remembered, not rushed, and where spiritual growth unfolds in its own time.

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