Narcissism is a term often used but frequently misunderstood. Selfishness, lying, and immaturity, while unpleasant, do not necessarily equate to narcissistic behavior. True narcissism involves a fragile sense of self. One that seeks domination for security, manifesting in various ways, from relatively harmless to harmful. Rather than delving deep into this topic here, let’s explore it through astrology and its potential insights.
Over the past couple of years, Neptune has traversed the darker realms of our wounded selves, stirring up our fears for a purpose. As my colleague Kim Gould suggests, emotional wounds signify incomplete cycles of experience, signaling the need for closure. Yet, many fail to recognize the opportunity for peace and instead project past pain onto their present circumstances, perpetuating the same cycle. It’s crucial to approach things with fresh eyes.
“Emotional wounds are nothing more than incomplete cycles of experience. They let us know we have not yet come to the end of a particular story.
We know we are at the end because we are at peace, we have understood, on our own terms, what we
got out of the experience.” Kim Gould
The current Full Moon brings together the Sun, Saturn, and Mercury in Pisces, offering a gateway to completing painful cycles of the past. It’s time to rewrite our stories and pursue different outcomes. Are you courageous enough to take that step? Can you live with uncertain outcomes and focus instead on the process? This is what moves you away from the fragility and into true strength, choice by choice.
Having a trusted friend, advisor, or partner to witness your journey without trying to fix or control it can be immensely beneficial. Asking yourself simple questions, such as “What do I feel?” and “What does that feeling need now?” can provide solid support, guiding you through murky waters. Engage your body through activities like rocking, tapping, or dancing. Choose what feels good to you. These help you ground in the present moment.
For instance, when faced with a situation that triggers past pain, I direct my mind to uncover both the positive and negative aspects. Then, I list my resources for dealing with the situation and revisit the two questions: “What do I feel?” and “What does that feeling need?” This process, rooted in self-awareness and choice, allows for open-ended exploration and often yields results beyond initial expectations. It surprises and astonishes me. Especially when I see how challenging it is to locate original wants and needs amidst tread worn stories. Those gaps drive some unpleasant coping skills. Sigh…perhaps you can relate.
As you refine your internal personal process for completion over the next few weeks, remember that there’s no wrong way to do it. Practice only makes you better. Instead focus on how comfortable you are in the space where easy answers aren’t available. Can you live into them rather than sticking quick fixes onto the situation. By resolving incomplete cycles of experience, as we change our inner dialogue, we make a difference. Imagine the world that might create, right? The Cards & Stars will help.
Thank you,
Lisa Greenfield
2/24 Virgo Full Moon Three of pentacles: end of narcissism
Mercury’s number is three, and it finds itself in the midst of Pisces, joined closely by the Sun and Saturn. This cosmic alignment also brings Mercury into a challenging square with Pallas in Sagittarius. As the clever, yet tense meet up of strategic victories, Mercury urges us to rewrite our narratives. At life’s end, we can either cling to excuses or embrace our journey fully – messy emotions, lessons learned, and all. The power to reshape our interpretations lies within us. By reframing our stories, we gain the ability to steer our lives in a new direction. Despite the foggy influence of Mercury in Pisces, Saturn stands ready to help us set boundaries on our suffering, if we’re willing to accept its guidance.
This Virgo Moon provides the framework for us to recognize the patterns in our storytelling, empowering us to break free from cyclical suffering. Although the shift in understanding can happen in an instant, the process of rewriting our inner dialogue is neither quick nor easy. Do we rely on external validation to quell our fears, or can we find stillness within uncertainty? Are we prone to hasty decisions, repeating familiar cycles? These self-limiting behaviors hinder our growth and keep us stuck in repetitive patterns. Can you hold the tension of uncertainty as you change the way you talk yourself through it? This uncertainty is where the change happens. This is where Narcissism is replaced by true growth, strength and resilience.
As my colleague Kim mentioned earlier, it’s time to close the chapter on the stories we’ve been telling ourselves. Rest assured, nothing of value will be lost in this process. The essential parts of ourselves will carry forward, contributing to a richer narrative. But to access that, we need to navigate uncertainty without easy answers. Regardless of our past trauma, we have the power to rewrite our stories, ensuring that we honor our true selves more fully. By expanding our trust in ourselves and embracing curiosity, adaptability, and self-belief, we pave the way for healing and growth.
