Magic Muse Interviews No. 1
Ellene Sakis the New Age Naturopath
Ellene and I have been connected for over seven years now, and aside from our friendship we have worked together in several different capacities over the years. I have experienced her craft first hand, and have watched her as she has grown her business and honed her skills as her practise has evolved. Once a naturopath, always a witch, she weaves these paths together seamlessly with a foundation of herbalism and Greek mysticism that offers something truly unique to the people she serves. I’m honoured to introduce her as our first edition of Magic Muse Interviews, and I hope you enjoy getting to know Ellene as she shares some of her personal rituals with us.
Introduce yourself - who are you, and what do you do?
Hello! My name is Ellene & I represent my sweet little business, Ellene New Age Naturopath. I like to describe myself as Naturopath by trade, Witch by nature. Mainly because what I do is so varied that I find it hard to niche it down to just one label.
I am a very proud, Greek Australian, qualified Naturopath & Herbalist, Pendulum Master, Flower Essence Practitioner & Iridologist. I’ve also studied the chakras, spiritual empowerment, cartomancy plus an ongoing obsession for learning. I use this knowledge as a basis for my clients, which allows me to utilise a range of tools during my 1:1 sessions, from flower essences, card readings, herbalism, pendulums and dowsing rods, nutrition etc.
I see my role in life is to lovingly call you out. Talking to yourself negatively? CUT THAT OUT YOU’RE A GOD DAMN QUEEN!
Eating poorly, emotionally attaching to people & things that do not serve you all the while blaming Mercury for being in the microwave? STOP IT! I see you and what you are hiding from and I absolutely know why you’re scared. But it’s ok my love, I got you and we can do this step by step, together. Let me help clear the path with you.
I really try to embody the holistic approach as much as possible. We are more than just our physical body & we need more than just supplements alone.
How did you get started on your path?
Once upon a time … No!
Dear me that’s a very long story, but to cut that long story short … I grew up with a very sick Dad, which led me to study Naturopathy.
Naturopathy led me to flower essences which was then my gateway to study vibrational medicine and then all of the energetic world kind of spewed out onto me from there.
It took me a long time to integrate the emotional & energetic side of me into my business as I was afraid everyone would think I had lost my damn mind. I was already out practising as a naturopath and that wasn’t exactly mainstream either. But once I leaned into how much joy I got from doing it and started to take myself seriously, no one cared two hoots and the ones that did fell away and did me a big fat favour by doing so.
What/who are your greatest muses and what/who do you draw inspiration from?
Oooohhhh good question. I think I was always the kind of kid to be fascinated by mythology, magic and witches in books and movies. Greek mythology has been a constant source of inspiration and morals for life which I just love! My heritage being Greek has been a huge influence on every aspect of my being.
My ancestors when physically here with me and still now in spirit inspire me completely. They were immigrants in the 30’s to 50’s and overcame every obstacle in their way. If they can get onto ships and sail into the unknown, land in Australia with no English, no schooling, no family or money, then I can do anything! They did not work that hard, suffer all the things so that I could have a mediocre existence.
My husband inspires me so much in so many ways. I deeply admire him & how different we are in the way that we think & function. His guidance and support always comes from such a grounded and judgemental free space that I feel I can flourish in anything that I do because of the safety & love I am surrounded by.
My friends and family are next level inspo material. I am constantly inspired by their love, creativity & fire in their bellies to pursue what they love and for who they love. I aspire to be as much like that as I possibly can. I am the luckiest woman on earth to be loved and guided by so many incredible people.
What little rituals do you have to start your day?
I’m a deep lover of slow mornings. I wake up and make a cacao concoction, grab a deck of cards and go sit outside with my plants and pull a card (or 74775) for the day’s message. I will then have a yummy breaky, call my mummy and get to see my first client of the day.
Do you have any little rituals to end your day?
End of day I’m not so “ritualistic” with. I tend to finish my day with clients/work and get straight into cooking our dinner. I guess the ritual part for me, probably comes into the energy in which I bring into cooking. I play music, dance around and take my time to create something delicious and fun. If it’s a Greek meal, then it’s Greek music and inviting my ancestors to come dance and cook with me. Those are my favourite nights.
Then it’s shower and snuggles on the couch with hubby.
Tell us what you like to do in your free time, do you have any hobbies?
Oh I’m so boring! I love the slower paced things. Crochet, gardening, making bread, a weekend market, cooking for our friends and family at home. That all sounds like a dream to me.
Give us your best advice for either business or life (or both).
Have fun, play and say dirty things!
If it’s not fun, make it fun or stop doing it. Life is meant to be experienced in all sorts of ways but they don’t all have to suck and be so serious. Feel your damn feels, say what you ACTUALLY mean and play where you can. Life and business will be far more simple and fun if we start putting ourselves in as the main character of our stories.
Do you have a favourite plant, and if so, what is it and why?
Ummm ok, which is your favourite child? HOW DO I POSSIBLY CHOOSE?!
I have so many it really depends on what’s going on for me to then choose which is my fav, so let me try it this way...
To grow & cook with: Rosemary – outside of being an absolute staple in most of Greek savoury cooking, it reminds me of my Yiayia Maria. We would pick it from outside her room before going in to see her and the smell of it just takes me back to a little girl in her arms.
Medicinally: Licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra – How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. What doesn’t licorice do? Sugar cravings, sore throats, low blood pressure, adrenal restorative, hormonal helper, digestive soother, I mean come on AND it’s the yummiest! Anyone who says the taste of licorice is gross has been scientifically proven to be liar liar pants on fire! So, PSA please be on the lookout for burning pants.
Tea: Tulsi, Rooibos and Mugwort. All three of these babes just work so well for me at different times of the month to bring peace & protection to my emotions, my heart and my soul.
Aromatherapy – Ohhhh my husband would be all lavender and citrus but I’m more vanilla, jasmine, rose and frankincense. It’s all about the sexy, grounding, feminine vibes for me!
Do you have any dreams that you are wanting to bring forth in the near future?
My next dream about to come true is our honeymoon. For all my love of my Greek background and in all my 33 years of life, I have not been to Greece. I am so excited that dream is about to become a reality in the coming months and with my gorgeous Greek god of a husband as well. We are going to be going to as many places as we can that my ancestors came from and I am just PINCHING MYSELF! A literal dream come true.
I think a new dream will form from that trip. I don’t know what it is yet but I know that when my Greek dream materialises and eventually passes it’ll guide me to another one will that grow and take its place.
How can our community support your work?
The ultimate would be to meet you in a 1:1 session. That is where I shine and can support you best, and in turn you are supporting me by allowing me to live my dream. I see clients regularly interstate and internationally.
Of course there are other ways, I have an online shop where you can pick up handmade goodies from me and there’s always good old social media platforms. Your engagement makes creating content far more fun for me!
I also have a section of my online shop that allows you to donate as an Offering of Gratitude.
It’s essentially as pay it forward system. I have this available because on occasions when someone is in need of services, products or support I want to be able to support them where possible and the Offering of Gratitude allows this to happen with far more ease than just me on my own, pouring solely from my cup.
You can find Ellene and see more of her craft on Instagram, here on Substack
and via her website. If you want to hear more about what she does and her take on some of our favourite topics, check out her episodes on the podcast.