The Open Nesters

Awakening the Feminine (S5 | E188)
Awakening the Feminine: Moira Cormack on Tantra, Motherhood & Empowerment after 50 Open Nesters Podcast Episode (S5 | E188)
[Tessa] Moira Cormack, a passionate advocate for womanhood and personal evolution, shares her transformative journey in an engaging conversation recorded at the Open Nesters podcast.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Moira’s Edinburgh, Scotland, the interview delves deep into our guest’s experiences as a mother of four daughters and her exploration of femininity, personal empowerment, and the practice of Tantra. From her early days of motherhood—raising twins as a young woman who had just moved from London to Bombay—to navigating personal challenges, including a painful divorce, Moira provides a rich narrative filled with insights and wisdom.
1:44 Motherhood and Early Experiences 6:26 Divorce and Personal Growth 8:25 The Journey of Self-Discovery 17:22 Embracing Sexuality and Pleasure 25:36 Starting the Path to Healing 35:33 Embracing Aging and Vibrancy 37:38 Offering Support and ConnectionEdinburgh Scotland
Awakening the Feminine | Early MarriageMoira recounts her early marriage and the circumstances that led her to become a single mother. She reflects on the joys and trials of mothering, emphasizing her commitment to creative engagement with her children and the transformative power of play. With a focus on saying “yes” to experiences, she nurtured a playful household where exploration and creativity thrived.
Moira’s parenting philosophy highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and modeling resilience for her daughters, especially as they encounter their own struggles and journeys toward independence.
Jade EggsA yoni egg (typically made of jade, rose quartz, or obsidian) is a smooth, egg-shaped stone designed to be gently inserted into the vagina (aka the yoni, Sanskrit for “sacred space”). It’s used to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, increase sensitivity, release emotional trauma, and build a connection with one’s body.
How to Use a Yoni Egg – Step by Step 1. Choose the Right Egg-
Size matters: Beginners usually start with a medium or large egg—it’s easier to feel and control.
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Type of stone: Jade is the classic beginner’s choice—non-porous, tough, and gentle in energy.
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Physically: Use warm water and a mild soap. Rinse well.
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Energetically (optional but popular): Pass it through sage smoke, place it under the moon, or set an intention. Think: “Release. Heal. Empower.”
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Not mandatory, but recommended.
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Try some deep breathing, a warm bath, gentle pelvic massage, or sensual movement.
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The goal: ease into your body, shift from “doing” to “being.”
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Lie on your back or squat.
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Relax your pelvic muscles.
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Gently insert the egg narrow-end first (some prefer string side down if it has one).
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Go slowly—no pushing or forcing.
Now the real magic:
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Pelvic floor exercises (think Kegels): Squeeze and release around the egg.
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Meditation or breathwork: Feel into your womb space.
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Movement: Some women dance with it in! Others simply lie still and connect.
⏱ How long?
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Start with 10–15 minutes. Over time, some use it for up to an hour.
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Not recommended to sleep with it in or wear it all day (contrary to TikTok mythology).
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Relax and gently bear down to release it naturally.
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If your egg has a drilled hole, you can use unwaxed dental floss to gently guide it out.
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Clean it again after each use.
Throughout the conversation, Moira candidly addresses her personal growth following her divorce. She explains how the difficulty of that period catalyzed her journey toward self-discovery, ultimately leading her to explore Tantra. For Moira, Tantra represents a path to understanding one’s own body and sexuality, debunking myths that suggest that women lose their sexual vitality with age. She discusses the often-hidden trauma stored within the body, particularly within women’s sexuality, and introduces the practice of dearmoring—a technique aimed at releasing trauma stored in the vagina and facilitating a deeper connection to one’s own pleasure and body.
Moving beyond the individual to the collective experience of women, Moira emphasizes the importance of recognizing and releasing social conditioning that constrains authentic feminine expression. She invites listeners to embrace their bodies and their sexuality, framing this journey as a powerful act of personal liberation. The dialogue transitions into practical advice, with Moira providing suggestions for accessing one’s inner vibrancy, such as felt sense meditation and the use of jade eggs for personal empowerment and exploration.The conversation also touches on the dynamic of relationships, highlighting the difference between fulfilling connections and those that may detract from personal growth. Moira asserts that women should prioritize their own growth and fulfillment over traditional ideals of longevity in relationships, echoing her belief that true fulfillment comes from within. She discusses her personal state of being single and how she embraces self-pleasure and self-awareness as integral to her experience of intimacy.
As the interview winds down, Moira encourages listeners to redefine their understanding of aging, suggesting that the years after 50 can represent a flowering of selfhood, not a decline. She inspires a radical shift in mindset, advocating for women to reclaim their power and resonate vibrantly in the world, regardless of societal narratives that frame aging negatively. Emphasizing that one’s journey is ongoing, she reassures her audience that it is never too late to pursue passion, connection, and personal authenticity.
Resources for YouWe want to provide you with support and many many resources for your own Open Nesting Journey. Our resource page has so much to offer as does our private discussion group on Facebook about queerness and other topics of interest: