Field Notes #1

From the desk of Ana-Maria, Earthborn's Editor in Chief

Welcome to my first field notes post, where I share the behind the scenes of getting Earthborn Magazine off the ground.

It’s been exactly one week since I went public with Earthborn, and the tingles have not left. They have evolved. A big lesson I was initiated into when I went into my own personal underworld and started to follow the threads of my purpose is that I can only see the very next steps … and to trust them.

There’s something to be said about acting on your next treads that are being revealed to you. To keep on taking action because only then will more and more clarity emerge.

Earthborn’s Home

One of these threads has been in the tinkering with the tech and figuring out where Earthborn will live. I initially created a website are earthbornmag.com, but it seems like it does not quite feel right for the heart and soul of Earthborn to live there. It felt more like a business card than a home.

So when I had an inkling to go all in on Substack, of course my natural reaction was resistance. “But don’t all “serious” businesses and publications need a website” is what kept coming to mind. Funny how my aim is to change the way we do things only to realize how deeply I still am entrenched in conditioning on my own.

When I dropped into the liminal space to check with the energy of Earthborn and my team, the message that came through was:

“You travel to the beat of a different drum. It’s time to acknowledge you do not fit a mold that is not in tune with you. Find your rhythm; respond to the heartbeat of the distant drum.”.
(from the Mystical Shaman Oracle by Alberto Villoldo, Collette Baron-Reid, and Marcella Lobos).

Well, I nearly cried because that was exactly the kick in the butt to remember who the F I am.

And because I am a Virgo Moon, and therefore a details and systems girl, I had already registered earthbornmagazine.com. That will be the new home of Earthborn pointing right here on Substack. At least it will be once the tech co-operations and all is done in the back end.

Truthfully, if my aim is to create ways of exploring what’s possible, spend more time in the world living the change I desire to see, and be on the looking for amazing folks to feature, I need Earthborn to be agile in the teach and maintenance yet rooted enough to hold space for what’s to come. So far, I’m happy and at peace visiting Earthborn Magazine on Substack each day.

Our first contributions are in

I had the idea to start Earthborn Magazine in the autumn of 2025. I had no idea at the time if it would be viable because, more than anything, I did not want it to be about me. I knew in my heart it belongs to our collective. The first thing I did was to reach out to dear friends and folks in my network and see if anyone would be interested in contributing to the first magazine.

In what still feels surreal, many said yes. Even more unreal is that the first three submissions are in.

The beauty and depth of their writing took my breath away. So much so that it took me a day at least to even respond to them because I was in so much awe I couldn’t configure words to express how big my heart grew, how I had tears as I immersed myself in their writing, and how much gratitude I held for them … I was speechless for a long time.

In the coming weeks, I cannot wait to introduce you to these amazing humans.

Publishing schedule, digital version and online articles

I wish I had everything figured out on this front, and in a way it’s still irking me that I have not. Two point I have been pondering.

The first is that initially, I wanted to publish the first issue in time for March 2026 and the start of spring. But I realized everyone would have to submit their articles by January 1st … meaning they would work during the holidays. Not ideal. As I’m feeling into the possibilities for the first issue, I must give myself and the contributors grace and aim for the first issue to be sometime between March and June 2026.

The second item that’s been on my mind is that this is a long time to wait until the first issue to be live, and part of me is impatient. In between issues, I want to see what it can look like to collaborate and invite contributors to add their work on the online publication on Substack as well. We shall see how this will take shape. For now, I’m off to let our contributors know!

What I’ve been exploring

Earthborn was always meant to be an exploration of what relational and regenerative paths are available and who we must become to make those changes in our culture and society as a whole. For 2026, I have my reading list to learn more from others who have paved the way before me; these will become my non-blood ancient and modern ancestors.

The Book I’m reading is Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown (as inspired by Juliet Diaz’s Book Coven February ‘s pick)

The personal development training I’m taking is Spiritual Leadership Immersion by Sora Schilling from the Devoted Way.

The song I’m listening to is Step Into Your Power by Manifestica Studio

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xo,

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