Category: Spirit – Soul, Courage

Posted on

March is Here – Fasten Your Seatbelts

Astrologically speaking, March is a big month. Lots of movement; fasten your seatbelt. For those of us who follow the art of astrology it’s an eventful, spicy time. But nuanced and paradoxical.

In Astrology is an Art Liz Greene says that “simple answers are not what astrology is about.” Rather it offers a “set of mysteries to explore, and yet another set of unanswered questions to stretch our minds and transform our views of reality.”

My favorite astrologer is Chani Nicholas. She’s insightful and detailed. Her CHANI App, TikTok and Instagram accounts are fun and informative. Also, she prefaces her readings with an important reminder that they’re “to be read as inspiration.”

So, what’s happening?

MAMA BEAR: Saturn moved from Aquarius to Pisces on March 7.

Back in 2018 I was fascinated when Saturn entered Capricorn. Chani says that “Saturn has been in one of its home signs – Capricorn and Aquarius” since 2017. As the traditional ruler of both, their “boundaries and rules came unadulterated.” Pisces in Saturn may be more like a “jellyfish.” The Saturn structure “will feel gentler . . . its walls spongier and receptive to the changing tides.” Exciting stuff after the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

PAPA BEAR: Pluto moves from Capricorn to Aquarius on March 23.

Pluto, the planet of transformation, last entered Aquarius in 1778 – 246 years ago. Astrologers are reminding us of the momentous events of that era. The French Revolution; Independence of the United States; the Age of Enlightenment; incredible inventions. Pluto will only be here for 2-1/2 months in 2023. Consider it a preview of what’s coming in 2024 and will last 20 years! Might history repeat itself?

BABY BEAR: Mars leaves Gemini for Cancer on March 25.

Mars, the planet of desire, drive and energy usually cycles a sign every two months. But it’s been in Gemini since Aug 2022–7 months. Gemini’s energy is restless in Mars but gives us the get-up-and-go to do something about it. With Cancer it’s a different vibe. Cancer is a “sign of emotional sensitivity and intuition,” according to Astrologer Rhiannon Liselle. Her advice is to connect “to your shadow, which makes itself known during oppositional transits such as these.” Whatever we encounter, our energy will be different.

Not enough? There’s more . . .

Three other fast-moving planets change signs this month. There are five conjunctions. A square. Well-aspected new and full moons. Two cazimis. A Sun sign change and the spring equinox. Phew!

Flowers are reemerging, trees are budding. Spring will be here in less than two weeks. I’m ready.

This is a great time to take an opportunity to feel the energetic shift; shake off the old and embrace the new. Change can be disquieting. But when I open my mind to potential and possibility, I can roll with what shows up.

“Dare to Know! Have the courage to use your own reason.”

– Immanuel Kant, What is the Enlightenment 1784
Share
Posted on

So Little Time – Spend It Wisely

Decades ago, mom gave me a T-shirt with the saying “So many books, so little time.” I still wear it, shabby and stained as it is. The sentiment reminds me of the abundance around me and to choose wisely – and of my mom. Our time allotment isn’t all that long. Spending it pursuing joy is important.

The Cycle of Life

Nature has its seasons, and life is cyclical. Last December during the winter solstice, I set an Intention for the coming year, including monthly check-ins at each new moon.

This week the second new moon of the year arrived – the Worm Moon. As I settled in for my promised monthly review, I was struck by how task oriented I am. Does this help me achieve my goal? Maybe.

My 2023 intention is to have “A Sense of Purpose.” This particular quest began knowing it’s an intangible and abstract proposition. Choosing where to put my time and energy is key. The three paths that called me were community, writing and self-care. They looked the most promising to deliver encounters with insight into the part I play in this life.

Being a singular person, self-care is vital. Prioritizing my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health gives me the stamina and inspiration to meet this mystery. My writing shows me what I know, what I don’t know – and the great chasm in between; not to mention as a door to be both brave and vulnerable. As part of a whole my community reflects where and who I am; offering direction and a foundation to grow.

I chose projects, experiences and encounters to pursue for each path. They are all delightful and motivating, and I eagerly jumped in.

Backroads; Wyoming

In month one I acknowledged, HA! my eyes are bigger than my stomach and the banquet needed to be refined. My appetite is big, but I moved a few bits to a back burner. Still, I did look at potential time sucks; were they obstacles or assists? I’m talking to you TikTok! This question is still under review.

Month two included low energy and lack of motivation. Instead of shaking my finger at myself, I stepped off the treadmill and rested. So, not every box will be checked on my March “want to do” list, but a big win for Emotional Health (woot woot).

This is an interesting journey I set myself on, and I’m eager for more.

“Each man’s life represents a road toward himself, an attempt at such a road, the intimation of a path… But each of us – experiments of the depths – strives toward his own destiny. We can understand one another; but each of us is able to interpret himself to himself alone.”

― Herman Hesse
Share
Posted on

Intellect vs Intuition – The Power of And

Intellect and intuition are two distinct animals. Understanding things rationally may ask me to set aside emotion, while my gut feelings lean into it. Both can be constructive on their own. When paired, they’re magical.

My studies emphasize logic and critical thinking. But, my inclinations favor the hunch. When life presents a possibility and its decision time, I’ll weigh my options. However, I ultimately trust what feels right. Ignoring the bad belly, the niggling doubt, or the emotional vampire bit my ass more than once.

When you know you know.