2/25 Seven of Wands: Boundaries Not Battle
We often find ourselves in battles when our boundaries are unclear. Sometimes, we need clarity to define or articulate them. This seven appears along with aspects challenging our codependence. Each person is accountable for their own boundaries. You can’t avoid the responsibility of knowing and expressing what aligns with you. However, we must also be responsible for how we communicate them. With this seven in the mix, there is often overcorrection. We fail to recognize our own power, leading us to use excessive force, akin to swatting flies with cannonballs. Not very effective, is it?
While we complete some of those wounding cycles, get to know the part of you that does flight, fight, freeze or fawn behavior. Who and what triggers the response? Is it the same or do different situations provoke different responses? This self awareness is gold to mine as you bring your life into alignment and finish these incomplete cycles. It can be uncomfortable to sit with the feelings that come. There’s often shame around being vulnerable. Yet when you can sit with yourself there, you build such internal strength. It adds resilience that serves you in any risk you wish to take. So find your boundaries. Let them be firm yet flexible as you gather intelligence that serves good purpose.
2/26 Seven of Swords: Fear Lies
This marks the second occurrence of the seven in a row, signaling an unexpected mental or spiritual event. With the assistance Pluto provides to the Moon today, you delve deep into the roots of your fears—how they speak to you, about you, and even for you. Then, the planets extend their support to help you embrace the Truth and discern the falsehoods for what they are. Yet, it can feel vulnerable to perceive yourself accurately without succumbing to self-judgment, loathing, or rejection. Remember, we all share these common elements. Therefore, it’s not about possessing or lacking them, but rather how you handle the less appealing aspects. When we disown or deny them, or exaggerate their significance, they hinder our progress in completing the cycle.
Anger serves a crucial purpose in consolidating our resolve and maintaining healthy boundaries when others overstep their bounds. However, it becomes problematic when it intrudes into another’s space, regardless of the rationale behind it. For now, it’s beneficial to deepen your relationship with anger and discern where you can channel it wisely. Strive to find the optimal balance, like Goldilocks’ quest for the perfect fit. Some situations call for it to be felt as a staunch resistance to intrusion, without the need for verbal explanation. Where can your anger be more fully and beneficially incorporated into the life you create going forward.
It pays to be cautious of excessive explanations, as they may indicate an attempt to justify your stance instead of asserting your authentic yes or no. If someone is offering lengthy explanations to you, remain anchored in your truth. While their perspective may offer insights, it doesn’t necessitate your agreement or surrender. When the seven presents itself, remember that beneath the falsehoods lies the enduring Truth of your being. Each time you locate that Truth, you take another step away from wounded and fragile parts of you making important decisions.
2/27 Five Of Wands: Difficulties In The Beginning
Just when you think you’ve got things handled, and you do, another little wrinkle may pop up. The key word here is little. This is a bit of a testing day. The good news is you’ve got high marks on more things than not with the Libra Moon trine Mars and Venus. Whew, right? Get your feet under you, feel the way success lands in your body. You’ll want that later when ripples tip you this way or that. Just map your way back to what you felt earlier in the day. One choice at a time you master your inner dialogue and take the next step. By all means, rest in between those successes so you can properly celebrate the progress you make.
2/28 Seven of Pentacles: What’s Yours To Do
The Sun, Saturn and Mercury all meet up today to end a Saturn cycle that dates back to 2/21/94. This Seven is the third in the cycle and reminds us to deal with what’s at hand. This image in most Tarot is a gardener pausing to survey his work and plan what’s next. What I love about the symbol is the gardener knows exactly what his job is. He doesn’t try to do the Sun’s job, or the plant’s job or the soil’s part. He is focused on his work. There is a patient investment in what’s at hand. Sure, there is anticipation for what is to come, either fruit or flower. Yet when you work with Nature you have a greater sense of natural timing. Today’s aspects and energy have us looking to the task at hand. Deal with that and build trust, the rest will come in time.
2/29 Four of Swords – Happy LEAP Year
There is a fair amount of celestial wind to fill our sails early in the day. Yet the caution in this four is include strategic pauses, especially as the evening falls. Sometimes doing everything in front of you can be just a bit much. Why not tune in to how you feel about rest. Do you feel restless unless measurable results are achieved each day? Or maybe fatigue is your bodies way of keeping you from taking risks? Look back over the last thirty years. When we have healthy pause for rest we can achieve what’s ours to do and enjoy it. Where is your sweet spot?
