TERRACOTTA: The Seasons

The Seasons: Compost IV

Madison Murphy Barney — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:04:08 GMT

Alright, here we are, the fourth and final week!

Proud of you.

Proud of us.

Let’s get to the final stage of composting: growing. This is where we fertilize the soil with all we released from alchemizing of our “thing” in the past few weeks.

Let’s get into it.

The Seasons: Compost Part III

Madison Murphy Barney — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 23:50:08 GMT

Hi cuties,

We baaaackkk. It is week three, and I imagine your inbox is lit right now with holiday summer sales, etc. (HBD to America, for all who celebrate said milestone). Well, per usual, I am here to talk about something weird with you. ~+@CoMpOsT@+~.

Last week, we spent some time with rot. With the ick. With the stench.

This week, things will be less smelly and more nourishing. Some prompts for fidning the nutrients are below.

I’ll be back next week.

xoxo

The Seasons: Composting Part II

Madison Murphy Barney — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 23:38:12 GMT

Hi Fam,

As promised, I’m back with the second step in our The Seasons Composting experiment.

I’d love to hear how last week’s exercises went for you. What came up? What are you sending to the compost bin? How does composting feel different from “getting rid of” or “stopping doing?”

Okay, this week’s prompts are below.

Miss you already, and I’ll see you next week.

The Seasons: Composting

Madison Murphy Barney — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 15:53:59 GMT

Hi homies,

The light has returned! The longest day has passed!

I have been thinking a lot about compost. I mean, I do have a book about mushrooms coming out after all.

How we compost the systems of that don’t serve and love us so that we can use their lessons and energy held within them to fertilize the soil for what wants to grow.

Thus was born this quarters The Season’s challenge on composting. Over the course of 4 weeks, I will be in your inbox with prompts for choosing one system/thing/process/relationship/story/etc. in your life that is ready to be composted, and identify what wants to grow from it.

Okay, here we go!

Questions & practices for grief as the light returns

Madison Murphy Barney — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:08:49 GMT

Hi beloveds,

Our The Seasons Challenge for spring is a series of prompts, questions, and elemental suggestions to meet, explore, hold, and bathe in the portal of grief.

I’d love to hear how this lands. See you in the comments.

Drafting your Bill of Rights

Madison Murphy Barney — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 16:12:37 GMT

Okay, here we are! Our third week of drafting a Bill of Rights for how we will be supported. This will be especially delish to have handy (maybe even a laminated, pocket sized version?) for the upcoming holidays. There is no better playground for your preferences and needs than a good ole’ multi-day gathering with the most triggering, proximate people in your life.

Below, you will find numerous examples of articles and elements that you can reference as you draft your Bill of Rights. I also threw in some Mad Libs-style exercises to prompt further exploration. Do also have you answers to the excavation exercises from the past few weeks. They will be key in this process.

Okay, here we go.

YOUR BILL OF RIGHTS FOR BEING SUPPORTED

Preamble (optional): I create this bill of rights because... In this season of my life, I am learning...

The State of The (Supported) Union

Madison Murphy Barney — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 19:22:39 GMT

Before we get into it, I’m thrilled upon thrilled to share a few ways to pre-order my forthcoming book Our Ancestors Want Us to Be Mushrooms here, here, and also here.

Hi, how was your week?

I am back with the second step of our Bill of Rights for being supported co-creation/experiment.

If you missed last week, you can check it out here. Definitely start there first. This practice will remain available for as long as I can see into the future, so don’t rush thyself. Winter is coming. You’ve got time.

Last week, we excavated. This week, we are assessing.

I invite you to pull up the document/grab the paper you dreamed and schemed with last time, make yourself a lil treat, and let’s hop to it.

Spoiler alert: this week has less questions than last week. I followed my un-unfollowable tendency to go overboard with prompts. I couldn’t help it. It was a snowy Sunday and I had questions.

The State of The (Supported) Union prompts

On being supported

Madison Murphy Barney — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:17:23 GMT

Hi Beloveds,

During The Seasons, we will devote this cuspy moment between fall and winter to draft an individual Bill of Rights focused on how you are supported.

This practice will take place over four weeks. I will send you a new prompt each week until, voila, your Bill of Rights will be in your very own hands for enacting, practicing, and sharing.

When we remember we have the right to be supported, we remember to show up for support. We remember to support each other. We remember that our rights follow us through all seasons of life.

This first week, we are going to start with a bit of excavation. I suggest having a virtual or physical document as your companion through this full process. Below are some prompts and exercises to get you started. I will see you back here next week.

xoxoxoxo,