Cultural programming tells me common-sense is de rigueur. But is it? In an article from Psychology Today, Jim Taylor, PhD says: Common Sense Is Neither Common nor Sense.

“If common sense was common, then most people wouldn’t make the kinds of decisions they do every day. People wouldn’t buy stuff they can’t afford. They wouldn’t smoke cigarettes or eat junk food. They wouldn’t gamble.”

Dr. Taylor goes on to say that while Americans may revere this maxim, it’s but “a fallacy that has been foisted on us by our culture of ideology (any ideology that wants to tell us what we should think and do) that prefers us to be stupid, ill-informed, and poor decision-makers.”

Logic and questioning assumptions is not common-sense. Insight isn’t make-believe.

Yes, reason wants facts. Seeing is believing, and critical thinking promotes the need to analyze and evaluate an idea. Imagination calls for creativity and vision where believing is seeing. There’s a case for both.

Watching for omens and signs from the Universe is a favorite pastime. Trusting the message when it appears takes patience. That critical evaluation gives me confidence to follow my heart. In due course “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” as they say. Take the leap, enjoy life.

“Trust instinct to the end, even though you can give no reason.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Share
Posted on

When I Need to Let Go – Calling all Angels

Its mind blowing, crazy how hard it is to let shit go. Knowing that this turbulence is baked into my neurobiology, helps me see on some level, that the struggle is partially organic.

This truth can be an excuse or a dare. Making a decision to reprogram my brain – or not; depends on my perceptions. This viewpoint is entangled with the same synaptic bugaboos plus an environmental luck of the draw. Granting myself grace on this journey helps me be patient with the process.

It’s tricky to know when I’m unconsciously holding onto some something. However, my situation – my body – my dreams send messages. Being open to hear the lesson, to make space for awareness so the unconscious becomes conscious is a gift to my spirit.

. . The subway door closed quickly after I slipped out, but before my companions could make it. They ran backwards to push the open button; I impulsively jabbed my hand into the gap to pop it open again. That didn’t work, and I watched as my hand was dragged away.

. . . and then I woke up. Dreams!

badcodec@tumblr.com

Dreams; are they messages from the unconscious? Do they have meaning? Maybe. I’m not one to naturally remember my dreams. This one was a random rare exception. Sharing it with a friend yielded the “let go or be dragged” mantra.

Missives that resonate deeply call for contemplation and reflection. Sometimes insight can be elusive.

When I don’t know but I want to; I reflect on the Serenity Prayer for direction.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Do I have any control over – whatever? No? Then acknowledgment and tolerance are appropriate. If yes, then what can I do to effect change? Guts and grit are helpful here.

Knowing the difference? – there’s no rushing that. Have to sit with it – for who knows how long. Experience tells me I tend to stir the pot and get into mischief, often without considering the consequences. Sheer orneriness or some darn synapse?

When I take my time and listen to that still quiet voice, the ideas that come are helpful. This knowing generally consists of small; one-degree turns in a healthy, positive direction. Wisdom is following these next right steps – wherever they may lead.

“To experience more synchronicity and ‘coincidences’ we need to listen and be aware of the world around us and also our intuition.

That’s how the universe speaks to itself, it’s an ongoing flow of information that comes from both the outside and from within.

Pay attention to how the universe speaks to you today and participate in the flow by being attentive and by listening to your inner voice.”

― Maria Erving
Share
Posted on

Look Out the Window – Life is There

A cardinal sat on my deck railing pecking at the feed my husband put out. Stopping to watch felt like a meditation – relaxing and peaceful. Looking out further were more birds, the lake and the wind blowing bare tree limbs. This is the staff of life. This moment.

Each day I get up and do the deal; walk the dogs, pay the bills; figure out what’s for dinner. Trudge through January to arrive at February – and dream of spring flowers. Repetitive, everyday life.

A post on my social media this morning reminded me that I can make daily, persistent tasks a prayer or a trial.

One of my favorite cartoonists, Harry Bliss recently posted:

Harry Bliss

Yes, some days the struggle is real.

Then Pema Chodron reminds me:

“These days, many of us feel anxiety and gloom when we look around or read the news. This is natural and understandable, but at the same time it’s important to find ways to cultivate optimism. As it says in an aspiration that I recite often, “in relating to the future of humanity, I will be optimistic and courageous.”

Without having some sense of optimism, it’s easy to fall into some passive or defeatist attitude. Why try to do anything to improve the future if it’s hopeless anyway?

But according to the teachings on karma, the future is unwritten. What we do now does matter, not just to ourselves but to everyone who is part of this interconnection that we call Mother Earth. Even smiling at someone once can have tremendous ripple effect that goes out and out- who knows how far?

If this is the case, then think of how much we can affect the world by enthusiastically training in opening our hearts and minds, day after day.”

I’m reading a book by Robert M. Sapolsky called Behave: The Biology of Humans at our Best and Worst. Here’s an excellent TED Talk synopsis by the author:

Our biology and the environment we grow up in impacts us tremendously, influencing how we meet the world. It’s daunting to absorb the hurdles of the many, and the privilege afforded only a few. I don’t want to close my eyes to this disparity, as I suffer and profit from both. I’m grateful for whatever neurological synapses, neighborhoods and associations providence graciously bestowed me. Somehow an ingrained thirst for knowledge, weird sense of curiosity – flat-out doggedness goads me into considering that Pema Chodron is onto something.

So today I sit at my desk, and I consider what small ways I can affect the world and practice making chores a peace offering.

“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.”

― Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Share