When this four appears, the mind becomes the sticking point. It might be less about our actions and more about our thoughts wearing us down. Remember, the mind is supposed to come third in our process. First, we intuit something beyond our known experience. Then, when the unseen calls to our hearts, only then does the mind step in. Its role isn’t to dictate what we do but to help us strategically navigate our path. Wherever you start, the mind excels at plotting the best route forward. All it needs is the right place in line and clear instructions. The mind thrives on tasks; it’s a servant, not the master. So, by providing it with proper guidance, you can prevent it from draining your energy.
3/1 Two of Cups
We kick off the day with plenty of feel-good aspects, casting a soft glow over the morning. This two always encourages us to be kind to ourselves, especially when the Moon encounters some prickly situations. It’s essential to examine what drives us to rush from one thing to the next without truly relishing what we’ve just experienced. Joy comes with vulnerability, a fact confirmed by research. That’s why today presents a perfect opportunity to stretch a little and find something that brings you delight. See if you can prolong the enjoyment for a few extra minutes. There’s no need to overwhelm your system; simply savor that moment a bit longer. Perhaps take a few extra deep breaths while basking in the sunshine. Or give that delicious food a couple more bites. These small acts help bolster your capacity for pleasure, rather than constantly chasing the next fleeting moment.
3/2 Three of Wands
When the three appears, success is on the horizon, but it hasn’t quite reached the dock yet. The transits confirm this message; it’s like a ship in a harbor but not yet docked. The opportunity lies in making the most of your time while maintaining trust that good things are on their way. This period is about flexing your optimism and trust muscles. Don’t worry if impatience and fear arise while you wait; it’s all part of the human experience. Instead of suppressing these emotions, acknowledge them with a simple “thanks for sharing” before redirecting your focus. If they start to dominate your thoughts, delve deeper to understand their underlying cause and address their needs.
Now is the perfect time to bring closure to cycles that have focused on worst-case scenarios as a form of misguided protection. Be gentle with yourself yet resolute in your intentions. Recall the lesson from yesterday: expand moments of joy to counteract worries wherever and whenever possible. Your time and energy are best spent actively selecting your thoughts so you can trust and enjoy more of the process.
3/3 Princess of Pentacles
Amidst the absence of concrete facts, the focus today is on decision-making. How do you discern your authentic yes and no? This is the challenge before you. Consider what your inner truth feels like and how it contrasts with responses given for show. The Princesses emphasize our internal state, suggesting trust in your body language. Are you attuned to the subtle cues that differentiate between a forced yes and a genuinely heartfelt one? And do you allow yourself the freedom to honor a no, even if it’s met with resistance?
Today presents an opportunity to strengthen your inner resolve. The Princess encourages you to exercise this muscle, particularly given the conflicting influences of the Sagittarius Moon and Pisces Sun. Tune into your body’s signals, especially with the supportive Moon Mars alignment to support decisive action. Notice what resonates positively and what doesn’t, then follow the path that aligns with your true self. Remember, success lies not only in the outcome but also in the effort itself. By evening, you may witness results that serve as inspiration for the path ahead.
3/4 The Star
Today, Mars aligns with the North Node, coinciding with the appearance of the Star card. Your actions serve as the compass guiding your destiny. It’s the small adjustments in our actions that hold significance. By prioritizing intuition, followed by the heart and mind, before taking action, we manifest our dreams into reality. This process has a magical quality, enabling us to shape our world according to our desires. Each day spent living authentically expands our realm of possibilities, even if the destination seems distant.
The Star card assures us that diligent effort yields rewards, even amidst life’s challenges. Like a beacon in the night sky, your authenticity shines brightly, illuminating your path. Embrace each moment as an opportunity to nourish the growing sense of self within you, waiting to be fully expressed. You are the protagonist of your journey, so seize the day and live it as such.
