Nurturing From My Stars
I’ve had a spiritual connection to the moon ever since I can remember. I wasn’t surprised to learn Mother Moon is my ruling planet with my sun sign in cancer, the crab. Her nurturing energy has always made me feel whole, no matter my life circumstances. I started using a moon journal a few years back and was struck by how accurately my sensitive nature connected to her phases and cycle. A moon journal teaches the practice of creating an intention on a new moon, working towards that goal, and releasing (what is not serving you) on the full moon. This time also includes adjusting your intention. ‘Moonifesting’ every lunar cycle is my self-care tracker. Astrologers believe the moon aids in overcoming feelings of loneliness. I believe she is a giver of nurturing gifts that lead to meaningful relationships. I’m sharing my ‘self-care tracking’ tips in ABL’s Self-Care Issue, Print Edition, releasing mid-February 2025.
Astrologically speaking, Cancerians are known to be nurturing, intuitive, and very appreciative of their home environment. It’s known that we feel safe and cozy in our house made of shells. However, crustacean living is not so appealing unless I’m on a beach 24/7. Perhaps with this thought in mind, I started manifesting a destination I never thought possible to begin with! This is a key (and FUN) part of my manifesting process. My intention included living on a remote island. It stayed tucked away in the pages of my journal for many moons.
February 2025 I’m meeting up with Kat Finnerty at her Ratua Private Island Retreat in Vanuatu. I’ve learned journaling alongside the moon phases keeps me in alignment with who I truly am and where I am supposed to be. Making decisions comes easier. My tired, nervous energy has been replaced with uplifting knowingness. I’ll be joining the local community (and crustaceans) nurturing my mind, body, and spirit in personal, uncharted waters. I’ll be creating alongside new friends and my very old friend, La Luna. I’ll be journalling from a place that’s been nurtured straight from my stars! Enjoy part two of ‘Nurturing Your Sweet Retreat - a Q & A with Kat Finnerty’. May all your beautiful intentions, near or far, come alive in 2025. Go for it!
Nurturing Your Sweet Retreat (Part 2) with Kat Finnerty
Kat’s next retreat is at The Ratua Private Island Resort in late February 2025. Contact Kat for reservation/travel details. Retreat Package spots are limited. katfinnertyauthor@gmail.com WhatsApp +61428861819
Q & A with Author/Island Retreat Founder, Kat Finnerty
"Living with MS, I know what it’s like to have extreme fatigue, to have that fear to travel, to not be able to really even walk and this is a place where people can come and feel nurtured and empowered and healed.’ - Kat Finnerty
Where was the first retreat you attended and how did you manifest your signature Island Retreats?
The first retreat I ever attended was with my Buddhist teacher, Lama Marut, at Rocklyn in Victoria. From the moment I arrived, I was absolutely gobsmacked by the kindness and love that radiated from everyone. The retreat was held at an ashram run by Hindus, a traditional space dedicated to practice and simplicity.
There were no luxuries—our meals were vegan, centered around red lentils and fresh produce from the garden. We sat on the floor to eat, and the freezing temperatures reminded me of the rawness of life without distraction. Part of the experience was contributing to the ashram’s upkeep, which I surprisingly enjoyed. I mopped floors, cleaned toilets, and worked in the garden, feeling a profound sense of connection through the act of service.
While the simplicity of the ashram was life-changing, what stayed with me most was the sense of timelessness. There was no need to look at a clock; everything flowed seamlessly. Most importantly, I felt like I had come home to myself for the first time. Surrounded by breathtaking nature, incredible people, and life-altering teachings, I began to absorb the wisdom that reshaped my life. I left that retreat feeling transformed in ways I’d never imagined.
This profound experience planted the seed for my own retreats. I wanted to create something similarly life-changing—immersed in wisdom and connection—but with an added layer of luxury, adventure, and pampering. For me, it’s the perfect balance: to reconnect with yourself, to learn how to live a more content and meaningful life, and to bring joy not only to yourself but also to others.
The retreats I now curate are carefully designed to bring together like-minded people who inspire and uplift one another. With epic adventures, luxurious touches, and transformative teachings, these retreats tick every box for a dream getaway. My goal is to help others rediscover themselves in the most beautiful, fulfilling way possible—just as I did on that cold, humble ashram floor.
What are your personal top three reasons to experience your signature Island Retreats?
1. Experiences with nature. I get to swim with turtles and horses in paradise! Imagine diving into crystal clear waters surrounded by colorful fish, turtles, and even a gentle dugong. Ride horses along the beach, then cool off by swimming with them in the ocean. It’s pure magic in nature you’ll never forget.
2. Giving back projects and making a difference.
This isn’t just a getaway—it’s a chance to give back with The First Thousand Days of Life Project. You’ll spend a half day excursion helping build chicken pens and spend time teaching English in local schools, connecting with the happiest people in the world.
3. I get to relax and recharge.
Pampering yoga sessions, jungle trekking, locally grown organic food, and the stunning beauty of this island will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready for anything. It’s Adventure, purpose, and fun—all in one unforgettable experience.
What’s the culinary experience like at the resort?
At Ratua, our health-focused cuisine is crafted to nourish and energize, bringing you the best of local, fresh, and organic ingredients. Each meal is a vibrant fusion of tropical flavors and essential nutrients designed to support a balanced lifestyle. From colorful salads brimming with garden-fresh greens and antioxidant-rich fruits to sustainably sourced seafood prepared with island-inspired spices, every dish is thoughtfully created to fuel your body and delight your senses. Our commitment to wellness extends to every bite, offering a truly nutritious, delicious, and unforgettable culinary experience amidst the beauty of Vanuatu.
What are the accommodations like at the Ratua Private Island Resort?
This isn’t just any private island in paradise—it’s next-level, the kind of place you only dream of. The villas at Ratua Private Island Resort are made from 200-year-old Indonesian teak, reassembled on the island without a single nail, using traditional craftsmanship that feels like something out of a movie. Each villa comes with its own private beach and reef, where you can literally step out of bed and dive straight into the ocean.
Normally, this level of luxury comes with a price tag reserved for those with more money than God. But, as the title of my memoir says, Never Let a Good Disaster Go to Waste. After years of COVID and a massive rebuild following a cyclone, the rates are now 75% off, making this dream destination accessible for those of us who know how to turn disasters into opportunities.
Kat Finnerty is an author, yoga and fitness instructor, nutritionist, and retreat facilitator. To learn more about Kat’s Retreat at The Ratua Private Island Resort in Vanuatu visit katfinnerty.com
Email/WhatsApp Kat directly katfinnertyauthor@gmail.com to reserve your Retreat in Vanuatu! +61428861819
Ginny Connon is a Relationship Coach, Clairvoyant, and member of the Director's Guild of Canada.
Listen to Ginny Connon’s Nurturing Podcast for a reset in your busy day, anywhere you listen to podcasts. Visit www.ginnyconnon.com for previous articles, podcasts, and links to in-person and online events.
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