“We can’t open up to healing unless we really look at where we’ve been”

With Simonne Butler, Medicine Woman, activist, Author

In this episode, Simonne Butler explores the layered journey of trauma, healing, and reclaiming one’s voice.

Simone shares her process of writing and releasing her deeply personal story in her book The Double-Edged Sword.

As a survivor of a brutal 2003 attack in New Zealand, in which her former partner assaulted her with a samurai sword, severing both of her hands before they were later surgically reattached after extensive emergency surgery.

We speak about writing her book and the experience of stepping out to be seen. The Sacred Plant Medicine of Aotearoa, First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® have been a fundamental part of her healing journey.

This episode has a trigger warning as we are talking about Simonne’s memoir that deals with domestic violence, sexual abuse and the journey of healing from trauma. Yet mostly, we cover her journey with writing, the intense emotions and the journey of having one’s story out there. Soul retrieval, shamanic work an do much more.

In this episode you will find

00:21 Meet Simonne Butler
04:59 Shared Trauma and Trigger Warning
06:08 Writing the Book to Heal
11:35 Family Reactions and Telling Truth
27:03 Trauma Inherited Patterns
28:22 Aura Cleansing Holistic View 28:50 Seven Trauma Ferns
32:31 Gaslighting Spiritual Wounds
35:22 Healing Journey Boundaries
44:02 Identity Integration Practice
47:04 Walking In Beauty Songs
49:22 Gratitude Disabled Body
50:11 Red Flags Leave Now
50:33 Closing Prayer Thanks

About Simonne Butler

Simonne Butler is a Medicine Woman. Activist. Co-Author of “Double-edged Sword The Simonne Butler Story.” A memoir of violence, survival, healing, and reclamation.”

Simonne holds a Certificate in Advanced Shamanic Studies” and a “Certificate in Healers Studies” from Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies and is working towards a Diploma in New Zealand Native Flower Essence Therapy with First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® Simonne creates personalised first light flower essence blends and offers 1 hour healing readings and spiritual counselling sessions via phone and messenger.

Simonne draws on plant essences, shamanic practices and has gone through many initiations along her path. The ferns Simonne mentions throughout this talk around from First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand®, yet Simonne creates personalised blends upon request.

Resources & references mentioned

RNZ (Radio NZ), Breaking Silence series

First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® ~

Selected essences mentioned in this episode include:

• No.100 Mahoe ~ from the Shamanic collection
• Fern trauma kit (No.37–43)

Fern essences and themes discussed:

• No.37 King fern ~ security ~ clearing physical trauma
• No.38 Rasp fern ~ boundaries ~ emotional and sexual trauma
• No.39 Shaking brake fern ~ empowerment ~ disempowerment trauma
• No.40 Silver fern ~ trust ~ heart trauma such as betrayal or abandonment
• No.41 Prince of Wales feathers fern ~ respect ~ healing around voice and dignity
• No.42 Star fern ~ authenticity ~ healing reality distortion or gaslighting
• No.43 Plumed maidenhair fern ~ direction ~ healing spiritual trauma

Advanced shamanic studies at Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic Studies
Training that Butler describes as helping her rebuild strength, clarity, and spiritual grounding after the intense process of publishing her story.

Red My Lips ~ An annual global campaign encouraging survivors and allies to speak openly about sexual violence and challenge victim-blaming culture.