3/5 Two of Swords
Well, this is the second time we’re encountering the two in this series, which means we’ve got a couple of paths to choose from. Each time you consciously make a decision, wrapping up your thoughts and feelings mindfully, it’s like shedding another layer of that wounded part of yourself – you know, the one that’s always been either too protective or too critical. Today’s cosmic setup is all about giving us a solid foundation before we come face to face with our inner child, the one who’s feeling a bit vulnerable right now. But once we connect with that younger version of ourselves, we can blend its unmet needs with the wisdom of our grown-up self. It’s all about swapping out what doesn’t serve us for what does, and feeling more in control along the way.
Later tonight, we might find ourselves tested in our newfound strength. So, let’s take it slow and not rush into anything too hastily. When we react in a hurry, we tend to fall back into old habits, forgetting to use all the sweet new skills we’ve picked up. If you catch yourself slipping into that reactive mode, give yourself a moment to hit pause. Remember, we’re not aiming for perfection here; it’s all about making progress. Take a breather, reassess the situation, and then tackle it from a more centered place. That way, we can communicate our needs and desires more effectively and even listen to others with a clearer mind. And hey, shifting from that win/lose mindset to one where everybody wins? Now, that’s what I call a real win-win situation!
3/6 Princess of Swords
Pay close attention to your inner critic when this Princess shows up. She’s also the second one in the cycle, which brings our relationship to gossip out front. One of the weapons of a fragile ego is to triangulate. We go to other people to get them on our side when we don’t feel confident in our own thoughts, feelings, and actions. It’s easier to see things as us versus them, so you gather recruits to see things your way. It’s understandable and it costs us, all of us. Because differences in opinion don’t make people enemies. Bad behavior can be separated out from individuals. Good people react badly on a regular basis, and we can do better.
When you recognize that gossip is often linked to feelings of insecurity and powerlessness, it makes it easy to see it as a sign you need your own attention first. Go back to the basics on what you feel and what you need. There is no other vote required to give you permission to feel as you do, need what you need. Scary as it may be, spend time validating yourself before you rally the troops to see it your way. It’s emotional muscles well worth building.
Because then when you talk with others, they can help support your process instead of going to war with someone just struggling to do what they can, however badly. It also shifts you out of battle and into creative options. Remember you can object to people’s behavior, but behavior can and does change. Coming to them with a clean request for different interactions can catalyze all kinds of good things, no war required.
3/7 Six Of Pentacles
This six heralds the rewards awaiting you today for your good actions. Virgo’s influence, reflected in the number six, emphasizes health and well-being. Venus, in a slightly tense alignment with Ceres, warns against indulging too much in anything detrimental to your well-being, whether it’s unhealthy habits or limiting beliefs. Today’s aspects suggest seeking organic sources of motivation to replace any compulsive tendencies.
But fear not! You’ll receive a helping hand from the Moon and Mars conjunction. Whether it’s a boost in willpower or a friend inviting you to join them in a healthy activity, support is on the way. Remember, we all thrive with a little assistance from our friends, and today, you’re likely to receive some because of the kindness you’ve shown others. And if not, why not be the one to extend a helping hand? It’s a beautiful reminder that we’re stronger together.
3/8 Ace of Wands
This Ace announces an intuitive fresh start is at hand. Mercury meets up with Neptune to bring fresh inspiration, well-represented by this fiery Ace. The Moon meets up with Venus to color our new beginnings with both security and beauty. Remember that fire performs best when it’s in the right container. Be mindful that you don’t let runaway thoughts burn out of control. The mind can do that all too easily today, so be deliberate. Choose your thoughts carefully, because there is power and force there. When you direct it mindfully, it cuts through fog, lights the way, and helps you find a path in unfamiliar territory. Enjoy your imaginative leaping while you find the perfect place to house it.
3/9 Four of Pentacles
We kicked off our cycle with the three of Pentacles and now wrap it up with the four. Though it might not seem like a huge leap, each step forward replaces the fragile, wounded parts of ourselves with a stronger sense of self. Taking one solid step at a time feels sustainable, grounding us in a firm foundation. It’s a reassuring presence in an uncertain world, isn’t it? We replace healthy with un
Why not take a moment today to acknowledge all the areas where you’re making better decisions than ever before? Consider the places where you’ve embraced change, even when it felt challenging or uncomfortable. Since Pentacles represent the physical world, why not give yourself a high five in the mirror? You’ve earned it, and your body appreciates the recognition for your hard work. You deserve to celebrate your progress regularly, don’t you think?
